Best Loyalty Programs at UK Casinos
What Makes a Casino Loyalty Scheme Worth Joining
A loyalty program is a casino’s way of rewarding you simply for playing. Rather than hoarding one-off welcome offers, the better schemes give you something back on every spin, hand or round you place. For UK players, the key lies in the conversion rate: how many points you need to turn into real, withdrawable GBP. The best programs let you cash out without imposing the sort of brutal wagering requirements that effectively void the reward. Read more about this at non gamstop pay by phone casinos.
Not all points are created equal. Some sites award one point per £1 staked on slots but require 1,000 points for just £1 of credit, meaning you’d need to wager £1,000 to extract a single pound. Others operate tiered systems where your redemption rate improves as you climb, and a few run no-wagering promotions where anything you earn is yours to keep. Always check the terms before you commit significant bankroll to a single platform.
Programs typically reward activity across the full lobby, though contributions vary. Slots almost always count at 100%, while table games like blackjack and roulette might contribute only 10-20%, and some live dealer titles contribute nothing at all. Understanding these percentages prevents the frustration of playing for hours only to discover your wagers barely registered.
The strongest loyalty schemes also include tangible extras beyond points: faster withdrawal processing, dedicated account managers, personalised reload offers, cashback on net losses and birthday bonuses. For regular players, these perks often outweigh the headline sign-up deals that attract casual visitors.
Where to Find the Strongest Rewards
Several UK-facing platforms stand out for structured, transparent loyalty schemes. Sites offering 200 free spins on your first deposit with no wagering requirements represent excellent value because winnings convert straight to cash. Similarly, programs promising 50 free spins no deposit no wager or 70 free spins no deposit no wager remove the usual 30-40x playthrough that erodes bonus value.
At the premium end, operators running 100 free spins no deposit, 150 free spins no deposit, or even 1000 free spins no deposit promotions demonstrate a genuine commitment to player retention. When combined with ongoing point accumulation, these offers create a compelling case for loyalty. Some schemes even hand out 100 free welcome bonus no deposit required packages alongside tiered point systems, blending short-term incentive with long-term reward.
Comparing Points, Tiers and Cashback
The mechanics differ significantly between operators. Below is a typical breakdown of how common UK loyalty structures compare on value delivery.
| Reward Type | Typical Rate | Wagering | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Points per £1 staked | 1-5 points | 1x-30x | Consistent slot players |
| Net loss cashback | 5%-15% weekly | None | High-volume bettors |
| Tier upgrade spins | 20-500 spins | 0x-10x | Mid-to-high rollers |
| Birthday bonus | £10-£100 credit | Varies | All players |
| Refer-a-friend | £5-£20 per referral | None | Social players |
Cashback schemes have surged in popularity precisely because they bypass the headache of wagering. If a casino returns 10% of your net weekly losses as cash, you receive real GBP without needing to spin it through a 40x requirement. For players who deposit £10 and get 200 free spins with no wagering requirements, the appeal is similar: immediate, tangible returns.
Tiered systems reward consistency rather than occasional bursts. A player earning 5 free spins no deposit might be casual, but someone progressing toward VIP status through sustained play typically unlocks escalating perks , from 40 free spins no deposit at bronze level to 120 free spins for real money at gold, plus priority support and higher withdrawal limits.
Practical Tips Before You Commit
Before joining any loyalty scheme, calculate the effective return. If a program requires £10,000 of turnover to release £50, that’s a 0.5% return , poor compared to cashback alternatives. Cross-reference with the welcome offer: a 150 free spins on Book of Dead, no deposit bonus paired with a strong loyalty scheme suggests the operator values retention over acquisition alone.
Also check expiry policies. Points that lapse after 30 days of inactivity punish players who take breaks. The best programs let balances roll indefinitely or apply generous grace periods. Finally, verify licensing: any scheme worth your time operates under a UK Gambling Commission licence, ensuring fair redemption terms and protected funds in GBP.
Diferencias entre casino físico y online: guía para jugadores en España
La forma de jugar en España ha cambiado de manera notable en la última década. Mientras que el casino tradicional mantiene un público fiel que busca la experiencia social y el ambiente de las salas, el casino online ha crecido hasta convertirse en la opción preferida por millones de usuarios que valoran la comodidad y la variedad. Según datos recientes del sector, más del 60 % de los jugadores españoles ha probado al menos una plataforma digital, frente a un 35 % que sigue acudiendo de forma habitual a locales físicos. Conocer las diferencias entre ambos entornos ayuda a elegir con criterio. Puede encontrar más detalles en tiradas gratis de casino.
Experiencia, ambiente y ritmo de juego
En un casino físico, la experiencia va más allá del propio juego. Las luces, el sonido de las fichas y la presencia de otros jugadores generan una atmósfera difícil de replicar en pantalla. Sin embargo, esa misma intensidad puede resultar abrumadora para quien prefiere un entorno tranquilo y controlado desde su propio domicilio.
El ritmo también difiere de forma clara. En una mesa presencial, cada mano depende del crupier y de los turnos de los demás participantes, lo que ralentiza el juego. En cambio, en una plataforma digital puedes jugar varias rondas por minuto y decidir cuándo detenerte sin presión social.
Otro aspecto relevante es la privacidad. Muchos jugadores españoles valoran poder gestionar sus partidas sin miradas ajenas, algo que el entorno online facilita de manera natural y que reduce la sensación de exposición.
Ofertas, bonos y límites de apuesta
Aquí es donde el contraste resulta más evidente. Un casino físico rara vez ofrece promociones más allá de algún torneo puntual o una consumición gratuita. La estructura de costes de las salas limita mucho este tipo de incentivos.
El entorno digital, por el contrario, compite de forma agresiva mediante bonificaciones. Por ejemplo, plataformas como Spin Casino online aplican promociones que pueden alcanzar el 100 % del primer depósito hasta 1.000 EUR, además de rondas gratis y programas de fidelización con devoluciones semanales. Son cifras que ninguna sala presencial puede igualar.
Los límites también varían. En un casino físico, las apuestas mínimas suelen partir de 1 EUR o 5 EUR por tirada, mientras que online es posible jugar desde 0,10 EUR, lo que amplía el acceso a presupuestos muy distintos y favorece una gestión más flexible del bankroll.
| Aspecto | Casino físico | Casino online |
|---|---|---|
| Horario | Limitado a la apertura | 24 horas, todos los días |
| Bonos | Muy reducidos | Hasta 100 % y 1.000 EUR |
| Apuesta mínima | Desde 1 EUR | Desde 0,10 EUR |
Seguridad, control y juego responsable
Ambos entornos están regulados por la Dirección General de Ordenación del Juego, por lo que la legalidad está garantizada en España. La diferencia está en las herramientas de control que ofrece cada uno.
Las plataformas digitales permiten establecer límites de depósito, tiempo de sesión y autoexclusión con apenas unos clics. Esa inmediatez, junto a los registros de actividad, facilita un seguimiento más preciso del comportamiento de juego.
En el casino físico, el control depende en mayor medida de la autodisciplina del jugador, ya que no existen bloqueos automáticos equivalentes. La combinación de ambas opciones, eligiendo la que mejor encaje con cada perfil, es hoy la vía más sensata para disfrutar del juego con responsabilidad.
Cómo aprovechar las promociones de fin de semana en el juego online
Por qué los fines de semana concentran las mejores ofertas
El comportamiento del jugador español cambia notablemente de lunes a domingo. Según datos del sector, alrededor del 42% del volumen total de apuestas en plataformas online en España se concentra entre el viernes por la tarde y el domingo por la noche. Esa concentración de actividad empuja a los operadores a competir con promociones específicas para captar atención en las horas de mayor tráfico. Lea más al respecto en slots gratis.
El resultado es un calendario promocional que se repite con bastante regularidad: bonos de recarga, giros gratis, torneos de tragamonedas y cuotas mejoradas en eventos deportivos. Conocer ese patrón permite planificar el juego y exprimir cada oferta en lugar de reaccionar con prisas al último mensaje recibido.
No todas las promociones valen lo mismo. Un bono del 100% hasta 50 EUR puede ser excelente si las condiciones de apuesta son razonables, pero decepcionante si exige multiplicar el importe 40 veces antes de retirar. La clave está en leer la letra pequeña antes de aceptar cualquier oferta.
Cómo evaluar una promoción antes de aceptarla
El primer dato que conviene revisar es el requisito de apuesta (wagering). En el mercado español, lo habitual oscila entre x20 y x40. Cuanto menor sea ese multiplicador, más fácil resultará convertir el bono en saldo retirable. Un bono de 20 EUR con requisito x25 exige apostar 500 EUR en total; uno con x40 eleva la cifra a 800 EUR.
También importa el plazo de validez. Muchas promociones de fin de semana caducan en 48 o 72 horas, lo que obliga a jugar con cierta intensidad. Si no se cumplen las condiciones a tiempo, el bono y las ganancias asociadas desaparecen.
Otros factores decisivos son la contribución de cada juego al wagering (las tragamonedas suelen aportar el 100%, mientras que el póker o el blackjack pueden aportar solo el 10%) y el límite máximo de retirada derivado del bono. Revisar estos cuatro puntos antes de activar una oferta evita sorpresas desagradables.
Un ejemplo de estructura promocional bien diseñada es la que ofrece sorteosonline, donde las condiciones se presentan de forma clara y los requisitos se mantienen dentro de parámetros competitivos. La transparencia en los términos es, en sí misma, un indicador de calidad del operador.
Estrategias prácticas para maximizar el rendimiento
Aprovechar bien un fin de semana promocional requiere algo más que aceptar el primer bono que aparece. Estas pautas ayudan a rentabilizar cada oferta:
- Comparar al menos tres operadores antes del viernes y quedarse con la promoción de mejor relación entre importe y wagering.
- Reservar el saldo del bono para juegos que contribuyan al 100% del requisito de apuesta.
- Fijar un presupuesto semanal y no superarlo aunque aparezcan ofertas tentadoras de última hora.
- Llevar un registro sencillo de bonos activados, plazos y progreso del wagering.
- Aprovechar las cuotas mejoradas en deporte solo cuando exista un conocimiento real del evento.
Las promociones de fin de semana pueden aportar valor real si se abordan con criterio. La diferencia entre un jugador que gana y otro que pierde rara vez está en la suerte: está en leer las condiciones, comparar opciones y jugar con un plan definido antes de que llegue el sábado.
The Biggest Free Spins Offers This Month in the United Kingdom
How to Spot a Generous Free Spins Deal
Navigating the United Kingdom’s bustling casino market requires a sharp eye for detail, particularly when chasing free spins offers. The volume of promotions available to British players can be staggering, yet the true value lies in the fine print. A headline offer of 100 free spins might seem impressive, but it is the wagering requirements that dictate your actual chances of withdrawing cash. This month, the trend is shifting heavily towards “no wagering” deals, where what you win is genuinely yours to keep. Check out additional details at online slots uk.
When evaluating the biggest offers of the month, British players should look beyond the spin count. For instance, finding 50 free spins no deposit no wager represents a significant opportunity because it removes the barrier of playing through your winnings 30 or 40 times. Similarly, offers like 70 free spins no deposit no wager are highly sought after because they offer immediate liquidity. The key is to identify promotions that respect the player’s time and bankroll without burying the value under restrictive terms.
Another critical factor is the eligibility of the games. The United Kingdom Gambling Commission (UKGC) enforces strict rules regarding advertised offers, meaning British players are well-protected. However, the best deals this month are those that apply to high-volatility slots like Book of Dead or Big Bass Bonanza. Seeing 150 free spins on Book of Dead, no deposit is a standout metric, as it allows players to engage with a premium title without risking their own funds. It is essential to verify if the spins are credited instantly or over several days, as this impacts your strategy.
Finally, consider the “no deposit” aspect. In a market saturated with deposit-matched bonuses, finding a genuine cash offer is rare. Deals such as 100 free welcome bonus no deposit required or £30 free no deposit are the gold standard for new British registrants. These promotions allow you to test the casino’s software and customer service without a financial commitment. While these offers are often capped, they provide a risk-free environment to explore the platform’s library of slots and table games.
Top Promotions Available to British Players
This month, the sheer quantity of spins on offer is impressive, but the quality of the terms is what separates the leaders from the rest. For players seeking volume, seeing 1000 free spins no deposit is an extraordinary claim, though usually, these are distributed across multiple days or tasks. A more realistic yet generous offering is 200 free spins, often attached to a deposit. However, the true standouts for value this month are the mid-tier offers that combine accessibility with fair terms.
Specific campaigns are making waves in the United Kingdom right now. Promotions like 150 free spins no deposit and 120 free spins for real money are currently dominating the market. These offers provide a substantial number of attempts to hit a jackpot. Furthermore, niche bonuses such as 40 free spins no deposit and 25 free spins on registration no deposit cater to casual players who prefer a lighter gaming session. It is worth noting that offers like 20 free spins on Big Bass Bonanza, no deposit are particularly popular due to the game’s reputation for bonus rounds.
For those prioritising cash over spins, the market is equally competitive. Finding 5 free spins no deposit might seem small, but when paired with 50 free spins no deposit no wager, the cumulative value increases. British players are also seeing a rise in cash-based incentives, such as £20 free no deposit casino and Deposit £10 and get 200 free spins with no wagering requirement. The latter is a powerful entry point, offering a massive 200-spin package for a modest £10 stake, provided the wagering terms are transparent.
The standout destination for these promotions remains Free Spins No Deposit UK, which consistently curates the most competitive deals. Their reputation for “Priced to the Penny” accuracy ensures that British players are not misled by exaggerated claims. By centralising the best offers, from 10 free spins to 100 free spins no deposit, they provide a streamlined route to the month’s biggest bonuses. This approach saves players valuable time and ensures access to legitimate, UKGC-compliant offers.
Ultimately, the biggest offers this month are defined by their fairness as much as their size. Whether you are hunting for 150 free spins on Book of Dead, no deposit or a simple £10 free no deposit, the United Kingdom’s market offers unparalleled variety. Always remember to gamble responsibly and choose offers that align with your playing style, ensuring that the excitement of the free spins remains a positive experience.
New Free Spins Added Today: What UK Players Need to Know
How Fresh Free Spin Offers Work
The online casino landscape shifts daily, and today is no exception. Several operators have refreshed their promotional calendars, rolling out new free spins packages designed to attract both newcomers and returning players across the United Kingdom. Understanding how these offers function is the first step toward making the most of them. Discover further information on winning-streak.uk/deposit-bonus-guides/.
Most free spins fall into two categories: deposit-based and no-deposit. The latter requires no financial commitment whatsoever, letting you spin the reels simply for registering an account. Deposit-based offers, by contrast, reward you after funding your balance, often pairing the spins with a matched bonus.
Wagering requirements remain the critical detail. A typical offer might carry 30x or 40x playthrough conditions, meaning you must stake your winnings that many times before withdrawing. Some operators have begun eliminating these entirely, which is a trend worth watching closely.
Eligible games also vary. Certain promotions restrict spins to popular titles such as Book of Dead or Big Bass Bonanza, while others grant freer access across the whole slots library. Always read the fine print before committing.
Today’s Standout Free Spin Promotions
Among today’s additions, one offer stands above the rest for UK players seeking genuine value. The featured promotion delivers 150 free spins on Book of Dead with no deposit required, alongside an impressive catalogue of alternatives including 50 free spins no deposit no wager and 100 free spins no deposit packages.
What separates this selection from the competition is the sheer breadth of choice. Whether you prefer 5 free spins as a gentle introduction or a substantial 1000 free spins no deposit bundle, the options cater to every style of play. There are even niche offerings like 25 free spins on registration no deposit for those who want to test the waters without risk.
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The no-wagering options deserve particular attention. Promotions advertising “nothing asked back” allow you to keep whatever you win, without grinding through playthrough conditions. This represents a meaningful shift in how operators approach player-friendly terms.
Maximising Value From Daily Spin Offers
Timing matters more than most players realise. New free spins added today may carry expiry windows ranging from 24 hours to seven days, so acting promptly prevents missed opportunities. Set a reminder if necessary; unused spins simply vanish.
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Bankroll discipline remains paramount. Even with a 100 free welcome bonus no deposit required, treat every session as entertainment rather than income. The Gambling Commission’s regulations exist to protect you, and responsible play tools should always stay enabled.
Finally, revisit this page regularly. Promotional inventories rotate constantly, and tomorrow’s lineup may include fresh gems worth exploring. Today’s 150 free spins on Book of Dead, no deposit offer is available now, but availability is never guaranteed indefinitely.
Update 2020 to 2025
A lot has happened since I last wrote here more than half a decade ago.
My wife and I had a son. My wife graduated from community college and then transferred to the University of California at Berkeley. She will graduate this year. Our daughter is in first grade and is thriving. Her extracurriculars include ballet, ice skating, parkour, guitar, piano, software development and acting. Our son is taking ballet, music and ice skating classes.
My dear parents Martha and Robert passed away. I miss them. They both met our son, thankfully.
I retired in February, 2020 at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. It was too risky to continue as an innkeeper at my home. It was a fun and wild ride. Between 2014 and 2020 I hosted over six-thousand travelers from seventy-four countries. Most of these travelers I found through Airbnb, but some were through couchsurfing.org. I credit my current marriage to being an innkeeper. I didn’t meet my wife as a host, but after we met she did end up staying at my home, and she never left. We’ve been together over a decade now. It’s been a magical decade… the best decade of my life.
Our daughter is vivacious and outgoing. She met and lived with two-thousand guests before I retired. Starting when she was only seventeen months old, she would shake hands with every guest at the front door, even if eight guests arrived at once. She would push their luggage to their room or rooms, even though the height of their luggage often exceeded her height. Now that she’s older, my wife sometimes takes her to conferences, and our daughter charms the attendees. Would this be the case without my time as an Innkeeper?
During summer break in 2023 my wife was an intern at a software company in Stockholm, Sweden, as part of a study abroad program arranged by her university. I didn’t want to stay in one place for the summer, even though Stockholm is an amazing city. So, after getting my wife settled into her apartment, I rented a car and took the kids on an eight thousand mile road trip. We only encountered one other individual parent traveling with children, and his kids were much older than one and five years old.
We drove from Stockholm and took a ferry to Denmark. From Denmark we took a ferry to Germany. Then we drove to Poland. Then back to Germany and onto Austria.
We were stopped by the police as we entered Austria. The very young officers checked our passports and sent us on our way. The hotel clerk that night said we were stopped for our Swedish license plate. We never saw any Swedish plates once we left Denmark, so I can see the officer’s concern. We didn’t receive a citation as I was very careful to drive at the speed limit, as there are speed cameras on many roads in Europe, and I drive the speed limit in the rest of the world too. The way the police pull you over in Austria is they drive in front of you and display a text message to you on a rear facing roof mounted illuminated sign. The message rotates through multiple languages, including English. It said “Please follow me.” Even though I saw it I could not believe they meant for me to actually follow them. So, I ignored it. The Police maneuvered alongside my car and the second officer opened their window and flashed their badge and motioned for me to follow them. I did. They spoke English well and never inquired why I had two young children with me or asked where their mother was. It was a brief encounter, but they did take our passports to their car for a few minutes, presumably to run in their computer. The hotel clerk said they get many reports from guests of the police stopping them at the border too.
It was late and the restaurants were closed. We stopped at a food truck that didn’t accept cards for payment. I didn’t carry cash as it’s not needed these days in Europe. We were about to go hungry, but a nice American couple in line stepped in and paid for dinner for all of us. They were from Palo Alto, California, just a short distance from my home in San Francisco. We had a nice talk. They were on an organized tour and were amazed I was just driving around Europe for months with two young children.
Next we went to Trieste, Italy, where my brother was born during one of our overseas adventures during my childhood. My father worked as a physicist in Yugoslavia at the time. He was paid in the local currency which was apparently difficult to spend in Italy, so we did our grocery shopping in Yugoslavia. My parents said the canned food didn’t have pictures and they could not read the labels, so we only discovered the contents at home when the cans were opened.
My brother and his family joined us in Trieste and we had a nice time seeing the city together. He had not been back since the year of his birth. I had been back in 2008.
Then we drove to Venice and met up with my brother’s family a second time.
After Italy, we went to France, Monaco, Spain, Luxembourg, Belgium and the Netherlands before heading back to Denmark and Sweden. We were on the road about two months. My wife flew to Spain to meet up with us in Barcelona and the surrounding area.
Once back in Sweden, I took the kids to Helsinki, Finland by car. I stopped along the way to visit a friend I hadn’t seen since we were both teenagers. We took a ferry to return to Sweden, saving days of driving. I wanted to drive to Finland because I wanted to experience the sun never setting.
Covid-19 dashboard website created by high school student
I learned about a Covid-19 dashboard website that updates the world on the Covid-19 virus once a minute, by scraping other websites around the world.
Here is the url: https://ncov2019.live/data
Here is an article about this dashboard, which was built by and is maintained by high school student Avi Schiffmann in the United States. He started it in December 2019, when there were only reported cases in China. Impressive foresight.
Covid 19 worries
Today is Tuesday, March 10, 2020. I have been staying at home for the last week or so to avoid contracting the Covid 19 virus. I have been reading the news, and have seen pictures of empty subway trains during San Francisco rush hour. I figured that would mean people would not be out shopping either. I was wrong. I went to Home Depot to return some items I don’t need, and the store seemed just as busy as any other Tuesday. Then I went to Target to get some hand soap. The store was perhaps a bit slower than normal, maybe 80% of normal. The store had no liquid hand soap for sale, and no hand sanitizer. Most of the bar soap was sold out too. Then I went to Safeway, and the store was just as busy as normal. They had two large bottles of liquid hand soap, but only two, and I bought them, as I am washing may hands so many times per day that I will go through these in the next two months.
I saw hundreds of people during this afternoon of shopping, and nobody had on a mask, and nobody was trying to keep a safe distance from anyone else that I could see. I never saw anyone change their walking path to stay six feet away from someone approaching.
I wore my N100 welding fume mask and rubber gloves, and changed my shoes when I got home and washed my hands for more than twenty seconds. I don’t understand the appeal of paper N95 masks, which currently sell for a fortune. I think non-disposable N100 masks with a rubber face seal should be the minimum people consider given the consequences. I know the current guidelines call for nobody other than health care workers to wear any mask, but I am suspicious this advice is due to an insufficient number of masks available, not that N95 or N100 masks convey no protection. I wore my mask for hours when I learned to weld, so I got used to it, and fortunately I bought a second mask back then, so I am now wearing a brand new mask that does not have any welding fume odor.
There are thirteen confirmed cases of Covid 19 in San Francisco, but almost nobody can get tested, so there are probably far more cases that are not yet diagnosed. I will happily wear my N100 mask when not at home for the foreseeable future. I worry San Francisco residents by the hundreds or even thousands will soon come down with Covid 19 illness, and that all this mask-free activity will prove to be deadly. Just yesterday Italy ‘locked down’ the entire country and suspended all debt payments, including mortgage payments. I can imagine San Francisco locked down by the end of this month or April, 2020 at the latest.
First annual Intel Make it Wearable competition November 2, 2014
On Sunday afternoon, November 2, 2014, I had the pleasure of attending the first annual Intel Make it Wearable to identify exciting technology companies making or proposing to make computers that one wears rather than carries or is stationary.
Make it Wearable is an ambitious new competition, and it’s the most polished and exciting competition I have attended. That’s saying something as I have attended dozens of competitions over the years.
The ten finalists come from China, Chile, the United Kingdom, Germany and the United States. The ideas were wonderfully diverse as you’ll soon learn which helped to keep the event lively and full of surprises. Sex appeal for business competitions is desirable because it helps attract the press and future competitors. I saw reporters from Yahoo and CNet at the event, and even reporters from the Middle East.

Venus Williams listening to a pitch as a judge for the 2014 Intel Make it Wearable competition on November 2, 2014. Note the Intel chip containing Microsoft Surface Pro tablet computer Williams is holding. The judges voted via these tablets.
Before I jump into the companies, allow me to talk about the event venue, the W Hotel across the street from the Moscone Convention Center in San Francisco, California USA. This was a great choice. The W is very fashionable. It’s not dull and boring like so many big hotels. Intel didn’t just go with a standard W event room though. A designer outfitted the rooms with custom wall textiles that resembled old barn wood and white painted bricks. This theme carried through to the custom printed name tags. There were light sculptures that featured dozens of clear globed incandescent light bulbs dimmed enough you could see the glowing filaments without squinting. These bulbs were dangling down on wires, and the idea was to reference the light bulb over the head to bring up the idea of a fresh new idea being thought up.
There was a disc jockey ever present in the two rooms, though one used her RFID embedded fake fingernails to manipulate a musical track by dipping her fingers in a shallow clear box of water. She got a lot of attention for this, and it was mesmerizing to watch. I learned this was her first gig playing music by playing with water.
The rooms were packed, and the crowd was surprisingly stylish and hip… far, far more hip than the crowds at the business competitions I have attended on college campuses. The only negative is that the event was not open to the public, a big change from previous Intel business competitions I have attended for years in Berkeley, California. I suspect the reason is that this first year was an experiment for Intel, and they wanted to test things out before widening the audience base. I was invited by Intel, a company that has been very kind to me over the years. My last Internet startup was an Intel Capital portfolio company.
My favorite company is Pro Glove, out of Germany. This team won third place and USD $100,000 in the competition.
Pro Glove makes solutions to improve the accuracy and speed of production factory workers. The company says there are 200 million such workers in the world.
The company sells gloves, sensors and software to process the data returned by the globe embedded sensors. Factories apparently for the first time can see exactly what workers are doing with their hands. If a worker skips a production step, the software can spot the mistake and flash a light on the glove to warn the worker to go back and complete the step. The glove analytics software can even tell where the worker is standing in the factory, so if they are walking around needlessly to fetch tools, the manager can spot that an perhaps move the tools closer to the worker to save walking time.
Pro Glove said that for BMW, each second saved on a repetitive task making a car translates into USD $7,500 per year savings for BMW, so having analytics about hand movements of production workers strikes me as a must have. Pro Glove cited various return on investment periods for their different use scenarios. Sometimes the system is predicted to pay for itself in a year, and sometimes in just there months.
I can see Pro Glove gloves being a must have in leading edge factories, and I can see room for lots of follow on products that will have high margin, particularly for the software designed to analyze the glove data. I think a large and enduring business can be built, and that is why I give this team my highest vote.
My second favorite team is Open Bionics, out of the United Kingdom. This team won second place in the competition.
Open Bionics proposes to make low cost three dimensionally printed bionic hands for children. The team proposes a price of just USD $2,000, which apparently is shockingly low compared to current bionic hands, which they said can cost up to $100,000 each.
The Open Bionic model is not as durable or as functional as the models costing 50 times more, but the low cost allows families to fit their handless children with a bionic hand multiple times as needed as they grow up. Apparently insurance won’t pay for a new $100,000 bionic hand each year for a growing child, so handless kids just grow up without handless until they stop growing and can get a fully featured metal bionic hand. Open Bionics was not specific about how current costly models are paid for and how often they are replaced, thus I am reading between the lines a bit here in this paragraph.
The Open Bionic team proposes to keep the cost low by not having patients meet with any medical professionals. Instead, the company will send an Apple iPad brand computer tablet with a 3D scanning attachment to the patient by postal mail. The customer will scan their own arm stump and return the iPad to the company. The company then prints out and assembles a hand that will fit the exact stump dimensions of the patient, and the hand will just show up at the customer’s home by common carrier, to be self installed by the customer.
The hands don’t have a wrist joint, but they can open and close by the wearer just thinking the same thoughts handed people think when they want to open or close their fist. There are electrode sensors that are taped to the forearm of the wearer, and the Open Bionic team had the electrodes on his own arm, and could make the bionic hand open and close just by his thoughts controlling his forearm muscles. It was an impressive demo.
I got to play with one of the bionic hands, and I could feel the hand squeezing my hand when activated by a push button ‘demo’ switch.
Open Bionics has the opportunity to dramatically improve the life of handless children. The price proposed frankly seems too low to keep the company afloat, so I worry about their viability. But the price can be adjusted, and since the team won USD $200,000 in this competition, they have some breathing room to figure out both their technology and the business.
My third favorite team is Nixie. This team won the grand prize in the competition — USD $500,000.
Nixie had the most eye popping video demonstration of their product.
Nixie proposes making a tiny drone helicopter that contains a still and video camera. The drone can fold up and wrap around a person’s wrist. With the flick of the wrist, the drone can be unfolded and then can start up and take flight away from the wearer. Once at a suitable elevation and distance, the camera can face the use and take a picture or start recording. Once done, the drone will fly back to the user and turn off.
Nixie sees itself as a competitor to Go Pro and similar action cameras. Eventually Nixie says they want to compete with normal point and shoot digital cameras.
I held a prototype Nixie drone in my hand, and it is cute. However, it looks impossibly fragile and totally unsuited to wearing while rock climbing, the stated first market Nixie envisions. I can see the drone simply falling off the wrist and falling on someones head below.
But I am happy Nixie won first place in this competition. The idea I think will wow many observers, and it will help brand the competition as one where really cool consumer products can be born and launched. That’s good for Intel and good for the competition.
But I think Nixie won by making the drone wearable as a way to be eligible to compete in this competition. In the absence of the competition, I think the product would have taken a different form. If I were rock climbing, I would want the drone in a protected case that I could easily open and access when the time was right for taking pictures.
Nixie is likely to be costly to start. I can see it costing USD $1,000 to early rock climbing adopters. I think they will find customers even at this price.
I don’t think there are strings attached to the Intel half million dollar prize, so I think that Nixie is welcome to ditch the wearable aspect in favor of practicality. I encourage them to go that route, even though it may secretly irritate Intel.
I admire Nixie for getting a non dilutive $500K to pursue their photography drone. This kind of thinking is the hallmark of successful entrepreneurs — tailoring an offering for the market at hand. Intel was the customer, and Nixie gave Intel a product it asked for. And Intel will be proud of Nixie even if they just become a successful photography drone company.
I can also imagine ways to make a Nixie both wearable and very unlikely to get damaged during arduous climbing. Just put it into a head mounted hard case inside a custom helmet. When the time comes, the helmet wearer could command the helmet to open and for the drone to take off from there. This could even be voice activated via a helmet mounted microphone.
Sadly, I don’t have time right now to finish this post. My grandmother is turning 103 years old December 12, 2014, and I have a project I have to finish by then as I promised her I would take it to show her. I have already spent three days on this Make it Wearable competition, and I need to get back to my regular life. I have a lot more pictures to post, and I want to tell you about the seven other companies, which also are very interesting.
12 years after 9/11/2001
I am dismayed with how the United States responded to four plane crashes 12 years ago this day, September 11, 2013.
Wars were started that still continue. Trillions of US dollars have been wasted destroying much more than just property and life.
How much better would the world be if President George W. Bush treated the September 11, 2001 events as regular police matters.
Osama bin Laden still could have been found and brought to trial to determine his guilt or innocence, and we wouldn’t have wrecked our good will like we have with these needless and counter productive wars that are a drain on the world. Constant war is a drain on the mental energy of everyone in the world, I fear.
President Bill Clinton handled the 1993 World Trade Center truck bombing as a police matter, and I recall that some of the perpetrators were located, tried in civilian courts, convicted and punished. That’s the way to handle both daily criminal and infrequent catastrophic criminal events.
I believe the people behind the 9/11/01 attacks were upset with how the United States conducts itself on the world stage. I think a sane and proper response would have been to admit to the world that the United States does overstep its place more than it cares to admit. We should have attempted to open a rich and ongoing dialog with those who attacked us to solicit their advice on how the United States could tone things down in the future so that others wouldn’t be so hopping mad that they attack us.
Would such a polite and measured response have worked? I don’t know. But I think it would have cost less in every measure.
If a prestigious entity with world visibility were created where we would yearly sit with our attackers and those who think of attacking, we would have taken the wind out of the sails of our attackers to a substantial degree. The entity would need to have power, prestige and money for it to be seen as more than window dressing by those who might attack us. It would need to make sure action was taken after meetings so all those watching would know their voice was being heard and acted upon. This would be one heck of an organization, and I don’t know how to pull it off, but it needs to be built. We know how to build huge, costly organizations that can cause action. The US military is one such huge costly organization, for example. The organization for good I propose might need to rival the US military in size, scope, power and budget. That might sound crazy, but what really are we getting for our military expenditures now? I would argue a lot less than nothing. We are building negative equity like at no time in the history of the United States. We could fund the organization I propose by reallocating half the budget of the US military as a start. With just half its budget intact, the United States would still have a huge military, but we would also immediately have the largest organization for world change on the planet, and just by having made that commitment, I predict more than half our ‘need’ for a military at all would evaporate. Half of our military is still a lot, and think of the new friends we would make with the new organization for change I propose. Far fewer people would wish us harm if we were doing good on such an intense global scale.
Now prepare yourself for the most provocative text I’ve written in my life…
Soon after the September 11, 2001 plane crashes, United States of America President George W. Bush should have said something like this:
“The United States is profoundly sorry and embarrassed.
Without an invitation, the United States has been acting like the policeman of the world.
We recognize that there are other valid points of view on how to live life. We don’t want to be attacked like this again, so I ask those of you who wish us harm to please share with us how we can avoid such attacks. We are willing to make big changes, and we’re willing to spend a lot of money to be a nicer world citizen. To demonstrate our resolve to change and see the point of view of others, the United States today is contributing USD $100,000,000,000 to get the ball rolling towards a more fair and sane planet. We will spend to improve the lot of the people that attacked us.
On behalf of the United States of America, I am sorry that this country has acted such that you believe you had to attack it. While this country may not agree with your points of view, it does recognize that you view your points of view as valid and worth advancing. Clearly, we need to talk, and we will talk. I personally will talk face to face with your representatives.
The United States feels so strongly that it will learn to play nice on the world stage that beyond the USD $100 billion I just spoke of, I am committed to working with the US House and Senate to gain approval to spend up to USD $3,000,000,000,000 over the next decade to fix what’s wrong with the world.
The United States is not a vindictive nation.
The United States could respond by starting wars and destroying entire countries, but we’re bigger than that, and we will show our attackers that the people of the United States are your friends, not your enemies. War is terrible. Peace is golden. The United States stands for peace, not war.
On behalf of everyone in the United States, including the families of those who lost loved ones today, I appologize for our actions, attitudes and positions that led others to believe that they had to attack the United States so violently to get our attention.
With hard work and determination, today will be the last time that any people of the world should feel that they have to attack us to get us to change our overstepping ways.
The United States in fact is ashamed that it has come to this, that we have upset other people so dramatically and profoundly that they have responded by flying airplanes into our landmarks, ending the lives of so many earnest people in the process.
Let us spend the following ten minutes in silence to reflect on the enormity of the events of today. Let us imagine a world filled with peace, happiness and enough to eat and drink. Let us cast aside our revengeful impulses so that we can come together at a meeting table to plan how the people of the world shall overcome the horror of today in favor of the brightness of a more promising future for all of humanity.
To the friends and family of those who lost their lives today, if you want to be upset with somebody, be upset with me and the past Presidents of The United States of America. What happened today was a reaction to this country overstepping its place in the world. It simply is not nice to tell other people how to live while we consume such a disproportionate percentage of the resources of the planet. In the decades ahead, we will need to learn to share our bounty with others more than we have done so far. Look on this redistribution of wealth as your insurance payment for the future safety of you, your property and your loved ones, not as a handout. The United States has been acting like a rich, spoiled kid on the playground eating the finest candy and laughing while others nearby starve and have little. We can remain a wealthy and prosperous and happy nation while at the same time leveling the playing field. We are a nation of thoughtful and ingenious innovators, and if we put forth our full effort, perhaps 100 times greater than what was required to place a man on the moon, we can solve the really big problems the world today faces.
Three trillion dollars is a lot of money. We can spend that amount building peace, love and goodwill. We can also spend three trillion dollars killing hundreds of thousands of people and destroying countries.
I am certain that three trillion dollars of peace, love and goodwill is more valuable than three trillion dollars of rubble, hate and death.
May September 11, 2001 be viewed by history as the first day of the most kind and peaceful period the world has yet known.
For those of you that worship a higher power, may that higher power give you comfort on this historic day of new beginnings. Let us rejoice in the saved lives of the hundreds of thousands of people this nation will not kill in response to the events of today. Let us rejoice in the new lives of the hundreds of thousands of babies by coincidence born this historic day. It is tragic that the United States lost thousands of its residents today, but keep in mind more babies were born in the United States today than lives were lost in these four plane crashes.
The United States is your friend, not your enemy. The United States wants peace, prosperity and fairness for all the people of the world.
Tomorrow will be better.
I love you.”
Instead, President Bush said something genuinely and dramatically stupid:
“You’re either with us or you’re with the terrorists.”
This is such an unwise thing to say it sounds like something out of the mouth of a high school student at a third rate institution. Yet his short statement formed the basis for spending of even more trillions of dollars than I proposed the United States spend in my mock speech above.
The United States ruined itself by its unwise response to four plane crashes.
I don’t spend a lot of time delving into the deep details of world politics. I am not a historian. I am not particularly well informed about what I write about here. I admire Noam Chomsky and Dennis Kucinich. I think Chomsky and Kucinich would like what I have written here today. I hope to meet both men one day, perhaps in response to this post if I am really lucky.
I believe I possess a very fine and properly working moral compass. I am proud of and guard my moral compass. I’ve made profound and life altering changes in my life when needed to protect and guard and respect my moral compass, even when it would have been so easy for many others to compromise. Perhaps the above makes me look childish and unrealistic. Perhaps I will lose a friend or three by what I’ve written. But what I’ve written has been on my mind for ten years now, and today I decided to just say what I first thought starting about 2 seconds after I first heard about the first plane striking one of the towers of the World Trade Center complex in New York City, New York, USA.
The United States has ruined itself by its response to four plane crashes.
Why?
PS – I am sorry for the loss of the family and friends of those who lost their lives in the events of and following September 11, 2001. By writing this post, I do not intend to upset anyone who lost a loved one. My heart also goes out to friends and family of those who have been killed or injured in the response to the events of 9/11, including those serving in military forces on all sides. I love the United States, and I love people generally, from all countries. I am so sad that all this death and suffering and hate has happened. It’s all so unnecessary and wasteful. Thank you for reading. I love you.
Kevin Laurence Warnock
San Francisco, California USA September 11, 2012
Note: I published this post on September 11, 2011, the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.
Today, September 11, 2013, I published this post again, changing the first sentence from “I am dismayed with how the United States responded to four plane crashes 10 years ago this day” to “I am dismayed with how the United States responded to four plane crashes 12 years ago this day, September 11, 2013.”
I am proud of this post, and I plan to republish it annually on September 11th.


