[Feature] Icons on LCD [Core]

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    Shipping & Sales

    Edited to update (Sept 2020):

    As promised, this was raised with engineering.

    Based on an investigation of this feature, we found that adding it would require a fundamental change to the Palette core's firmware architecture. Firmware changes of this scale run the risk of unintended impacts to performance and stability, which I think we all agree is a paramount concern. For that reason we decided not to implement this feature.

    I felt it was necessary to provide you all with an explanation as to why a seemingly simple feature would involve such change and risk; here's the technical background from our engineering team:

    "Images to the Palette core screen are not written dynamically (as images are written to your monitor, for example), but rather are pre-loaded into the core's flash memory and then are called up by PaletteApp during operation.

    When we were investigating this feature, we also found potential for electrical stability problems. Writing to flash memory requires an elevated voltage, which may not be attainable if multiple modules are attached to the core. A combination of firmware and hardware limitations means the Palette core screen cannot be updated on demand reliably without adversely affecting existing features.

    We regret that this feature cannot be added to Palette retroactively. We have implemented this feature in the Monogram core module, which has a completely different firmware architecture and electrical design; knowing that this feature was important we made it part of the Monogram Core spec from day one."

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    Original reply:

    My understanding is that this is possible, but contingent on a change to the core firmware. We've had enough interest that I expect this will be added but there are some other FW improvements that will take precedence.

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  • Avatar
    Karmalakas

    Good to hear that :)

    0
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    Blank Button

    Any update on this? Also, will it be possible to display custom images on the core's display?

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    motorbikematt

    Is there any update to this? Sending over a new, custom icon would be a great feature sooner than later.

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    Shipping & Sales

    Hi Matt, there's an update on this. I've updated my original statement (above in the thread) and will paste the same reply below:

    As promised, this was raised with engineering.

    Based on an investigation of this feature, we found that adding it would require a fundamental change to the Palette core's firmware architecture. Firmware changes of this scale run the risk of unintended impacts to performance and stability, which I think we all agree is a paramount concern. For that reason we decided not to implement this feature.

    I felt it was necessary to provide you all with an explanation as to why a seemingly simple feature would involve such change and risk; here's the technical background from our engineering team:

    "Images to the Palette core screen are not written dynamically (as images are written to your monitor, for example), but rather are pre-loaded into the core's flash memory and then are called up by PaletteApp during operation.

    When we were investigating this feature, we also found potential for electrical stability problems. Writing to flash memory requires an elevated voltage, which may not be attainable if multiple modules are attached to the core. A combination of firmware and hardware limitations means the Palette core screen cannot be updated on demand reliably without adversely affecting existing features.

    We regret that this feature cannot be added to Palette retroactively. We have implemented this feature in the Monogram core module, which has a completely different firmware architecture and electrical design; knowing that this feature was important we made it part of the Monogram Core spec from day one."

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    Karmalakas

    I'm a developer myself and I think it's a bit poor excuse :)
    Solution could be something like... If you try to add some icon and you have other modules connected, Palette App could pop up some notification to leave only core connected before writing icons to it. There's always a solution, even if not very elegant.

    Good thing I'm moving to Monogram CC and won't be missing this feature :)

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    motorbikematt

    Thanks Shipping & Sales, it's good to get this level of feedback, especially on a bumped old thread.

    If I'm reading this right, it just sounds like core module memory is really the big issue no? When updating firmware, we're already instructed to disconnect every module from the core, so I'm not following the voltage issue if the image isn't dynamically updated. 

    That said, I suspect your crew is busy with the new Monogram modules so I get it. 

    Any chance you might open-source the Palette Gear firmware? <3

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