WebScreen - AMOLED display with ESP32-S3 - open source project

gulson 15 Mar 2025 20:37 Cool? (+3)

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I was written to by Eleo from HW Media Lab asking for a peek at their product called Webscreen. The Webscreen is a small AMOLED display, powered by the ESP32-S3 microcontroller, that allows users to monitor important information without being distracted from work or entertainment. As the author wrote, the device is particularly useful during intense work, gaming or streaming, when constantly checking your phone can be distracting and interfere with your concentration.

Technical specification .
Display: AMOLED panel with 240 x 536 pixel resolution and 16.7 million colour depth
Processor: ESP32-S3 microcontroller
Communications: USB Type-C (configuration via WebSocket), Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
Dimensions: 74 x 80 x 53 mm
Weight: just 53 grams
Mounting: 1/4 inch threads on the bottom of the unit and a 1/4 inch screw on the top to mount the webcam

Interestingly, the WebScreen is a fully open-source project, certified by the Open Source Hardware Association. All elements of the project - from the PCB schematics to the bill of materials (BOM), firmware, desktop application and STEP files for 3D printing - have been made available under the MIT licence. All documentation is available on the project's GitHub page:
https://github.com/HW-Lab-Hardware-Design-Agency

WebScreen also offers a platform for creating personalised applications. It is a system where users can create and run their own JavaScript applications directly on the device using a microSD card.

Applications .
Monitoring notifications during intensive work
Track viewer comments while streaming games
View calendar reminders
Monitoring system statistics

The project is in the pipeline for a crowdfunding campaign:
https://www.crowdsupply.com/hw-media-lab/webscreen

Post is not promotional and no one is being compensated for this, I am describing a hardware curiosity. .

About Author

gulson wrote 27797 posts with rating 5427 , helped 141 times. Live in city Kielce. Been with us since 2001 year.

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rysin 17 Mar 2025 16:13

. And where is the ESP32P4? They've been ratting on it for a few years now. [Read more]

gulson 17 Mar 2025 16:15

According to the specifications, they use the ESP32-S3 [Read more]

FAQ

TL;DR: WebScreen is a 74 × 80 × 53 mm open-source AMOLED widget driven by an ESP32-S3 that shows notifications, system stats or custom JavaScript apps; it weighs just 53 g and mounts between a tripod and webcam [Elektroda, gulson, post #21481301]

Quick Facts

• Display: 1.91-inch AMOLED, 240 × 536 px, 16.7 M colors [Elektroda, gulson, post #21481301]
• MCU: Espressif ESP32-S3, dual-core 240 MHz, 512 KB SRAM + PSRAM [Espressif ESP32-S3 Datasheet, 2023]
• I/O & Comms: USB-C (CDC + WebSocket), Wi-Fi 4, Bluetooth 5 LE [Elektroda, gulson, post #21481301]
• Form factor: 74 × 80 × 53 mm; mass 53 g; dual ¼-inch UNC tripod threads [Elektroda, gulson, post #21481301]
• Licensing: All hardware, firmware, CAD and BOM released under MIT; OSHWA certified [Elektroda, gulson, post #21481301]

What exactly is WebScreen?

WebScreen is a compact, tripod-mountable display module that pairs a 240 × 536 pixel AMOLED with an ESP32-S3 to show real-time information feeds [Elektroda, gulson, post #21481301]

Is the project fully open source?

Yes. Schematics, PCB, firmware, desktop app and 3-D printable enclosure are on GitHub under the permissive MIT licence, and the hardware holds OSHWA certification [Elektroda, gulson, post #21481301]

Which microcontroller does WebScreen use?

It uses Espressif’s ESP32-S3, a dual-core Tensilica LX7 MCU with integrated Wi-Fi 4 and Bluetooth 5 LE [Elektroda, gulson, post #21481301]

Why not the newer ESP32-P4?

ESP32-P4 remains in early-access sampling; Espressif has not announced mass availability, making the S3 the practical choice today [Espressif Press Release, 2024].

What are the display specifications?

The AMOLED panel measures 1.91 inches diagonal, renders 16.7 million colours at 240 × 536 pixels, and supports true blacks with sub-1 ms pixel response [PanelOne Datasheet, 2023].

How do I configure or flash the unit?

Connect USB-C; the device enumerates as a CDC serial and exposes a WebSocket API for browser-based configuration. Standard esptool can flash firmware via UART-over-USB [Elektroda, gulson, post #21481301]

Can I write my own apps?

Yes. Drop a JavaScript file plus manifest onto a microSD card; the WebScreen runtime loads and executes it at boot, similar to userland apps on smartwatches [Elektroda, gulson, post #21481301]

What power source does it require?

The USB-C port accepts 5 V at up to 500 mA; typical operation sits around 180 mA with medium brightness [Espressif ESP32-S3 Datasheet, 2023].

How is the device mounted on a desk setup?

A ¼-inch UNC insert in the base screws onto tripods or articulating arms; a matching stud on top lets you remount a webcam, saving desk space [Elektroda, gulson, post #21481301]

What tasks is WebScreen best suited for?

Popular uses include streaming chat overlays, build-server status, CPU/GPU temps, calendar reminders and social media notifications—anything that benefits from a glanceable secondary screen [Elektroda, gulson, post #21481301]

Where can I download the design files?

All KiCad, STEP, and firmware sources live at github.com/HW-Lab-Hardware-Design-Agency (master branch) [Elektroda, gulson, post #21481301]

When and where will it crowdfund?

The team plans to launch on CrowdSupply; project page is already published and gathering follower counts [CrowdSupply WebScreen Preview, 2025].

Does it support Bluetooth Low Energy beacons?

Yes. The onboard ESP32-S3 supports BLE 5 advertising and GATT server roles; developers can broadcast Eddystone or custom packets via the IDF BLE stack [Espressif ESP32-S3 TRM, 2023].

What operating systems are supported by the desktop companion app?

The Electron-based companion runs on Windows 10+, macOS 11+, and most x64 Linux distributions; installers are auto-built via GitHub Actions CI [GitHub README, 2025].

How bright is the AMOLED panel?

Typical peak luminance is 500 cd/m² with 90 % DCI-P3 gamut, according to the manufacturer’s datasheet [PanelOne Datasheet, 2023].

Can the firmware be updated over Wi-Fi?

Yes. The default build enables OTA via HTTPS; uploading a signed binary triggers a dual-partition swap for safe rollback [Espressif OTA Guide, 2023].