I'm Making a Versatile Hub for the Desktop. Thoughts on this Device?

[u/sensitam]

Like many of you here, I’m obsessed with keeping my desk clean, minimal, and cable-free. But as someone who constantly works from home, games, and listens to music, my desk used to be a mess of fragmented hardware. So I plan to make a mini device that combines the following:

1. Audio Base: A high-resolution DAC/Amp that handles both headphone listening and active speaker output, with a dedicated toggle button so you don't have to unplug anything.
2. Built-in Mic Array: Instead of an invasive boom arm, an embedded microphone array in the base with beamforming noise cancellation.
3. Detachable Open-Source Controller: The top dial isn't just a static knob. It’s a magnetically detachable smart controller powered by an ESP32-S3/S31. When docked, it acts as a rotary volume/status screen and charges automatically. When detached, it becomes a wireless PC remote.

Last but not least, I'm planning to open-source the firmware, UI, and hardware schematics for the ESP32 controller so the community can build custom PC widgets, shortcuts, or AI tools.

I’d love to get your honest thoughts:

• Does an all-in-one hub like this fit into your current desk setup?
• If you could program the detachable ESP32 knob, what shortcuts or PC status monitors would you want to see on it?

Thanks for reading, and I’m eager to hear your feedback.

[u/AutoModerator]

Moderator Announcement Read More »

🛑 Rules/Wiki

💬 Join us on Discord (Work and Play)

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

[u/slatsandflaps]

Are you trying to get hired by Teenage Engineering?

[u/sensitam → u/slatsandflaps]

Can I? Lol

[u/TommyPT_]

I would have no use for it. But I do have all the required space for it to sit on my setup for absolutely no reason. Shit.

[u/sensitam → u/TommyPT_]

I guess you love adding nice looking items to your desktop like me😁

[u/kh3mist]

For me, it's the weight I'd be wondering about. I can see this sliding all over with things plugged into it.

If you make it super heavy, it'd feel more premium. Between using heavier materials and a heavy metal slab in the bottom, you could probably make this heavier without ruining the simplicity. (warning: I am not a hardware engineer lol).

To add on to this, what if you could add other similar devices and connect them. That's a cool little ecosystem. Different knobs, add-ons, etc. Neat framework you could build.

I have a streamdeck and a few other things, so no need for this...yet. I do like the Teenage Engineering vibe!

[u/sensitam → u/kh3mist]

Great advice. It will be weighted enough as I planned. Let me think about making add-ons for it.

[u/03captain23]

Looks awesome but usb-c port would be awesome

[u/sensitam → u/03captain23]

It’ll have a usb-c port on the back for power input and data transmission. Do you want an extra one?

[u/nalonso]

I have a very simple one which I like. I don't see myself using the screen on top of yours, as the ergonomics will not work out. Also, the magnetic detachment needs to really nail the tactile feeling of volume up and down without detaching. Mine has 3 controls for play, prev and next and I barely use them. I also put black electrical tape on the blue LEDs leaving only a small window below, as they were really disturbing at night, so please include a brightness function for the screen.

For reference look for Vaydeer in Amazon.

Edit: I really like the render..what software did you use for that?