This slick slab of wood can control all your home tech

Did you know that you can get the internet on wood now? Don’t go searching your trust magnolia branches for an RJ45 ethernet port just yet though, because only specific bits of wood have been blessed with connectivity powers. Take the Mui Board. First announced way back in 2017 (when Despacito was tearing up the charts), it’s a smart, connected block of wall-mountable wood that wants to be the unassuming control centre for your home. 

Making an appearance at CES in Vegas, 2023 looks set to be the year where it will finally come to fruition and nestle in our homes, as The Verge reports that Kickstarter pre-orders will begin in June, ahead of a November release date. But what exactly does the second-gen Mui Board do, and why should you want one for its $599 (around £499) asking price?

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Well, it’s not a screen, for starters. A blank, ordinary piece of wood at first glance, you’ll marvel at its ability to display text and icons, thanks to a cleverly hidden, built-in invisible display. From notifications and buttons, to timers, controls, and more, it serves up everything you need when you need it, without any distracting screens in between.

Its built-in capacitive sensors also offer intuitive controls, letting you interact with it as easily as any standard touchscreen. From dimming the lights to displaying Alexa timers, the weather, and more, it’s a functional bit of artwork that combines tech smarts with distraction-free design.

While it remains relatively identical in the design department, one very welcome development in the newer version is the fact that it supports the new Matter interoperability standard, which means it’ll be compatible with major home ecosystems for easy setup and integration.

Currently being shown off to gadget fans on the cavernous CES show floor in Vegas, we’re hoping for a smooth launch later on this year, along with a confirmed UK release date/price so that we can ditch our distracting screens for something a little more organic.

• Read more: What is Matter? The new smart home standard explained

Esat Dedezade Contributor

About

Esat has been a gadget fan ever since his tiny four-year-old brain was captivated by a sound-activated dancing sunflower. From there it was a natural progression to a Sega Mega Drive, a brief obsession with hedgehogs, and a love for all things tech. After 7 years as a writer and deputy editor for Stuff, Esat ventured out into the corporate world, spending three years as Editor of Microsoft's European News Centre. Now a freelance writer, his appetite for shiny gadgets has no bounds. Oh, and like all good human beings, he's very fond of cats.