It’s Sunday, and I’m excited to share the latest progress on my open-source Sonos alternative. This week has been a mix of software breakthroughs and hardware headaches, but I’m still enjoying the journey.
Software Making Strides
Big news on the software front! Docker Compose is now working smoothly for the Beatnik Controller. This makes setting up the controller much simpler. I’ve also submitted the iOS controller app to the App Store for TestFlight, so hopefully, some of you can start testing it out soon. You can find the updated Docker Compose instructions in the GitHub repo.
For those just tuning in, this project aims to create a flexible, open-source multi-room audio system using a Raspberry Pi and Snapcast. You can find more details on the r/beatnikAudio subreddit.
Hardware Hurdles (and Tiny Watch Parts!)
On the hardware side, things are… well, let’s just say it’s a learning process. I’m wrestling with joins, screws, PCB holders, and all sorts of tiny parts. My initial case design turned out to be impractical, so it’s back to the drawing board. But there’s a silver lining! I managed to get some really cool components from a watchmaker, which I’m excited to integrate.
Fighting Planned Obsolescence
This week’s focus got me thinking about upcycling and repairing things. Planned obsolescence is a real frustration, and this project is partly about pushing back against that. It’s about building something durable and repairable, something that lasts.
I’ve included a simple diagram below to illustrate the core concept of upcycling and how it relates to the project’s philosophy.
Thanks for the Support
I’m definitely in a challenging phase of the project, but the support from the community has been amazing. Your suggestions and feedback are incredibly helpful. Thanks for sticking with me!
