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Adding an additional comment here for a little extra visibility. I would absolutely love, like really love, a USB-C portrait monitor version of this. If I cou

Adding an additional comment here for a little extra visibility. I would absolutely love, like really love, a USB-C portrait monitor version of this. If I could just plug this in to my existing laptop and use it for reading specs, technical docs, …etc that would be amazing. Android tablet is a tough sell for my employer due to compliance, security, and such. So buying one of those for work use would take like a year minimum gathering all the necessary approvals and likely would still get denied by someone. But, a dumb monitor with no real OS I can expense that without approval. just a heads up to my boss really to say I am buying this and here is why. I know you are a small company so have to pick your battles. But, maybe something to consider down the road. EDIt: forgot to say, congrats on the launch. Looks like a great product.

sersi 2y ago
I was about to write the same comment but you expressed it much better. I would also be happy if it could be both an android tablet but have a monitor mode where it just becomes a monitor.
- primis 2y ago
  Plus one on this. Would be amazing if there was a display mode possible or just a variant with a usb to edp board inside without the android tablet bits / battery (even if it meant losing the wacom digitizer in the process)
- mdhen 2y ago
  You can use VNC to make an android tablet into a 2nd monitor. The latency isnt good enough for playing games or anything but for web pages and documents it works great.
  - sersi 2y ago
    I've tried that before but the latency bothers me a lot even when typing, etc.
  - KronisLV 2y ago
    I've recently been using a piece of software called RustDesk, which so far feels pretty performant, better than VNC, RDP, TeamViewer, RealVNC etc.: https://rustdesk.com/ https://rustdesk.com/ You can host a relay inside of a Docker container if you need it as well and it even supports AV1. There's also password auth for each device and permission control. They have a mobile app too, though I haven't used it as much as the desktop variety, might be worth a shot.
natsucks 2y ago
Because it allows Android apps, might there be some screen sharing utility that would allow it to be used as a 2nd monitor?
- rovr138 2y ago
  Maybe. But for some employers, it's only their devices. Which would still mean going through the process above.
- kQq9oHeAz6wLLS 2y ago
  spacedesk (sadly Windows only)
robsh 2y ago
When plugged in to a computer, it would be cool if it reverts to being a smart display with touch screen. It could still charge and transfer files too maybe? I don’t know enough about USB-C, but I really wish devices could do dual function like this.
- Talinx 2y ago
  The Minisforum V3 is a tablet that can also be used as a monitor via USB-C, so definitely possible. I wish more tablets would work that way.
  - kQq9oHeAz6wLLS 2y ago
    There's the spacedesk app that can do this with Android and Windows. Works fairly well.
- dead5ea 2y ago
  It's feasible: a couple of Lenovo Yoga Tabs do this* running Android 13+ until plugged in by an HDMI out (which I believe works with an adapter to USB-C). Ex: https://www.lenovo.com/us/en/p/tablets/android-tablets/lenovo-tab-series/lenovo-yoga-tab-13/wmd00000469 https://www.lenovo.com/us/en/p/tablets/android-tablets/lenov... *(Not touch-enabled in display mode, I believe.) I have a Yoga Tab 13 (the more interesting sibling of the P-series) I regularly use as a standalone tablet and external laptop monitor - usually lives in the same bag. It's been perfectly seamless for me whether using a PC or a smartphone (surprisingly so). (I believe it shipped w Android 12.) Of course, it's not epaper - but it is technically feasible.
  - djtango 2y ago
    Can you run Linux on this yoga tab?
- al_borland 2y ago
  When venturing into the file transfer territory, a lot of employers are going to veto the device over security concerns. Just like they wouldn’t want employees plugging in random USB drives found on the street.
Zamiel_Snawley 2y ago
Another plus one from me. I don’t have the same workplace policies, but even for personal use I’d prefer a ‘plain’ monitor.
__MatrixMan__ 2y ago
This doesn't scratch the employer itch, but I think you could use an android VNC viewer app and then run a VNC server targeting a small vertical monitor attached to your workstation. I imagine pulling up the document that I want to read, putting it on the correct monitor, and then grabbing the tablet and taking it to my hammock for some heads down reading time.
noduerme 2y ago
I second this. I really enjoy reading and writing on an Onyx e-ink tab, and I like the full Android functionality, but I can never use it for work or even for personal email logins, because I don't trust their custom Android build. I would be somewhat more inclined to trust Daylight than Onyx, but any custom OS is too potentially vulnerable to backdoors for my use cases. Something like this that you could load your own Linux flavor onto, or simply this tech as a monitor / drawing pad, I would drop the money in a heartbeat.
- tadfisher 2y ago
  As long as the bootloader isn't locked, porting mainline Linux shouldn't be as bad as with E-ink devices. Here's a Ubuntu Touch port to another Helios G99 device [1]; I really hope the RLCD doesn't require host driver support. [1]: https://devices.ubuntu-touch.io/device/vidofnir/ https://devices.ubuntu-touch.io/device/vidofnir/
  - rjzzleep 2y ago
    You need USB-C DisplayPort (DP Alt Mode). Unfortunately it's not a software limitation oftentimes, most of the times it's a hardware design limitation. I guess Onyx figured that they can have two different product lines and milk both, as opposed to what they used to have, which was an HDMI port on the higher end models.
    - bluGill 2y ago
      Best would be DP alt mode. However software to send video over regular USB data lines is fairly common and reportedly works okay so long as you have drivers (which generally are not supported to the next Windows release) and are not trying something too heavy - not good enough for games but often good enough for the office type work the OP is asking for.
- yosito 2y ago
  https://onyxboox.com/boox_mirapro https://onyxboox.com/boox_mirapro
kadushka 2y ago
If you can make it bigger for use as a regular monitor, I'd pay good money for it.
f1shy 2y ago
I would also buy without thinking a mini monitor, but no so much a tablet. Please think about launching it.
yosito 2y ago
Why not just buy a Mira Pro? https://onyxboox.com/boox_mirapro https://onyxboox.com/boox_mirapro
- pera 2y ago
  Onyx is a GPL violator unfortunately: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=23735962 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=23735962
  - mptest 2y ago
    Any update on that? There's a comment there that suggests a simple legal "you better not do that" letter is all it takes. Obviously, I am not a lawyer, but I was looking at Boox tablets
- alemanek 2y ago
  Thanks for the link. I am actually just starting my research into that one and options from Dasung. This is one of those things that I didn’t know I needed/wanted until this HN post. But, I get bad headaches from eye strain and a have a heavy text based workflow so definitely in that target market.
- tr4656 2y ago
  There is also a transflective lcd portable monitor: https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/radiant-world-s-first-transflective-monitor#/ https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/radiant-world-s-first-tra... Video from MyDeepGuide: https://youtube.com/watch?v=NXLwc0eJZsw https://youtube.com/watch?v=NXLwc0eJZsw
pockmockchock 2y ago
shut up and take my money.
anddam 2y ago
> If I could just plug this in to my existing laptop and use it Or to my existing phone.
aspyct 2y ago
Oh hell yeah!
hallman76 2y ago
> Android tablet is a tough sell for my employer due to compliance, security, and such From a compliance POV what's an acceptable alternative? Would some unix variant be any more palatable?
- mbreese 2y ago
  In some industries, anything that “computes” or has a data connection is strictly regulated. If data can move in or out, it needs to be verified. So, if you want to avoid those validation steps, it would need to be a dumb device without an OS. Like the parent said - just a monitor.
  - ngneer 2y ago
    I agree with the sentiment, but it is harder and harder to find truly "dumb" devices anymore. USB has a complicated (and vulnerable) firmware stack. Monitors have hackable on screen display controllers. Unless you want to go back to VGA... Just saying... https://github.com/redballoonshenanigans/monitordarkly https://github.com/redballoonshenanigans/monitordarkly
    - mbreese 2y ago
      In this context, I think of two things: hackable spying and data exfiltration. If a device runs processes that can be hacked so that it can report on your activities. Capturing the display or keyboard input would be examples. This generally requires an active network connection, but not always. Because this device runs a version of Android, it’s potentially hackable (I’m not saying it isn’t secure, just that it would have to be validated). Second, if a device can store or transfer data, it would be possible to send confidential documents out the door without knowing about it. Because this has on-board storage (and is small), it has this issue too. A monitor, even if its OSD/firmware was hacked, is much less likely to be able to do either of these things. There are industries that have real concerns about data privacy and security. In these cases, the dumber a device, generally the better.
    - stubish 2y ago
cies 2y ago
> I would absolutely love, like really love, a USB-C portrait monitor version of this. Would this not be better solved with some remote desktop protocol (RDP or VNC) than with USB? Then you can use it with wifi and just walk off with the device.
harel 2y ago
This. Absolutely. A second paper like display would be perfect.
kernal 2y ago
>Android tablet is a tough sell for my employer due to compliance, security, and such. I can only imagine how much tougher a Windows sell would be to your employer.
- omegabravo 2y ago
  Their employer likely has absolute control over their Windows install. My personal Windows laptop isn't allowed on the corporate network either.
- alemanek 2y ago
  I have an M1 MacBook Pro. But, it is centrally managed, provisioned, monitored, …etc. It isn’t that it is Android. It is that they would have to sort out all of those things on this Android tablet for just me. So, it is that it isn’t their device within their standardized catalog that is the issue. Folks in my group can choose from Mac, Windows, and Linux options but we have to choose from the set of standardized options or risk approval hell.
unsupp0rted 2y ago
(adding my voice) I would buy a dumb monitor of this without thinking. Name your price Daylight team.
mywacaday 2y ago
Does it support a separate work profile that can be managed by the Ivanti Mobile@Work app?
enkay 2y ago
If I could use this as an external monitor plugged into my MacBook I would have bought one on the spot.
FlipFloopDev 2y ago
This is actually what I was hoping to make this summer...
99catmaster 2y ago
+1
beacham 2y ago
Add another +1 for me. Would buy it today.
mananaysiempre 2y ago
Re monitors, you might want to have a look at the Modos’s Glider[1] that was also mentioned here recently[2]? Don’t know if they support a portrait mount out of the box. [1] https://www.crowdsupply.com/modos-tech/modos-paper-monitor https://www.crowdsupply.com/modos-tech/modos-paper-monitor [2] https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=40358309 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=40358309
boochiboo12 2y ago
Appreciate the appreciation and thoughtfully laid out idea! I think we’re actually intrigued and open to build this! What helps to know: - is 1080p ok? - what’s the minimum size you’ll be ok with ? - aspect ratio? - any other important details?
- tjbiddle 2y ago
  If you did this; would it be at all possible to push a software update so we could use the Daylight tablet as a monitor? Or are there hardware limitations?

sersi 2y ago

I was about to write the same comment but you expressed it much better. I would also be happy if it could be both an android tablet but have a monitor mode where it just becomes a monitor.

primis 2y ago
Plus one on this. Would be amazing if there was a display mode possible or just a variant with a usb to edp board inside without the android tablet bits / battery (even if it meant losing the wacom digitizer in the process)
mdhen 2y ago
You can use VNC to make an android tablet into a 2nd monitor. The latency isnt good enough for playing games or anything but for web pages and documents it works great.
- sersi 2y ago
  I've tried that before but the latency bothers me a lot even when typing, etc.
- KronisLV 2y ago
  I've recently been using a piece of software called RustDesk, which so far feels pretty performant, better than VNC, RDP, TeamViewer, RealVNC etc.: https://rustdesk.com/ https://rustdesk.com/ You can host a relay inside of a Docker container if you need it as well and it even supports AV1. There's also password auth for each device and permission control. They have a mobile app too, though I haven't used it as much as the desktop variety, might be worth a shot.

natsucks 2y ago

Because it allows Android apps, might there be some screen sharing utility that would allow it to be used as a 2nd monitor?

rovr138 2y ago
Maybe. But for some employers, it's only their devices. Which would still mean going through the process above.
kQq9oHeAz6wLLS 2y ago
spacedesk (sadly Windows only)

robsh 2y ago

When plugged in to a computer, it would be cool if it reverts to being a smart display with touch screen. It could still charge and transfer files too maybe? I don’t know enough about USB-C, but I really wish devices could do dual function like this.

Talinx 2y ago
The Minisforum V3 is a tablet that can also be used as a monitor via USB-C, so definitely possible. I wish more tablets would work that way.
- kQq9oHeAz6wLLS 2y ago
  There's the spacedesk app that can do this with Android and Windows. Works fairly well.
dead5ea 2y ago
It's feasible: a couple of Lenovo Yoga Tabs do this* running Android 13+ until plugged in by an HDMI out (which I believe works with an adapter to USB-C). Ex: https://www.lenovo.com/us/en/p/tablets/android-tablets/lenovo-tab-series/lenovo-yoga-tab-13/wmd00000469 https://www.lenovo.com/us/en/p/tablets/android-tablets/lenov... *(Not touch-enabled in display mode, I believe.) I have a Yoga Tab 13 (the more interesting sibling of the P-series) I regularly use as a standalone tablet and external laptop monitor - usually lives in the same bag. It's been perfectly seamless for me whether using a PC or a smartphone (surprisingly so). (I believe it shipped w Android 12.) Of course, it's not epaper - but it is technically feasible.
- djtango 2y ago
  Can you run Linux on this yoga tab?
al_borland 2y ago
When venturing into the file transfer territory, a lot of employers are going to veto the device over security concerns. Just like they wouldn’t want employees plugging in random USB drives found on the street.

Zamiel_Snawley 2y ago

Another plus one from me. I don’t have the same workplace policies, but even for personal use I’d prefer a ‘plain’ monitor.

__MatrixMan__ 2y ago

This doesn't scratch the employer itch, but I think you could use an android VNC viewer app and then run a VNC server targeting a small vertical monitor attached to your workstation. I imagine pulling up the document that I want to read, putting it on the correct monitor, and then grabbing the tablet and taking it to my hammock for some heads down reading time.

noduerme 2y ago

I second this. I really enjoy reading and writing on an Onyx e-ink tab, and I like the full Android functionality, but I can never use it for work or even for personal email logins, because I don't trust their custom Android build. I would be somewhat more inclined to trust Daylight than Onyx, but any custom OS is too potentially vulnerable to backdoors for my use cases. Something like this that you could load your own Linux flavor onto, or simply this tech as a monitor / drawing pad, I would drop the money in a heartbeat.

tadfisher 2y ago
As long as the bootloader isn't locked, porting mainline Linux shouldn't be as bad as with E-ink devices. Here's a Ubuntu Touch port to another Helios G99 device [1]; I really hope the RLCD doesn't require host driver support. [1]: https://devices.ubuntu-touch.io/device/vidofnir/ https://devices.ubuntu-touch.io/device/vidofnir/
- rjzzleep 2y ago
  You need USB-C DisplayPort (DP Alt Mode). Unfortunately it's not a software limitation oftentimes, most of the times it's a hardware design limitation. I guess Onyx figured that they can have two different product lines and milk both, as opposed to what they used to have, which was an HDMI port on the higher end models.
  - bluGill 2y ago
    Best would be DP alt mode. However software to send video over regular USB data lines is fairly common and reportedly works okay so long as you have drivers (which generally are not supported to the next Windows release) and are not trying something too heavy - not good enough for games but often good enough for the office type work the OP is asking for.
yosito 2y ago
https://onyxboox.com/boox_mirapro https://onyxboox.com/boox_mirapro

kadushka 2y ago

If you can make it bigger for use as a regular monitor, I'd pay good money for it.

f1shy 2y ago

I would also buy without thinking a mini monitor, but no so much a tablet. Please think about launching it.

yosito 2y ago

Why not just buy a Mira Pro? https://onyxboox.com/boox_mirapro https://onyxboox.com/boox_mirapro

pera 2y ago
Onyx is a GPL violator unfortunately: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=23735962 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=23735962
- mptest 2y ago
  Any update on that? There's a comment there that suggests a simple legal "you better not do that" letter is all it takes. Obviously, I am not a lawyer, but I was looking at Boox tablets
alemanek 2y ago
Thanks for the link. I am actually just starting my research into that one and options from Dasung. This is one of those things that I didn’t know I needed/wanted until this HN post. But, I get bad headaches from eye strain and a have a heavy text based workflow so definitely in that target market.
tr4656 2y ago
There is also a transflective lcd portable monitor: https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/radiant-world-s-first-transflective-monitor#/ https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/radiant-world-s-first-tra... Video from MyDeepGuide: https://youtube.com/watch?v=NXLwc0eJZsw https://youtube.com/watch?v=NXLwc0eJZsw

pockmockchock 2y ago

shut up and take my money.

anddam 2y ago

> If I could just plug this in to my existing laptop and use it Or to my existing phone.

aspyct 2y ago

Oh hell yeah!

hallman76 2y ago

> Android tablet is a tough sell for my employer due to compliance, security, and such From a compliance POV what's an acceptable alternative? Would some unix variant be any more palatable?

mbreese 2y ago
In some industries, anything that “computes” or has a data connection is strictly regulated. If data can move in or out, it needs to be verified. So, if you want to avoid those validation steps, it would need to be a dumb device without an OS. Like the parent said - just a monitor.
- ngneer 2y ago
  I agree with the sentiment, but it is harder and harder to find truly "dumb" devices anymore. USB has a complicated (and vulnerable) firmware stack. Monitors have hackable on screen display controllers. Unless you want to go back to VGA... Just saying... https://github.com/redballoonshenanigans/monitordarkly https://github.com/redballoonshenanigans/monitordarkly
  - mbreese 2y ago
    In this context, I think of two things: hackable spying and data exfiltration. If a device runs processes that can be hacked so that it can report on your activities. Capturing the display or keyboard input would be examples. This generally requires an active network connection, but not always. Because this device runs a version of Android, it’s potentially hackable (I’m not saying it isn’t secure, just that it would have to be validated). Second, if a device can store or transfer data, it would be possible to send confidential documents out the door without knowing about it. Because this has on-board storage (and is small), it has this issue too. A monitor, even if its OSD/firmware was hacked, is much less likely to be able to do either of these things. There are industries that have real concerns about data privacy and security. In these cases, the dumber a device, generally the better.
  - stubish 2y ago

cies 2y ago

> I would absolutely love, like really love, a USB-C portrait monitor version of this. Would this not be better solved with some remote desktop protocol (RDP or VNC) than with USB? Then you can use it with wifi and just walk off with the device.

harel 2y ago

This. Absolutely. A second paper like display would be perfect.

kernal 2y ago

>Android tablet is a tough sell for my employer due to compliance, security, and such. I can only imagine how much tougher a Windows sell would be to your employer.

omegabravo 2y ago
Their employer likely has absolute control over their Windows install. My personal Windows laptop isn't allowed on the corporate network either.
alemanek 2y ago
I have an M1 MacBook Pro. But, it is centrally managed, provisioned, monitored, …etc. It isn’t that it is Android. It is that they would have to sort out all of those things on this Android tablet for just me. So, it is that it isn’t their device within their standardized catalog that is the issue. Folks in my group can choose from Mac, Windows, and Linux options but we have to choose from the set of standardized options or risk approval hell.

unsupp0rted 2y ago

(adding my voice) I would buy a dumb monitor of this without thinking. Name your price Daylight team.

mywacaday 2y ago

Does it support a separate work profile that can be managed by the Ivanti Mobile@Work app?

enkay 2y ago

If I could use this as an external monitor plugged into my MacBook I would have bought one on the spot.

FlipFloopDev 2y ago

This is actually what I was hoping to make this summer...

99catmaster 2y ago

beacham 2y ago

Add another +1 for me. Would buy it today.

mananaysiempre 2y ago

Re monitors, you might want to have a look at the Modos’s Glider[1] that was also mentioned here recently[2]? Don’t know if they support a portrait mount out of the box. [1] https://www.crowdsupply.com/modos-tech/modos-paper-monitor https://www.crowdsupply.com/modos-tech/modos-paper-monitor [2] https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=40358309 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=40358309

boochiboo12 2y ago

Appreciate the appreciation and thoughtfully laid out idea! I think we’re actually intrigued and open to build this! What helps to know: - is 1080p ok? - what’s the minimum size you’ll be ok with ? - aspect ratio? - any other important details?

tjbiddle 2y ago
If you did this; would it be at all possible to push a software update so we could use the Daylight tablet as a monitor? Or are there hardware limitations?