I built Timeframe, our family e-paper dashboard

2 days ago

The author built a family dashboard system called Timeframe, integrating calendar, weather, and smart home data.
Initial attempts included a Magic Mirror and jailbroken Kindles, but faced readability and refresh rate issues.
Switched to Visionect e-paper displays for better visibility and reliability, though they required custom software.
Market testing revealed high costs and subscription fees made the system impractical for broader adoption.
After losing their home in the Marshall Fire, the author redesigned the system with a Boox Mira Pro for real-time updates.
Integrated Home Assistant to simplify data fetching and reduce backend complexity.
The system now serves as a real-time status indicator for the home, showing only relevant information.
Future goals include improving error handling, making Home Assistant the sole data source, and finding more affordable hardware.

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