Device for email notifications?

[UKSBD]

Is there a small, cheap mobile device that just notifies you when an email is received?

Scenario
PC indoors, mobile phone on desk, working outside but don't want to carry anything in pockets.

Don't particularly like watches, might not hear or feel vibrations.

Is there a very simple cheap device out there (similar to copper bands people used to where), which acts as a notification if you receive an email?

Ideally something that does buzz and vibrate, but also has some visual notification so if you just glance at it you can see that you have received an email.

Does such a thing exist, if so, what's it called?

 

[ctrlbrk]

I thought this is what chatbots are useful for. Here's ChatGPT said

There isn’t a widely available single-purpose device exactly like what you're describing, but there are a few options that might work:

1. **Smart Rings** – Some smart rings, like the *Oura Ring* or *RingConn*, provide haptic feedback (vibrations) and can be configured for notifications. However, they are mostly designed for health tracking rather than email alerts.

2. **Clip-On Pagers/Notifiers** – There used to be email pagers, but they are rare now. Some clip-on Bluetooth notification devices exist, such as:
- *Ditto* (discontinued, but may find alternatives)
- *Senstone* (voice memo device, but had notification features)

3. **Mini Clip-On Smart Notifiers** – Devices like *Find My-style trackers* (e.g., Tile, AirTag) don’t notify for emails, but some Bluetooth-connected notifiers exist that light up and vibrate. You’d need to check if they support email.

4. **DIY Solution** – A Raspberry Pi Zero with a small LED module or buzzer could be set up to notify you of new emails wirelessly.

5. **Small Wearable Display** – Some *wearable pagers* or *notification bracelets* exist that show simple alerts, though they’re not widely advertised for email specifically.

Would you be open to something DIY, or do you want an off-the-shelf product?

 

[transcom]

Use an apple watch or any type really that accepts notifications from your phone (apple or android)

Rgds
Bill

 

[JEREMY HAWKE]

I train with a Garmin and wear ol skol watches the rest of the time
There is nothing worse than notifications on your watch,

 

[UKSBD]

Use an apple watch or any type really that accepts notifications from your phone (apple or android)

Rgds
Bill

I don't particularly like watches, and don't want any other features than it just pings me if i get an email.

Wants to be cheap, unbreakable, almost disposable.

I've been looking at wrist pagers, they still look over the top for what I want and not sure if work with email

 

[UKSBD]

I train with a Garmin and wear ol skol watches the rest of the time
There is nothing worse than notifications on your watch,

It would be just one specific email address set to the wrist device

Basically like a monitoring system.

I hate carrying my mobile phone just want something like a wrist band which would let me know if I receive an email

 

[UKSBD]

I thought this is what chatbots are useful for. Here's ChatGPT said

Option 5 is about the closest, buy yet to find a very simplistic wearable that just notifies if an email is received

 

[UKSBD]

Would something like this receive email notifications?

https://www.argos.co.uk/product/7916898

It's still over the top for what I want, but is getting closer

I would want similar but without fitness stuff and all other features

 

[fisicx]

What you want isn’t available. They all work using Bluetooth which means your phone needs to be nearby. And you would need to connect the device to your email account. Which means you get the actual email headers not just a notification.

The Argos device works when connected to a fitness app. Many of these are subscription based.

 

[KM-Tiger]

PC indoors, mobile phone on desk, working outside but don't want to carry anything in pockets.

Presumably this PC can give an audible notification? Can you site an outdoor speaker, bluetooth or Wifi. so that you can hear the notification?

 

[UKSBD]

Presumably this PC can give an audible notification? Can you site an outdoor speaker, bluetooth or Wifi. so that you can hear the notification?

no, not really practical

 

[DontAsk]

Get the Mrs to shout down the garden.

 

[UKSBD]

What you want isn’t available. They all work using Bluetooth which means your phone needs to be nearby. And you would need to connect the device to your email account. Which means you get the actual email headers not just a notification.

The Argos device works when connected to a fitness app. Many of these are subscription based.

When you say nearby, what sort of range are these things?

So to get something to do what I want it to do, it needs some kind of operating system (android) so something like an android smartwatch is probably the minimum?

 

[fisicx]

When you say nearby, what sort of range are these things?

Around 10m / 30ft. Some devices have a longer range but cheap wearable might not even work at 10m. My headphones can disconnect if I go to the garage.

 

[AlanJ1]

Being really inventive you could get something like an Alexa and connect your email and the Alexa to IFTTT for Alexa to speak when an email is recieved?

 

[WaveJumper]

What happens when you get a notification do you trot back inside to reply. Why not just check emails first thing, maybe lunch time and then say around four. Ive known so manny busy fools in the past who were slaves to their email box and never got anything else done, basic time management.

 

[DaveITGuy]

i would say still use your phone, if android you can check out buzzkill, its an enhanced notification app basically can issue out different types of notification behavior.

what i would say here is you have your email account in a standalone email app (something like Samsung Mail) and have Buzzkill look at that, then you can set what kind of behavior you wish, it even can be sensitive to watch for keywords in the mail. its like 3-4 pounds for the app and can be refunded on playstore anyway