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I am making and selling an eink smart screen. It can display a google calendar. You can also point it to any url that serves an image. Is it okay to post a l

I am making and selling an eink smart screen. It can display a google calendar. You can also point it to any url that serves an image. Is it okay to post a link? https://shop.invisible-computers.com/products/invisible-calendar https://shop.invisible-computers.com/products/invisible-cale... I am planning to release more applications for it and I am opening the platform for 3rd party applications.

Rafuino 3y ago
I'd love to get this but for iCal display. Any chance that's in the cards in the future?
- konschubert 3y ago
  It’s in the cards, pretty high in the stack, but I never make promises. If you can write code and you don’t want to wait for me to add it to the default calendar app, you can build it and release it as a 3rd party app: https://github.com/Invisible-Computers/image-gallery/blob/main/HowToBuildAnApp.md https://github.com/Invisible-Computers/image-gallery/blob/ma...
  - Rafuino 3y ago
    Got it. I'm not the right person to build this functionality so I'll just wait to see if it comes and buy later if so!
gouthamve 3y ago
I see that shipping to Europe is not yet supported. Do you have plans soon?
- konschubert 3y ago
  CE certification is extremely expensive for a bootstrapped startup. Plus there is Elektroschrottverordnung and Verpackungsrichtlinie and all that stuff. You can send me an email at info@invisible-computers.com
  - testmasterflex 3y ago
    Is it UL certified?
  - h4ckerle 3y ago
    Wait, you are situated in Flensburg but not shipping to EU? That seems rather interesting... Do you also manufacture in germany or have you sourced that out?
    - konschubert 3y ago
      The wood is CNC'd in Germany, the metal back cover is from Spain. :) PCB and screens are from China. The final assembly happens in my home. I try to run a short supply chain to limit my inventory risk.
proee 3y ago
Very cool! Are you able to make a full-time living off this product yet?
- konschubert 3y ago
  Not yet. I’m hoping to, so I can fully focus on it.
daredoes 3y ago
Give it Home Assistant integration, or at least MQTT control, and I'd buy at least one
- tadfisher 3y ago
  > You can configure this beautiful the e-paper display to poll any HTTP endpoint for an image. Just paste the URL into the iOS or Android app. The image will then be displayed on the screen. And when it changes, the screen updates. Looks pretty simple to do.
  - 3np 3y ago
    I think the idea would be to be support a way to set that HTTP URL via an API, not requiring use of an iOS/Android app? I imagine this might be a case of documentation and support as supposedly the app is already using the API endpoints we'd like to have.
    - konschubert 3y ago
      Hmm, I'm not sure what you mean. How would you physically connect to this API without an app and without a backend?
      - 3np 3y ago
        I'm not saying necessarily without a backend. Just being able to "self-service" via API (ie if everything I can do via the app, I can do via curl, it could be interesting). Self-hostable backend (benefits: privacy; less trust required; I know it'll still be usable even if you shut down your backend in 5y) would of course be great but a separate thing to the above.
      - daredoes 3y ago
        Do you use an ESP32? Could you? You could use ESPHome https://esphome.io/ https://esphome.io/ Ideally the device can create a wifi hotspot when it isn't setup that I can join and setup all the needed config settings. WLED does this as well https://kno.wled.ge/ https://kno.wled.ge/
airstrike 3y ago
Do you have docs on the API / integration mentioned here and on the website? Would be good to know in broad strokes before buying one. Sample apps and whatnot
- konschubert 3y ago
  Here is the API description: https://github.com/Invisible-Computers/image-gallery/blob/main/HowToBuildAnApp.md https://github.com/Invisible-Computers/image-gallery/blob/ma... And here is the sample app: https://github.com/Invisible-Computers/image-gallery https://github.com/Invisible-Computers/image-gallery Admittedly, I am not the greatest technical writer, but I compensate by being pretty responsive. So if you have a question, just message me :)
bombcar 3y ago
If you can document how to make this show a calendar from Office 365 that would get you so many sales.
- konschubert 3y ago
  There is no native outlook support (yet), but it works if you sync it via a google calendar. Here is a guide on how to do it: https://shop.invisible-computers.com/pages/outlook-calendar-on-e-paper-screen https://shop.invisible-computers.com/pages/outlook-calendar-...
  - bombcar 3y ago
    That gets you a sale, bro. :) Now my family can see my calendar easily.
sbdaman 3y ago
I'll purchase once Outlook calendar is supported natively.
- konschubert 3y ago
  I'm taking you by your word ;)
  - sbdaman 3y ago
    I'll email you.
LeeroyWasHere 3y ago
I'm guessing since it's plugged in, there was no way to make it last long enough on a battery? Love the idea, will bookmark it for the future office!
- konschubert 3y ago
  Battery is harder to make safe and harder to certify as safe. Plus, I like the idea of plugging it in and never having to worry about it. Still, I am thinking about adding a battery about twice per week, so it's definitely on my mind.
  - bombcar 3y ago
    Consider a "bring your own battery" option where you have an interface that's moderately standard.
bobthecowboy 3y ago
Any chance you'll do a larger one? I've wanted exactly this but closer to ~13-inch to replace the "family wall calendar". It looks great, though! Any good place to follow/subscribe for updates?
- konschubert 3y ago
  So far I only have an instagram: https://www.instagram.com/invisiblecomputers/ https://www.instagram.com/invisiblecomputers/ Larger displays are not excluded as a possibility, but I like the current size for placing it on the desk. Also, larger displays are disproportionately expensive, and the display is already the main cost driver.
  - bobthecowboy 3y ago
    Totally fair. I hadn't checked the cost of larger e-ink, and you're right, I probably wouldn't pay $500 for the same thing you're making but 13". Still going to keep an eye on it, though. I may end up talking myself (more accurately, my wife) into a smaller display.
moffkalast 3y ago
For the same price one can buy a 10.5" Galaxy Tab A8. But still, very cool. I wish e-paper wasn't expensive as hell and so dreadfully slow to update, it would cut down on energy usage in so many applications.
- konschubert 3y ago
  But the Galaxy Tab doesn't have a paper-like screen ;)
  - moffkalast 3y ago
    True, but it can also do almost anything instead of just being a calendar and a picture ;) Any chance of having mini HDMI input to use it as something like an Onyx Boox Mira?
    - konschubert 3y ago
      Probably not, I'd like to keep the device as simple as possible. The Onyx Boox already exists and it's great ;)
kkkrist 3y ago
Oh, a fellow hacker from my little home town :-) Greetings from the other side of the fjord and best of luck with your business!
Vermeulen 3y ago
Love this idea, been waiting for you to ship to Canada and now finally purchased :) Currently your Android app isn't available in Canada yet though
- konschubert 3y ago
  You're right, thanks for the hint! I have now submitted it to Google to be released in Canada as well. Usually that is approved pretty quickly.
fsagx 3y ago
Just ordered. Looking forward to getting it!
lukeasch21 3y ago
This display looks great, but I'd be lying if I said I wasn't jealous that you acted on the idea first (; Best of luck, I think the future of e-ink, edge computing, battery efficiency, etc. will only make these types of products even better down the line!
DoingSomeThings 3y ago
Way cool. Just added this to my Christmas wishlist. As a non-techy nerd it’s a perfect niche with built in usage and no need to hack. Thank you for posting.
brezelgoring 3y ago
How did you get into e-ink screen programming? I read here that e-inks are a market dominated by one company and that all the toolchain is owned by them, did you make your tools yourself? Nice product, btw.

Rafuino 3y ago

I'd love to get this but for iCal display. Any chance that's in the cards in the future?

konschubert 3y ago
It’s in the cards, pretty high in the stack, but I never make promises. If you can write code and you don’t want to wait for me to add it to the default calendar app, you can build it and release it as a 3rd party app: https://github.com/Invisible-Computers/image-gallery/blob/main/HowToBuildAnApp.md https://github.com/Invisible-Computers/image-gallery/blob/ma...
- Rafuino 3y ago
  Got it. I'm not the right person to build this functionality so I'll just wait to see if it comes and buy later if so!

gouthamve 3y ago

I see that shipping to Europe is not yet supported. Do you have plans soon?

konschubert 3y ago
CE certification is extremely expensive for a bootstrapped startup. Plus there is Elektroschrottverordnung and Verpackungsrichtlinie and all that stuff. You can send me an email at info@invisible-computers.com
- testmasterflex 3y ago
  Is it UL certified?
- h4ckerle 3y ago
  Wait, you are situated in Flensburg but not shipping to EU? That seems rather interesting... Do you also manufacture in germany or have you sourced that out?
  - konschubert 3y ago
    The wood is CNC'd in Germany, the metal back cover is from Spain. :) PCB and screens are from China. The final assembly happens in my home. I try to run a short supply chain to limit my inventory risk.

proee 3y ago

Very cool! Are you able to make a full-time living off this product yet?

konschubert 3y ago
Not yet. I’m hoping to, so I can fully focus on it.

daredoes 3y ago

Give it Home Assistant integration, or at least MQTT control, and I'd buy at least one

tadfisher 3y ago
> You can configure this beautiful the e-paper display to poll any HTTP endpoint for an image. Just paste the URL into the iOS or Android app. The image will then be displayed on the screen. And when it changes, the screen updates. Looks pretty simple to do.
- 3np 3y ago
  I think the idea would be to be support a way to set that HTTP URL via an API, not requiring use of an iOS/Android app? I imagine this might be a case of documentation and support as supposedly the app is already using the API endpoints we'd like to have.
  - konschubert 3y ago
    Hmm, I'm not sure what you mean. How would you physically connect to this API without an app and without a backend?
    - 3np 3y ago
      I'm not saying necessarily without a backend. Just being able to "self-service" via API (ie if everything I can do via the app, I can do via curl, it could be interesting). Self-hostable backend (benefits: privacy; less trust required; I know it'll still be usable even if you shut down your backend in 5y) would of course be great but a separate thing to the above.
    - daredoes 3y ago
      Do you use an ESP32? Could you? You could use ESPHome https://esphome.io/ https://esphome.io/ Ideally the device can create a wifi hotspot when it isn't setup that I can join and setup all the needed config settings. WLED does this as well https://kno.wled.ge/ https://kno.wled.ge/

airstrike 3y ago

Do you have docs on the API / integration mentioned here and on the website? Would be good to know in broad strokes before buying one. Sample apps and whatnot

konschubert 3y ago
Here is the API description: https://github.com/Invisible-Computers/image-gallery/blob/main/HowToBuildAnApp.md https://github.com/Invisible-Computers/image-gallery/blob/ma... And here is the sample app: https://github.com/Invisible-Computers/image-gallery https://github.com/Invisible-Computers/image-gallery Admittedly, I am not the greatest technical writer, but I compensate by being pretty responsive. So if you have a question, just message me :)

bombcar 3y ago

If you can document how to make this show a calendar from Office 365 that would get you so many sales.

konschubert 3y ago
There is no native outlook support (yet), but it works if you sync it via a google calendar. Here is a guide on how to do it: https://shop.invisible-computers.com/pages/outlook-calendar-on-e-paper-screen https://shop.invisible-computers.com/pages/outlook-calendar-...
- bombcar 3y ago
  That gets you a sale, bro. :) Now my family can see my calendar easily.

sbdaman 3y ago

I'll purchase once Outlook calendar is supported natively.

konschubert 3y ago
I'm taking you by your word ;)
- sbdaman 3y ago
  I'll email you.

LeeroyWasHere 3y ago

I'm guessing since it's plugged in, there was no way to make it last long enough on a battery? Love the idea, will bookmark it for the future office!

konschubert 3y ago
Battery is harder to make safe and harder to certify as safe. Plus, I like the idea of plugging it in and never having to worry about it. Still, I am thinking about adding a battery about twice per week, so it's definitely on my mind.
- bombcar 3y ago
  Consider a "bring your own battery" option where you have an interface that's moderately standard.

bobthecowboy 3y ago

Any chance you'll do a larger one? I've wanted exactly this but closer to ~13-inch to replace the "family wall calendar". It looks great, though! Any good place to follow/subscribe for updates?

konschubert 3y ago
So far I only have an instagram: https://www.instagram.com/invisiblecomputers/ https://www.instagram.com/invisiblecomputers/ Larger displays are not excluded as a possibility, but I like the current size for placing it on the desk. Also, larger displays are disproportionately expensive, and the display is already the main cost driver.
- bobthecowboy 3y ago
  Totally fair. I hadn't checked the cost of larger e-ink, and you're right, I probably wouldn't pay $500 for the same thing you're making but 13". Still going to keep an eye on it, though. I may end up talking myself (more accurately, my wife) into a smaller display.

moffkalast 3y ago

For the same price one can buy a 10.5" Galaxy Tab A8. But still, very cool. I wish e-paper wasn't expensive as hell and so dreadfully slow to update, it would cut down on energy usage in so many applications.

konschubert 3y ago
But the Galaxy Tab doesn't have a paper-like screen ;)
- moffkalast 3y ago
  True, but it can also do almost anything instead of just being a calendar and a picture ;) Any chance of having mini HDMI input to use it as something like an Onyx Boox Mira?
  - konschubert 3y ago
    Probably not, I'd like to keep the device as simple as possible. The Onyx Boox already exists and it's great ;)

kkkrist 3y ago

Oh, a fellow hacker from my little home town :-) Greetings from the other side of the fjord and best of luck with your business!

Vermeulen 3y ago

Love this idea, been waiting for you to ship to Canada and now finally purchased :) Currently your Android app isn't available in Canada yet though

konschubert 3y ago
You're right, thanks for the hint! I have now submitted it to Google to be released in Canada as well. Usually that is approved pretty quickly.

fsagx 3y ago

Just ordered. Looking forward to getting it!

lukeasch21 3y ago

This display looks great, but I'd be lying if I said I wasn't jealous that you acted on the idea first (; Best of luck, I think the future of e-ink, edge computing, battery efficiency, etc. will only make these types of products even better down the line!

DoingSomeThings 3y ago

Way cool. Just added this to my Christmas wishlist. As a non-techy nerd it’s a perfect niche with built in usage and no need to hack. Thank you for posting.

brezelgoring 3y ago

How did you get into e-ink screen programming? I read here that e-inks are a market dominated by one company and that all the toolchain is owned by them, did you make your tools yourself? Nice product, btw.