Tidbyt Review: Vintage Vibes or Overpriced Tech?
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- čas přidán 14. 05. 2024
- After seeing the Tidbyt advertising online, I decided to try it out. Is this retro ticker/display worth the $180 price tag?
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#tidbyt #retro #cooltech
0:00 Intro & Unboxing
0:50 Overview and Apps
5:06 Update after a few days
6:10 Conclusion - Jak na to + styl
If they open sourced the protocol to control it, I am sure it would take off, since you wouldn't potentially have your $180 paperweight.
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.
Not open source, but you can build your own apps.
Also noticed the "Plus" subscription which is a bad sign. If it was open source and had speakers, it could be a cool little radio/display piece
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.
Get a Nest thermostat. Good brand and they're not gonna stop supporting any of their thermostats any time soon.
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.
If it has a required app, its future e-waste. No exceptions.
@@rthorofthehillpplthey are ending support for nest secure next year, nothing is written in stone with google
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.
The price must be right when you're building one. They're manufacturing so I don't think it should cost that much for something with so little uses...
it's just a crappy tablet
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.
And now I want a Lite-Brite.
🤣😂
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.
I love how they added a term from "Space Balls" for their fastest setting. I need to go watch that movie now 😅
I noticed that on the shelf in the last review, and wondered what it was.
I found it distracting
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.
Not idol. Always listening to you. She is a creeper
@@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.
@@barcham lol
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
I got this through the kickstarter campaign so i paid close to half of what you did. For my price I love it. It's a neat little display.
A cool little gadget to have, but the price is crazy.
I'd love to use that as a No Parking sign in front of my driveway, except someone would steal it. Lol
They've gone to plaid! For the highest speed! Spaceballs! HAHAHA
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.
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
Like the Spaceballs reference.
Plaid is always the fastest
They went to plaid. We can’t stop we gotta slow down first.
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.😊
3:02 - Love the Spaceballs reference
That Spaceballs reference is almost enough for me to buy it haha
So that's the display I couldn't stop watching during your last review. It was the PAC Man and Space Invaders that caught my eye.
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 saw this in the background for the past couple videos. Good review.
Spaceballs references. 😂 that’s hilarious
On the speed of display, The setting plaid is a reference to Space Balls
Love the Spaceballs reference.
I just realized I have that same organizer/ shelf thing that you have haha
I might buy this thing just for the Spaceballs joke. Well played Tidbyt...well played indeed.
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.
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.
This is how i found out he has a shorts channel
Me too, good on him for finding a clever way to sneak in a promo for it without being too thirsty about it 😄
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!!! 😊
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 🎉
Cool You could have it display Marquee-style random Patreon members. and have it in the Background
So that is what was behind you in the last two (coffee and bacon maker) reviews, I was wondering!
Plaid speed is from the movie "Space balls" giggles I'm smiling just thinking about it!
Excellent, unbiased, sensible reviews.... as always. This is why you're the best...
Not sure if the display is large enough, but some kind of HAM radio world clock would be cool (showing solar status, UTC, etc).
"welcome back every today!" I love it, James. Every time. Never change.
Very neat. But for the price you could by a 32" HD TV.
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.
So you basically bought a $180 clock?
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.
You should put the name of each new product on it and have it on the background shelf from now on :)
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.
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.
I knew I wasn't the only one who picked up The Spaceballs reference...😆
Yeah I still have the Chumby which was a great bit of tech but let down by the ecosystem failing. I'm hoping it will come back.
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.
I had the same train of thought. It's not too complicated of a project to make something similar for much less than this thing's $180
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.
Exactly just get a Adafruit matrix led display and a matrix portal M4 and learn a few codes and boom your own Tidbyt for under 70 dollars
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.
Seems like a very cool device. If they drop the price a bit I would definitely buy it.
I was like thats cool then I said hell nah in the intro when you said the price
For $25 it would be a bargain.
I often watch CZcams 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.
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.
Ahhh I saw this behind the scenes in the last few videos, in one of them it made me feel a bit sick with the flickering in the background 😅
To film a digital display without adding flicker, set the camera frame rate equal to the display refresh rate.
Oh wow, I noticed that in older videos and was wondering where it came from.
I am curious now if the Plaid speed setting is a reference to Spaceballs?! 😆
It is very comparable in price to LaMetric ($199) that you see in the background on lots of channels. Would be curious to find out how they compare to each other.
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.
The plaid spaceballs reference was a deep cut.
I saw it in the background of your interview a few days ago. You had pac man going. Pretty cool. Oh your interview was great!
The second I heard the price my brain screamed "Overpriced".
Learning it's closed source is just hilarious.
Will you review the Snap 3 Pro Grip for iPhone?
side question, where did you get that shelf??
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.
I noticed it in the background of one of your other videos playing PAC man it looked pretty cool!
does it have an "aux" connection for external speakers?
You must test the cooling belt Sparkle Tornado. Semes awesome.
I think you will get surprised how good it really is 🙂.
love your vids man
Plaid speed... SPACEBALL FANS UNITE!!!
This is the type of product if I came across it in the store, I would probably say “That’s interesting “ and keep walking.
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.
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.
Does it work independent of your phone? Like does it have its own wifi connection
That’s one of those “Hey that looks cool! Uh… not at that price though” products.
nice choice of music, shifting gears is excellent
Might be worth for the spaceballs joke lol
Does this work for calendar notifications?
This is so similar to divoom gadgets pretty cool
The beard is looking like Hannibal lector mask lol
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)
Was wondering when you were going to address that display thing in the background, lol!
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
If I hit it big on the sportsbook, then I might buy it
It is overpriced but it is really cool. In fact, I noticed it running Pac-Man in the background of another video you posted recently and I was wondering exactly what it was. Like many things today, it is difficult to decide whether to get it or not because there is no way to know how long it will be supported, but if I was a young guy with the money to spend, I would probably get one just to show off to my friends. LOL
Does the stock one move like update often when the stock price is moving in real time?
Id imagine $60 being a somewhat reasonable price. $180? Gotdayum
At least add a speaker.
I've seen this on your video playing in the background and was wondering what it is?
They've gone plaid!
I wish I could do something like to an old smartphone and just have it attached to my computer's monitor.
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..
Someone has to pay for the server on which all the extracted info is maintained. With a lower price for the unit they would have to charge a continuous fee.
I backed the Kickstarter, and I love this little thing. It passively keeps me in the know at all times of the day, very nice for someone who has ADHD.
Johnny “Hammond” Smith getting some love and not one comment! That and the Geezer Butler shirt… I’m sold.
hearing you name drop the game valorant really took me by suprise XD didnt expect you to know what it was!
At any point are there extra fees or advertisements?
Looks perfect for a content creator/streamer. It's a cool piece
I have a similar product, but the Divoom brand, by the way, is much cheaper. And it has a speaker!
If it was like $50 I'd consider it🤷♂
Probably get knocked down to that within the year. Or clones be found on wish and temu for pennies
It's a cute novelty, but it's a pricey one. I think it would wear thin after a while.
10 seconds in and I can tell you no, it's not worth $180 😂
It's cool and clearly a passion project, but I do not see this being worth the cost unless the pixel aesthetic is something you really desire. If this is a desktop item, cheap AOC portable monitor from Amazon plugged into your secondary HDMI on the computer with Finviz on it will work perfectly and offer more versatile portable use. For a shelf positioned display, it is a great value, but again the pixel look aesthetic is something you need to consider.