Uncommon Goods | Long Distance Friendship Lamp - Wood | Wi-Fi Touch Lights

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Long Distance Friendship Lamp - Wood
Long Distance Friendship Lamp - Wood
customer photos

Perfect Gift to Stay Connected

5 stars out of 5
Bowie

Long Distance Friendship Lamp - Wood thumbnail 1Long Distance Friendship Lamp - Wood thumbnail 2
customer photos

Perfect Gift to Stay Connected

5 stars out of 5
Bowie

Long Distance Friendship Lamp - Wood

Light up loved ones' lives across town or across the world with these in-sync lamps.

$85.00 - $170.00

Stay connected Thoughtful gift Easy setup Beautiful design Comforting light Family bonding Unique communication

Delivery dates vary, select an item for an arrival estimate

Independent Maker

Exclusive

Made in USA

What Makes It Uncommon

Light up loved ones' lives across town or on the other side of the globe with this new, streamlined design of John Harrison and Vanessa Whalen's beloved lamp. With just a touch, it sends a bright burst of "thinking of you" to a special someone without saying a word.

  • Tap your lamp and theirs instantly emits the same colorful glow wherever they are in the world.
  • Creating a group? You can assign colors, so each person gets their own special hue.
  • Click here to learn how to set up your lamp.
  • Connect with the Friendship Frame, too, if you like.
  • Assembled in Kansas.
Please Note: There is a new paid Remote Touch feature to the app for this product that unlocks the ability to send and receive touches through the app when you are away from your lamp. This feature is completely optional. No subscription is required for the lamp's basic functionality—to operate through physical touch.

created by

John Harrison and Vanessa Whalen

“I see magic everywhere I look, but making something--then I get to touch the magic.”

When John Harrison and Vanessa Whalen first met, John was Associate Professor of Violin at Wichita State University and Vanessa was a pianist accompanying his students. Instantly friends, they did not start dating until many years later. By then, John had developed a second career as an electrical and computer engineer and Vanessa was a psychotherapist in private practice. John proposed to Vanessa on Christmas morning 2014 and their first touch lamps were also gifted that year. The two built them in their basement to connect John's family members spread out across the US and Canada. John now works with nonprofits to assemble the lamps while contributing back to the community. By marrying Vanessa, John also gained two sons, Brendan and Sean. The family now enjoys a blended household of dogs, as well as a small school of goldfish. John and Vanessa also founded a startup which develops mobile apps for kids to help them learn about and manage their feelings.

Visit the blog for a Q&A session with John that touches on the beauty of code, the power of capacitive sensing, and much, much more.

Usually ships within 24 hours.

See all shipping options and costs

Shipping outside of the U.S.? You will be quoted a specific delivery timeframe at checkout, based on your destination country and the available shipping methods. See International FAQ for more info.

Sadly, we are unable to ship to APO, FPO, or DPO addresses at this time. We are working towards a solution that will allow us to resume this type of shipping.

Made from

aluminum, circuit board, electrical components, wood, led bulb

Measurements

5.5” L x 5.0” W x 5.25” H

Notes

Sold individually or in pairs (make your choice in the pull-down quantity menu). Requires power (100-240V AC) and WPA, WPA2, WEP or open Wi-Fi connection. Does not work with captive portals such as found at public Wi-Fi locations or with WPA Enterprise used in some academic and corporate environments.

Requires a 2.4 GHz connection, does not work with 5 GHz connection.

Lamp illumination timer has a default setting to fade off in 1.5 hours but can be set to fade off in 1/2 hour, 1.5 hours, 8 hours or 24 hours.

One-step set-up requires access to your home router.

PLEASE NOTE: This item is built to U.S. electronics specifications and may need additional modifications or converters to be used in countries other than the U.S. and Canada.

Item ID

49845

Still haven't found the details you're looking for? Check out our Product Q&A!

Also by John Harrison and Vanessa Whalen

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Customers also bought

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Stay connected Thoughtful gift Easy setup Beautiful design Comforting light Family bonding Unique communication

People love this product for its ability to keep loved ones connected across distances with a simple touch, providing comfort and a sense of closeness.

AI generated summary

  • 5 stars out of 5

    This small lamp is unobtrusive and pleasingly simple. UNTIL IT LIGHTS …

    • Granna Banana
    • Undisclosed

    read full review

  • 5 stars out of 5

    I bought this gift for my best friend and I (and he) couldn't be happi…

    • Bowie
    • Middletown, NJ

    read full review

  • 5 stars out of 5

    When I walk in the door and see our lamp lit purple, it brings a smile…

    • hrpro
    • Mpls, MN

    read full review

4.83
4.83 stars out of 5
based on 128 reviews
98%
of respondents would
recommend this to a friend
5 stars
111 users rating this 5 stars
4 stars
14 users rating this 4 stars
3 stars
2 users rating this 3 stars
2 stars
0 users rating this 2 stars
1 star
1 users rating this 1 star
  • 4 stars out of 5
  • Imshanz
  • verified reviewer
  • Undisclosed

A Great Gift and only 1 warning

My dearest friend and sister lives across the country and thought this would be a great gift. It's very expensive, but the value of my sister is worth it. The only issue is that it's complex to set up. If you are not tech-savvy, you may need to find someone who is. It also requires an app to work effectively and then there are optional additional charges the more service you want with your lamps. I don't regret the purchase, but it was a challenge in certain places and more expensive than any of us would like.

  • 5 stars out of 5
  • Granna Banana
  • verified reviewer
  • Undisclosed

This works!

This small lamp is unobtrusive and pleasingly simple. UNTIL IT LIGHTS UP! Our family, who lives 12+ time zones away, touches the lamp we sent them and our lamp glows! We touch ours in response and sometimes a chain of back-and-forth commences. We glow because we know they're thinking about us.

  • 5 stars out of 5
  • Bowie
  • Middletown, NJ

Perfect Gift to Stay Connected

I bought this gift for my best friend and I (and he) couldn't be happier! We've known each other for almost 40 years and he said it was the best gift I've ever gotten him. We are having so much fun using it and it's a frequent reminder that you are thinking of each other. I also like that you can choose "your" color. Wonderful and thoughtful gift that keeps on giving and giving.

  • 5 stars out of 5
  • hrpro
  • Mpls, MN

This adds so much to our lives!

When I walk in the door and see our lamp lit purple, it brings a smile to my face. We always know when our out of state g-kids are standing by their lamp because they press it numerous times - back and forth we go (purple/green/purple/green). So far the novelty has not worn off. I think this is such a great way to stay in touch with loved ones from afar. Love it! (Set-up took a little bit to figure out - downloaded 2 apps - the 2nd one worked.)

  • 5 stars out of 5
  • G
  • New York

Fun way to stay close while far

This item is a unique way to hold your long-distance connection with someone together.

  • 5 stars out of 5
  • Mel the Human
  • verified reviewer
  • Harrisburg, PA

I bought this as a gift but will get a set for myself.

I purchased this as a gift for my therapist and his granddaughter, whom he loves above and beyond all people. I can't imagine a sweeter gift that enables each person to show the other person that they are in their thoughts and hearts.

  • 5 stars out of 5
  • Jennibean
  • ND

Excellent quality

I have owned these for two years, shared with my best friend in another state. Beautiful look and never a connectivity issue. I have even moved twice with it and it's always easy to set backup. Nothing brings me more joy than to see it on and think of my friend.

  • 5 stars out of 5
  • Cathy
  • verified reviewer
  • Chicago

I lovely way to keep in touch with a hello light up lamp !

I love how you can assign different colors to each person.

  • 5 stars out of 5
  • Alaska Friend
  • verified reviewer
  • Anchorage, AK

AMAZING idea & amazing support, too!

The lamps are lovely & the perfect gift for my BFF of more than 40 years. We may not always have something to say to one another in words, but we are always together in our hearts though I'm in Alaska & she's in Nevada. Now we can simply reach out & touch one another & it's such a comfort. But best of all, the setup & use is as easy described & when my AK 'remedial WiFi' had trouble, the fix was in the mail at no cost to me. Excellent service!

  • 4 stars out of 5
  • Constancia
  • San Diego

Love the idea but doesn't work in dorms

I bought this for our family, with 2 college kids living away from home. Thought it would be a nice way to tell one another we were thinking of them. The wood design is lovely, the colors fine. But it does not work in either of my kids' dorms, despite trying to troubleshoot with the manufacturer numerous times - the lamps couldn't sync to their system and requires their app too. Also, it is hard to know which of the 3 was the main base. If you have dedicated wifi (not shared) at each of the locations, it might be a great purchase. But definitely not for the college student living in the dormitory or using campus internet services. We are returning our set.

customer photos

Long Distance Friendship Lamp - Wood from Uncommon Goods. Customer submitted image.Long Distance Friendship Lamp - Wood from Uncommon Goods. Customer submitted image.Long Distance Friendship Lamp - Wood from Uncommon Goods. Customer submitted image.Long Distance Friendship Lamp - Wood from Uncommon Goods. Customer submitted image.Long Distance Friendship Lamp - Wood from Uncommon Goods. Customer submitted image.Long Distance Friendship Lamp - Wood from Uncommon Goods. Customer submitted image.Long Distance Friendship Lamp - Wood from Uncommon Goods. Customer submitted image.

photos from reviews

  • Long Distance Friendship Lamp - Wood from Uncommon Goods. Customer submitted image.
  • Long Distance Friendship Lamp - Wood from Uncommon Goods. Customer submitted image.
  • Long Distance Friendship Lamp - Wood from Uncommon Goods. Customer submitted image.
  • Long Distance Friendship Lamp - Wood from Uncommon Goods. Customer submitted image.
  • Long Distance Friendship Lamp - Wood from Uncommon Goods. Customer submitted image.
  • Long Distance Friendship Lamp - Wood from Uncommon Goods. Customer submitted image.
  • Long Distance Friendship Lamp - Wood from Uncommon Goods. Customer submitted image.

  • MA

If I bought my friend a friendship lamp, do I also need to buy one to light hers up? Or, can I just install the app and "wave to her" using the app?

Verified reply from Michelle

Hi! To use the friendship lamps you would each need one. The only way to "wave" to your friend is to tap or touch the lamp you have.

  • Boston

How many lamps can be in a group?

Verified reply from Leslie

There's no limit to the number of devices or users that can be in the same group.

  • undisclosed

What type of wood is this made out of?

Verified reply from Amy

The wood used is alder wood.

  • MO

Can I purchase one Mid-Century and One Classic and have them work together?

Verified reply from Colleen

Yes you can!

  • Cambridge England

How long should the lamp last? It's there a light bulb that could be replaced? Worried about it being on too much and stop working.

Verified reply from Leslie

From the manufacturer: Your Friendship Lamp uses LED lights, so there is no need to replace any bulbs, etc. Our LED's typically last for about 40,000 hours of continuous use, so they will last a while

  • Burnt Hills NY

Can this work in multiples beyond 2? If for instance I wanted my grandson to say good night, could that light up three different units?

Verified reply from Colleen

Yes, you can sync as many lamps as you'd like!

  • undisclosed

How long is "long distance" ... how many miles apart can the lamps be?

Verified reply from Colleen

There is no limit to the distance these lamps can be apart! As long as they are connected to WiFi, they can communicate.

This gift is great for ...

  • Friends Who Live Far Away

  • Couples Who Value Connection

  • Family Members Who Miss Each Other

  • Long-Distance Partners Who Want to Feel Close

Looking for a thoughtful way to celebrate those special connections? Our gifting team recommends exploring our collection of unique gifts for Mother’s Day and Father’s Day. Whether you want to say “I’m thinking of you” or just brighten someone’s day, these lamps are a delightful way to keep the bond strong across any distance. Check out our Mother's Day gifts and Father's Day gifts for even more inspiration!

When it comes to choosing meaningful gifts, we have something for everyone. Explore our curated selections tailored for all personalities with gifts for her and gifts for him that are sure to delight. Each unique choice is designed to bring a smile and deepen connections, whether near or far!

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