HW Media Lab
Gaming
Video & Cameras
Funding ended on Nov 06, 2025 at 03:59 PM PST.
WebScreen is a hackable, open-source gadget for gamers, makers, and creators. It sits on top of your monitor like a webcam, keeping important notifications, reminders, and stats visible. With a vivid AMOLED display, an ESP32-S3 microcontroller, and a completely open hardware and software stack, WebScreen helps you focus while staying connected.
WebScreen shows only the information you choose. No more switching to your phone or breaking concentration. Whether you are gaming, streaming, or working, WebScreen keeps you in the flow while making sure you do not miss critical alerts.
Building for WebScreen is easy. Write your app in JavaScript, save it to a microSD card, and insert it into the device. It runs instantly. With Wi-Fi and Bluetooth built in, you can pull data from APIs, connect to smart home devices, or display system stats in real time. No special SDKs are required. WebScreen is a platform where simple code can create powerful tools.
We also wrote a Serial IDE were you can operate WebScreen with custom commands, and write Javascript apps without disconnecting and connecting the microSD card.
WebScreen is fully open-source. PCB schematics, firmware, enclosure design files, and documentation are all published under permissive licenses. This makes it easy to modify, remix, and improve the design. Backers are not just users, but also contributors. Transparency and community ownership are central to WebScreen.
We are continuously building new apps, and our API makes it simple for anyone to create and share JavaScript applications, all stored on a microSD card. We are currently working on the WebScreen Marketplace, where you will be able to browse community-made apps, enclosure skins, and hardware mods, or upload your own. It will be available once the campaign is complete.
We’ve provided a selection of enclosure colors, so you can make sure your Webscreen matches your setup.
Before launching WebScreen, we asked our community how they would use it. Through the subscribe form on our website, we collected dozens of ideas and requests from early supporters.
What we learned:
Your feedback shaped WebScreen. We are building a tool that is open, hackable, affordable, and useful across many workflows.
| Feature | WebScreen | LaMetric TIME | BUSY Bar | Elgato Prompter | Corsair Xeneon Edge 14.5" |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Strengths | Affordable, open-source, customizable | Stylish smart clock + ecosystem | Deep productivity + battery | High-quality prompter | Large touchscreen for productivity/media |
| Dimensions | 68 × 60 × 54 mm (monitor-top) | 20.1 × 6.1 × 3.6 cm | ~20 × 5 × 4 cm (desk bar) | 27 × 18 × 6 cm (with mount) | 33.2 × 19.7 × 1.6 cm |
| Weight | ~0.1 kg | 0.223 kg | ~0.25 kg | ~0.7 kg | ~0.8 kg |
| Display Type | AMOLED | LED | LED | LCD | AHVA touchscreen |
| Display Size | 1.9" | 19.5 x 4.2 cm | 72x16 LED matrix | 9" 1024 x 600 px | 14.5" |
| Touchscreen | No | No | No | No | Yes |
| Use Case | Hackable notifications, smart home, teleprompter, reminders, custom apps | Smart clock, IoT display, weather, music, notifications | Productivity, Pomodoro timer, smart status | Professional teleprompter for streaming/presenting | Secondary portable touchscreen monitor |
| Open Source | Full (hardware + firmware + apps) | No | No | No | No |
| Customization | Enclosure colors, JS apps, firmware, PCB | Limited (faces & apps via LaMetric Market) | High (apps, workflows, smart home) | Limited (text and overlays) | Low (basic customization) |
| Smart Home | MQTT + APIs + Bluetooth | Yes (via app, Wi-Fi/Bluetooth) | Yes (Matter, Home Assistant, HTTP API) | No | No |
| Audio | No | 2×2 W stereo speakers | No | No | No |
| Power | USB-C | USB-C + adapter | USB-C + internal battery | USB-C (5 V / 900 mA) | USB-C (15W PD) |
| Battery | No (USB-C only) | No (constant power) | Yes (3,250 mAh, ~1 workday) | No | No |
| OS Support | Cross-platform (open APIs) | iOS / Android app required | iOS / Android + Windows/macOS | Windows, macOS (DisplayLink drivers) | Windows, macOS |
| Attachable to Monitor | Yes (webcam-style) | No | Yes (desk/monitor mount) | Yes (camera/lens mount) | Yes (magnetic, stand, VESA) |
| Price | $99 | $199 | $199 | $250 | $250 |
WebScreen is designed to be open and easy to use:
PCBs are manufactured and assembled by PCBWay and our AMOLED displays are manufactured by DWO, both companies are based in China. Components are shipped to Japan, where enclosures are 3D printed, devices are assembled, firmware is flashed, microSD cards are loaded with Javascript apps and each unit is tested. This hybrid model allows flexibility and quality control. Packaging is minimal and recyclable, with cardboard boxes and resealable ESD bags.
After our production run is complete, we will box everything up and send it along to Crowd Supply’s fulfillment partner, Mouser Electronics, who will handle distribution to backers worldwide. You can learn more about Crowd Supply’s fulfillment service under Ordering, Paying, and Shipping in their guide.
Like any hardware project, WebScreen faces challenges. We will be transparent and keep backers informed.
WebScreen is part of PCBWay Assembly Hub
Produced by HW Media Lab in Sheridan, Wyoming.
Sold and shipped by Crowd Supply.
One WebScreen with preloaded firmware, quickstart guide, 8 GB microSD preloaded with sample apps, USB-C to USB-C 1m cable, and online access to limited-edition apps. Choose your preferred color from the drop-down menu.
Want to buy this item? Check the current project page for the latest information.
· hwlab.io · webscreen.cc
We are a hardware development agency specializing in transforming ideas into innovative products. From initial design to final manufacturing, we offer end-to-end development solutions tailored to each project's unique needs.
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