When did it all start?

DeskThing was born from a critical moment in tech history - when one company's discontinued product became the foundation for an innovative open-source project.

August 2024: The Announcement

Spotify announced that the Car Thing device would be permanently disabled on December 9th, 2024, effectively turning thousands of devices into e-waste. This announcement caught the attention of Nathan Emerick, who saw an opportunity to give these devices a second life.

Late August 2024: TODOThing is Born

Nathan joined the ThingLabs community and began hacking the Car Thing device. The project was initially called "TODOThing" as a placeholder while exploring what could be done with the hardware. Early experiments focused on understanding the device's capabilities and limitations.

September 2024: From TODO to DESK

As the project evolved, it became clear that the device had potential as a desktop companion. The name was changed from TODOThing to DeskThing, reflecting its new purpose as a productivity tool for desks. The first working prototype was developed, capable of displaying basic information.

October 2024: Growing Community Interest

Word began to spread about the project, attracting interest from Car Thing owners looking for alternatives to Spotify's shutdown. The ThingLabs Discord server saw an influx of new members, and early adopters began testing the software and providing valuable feedback.

November 2024: Viral Breakthrough

DeskThing gained mainstream attention when YouTuber "Dammit Jeff" featured the project in a video that garnered millions of views. This exposure brought a wave of new users and contributors to the project, accelerating development and expanding the community.

Current: A Growing Ecosystem

Today, DeskThing is a thriving open-source project with version 0.11.0 already available. The platform supports Windows, Mac, Android, and Linux, with a growing library of apps and an active community of developers and users. What started as a response to electronic waste has evolved into a versatile platform for desktop productivity.

Current Release

Version 0.11.0

  • Cross-platform support (Windows, Mac, Android, Linux)
  • WebSocket communication for real-time updates
  • Support for several simultaneous connected devices
  • Advanced SDK for app development
  • Resource optimization for client devices

Looking Forward

The Road Ahead

DeskThing continues to evolve with an ambitious roadmap focused on expanding capabilities and enhancing the user experience. What began as a rescue mission for abandoned hardware has blossomed into a thriving ecosystem with limitless potential.

Connectivity Expansion
Bluetooth support will enable wireless connections to a wider range of devices, eliminating the need for physical connections and expanding placement options.
Mobile Companion App
A dedicated mobile application will provide remote management capabilities, allowing users to control their DeskThing setup from anywhere.
User Profiles
Multi-user profile support will enable personalized experiences for different users or contexts, with customized layouts, apps, and settings for each scenario.
Advanced Controls
Enhanced button mapping will provide deeper customization options, allowing users to create complex macros and context-sensitive controls for maximum efficiency.
Expanded App Ecosystem
Improved developer tools and documentation will make it easier for the community to create powerful, feature-rich applications that extend DeskThing's capabilities.
AI & Voice Integration
Integration with AI services and voice assistants will enable hands-free operation and intelligent automation, making DeskThing even more versatile and responsive.

Beyond Software: ThingLabs Hardware

Perhaps most exciting is the exploration of custom hardware solutions that build upon the lessons learned from the Car Thing. These new devices will be purpose-built for the DeskThing ecosystem, offering enhanced capabilities while maintaining the same commitment to sustainability and accessibility that defines the project.

With each update and new feature, DeskThing moves further from its origins as a salvage project and closer to its vision as a comprehensive platform for desktop enhancement. The community that formed around saving devices from obsolescence is now building something entirely new—a testament to what can be accomplished when technology is approached with creativity, sustainability, and collaboration.