They do appear to have an API, and it's well documented. So you can write and deploy your own apps as well as push images to it. I didn't spend a lot of time looking at it so I don't know how limited it is or whether you're still tied to using their cloud or not. But at least it's something.
A few years ago, I was one of the initial buyers of a GLAS thermostat. It was amazing. We loved it. Then they discontinued it. Then they stopped supporting it. Then it stopped working with standard wifi so I was left with a manual thermostat. So now I'm wary of buying any leading edge type products. AND the price on this seems very high to me.
Generally a good indication is if an app REQUIRES a login. But yeah. I'd be interested to see if disabling phone data, disconnecting the internet, and just being on wi-fi if the app still works for functions that intuitively shouldn't require internet. If that works then there's no worry.
You're problem is that shiny things get your attention even if it's plutonium. This product is literally old tech being sold for top dollar. What you bought was old tech sold for top dollar.
I was going to build something like this a decade ago when individually addressable RGB LED matrices got cheap. The price is about right when considering parts, manufacturing, ops and fulfillment, but since it's not open source, that's a hard no from me.
Closed source, yes, but so is just about everything else. They do appear to have a pretty robust API for creating your own private apps, which is way more than I expected.
Thats cool like a household decoration, das blinken lights. But even with open source, there is nothing else tidbyt can do better than a tablet. I guess its artsy, thats what youre paying for.
If they'd drop the price about half, I could consider getting one. But yeah I would think the same novelty wearing off would happen to me too. Has happened to me with Alexa as well, now it's mostly idle paperweight on a shelf.
I can see that happening. I bought an Amazon Echo 5 on special a couple of years ago, but I got it mainly to replace my old clock radio that had seen better days, and it only cost me what a new clock radio would have cost. I never really have used it anywhere close to what it was designed to do, but as a voice controlled clock radio that answers any questions I may have about the day's weather when I wake up, it was really worth the price, which was around 120 bucks less than this thing costs.
@@usernameisusername Well, I am so conceited as to believe that anything I say in my home has any importance to anyone outside my home. People must really have a massive ego if they think they are so important that Amazon gives a shit what they say at home.
I've had one a year now. Works well, but yeah it's mostly just a set piece right now. Tidbyt 2 is coming soon though with more features like a speaker and better viewing close up
Props to James for upping his game and posting more videos. They're also a nice length. I don't like shorts nor do I like one padded out to 20 to 25 minutes. These are just right.
So that's what that was. I was intrigued by the Pac Man display from your last video where you had it on the shelf behind you. I couldn't stop looking at it and wondered what it was.😊
This has to be one of my favorite items you have reviewed. I actually think I might give in and order one. I absolutely love it and it looks amazing. Thank you so much for sharing it with us. Another great video.
Did you happen to read the comment on here saying they’re coming out with the next gen one that will have a speaker soon? In case you wanted to wait for that one
I got this ad on Instagram and immediately wanted it. Then I saw the price and couldn’t justify the price, which is too bad because it’s such a cool product.
Back in the day when the Lite Bright toy came out, after playing with it, it gave me the worse headache!!! So, seeing this Tidbyt, my first thought was that awful headache!!! So, it would be a no for me. And the price would hurt me in the wallet!!!! Thanks for the review!!! 😊
I backed this when they had the kickstarter back in 2021, and it was 168 after shipping for me (due to the 'kickstarter special'). Iirc, they also had a thing in one of their updates where they sent some hot sauce out to some backers (I received a bottle). According to the update, their Gen 2 version that will be on Kickstarter "soon" will include: A speaker for audio notifications A (customizable) touch pad for controlling the device upgraded display for crisper graphics a built-in kickstand that also functions as a cleat for wall-mounting the device
We've had several fun clock / info displays before. Enjoyed them until the companies went belly up and the programs eventually didn't work any more. Then as you said, you have an expensive paperweight on your hands. I now just stick to propping up my phone.
I bought one. It’s fairly attractive for a clock. The wood is nice and elevated the style. Interestingly, there are not that many clock apps on device to choose from. And, one of the main clock apps had a software glitch that makes the brightness randomly increase for a minute. Overall nice device if you are looking for something a bit more upscale, but maybe version 2 would be a better buy.
ANYTHING that requires a phone app to use is something you can be assured won't be working in the next 1-5 years. Nothing turns me off of buying a tech product, or anything, more than having it requiring a stupid app to work.
Must say, had a good moment of laugh when they had the top speed be a Spaceballs reference. ^_^ "They've gone to plaid!" As far as the final evaluation, I have to agree, it at least needs to be able to hook to a PC, and if possible do so using open source apps that can be replaced, rather than a proprietary app that could turn it into a paperweight.
Man it's really cool, but also quite expensive for its limited function as just a low res display. I could see it at that price if it also had a decent bluetooth speaker in it or something for while you're playing spotify etc.
I was a Kickstarter of the Tidbyt and my family and I love it. We use it for sports, weather, news, etc. and haven’t tired of it for over a year. A number of visitors to our home have also been impressed by the device, with two buying it for themselves.
Thanks for the review. I noticed this in past reviews on the shelf with what I think was Packman display. Now I know what it is. It is not for me, but I'm sure there are many that would purchase as a gift for that person hard to buy for.
Packaging was very underwelming considering you spent $180 on it. Compared to other clocks on the market this is a solid 5/10. (Only because the concept)
Does it have the flying toasters screen saver? That'd be cool, but it could be a bit bigger to get the full effect....great video as always James 👍 Happy Friday 🎉
So that is what that was on the shelf, from the videos about the coffee cubes, and the can bacon video. This video came out after it was already up on the shelf in previous videos.
You can make own for a lot cheaper if you know some basic code. You could go for something like this using an Arduino to drive the LEDs if you're more skilled, but you could also go with something a bit more simple with a Raspberry Pi Zero and a touchscreen display, which would a better resolutioned image. Both options would cost you under $100.
This is true for the vast majority of things, you don't go to a restaurant expecting food to be the same cost as groceries. Being into DIY takes a certain personality, it's not for everyone.
@@scarffoxandfriends9401 No you don't, but it is fair to expect a reasonable markup. And man that other point is just ??? DIY to the point of "I'm a maker" is a personality, DIY in terms of self reliance is not. It used to be that people actually did things themselves and this just seems like a lazy excuse to participate in rampant consumerism. "Just buy it" or "just get a new one" should never be the primary solution to things and is a major factor in the issue of longevity and repairability of modern products.
@NiSE_Rafter Even before tech, not everyone could just do everything themselves. Humans are societal animals that rely on others. The idea that everyone used to do everything is false. If that was true, then you wouldn't have had so much suffering in the past with everyone being self efficient in everything.
I use a Raspberry Pi 3 b+with an 8 inch display on my desk. All in all, I probably paid $80US total for my setup. But that was an interesting gadget. Just not for me. Great video as always.
I just saw a review for a product called Hang Hero that puts two nails evenly onto the wall so you can hang pictures. It would be interesting to see a review on it.
This seems like the sort of thing that would be fun in the background of a gamer's webcam -- displaying a greeting or message to subs -- but ultimately just a novelty more than useful. If I had an extra $100, I would probably buy it for that novelty, but it doesn't seem like enough to justify $180.
The thing that gives this display it’s value is the app. It has so many sources of info available. A lot of the times something like this might have maybe 5 types of info you can display on it. I still wouldn’t pay $180 for it, but I’m impressed with the apps.
Lol, It’s kinda reminding me of those picture frame displays from a decade+ ago, insert your sd card and watch it toggle through your pictures ….we all know how those came n went, and with the same sticker price…lol 🍻
I often watch RU-vid full screen on my computer. This video kept having to squint so the display looked better. The entire video looked better in a smaller format. Like others I also saw this in previous review videos and wondered what it was.
You've actually had that for a while. I've noticed it on the display case. I think last time you had the little Pacman thing running back and forth, or across the screen. I was wondering what that was. Now I know. LOL
I got a divoom pixel panel. It's like $60 does what this thing does but not as elegant. But if it's just for the background it fits the bill. I honestly haven't turned it on in a long time tho.
Cheaper to just buy a tablet and put a bunch of widgets or something on there maybe. Not sure if there's an app to do that or not. If you could use their app, but with a regular tablet, that'd be pretty cool.
My little brother pitched me this idea about 6 years ago and I thought he was dumb for wanting to make pretty much a worse version of a computer screen because pixelation, but since I'm am awesome brother, I told him it was an awesome idea and said he needs to do it because there's not many things like that out there, he worked on it for a few months then gave up and never told me why, then here I am, watching a video reviewing the EXACT thing he pitched to me... Should've stuck to it man.. I keep telling him to stop giving up. And this is just the perfect thing to send him to show that he would've been rich if he just stopped giving up. Wow..
