01-21-2021, 05:05 AM | #1 |
Handy Elephant
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M5Paper e-ink device for DIY
https://m5stack.com/collections/m5-c...isplay-235-ppi
I think this is very interesting because this device combines the display and form factor of a small e-book reader with a very power efficient esp32 development kit with wifi, Bluetooth, SD card reader, battery and USB C charging. The M5Paper doesn't come with any useful functionality, out of the box, except some demo software and examples with source code. You, as a programmer, have to program the device to do what you want it to do. Think Arduino, MicroPython and Platform.IO. And the possibilities are mind-boggling. It may be seen as a prototyping device, but when it has been programmed it is already good-looking enough for an end-user use as it as it is. Just write the software! Not very cheap at $69. But a super cheap and fast way to create a nice looking finished custom device with these capabilities. Sure, make an e-reader or news reading device. Or a bedside clock or stock market ticker. Mail notifier or super-pager. Advanced time management event input device. Or one-tap ordering device on the fridge. Or a custom dash/remote/controller for a smart networked home/office/farm/greenhouse/shop/factory. And possibly all of that at the same time, if you are clever enough. Or something completely different. (No connection, except as a customer. I've bought two... ) |
01-22-2021, 06:06 PM | #2 |
purpose priority passion
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what language would you use to program this device?
Last edited by rem736; 01-25-2021 at 01:35 PM. |
01-22-2021, 06:14 PM | #3 |
Bibliophagist
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01-22-2021, 06:37 PM | #4 |
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E
p i c!!! |
01-23-2021, 04:24 AM | #5 |
Handy Elephant
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C/C++, as DNSB said. But there is also MicroPython and something called UIFlow.
Using UIFlow you can program by drag-and-drop of GUI elements to the display and drag-and-drop of code blocks to create functionality. Looks fun and easy, but I haven't tried it. It is based on Blockly and MicroPython and seem to have some nice functionality. Receive and send mqtt messages. Display and use an onscreen keyboard for input. Upload/download your "apps" over wifi. And more. https://flow.m5stack.com/ Last edited by Adoby; 01-23-2021 at 05:16 AM. |
01-23-2021, 07:56 AM | #6 |
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Looks like a very cool toy to play with.
They have a UK distributor (https://www.digikey.co.uk/en/supplier-centers/m5stack), but they aren't listing this device yet. |
01-23-2021, 11:24 AM | #7 |
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UIflow looks very easy for beginners, especially those with high expectations. I was wondering, can I listen to music on this with Bluetooth e arbuds?
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01-24-2021, 05:30 AM | #8 | |
Handy Elephant
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Quote:
I think there is other kit that is better for use as a audio device with bt out. |
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01-24-2021, 08:22 AM | #9 |
the rook, bossing Never.
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Raspberry Pi and one of the many add-on eink panels.
The M5panel kit is for seriously experienced developers used to working at a low level. The Raspberry Pi solutions merely require experience programming. Neither is a good starting point if you are not an experienced programmer. Also I don't count experience building Web applications as real programming. Most of that is modifying scripts. I've done both. |
01-25-2021, 02:00 AM | #10 |
Running with scissors
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If you have your heart set on e-ink there's also this (looks like it's using python): https://github.com/aceisace/Inkycal
I was going to go that route and bought a Raspberry Pi 4 but I ended up buying a "SunFounder Raspberry Pi 7 Inch Monitor HDMI - 7 inch 1024×600 HD LCD Display Screen Built in Speaker for Raspberry Pi 4 Model B with RPi Case Holder" on Amazon for $60. (The link for it in my past orders page goes to something different.) That display is nice; the Pi mounts on the back of it. It's a full 24 bit HDMI display. As for programming stuff, I've been dinking around with tkinter, a graphical programming library for Python based on top of the venerable tcl and tk. I've written a slide show program that randomly displays all of the images in a folder. I'm still working out the bugs for displaying animated gifs. My own homemade 7 inch picture frame. Last edited by hobnail; 01-25-2021 at 02:04 AM. |
01-26-2021, 06:23 AM | #11 |
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Well mine is on its way. Although the UPS tracking says that it is currently in Louisville, Kentucky, and should be delivered to me in the UK before 2PM tomorrow, a pair of statements that don't appear compatible
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01-26-2021, 09:26 AM | #12 | |
the rook, bossing Never.
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Quote:
It does sound unlikely. |
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01-26-2021, 10:32 AM | #13 |
Well trained by Cats
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Air Freight gets expedited Customs clearance. (The forms may already be at the UK customs broker). The actual time may be off (time zone differences)
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01-26-2021, 02:25 PM | #14 |
the rook, bossing Never.
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2 pm EST = 7 pm GMT?
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01-26-2021, 03:38 PM | #15 |
Handy Elephant
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UIFlow (Blockly+MicroPython) is not yet supported on M5Paper. But it seems it will be. They are working on it.
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Tags |
e-ink diy esp32 m5stack |
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