We're surrounded by countless gadgets and devices, all vying for our attention. Among these, Tidbyt stands out as a minimalist, retro-styled pixel art display that offers a refreshing break from the flashy screens we're accustomed to. This customizable IoT device is more than just a pretty face; it's a versatile and functional tool that can enhance your daily life. In this blog post, we'll take a deep dive into Tidbyt, exploring its features and design and how it's making a mark in the smart home industry.
What is Tidbyt? Tidbyt is a unique, retro-inspired pixel art display that delivers essential information to users in a visually appealing and customizable manner. The name "Tidbyt" is derived from the Swedish word "tidbit," which means "small piece of news or information." This compact device integrates seamlessly into your smart home ecosystem, providing at-a-glance updates on sports scores, weather, stocks, transit times, tides, and much more.
I first heard of this on the MacBreak Weekly podcast #837 from October 6, 2022, which is hosted on the TwIT network. Micah Sargent was hosting the show that week, and it was his pick of the week. I ordered it almost immediately after seeing it and have enjoyed it ever since.
Sunrise/Sunset times, Time and Date, and Tidal Information
One of the standout features of Tidbyt is its design. The device boasts a minimalist aesthetic: a wooden enclosure with a 64x32 LED matrix screen. The screen's pixel art display is reminiscent of 8-bit video games, making it an instant conversation starter and a nostalgic nod to the past.
The wooden enclosure is available in two finishes, walnut and cherry, allowing users to choose the option that best matches their home decor. Furthermore, Tidbyt is designed to be both wall-mountable and freestanding, offering flexibility for users to showcase their pixel art display as they see fit.
Time Until a Date, Age of Baby, and Number of Days Until Christmas
Despite its retro appearance, Tidbyt has modern features, making it a highly functional intelligent home device. Users can configure and customize the display through the Tidbyt mobile app, available on iOS and Android. The app allows users to choose from an extensive list of pre-built apps, called "bits," which provide information on various topics such as:
- Weather: Get real-time weather updates, including temperature, humidity, and forecasts.
- Stocks: Monitor the performance of your favorite stocks with customizable watchlists and scrolling tickers.
- Transit: Receive up-to-date information on public transportation schedules and arrival times for your preferred routes.
- Calendar: Sync your Google Calendar to Tidbyt and never miss an important event or appointment.
- Countdowns: Set custom countdowns for birthdays, vacations, or other significant milestones.Cryptocurrency: Track the value of popular cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum.
These are just a few examples of the available bits. The Tidbyt team continues to develop new bits, expanding the functionality and information the device can display.
Users with programming skills can also create their own custom bits using the Tidbyt API. This allows for limitless possibilities regarding the information and visualizations Tidbyt can offer.
Tidbyt's open API enables integration with popular innovative home platforms like IFTTT and Home Assistant. This allows users to create custom automations, such as displaying the weather forecast when they wake up or triggering a stock ticker when the market opens.
Another notable aspect of Tidbyt is its thriving community of users and developers. The Tidbyt community is an invaluable resource for those looking to maximize their device's potential. Users can share custom bits, exchange ideas, and offer support to one another through the Tidbyt forum and other online platforms.
The Tidbyt team actively engages with the community, soliciting feedback and suggestions for new features and improvements. This collaborative approach fosters a sense of ownership and involvement among users, making the Tidbyt experience more personal and enjoyable.
Stock Information and Three World Time Zones
As a smart home device, Tidbyt excels in its versatility and customizability. Users can tailor the device to their specific needs and preferences and expand its capabilities through custom programming and integration with other platforms. This level of personalization sets Tidbyt apart from many other smart home devices on the market.
Everyone who has been in our house sees the Tidbyt comments on it and thinks it is neat. I have provided more than a few people with the link so they can order it.
At the end of September, Tidbyt announced they will launch Gen 2 on Kickstarter soon, and it will be released in the spring of 2024. The new Gen 2 display will provide sharper text and clearer photos. Go to https://gen2.tidbyt.com/ for more information and to order now.
