Show HN: Trmnl, a hackable e-ink dashboard that helps you stay focused

by ryanckulpon 11/14/2024, 4:00 PMwith 16 comments

hi folks, i'm the founder of TRMNL.

we launched a KS over the summer, and now ship devices same-day.

open source firmware, no subscriptions, no ads, 50+ native plugins already, and a simple API to build your own for private or public use.

happy to answer any questions!

Ryan

by lykahbon 11/15/2024, 5:31 PM

I wish exploring the integrations were easier. The plugin details are behind the sign-up barrier. I'd like to see a short description and a screenshot.

by Dyacon 11/15/2024, 8:36 PM

Hi. I have wanted something like this for YEARS, but have never had the motivation to hack something together.

A few questions:

1. Is the dev edition hardware different?

2. If not, it possible to upgrade to a dev edition later, ie. Is it just a config thing on the server end?

3. If I have multiple trmnls how do I manage them? Is it possible? Do I need multiple accounts? Do they show the same stuff etc? Is "dev edition" for my account or per-device?

4. Using multiple apps - is it a split screen display, or do it cycle through the apps every x seconds? Is there a button to advance to the next one?

5. What's the resolution in real terms? Ie. Can I get a full month calendar to show and still be able to read entries? How many lines of Todo-list items can I have? What happens to over-flowed items?

6. how does it get updates? does it connect to my phone via Bluetooth or to my WiFi? Can it store multiple WiFi networks, for if I want to take it places?

by rrr_oh_manon 11/14/2024, 10:22 PM

Alternative in the EU: https://www.invisible-computers.com/

by eterpstraon 11/14/2024, 5:33 PM

Saw your comments in the MomBoard post. This is exactly what I've been looking for. Ordered a dev edition in white :)

by latexron 11/14/2024, 4:16 PM

As someone who did some hacking on a Kobo, this looks pretty interesting. Important question: it doesn’t seem like it can work as an ebook reader at all. Can it? If yes, which formats does it support? Does it do .epub? .pdf? .cbz?

by kmos17on 11/14/2024, 8:37 PM

this looks really cool, will be reading through the dev docs and most likely purchasing one. Love that the server is also available to self host.

ps. the mobile navigation bugs sometimes (with the animation loading randomly it seems) so I couldn’t find the plugin docs at first, and there is no navigation back to the main page from the plugin directory it seems. hope that helps.

by ftigison 11/16/2024, 6:03 PM

Have you heard of Blotch? How feasible is selling a device with a 13.3 inch e-ink screen under 200 USD?

by nchong128on 11/15/2024, 12:26 AM

Any discount codes for hackers :D