In the bustling innovation hubs of Japan and Argentina, two childhood friends, Eleo Basili and Pedro, are making waves in the world of tech peripherals with their brainchild, WebScreen. This sleek secondary display, designed to complement gaming and professional setups, offers a groundbreaking approach to managing notifications and reminders without breaking focus. Here’s the inside scoop on how they’ve turned an idea into reality.
The Birth of HW Lab and WebScreen
HW Lab is a company, co-founded by Eleo Basili, a software developer with a flair for marketing and finance, and Pedro, the hardware genius. Despite being separated by a 12-hour time difference, the duo collaborates seamlessly to bring their vision to life. As Eleo explains, “It’s a challenge, but having known each other since childhood helps us work efficiently even across time zones.”
What is WebScreen?
WebScreen is a compact, secondary display that attaches to your monitor or laptop, much like a webcam. Designed to help gamers and professionals stay focused, it provides unobtrusive notifications and reminders without disrupting the main screen. The inspiration came from a common problem faced by gamers: the need to remain undistracted while still being accessible for critical notifications, whether from family, work, or other essential updates.
Key Features and Design
The hardware integrates a high-resolution AMOLED display, an ESP32 microcontroller with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth support, and a USB-C port for power and data. “It’s not just a notification display,” Pedro explains, “it’s a versatile tool with endless possibilities, from screensavers to custom apps.” The sleek, gamer-friendly design, developed by Adam from Comber Studios, prioritises both aesthetics and functionality.
One unique aspect is the adjustable clip, perfect for thin laptop bezels. The team also incorporated a microSD card for persistent storage, addressing the need for additional space for animations, media, and user-developed applications.
Overcoming Challenges
Building a cutting-edge product is never without hurdles. Sourcing quality components in small quantities proved tricky, with suppliers typically requiring large orders. “It’s crucial to keep costs low during the prototyping phase,” says Eleo. They’ve also had to strike a balance between high performance and cost efficiency, especially when it came to the display and enclosure design.
Software and Security
WebScreen uses WebSockets for seamless communication and supports various connection methods, including serial, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi. Eleo is currently working on end-to-end encryption, enabling secure transmission of data from phones or computers to the WebScreen via an API. This architecture opens doors for exciting integrations, such as syncing in-game achievements or notifications through platforms like Steam and Blizzard.
Advice for Budding Entrepreneurs
“Communicate clearly and often,” advises Pedro. The team credits collaborative tools like GitHub and Trello for their smooth workflow. They also stress the importance of quick iterations and community engagement. “Don’t overinvest in early prototypes,” Eleo cautions. “Focus on testing hypotheses and gathering feedback.”
The Road Ahead
With their Crowd Supply pre-launch page live and an OSHWA certification under their belt, HW Lab is gearing up for a crowdfunding campaign. The aim is to enter mass production by the first half of next year, releasing around 1,000 units to test market viability. “We’re creating a new peripheral category,” Eleo enthuses, “and we’re excited to see how the community embraces it.”
Stay Updated
For those interested in WebScreen, you can follow their progress at webscreen.cc or dive into the technical details on their company blog at hwlab.io. As Eleo puts it, “Engage with the community, showcase your work, and the opportunities will come.”
The journey of WebScreen is a testament to the power of collaboration, perseverance, and a passion for innovation. We’re eagerly watching this new class of peripheral unfold and can’t wait to see what HW Lab comes up with next.