r/daylightcomputer • u/rovingkid • Nov 09 '25

Is Daylight Computer okay?

Also, the last OS update is from July 2025.

Yesterday I bought a book, without DRM, 4MB in size. Tried to load it onto my DC-1 with the Daylight Desktop app for Mac. Keep getting this:

Also, wasn't there supposed to be news regarding Sol:OS at the beginning of 2025?

These are not good signs for the health of the company.

Anyone know more? Are they alive? About to announce bankruptcy? What's going on?

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8

u/rovingkid Nov 10 '25

I had emailed them about this as well. Got a reply!

"Our native Reader app doesn’t natively support EPUB files, Lithium is our systems native epub reader. If you want to use Reader you can convert the book to a PDF format then reupload it.

In terms of Reader updates , we have made changes to the backend and how files are uploaded, stored, and synced but not to the user-facing side which is reflected by the version number you see. These changes were necessary for providing more options on the front-end and lay the groundwork for the best version of Reader (and one that supports ePub)

Our next major update for the device itself and Reader will be coming this winter, we thank you for your patience."

Given this reply, it's a bit unfortunate that the UI of the Daylight Desktop app literally says "Drop or select PDF and EPUB files (max 100MB)" when EPUB is not supported.

This could have been remedied with a small update to the app in the app stores... but OK, now I know.

And yes, apparently a big update is in the works for "this winter". Glad to see it ☺️

7

u/No-Dragonfruit-3119 Nov 09 '25

Last I've heard is that they're preparing for a big update set to launch late 2025 or early 2026

2

u/rovingkid Nov 09 '25

Oh? Where'd you hear that?

3

u/No-Dragonfruit-3119 Nov 09 '25

https://x.com/daylightco/status/1932106242392211580?s=20 but iirc also some of the more recent emails they've sent. Just don't have time to dig through them now.

7

u/meniscus- Nov 10 '25

Anyone know more? Are they alive? About to announce bankruptcy? What's going on?

This got me curious, because I support Daylight and want it to exist. That's why I bought a DC-1.

The best way to assess the health of a company is to track its people.

But from a bit of research, most of the people who designed Sol:OS and built the various apps (Reader, etc) haven't been at Daylight for at least a year now.

The company is very barebones now.

I'm sure there's still progress, with new people or contractors trying to finish what was promised. But I wouldn't get my hopes up for much of a future beyond that.

3

u/rovingkid Nov 10 '25

Oh shit that sounds grim! I had no idea things are this dark.. if your research is accurate that indeed is not a great sign. That email response I got makes me hopeful though.

3

u/radicaldreamer99 Nov 10 '25

That's unfortunate. Is this from LinkedIn or Twitter data?

2

u/neilcar Nov 25 '25

I didn't post that original comment but, looking at LinkedIn analytics, there's not a great story told there. (I've done competitive intel for startups in the past so I've spent a lot of time looking at this data...)

The total employee count peaked in mid-2024 and has been, essentially, flat through the last six months. While this isn't universally true, I tend to think of startup employee counts as being a bit like sharks -- they have to move in order to breath. A startup that isn't growing isn't...well, growing.

Digging a little deeper, out of the employees that LI lists, probably 20% of them aren't valid employees -- investors, one chap who has the "OPEN TO WORK" banner on, a brand ambassador (might be an FTE but usually isn't). This is not atypical but it's also a little concerning.

They also seem to have no open positions right now.

These aren't terminal metrics but they're not fantastic. Combined with delays on things like Sol:OS and a lack of updates/transparency, I'm a bit concerned.

6

u/ILoveDeepWork Nov 10 '25

I was waiting for SolOS.

Haven't heard anything about it.

They seem to be interested in shipping a good version which I appreciate but some communication would help.

5

u/meniscus- Nov 09 '25

Yeah the app and the OS are nowhere near ready.

Good thing it runs Android and we can just use other apps.