Everybody's done it at least once, which means we're most definitely talking to you. There's been extensive scrutiny of the long-distance relationship that we go into bright-eyed and full of optimism, before expressing love via text starts to get old. Some people are convinced that long-distance relationships are destined to fail, while the latest research suggests that absence actually does make the heart grow fonder. Another recent study found similar levels of happiness between those in long-distance relationships and those who were geographically close.
Even the tech experts are getting in on the fun. Designer Joanna Montgomery aimed to solve one of the most common long-distance dilemmas — the restlessness and often sadness of falling asleep in an empty bed. She came up with a specialty, tech-friendly pillow that can connect you and your beau on the nights when you're apart.
Two beating hearts... Just a world apart
Scottish designer Joanna Montgomery is a 25-year-old who attended Dundee University and finished with a First Class BSC in digital interaction design. She started her own company, Little Riot, to develop Pillow Talk, a product first brought to our attention on Sexcerpts.
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How it works:
Pillow Talk helps you connect with your long-distance lover via a heartbeat through a pillow, whether you're in separate households, cities or countries. According to the Pillow Talk website:
Each person has a ring sensor they wear to bed at night, and a flat fabric panel which slots inside their pillowcase. The ring wirelessly communicates with the other person's pillow; when one person goes to bed, their lover's pillow begins to glow softly to indicate their presence. Placing your head on the pillow allows you to hear the real-time heartbeat of your loved one.
The result is an intimate interaction between two lovers, regardless of the distance between them.
As of 2016, Pillow Talk is now available for $179 on pre-order. Looks like long-distance love just got a little closer.
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See how the glowing pillow it works:
Pillow Talk
What readers are saying
Kathleen M.: Kinda cool, but the glow needs to go. Light makes it harder to get a good night's sleep. Maybe they could integrate a switch that turns off the glow when you put your head on it.
Jennie M.: I had something very similar to this for our kids...mothers heartbeat...really was nice, helped them adjust to normal sounds, etc. after birth.
John B.: So much for the cool side of the pillow. :/
Irene C.: This is genious! I would totally order this for my boyfriend. He's working oversees right now and it sucks being away from him. Especially at night.
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Originally published Nov. 2011. Updated Sept. 2016.