OhMiBod is a musically-powered vibrating sex toy. The device translates an electronic music output into vibrations.[1] The volume and beat of the music determines the strength of the vibrations.[2] The Australian distribution rights for the product were secured in November 2006 and had sold over 2000 products by May 2007.[3][4]
Though the device will work with any output, marketing of the product was aimed at iPod users.[1] The product is not endorsed by Apple, although the co-creator Suki Vatter had previously worked for Apple's product marketing department.[1] Vatter, who created the product with her husband Brian, said that the vibrator is designed to be "socially acceptable".[2][4] One journalist commented that the packaging looked like "something that might have come straight from the iPod factory".[2]
The website for the product includes "ClubVibe" which allows users to anonymously share playlists and experiences.[1]
The product was made compatible with the iPhone in January 2008 and now responds to ringtones and voice calls.[5] In addition to the upgrade, which was released at the Adult Entertainment Expo in Las Vegas, new 'nano' versions of the toy were released that were smaller and cheaper.[5]
The product appeared on Podcasting News "2007 Holiday Guide to iCr@p".[6] A 2008 review in MacLife (by Violet Blue) pointed out that the vibrator could be heard "distractingly loud" over the iPod's earbuds.[7]
Body Heat is an iPhone app designed to control an OhMiBod vibrator. By "finger painting" on the touchscreen with one or two fingertips, the user can change vibration speed, intensity, and patterns. A prototype of the app was presented at the sex tech conference Arse Elektronika in September 2010 in San Francisco.[8] The OhMiBod team was impressed by the design and acquired the product. The app's designer Heather Kelley is collaborating with them on creating upgrades of the software.[9][10]