WebScreen is a customizable open source mini-screen that sits on your monitor to show notifications and more

WebScreen is an upcoming mini-screen that can sit on top of your monitor like a webcam, allowing you to customize it to get notifications and all sorts so you don't miss anything while you're busy (like playing video games). It was announced a while ago, which I missed, but the developer emailed over the press details on it recently.

What is it? As they explain: "WebScreen is a customizable secondary display that sits atop your monitor, like a webcam, providing critical notifications, reminders, and visuals right in your line of sight. Whether you’re deep in a game, focused on work, or streaming, WebScreen lets you see what matters most without the constant urge to check your phone or disrupt your workflow. Featuring a vibrant AMOLED display and powered by an ESP32-S3 microcontroller, WebScreen fits seamlessly into any setup and can be personalized to display only the information you want to see."

The device is fully open source too. It's already certified by the OSHWA along with various bits on GitHub.

I quite like the idea of it, as I do have a habit of checking my phone constantly. It's clearly something I don't need, but do I want it? Yes, yes I do. The whole thing is built to be as flexible as possible allowing you to run all sorts of applications directly on the device so you never miss a thing with apps built via JavaScript.

Specifications

• Display:
  • High-quality AMOLED display.
  • 240 x 536 resolution.
  • 16.7 M colors.
• Processor: Powered by an ESP32-S3 microcontroller.
• Connectivity:
  • USB Type-C, configured via WebSocket.
  • Wi-Fi and Bluetooth support.
• Programmable platform: Easily create custom apps in JavaScript and run them directly on WebScreen via a microSD card.
• Mounting: 1/4-inch mount on bottom, 1/4-inch screw on top for attaching a webcam.
• Size: 74 x 80 x 53 mm (2.9 x 3.15 x 2.08 in).
• Weight: 53 g (0.13 lbs).

From their press info they included an FAQ:

What types of content can WebScreen display? Apart from gaming alerts, WebScreen can display
messages, social media updates, real-time stats, and custom animations or logos.

Is WebScreen customizable? Yes, you can tailor WebScreen to show the information that matters most to
you.

Does WebScreen require an internet connection? While WebScreen can operate as a standalone display
for static content, certain dynamic features like social media updates or game stats will require an internet
connection.

Can I develop my own apps for WebScreen? Yes, we encourage developers to create and share their own
applications for WebScreen.

What is the goal of the WebScreen Crowd Supply campaign? To fund the final development and mass
production of WebScreen, making it available to a wider audience.

They've announced that a Crowd Supply campaign will be launching in early March. Which is like Kickstarter for hardware. See more on the official site.