Programmable pocket device with LCD? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: ivan747
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 28, 2012, 09:20:02 pm
content: Does such thing as a programmable portable device exists? I need something that fits in your pocket and that includes an LCD, something I can buy hundreds of, I need all the hardware done so I just have to focus on the firmware. Now, how do I get started in programming GUI/TUIs?I need something like this, just a bigger, pocket form factor. And a text (or matrix) display.http://processors.wiki.ti.com/index.php/EZ430-ChronosThanks.

author: Short Circuit
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 28, 2012, 10:43:33 pm
content: SmartphoneOr one of these Nano DSO devices with STM32 and your own firmware

author: ivan747
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 29, 2012, 01:27:01 am
content: Nope, the hardware is to advanced. This is intended to be a simple device for seniors.

author: johnnyfp
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 29, 2012, 09:10:03 am
content: How about these. They do a variety of processor versions.http://www.mikroe.com/eng/products/view/891/mikromedia-for-pic24ep/

author: PA0PBZ
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 29, 2012, 06:23:14 pm
content: A small android tablet? Not too fancy, just an on/off switch and probably a volume control. Price range $40-50 if you want a few 100.Just an example, there are hundreds:http://www.alibaba.com/product-gs/511383718/VIA_WM8650_5_inch_tablet_pc.htmlAnd of course the android sdk is thrown in for free :-)

author: ivan747
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 29, 2012, 07:33:07 pm
content: I need something polished, and a tablet is not the form factor I want, plus the system only focuses on one task, so a tablet is a large overkill. Thanks anyway.

author: ivan747
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 29, 2012, 07:36:08 pm
content: I need perhaps something like this, but with a larger display and a brand-name processor.http://www.dealextreme.com/p/1-1-lcd-mini-usb-rechargeable-mp3-music-player-with-loudspeaker-blue-silver-2-gb-92026?item=28

author: Bored@Work
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 29, 2012, 10:19:15 pm
content: Quote from: ivan747 on June 29, 2012, 01:27:01 amThen the Sony SmartWatch is also not for you.But the thing really is, you are asking for a wrist-watch form factor, generic programmable type of device. Something even large companies didn't really manage to pull off. The mentioned SmartWatch is no exception, its shortcomings are typical (battery, communication, and display issues).

author: T4P
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 29, 2012, 11:31:30 pm
content: How about the one at tideals.com o.o

author: codeboy2k
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 01, 2012, 04:20:01 am
content: everything available on the market will be pre-configured with an OS and lots of social apps... that's just what the big companies do these days.The Sony SmartWatch, while nice, will eat batteries. Its OLED and BlueTooth, and the screen still can't be read in sunlight.The TI watch seems better, but I haven't looked at it, so I don't know what the Android connection is.Why can't I just write code for it, why do I need Android, but it's not going to work with iOS ?Perhaps what you really need to do is to make your own watch device, with a low power CPU, a watch battery and a small E-INK display, maybe include a micro-USB for programming and/or code updates.This should be enough to tell the seniors when it's time to take their pills

author: TerminalJack505
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 01, 2012, 07:19:53 am
content: I can't think of anything that quite fits the bill but here are some more ideas...Samsung Galaxy Android MP3 PlayerApple iPod TouchWimm One Wearable Android Device

author: ivan747
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 01, 2012, 12:27:01 pm
content: Quote from: TerminalJack505 on July 01, 2012, 07:19:53 amI thought of making an app but the software guy (my stepfather) says it's not ok. I'm still thinking on making an app as well as a hardware device.