Submitted by twovests in just_post

A device with a mixed e-ink and LCD display which meets many criteria. I'd like it to be a multi-tool which can replace a smartphone in many aspects.

First, I want it round, between 6 and 9 centimeters in diameter. The screen should be its only flat surface. It should have many buttons for the functions it is to meet. It is very important to me that it is not a rectangle. It should not invoke any of the feelings or familiarity of the pamphlet, the book, the note pad, or the smart phone.

It should service as a flashlight by way of a replaceable LED, or its backlit screen.

It should be waterproof, and rechargeable via USB C. Its battery should last at least a week for what it is.

It should be capable of producing a loud, awakening alarm for use in the mornings.

For keeping time, there is a difficulty here. A typical digital watch has +- 15 seconds drift per month. I'd prefer to make that tighter, and so that might benefit from some digital connectivity.

I think of this as a device which would provide tools, i.e. things which are a means to another end. So, applications besides timekeeping should not provide value on their own, like an e-reader, music player, or Tetris. To that end, I would like to also program for this:

  • Coin-flipper, dice-roller, etc.

  • A calculator

  • A reference calendar

This device should also be readily extensible by the end user, at the risk they fuck it all up and turn it into a notification-serving music-playing mobile game device. I've almost exclusively used JavaScript and Python-likes for my embedded work, but I think something like Lua would make for an approachable and performant implementation language. I think Rust is a lot more ergonomic than people think, and exposing simple hardware primitives with a constrained set of usable types might make for a more appreciable experience.

My question is,

  1. does this thing exist,

  2. doesn't it sound sick

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Comments

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Dogmantra wrote

gosh, I've watched videos by electronics hacker types who have made things very similar to this, and if you combined a few of the projects I've seen you'd have this, but they're one-off devices that they made themselves. It sounds very cool though you're right!

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twovests OP wrote

Oh yeah, I think I have all the requisite skills to make this (3D CAD, embedded, electronics and wiring, etc) albeit not the experience to make all the minute details very good (can I keep this waterproof with buttons that will feel good after 10,000 presses? what do I need to know about timekeeping? etc.)

I'd have to compromise on the "circular only" thing too, with how few circular e-ink displays there are. (I can only find one small one)

So yes, I am seeking investors, hmu,

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flabberghaster wrote

I think a pebble watch does most of this except the flashlight thing. Also that's a wrist watch but you could probably make it in a pocket watch form factor.

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