News for hackers. Stuff that matters.
Re:Low-cost Smartwatch powered by ESP32 module by paulrouget on Tuesday August 08, 2023 @07:52PM (#37057029)
Shameless plug of my failed project: https://paulrouget.com/k8mod

The idea was to literally fit a Nordic SoC in a Casio watch, and update the screen to show more segments.

I never managed to find someone to manufacture the screen sadly.

Re:Low-cost Smartwatch powered by ESP32 module by neumann on Tuesday August 08, 2023 @08:43PM (#37057385)
oh my goodness. That is beautiful - an amazing design for a first hardware project and I would love to see it come to fruition. No experience from my end that would assist, but all the best.
Re:Low-cost Smartwatch powered by ESP32 module by gregsadetsky on Tuesday August 08, 2023 @09:01PM (#37057514)
Beautiful write up and project!

I remember reading about another Casio retrofit:

https://github.com/carrotIndustries/pluto

That version did not have wireless comms - they touch on that in the faq.

Re:Low-cost Smartwatch powered by ESP32 module by nextaccountic on Tuesday August 08, 2023 @10:40PM (#37058117)
You wanted to build a screen? Is there no screen with that size?

Maybe not lcd, but eink instead

Re:Low-cost Smartwatch powered by ESP32 module by paulrouget on Wednesday August 09, 2023 @07:17AM (#37061040)
This type of LCD are custom made because of the particular segment layout. See the /screen/ section in the linked page.
Re:Low-cost Smartwatch powered by ESP32 module by nextaccountic on Thursday August 10, 2023 @02:41AM (#37072738)
But you could just have an eink display with higher resolution and build segments out of pixels. Maybe it doesn't look as good but would be more flexible and would have a chance of actually shipping a complete watch
Re:Low-cost Smartwatch powered by ESP32 module by Hamster7330 on Tuesday August 08, 2023 @11:36PM (#37058432)
Loved the idea. Fascinating blend of design and functionality. You should kickstarter this.
Re:Low-cost Smartwatch powered by ESP32 module by jareklupinski on Wednesday August 09, 2023 @06:14PM (#37069138)
agreed, the only way i got enough capital to fund a batch of injection molded cases was by kickstarting

my secret was not trying to turn a single kickstarter into an entire business ;)

more of a 'drop' mentality really helps

also: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=37054130

Re:Low-cost Smartwatch powered by ESP32 module by mgerb on Wednesday August 09, 2023 @01:18AM (#37058965)
I love this! As a daily user of the F-91W I do on occasion wish it had a few more features, but it mostly satisfies my needs. I love the form factor and the weight. I just wish it at least had a countdown timer.
Re:Low-cost Smartwatch powered by ESP32 module by kristopolous on Wednesday August 09, 2023 @01:40AM (#37059069)
What's so failed about it
Re:Low-cost Smartwatch powered by ESP32 module by paulrouget on Wednesday August 09, 2023 @07:18AM (#37061045)
I've never managed to build the screen. A smartwatch without a screen is not great :)
Re:Low-cost Smartwatch powered by ESP32 module by isolli on Wednesday August 09, 2023 @09:01AM (#37062009)
Yeah, the sensor watch [0] also mentioned in another comment re-uses the original screen.

[0] https://www.sensorwatch.net/

Re:Low-cost Smartwatch powered by ESP32 module by stonecharioteer on Thursday August 10, 2023 @12:01AM (#37071796)
Shit, this is just what I want. A casio with vibration notification. If you ever get back in, I'll definitely buy a couple just to support you.
Re:Low-cost Smartwatch powered by ESP32 module by lopis on Thursday August 10, 2023 @09:29AM (#37075913)
As a daily user of this watch that's exactly the kind of smartwatch I would love to buy.