Three years ago, I wrote a post about how our family plans meals each week on Google Calendar and used a data export to surface and share some of our favorite weeknight dinners. Until this month, that was still our process.
Create your own Nest Photo Gallery
A few weeks ago, I wrote about how I used Claude Code to convert a deprecated Nest thermostat into a photo gallery. That post finished with a happily-ever-after ending and a video demo of the working device installed on a wall. It would have been nice to call it done and just enjoy seeing family memories on the circular screen every time I walked in the door, but I wanted to enable others to create their own mini photo frame.
Converting a Deprecated Nest Thermostat into a Photo Gallery
Before we dive in, I should let you know that I’m a designer. I have no business hacking firmware to make devices perform jobs they were never intended for, but I do love tinkering with physical hardware. A few years ago, I wrote about building an Arduino LED strip game and followed that post up with another about a Simon clone built with arcade buttons and a 3D printed case. I’ve also taken on some Raspberry Pi projects, a few simpler Arduino builds, and some home automation. All of those were based on existing code and project plans—no compiled binaries or firmware modifications. So, yes, I was way outside my skill set and comfort zone on this project, but that’s how we learn new things, right?
Stay Curious, Friends
As I kick off into the new year, I’ve been thinking about a panel discussion we hosted recently at Downtown Orlando UX with our friends from ProductTank Orlando. The conversation was a deep dive into how AI is redefining product and user experience roles and had an energy that made me optimistic about where our industry is headed.
My 2024 Running Review
Does anyone remember the little Nike+iPod sensor that you could clip to your shoe? I’ve always enjoyed running but first started tracking my running data after getting one of those sensors for Christmas in 2009. It was laughably inaccurate, and within a few months, I ditched the chip and started using the RunKeeper app on my iPhone 3GS.