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Quiet Forecast

Quiet Forecast is a calm, typography-first weather display for your desk or shelf. Glance at current conditions, the week ahead, a daily poem, and more. No phone. No notifications. Just slow, reflective information.

Built with MicroPython on the ESP32-S3 to be a readable, hackable firmware you can flash and extend. No proprietary app required.

Pre-order until 31 July 2026. Digital downloads from August; full product kits ship by end of August. Listed prices are excl. VAT; tax is calculated at checkout. Shipping is added at checkout (full product kit).

Work in progress. Quiet Forecast firmware is under active development. Pre-order customers receive early-access builds and updates as they ship. Some features are still being refined, like forecast timing and power management among them. By pre-ordering you support development and accept that the software will evolve. Flashing and update instructions are sent by email with each release.

What it is

Quiet Forecast is MicroPython firmware for the Waveshare ESP32-S3 4.2" Reflective LCD, a 400×300 display that reads like paper in daylight. Power it from USB-C on your desk, or add a 18650 cell for battery power. It connects to WiFi, pulls weather from Open-Meteo, and keeps working offline thanks to a local cache.

Designed to be glanced at throughout the day, not interacted with constantly. Pages rotate automatically; the two included buttons let you browse at your own pace.

Configure on SD card

Setup is deliberately low-tech: edit a JSON file on the microSD card, then slide the card back into the device. WiFi credentials, location, poetry style, and refresh intervals are all in one config.json you can edit on any computer. No companion app, no account, no cloud dashboard.

Features

  • MicroPython firmware - open, inspectable Python on ESP32-S3; flash updates with standard tools (esptool, Thonny, mpremote)
  • SD card configuration - pop the card into your laptop, edit config.json, reinsert; changes apply on next boot
  • Current weather - temperature, conditions, UV, and location at a glance
  • Forecast - 7-day outlook
  • Daily poem - matched to the date, weather, and your chosen style (currently only Haiku)
  • Indoor climate - temperature and humidity from the onboard SHTC3 sensor
  • Astronomy - sun and moon times for your location
  • Air quality - AQI when data is available
  • Battery status - charge level and voltage when a 18650 cell is installed
  • Offline operation - cached data stays visible when WiFi drops

Screenshots

Quiet Forecast - Screen Gallery

Choose your SKU

Pre-order pricing runs until 31 July 2026. Full price applies after that. Listed prices are excl. VAT (added at checkout). Shipping is calculated at checkout for the full product kit; the digital SKU is delivered by email.

Quiet Forecast - SKUs

Digital firmware - pre-order

Download Quiet Forecast and flash it yourself. Ideal if you already have the Waveshare ESP32-S3-RLCD-4.2 or prefer to assemble your own setup.

Pre-order: €29 €39 · Delivers August 2026 · excl. VAT

Download link sent by email when fulfillment opens in August.

Includes:

  • Quiet Forecast - a complete MicroPython application (source)
  • Example config.json for the microSD card (WiFi, location, poetry style)
  • Step-by-step flashing and update instructions (sent by email)
  • Access to pre-release builds and update notifications while firmware is in active development

You will need:

  • Waveshare ESP32-S3-RLCD-4.2 (buy from Waveshare)
  • microSD card (for configuration and optional poem/data storage)
  • USB-C cable (powers the board directly - no battery required)
  • 18650 lithium cell (optional - for battery use; not included)
  • A computer with Thonny or mpremote / esptool to flash MicroPython and the app
Pre-order firmware - €29

Full product - pre-order

A Waveshare ESP32-S3 4.2" reflective display, flashed with Quiet Forecast (MicroPython) and ready to power on. Pop the included microSD into your computer, edit config.json once for WiFi and location, reinsert, and go - no flashing or soldering.

Pre-order: €119 €149 · Ships by end of August 2026 · excl. VAT & shipping

Physical kits ship to European addresses from late August. We will email tracking when your order leaves.

Includes:

  • Waveshare ESP32-S3-RLCD-4.2 (400×300 reflective LCD)
  • Quiet Forecast pre-installed on MicroPython and tested
  • microSD card with example config.json - your settings, edited on any computer
  • 18650 lithium cell - installed and ready for battery use
  • Quick-start card (SD card setup: WiFi, location, first boot)
  • USB-C cable (charging and desk power)
  • Firmware updates for the pre-order period (see WIP disclaimer above)

What's in the box:

  • Pre-flashed display unit (MicroPython + Quiet Forecast)
  • 18650 cell (pre-installed)
  • microSD card with config.json template
  • USB-C cable
  • Quick-start / SD card setup card
  • Thank-you note
Pre-order full product - €119

Requirements

  • WiFi - 2.4 GHz network; SSID and password go in config.json on the microSD card
  • Location - latitude and longitude in config.json for an accurate forecast
  • microSD card - required for configuration (included with the full product; bring your own for the digital SKU)
  • Power - runs from USB-C (plug in and leave it on your desk) or a 18650 cell for battery use. The cell is optional for the digital SKU (you supply it); included and pre-installed in the full product kit. USB-C also charges the cell when one is fitted.
  • VAT - listed prices are excl. VAT; tax is added at checkout for EU customers
  • Shipping - calculated at checkout for the full product kit (European addresses); digital firmware is delivered by email (no shipping charge)

Weather data is provided by Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0). Attribution is included in the firmware.

FAQ

When will I receive my order?
Pre-orders close 31 July 2026. Digital firmware - download access from August 2026. Full product - ships by end of August 2026 to European addresses. You will receive an email when your digital files are ready or when your hardware ships.

Is the firmware finished?
No - Quiet Forecast is actively developed. Pre-order customers get early access and updates. Expect improvements to reliability, battery life, and forecast behaviour over the coming months.

How do I configure it?
Remove the microSD card, open config.json on your computer, edit WiFi credentials and location, save, and reinsert the card. Reboot the device - no app or browser required.

How do I update the firmware?
Digital buyers receive flashing instructions by email with their download. Full-product buyers get the same update files and instructions when new firmware ships; updates are applied via USB.

Do I need a battery?
No. The board runs fine on USB-C alone - ideal for a permanent desk setup. For battery use, fit a standard 18650 lithium cell in the holder. Digital buyers supply their own cell; the full product kit includes one, pre-installed.

Do I need to keep it plugged in?
Only if you want continuous desk power without a cell. With a 18650 installed, runtime depends on refresh settings and WiFi usage; power-saving improvements are on the roadmap. USB-C charges the cell while connected.

Where do you ship?
European countries at the moment. Shipping cost is added at checkout. If you are outside the EU, get in touch before ordering - we may be able to arrange something.

What is your refund policy?

Pre-orders

  • You may cancel a pre-order for a full refund at any time before your order ships. Email us with your order number.
  • Once a physical unit has shipped, the policies below apply.

Digital firmware

  • If you have not yet downloaded the firmware files, contact us within 14 days of purchase for a full refund.
  • After download, refunds are not offered except where files are defective or materially not as described - we will replace the files or refund at our discretion.
  • Pre-order pricing covers early-access, work-in-progress software. By purchasing you accept that features will evolve (see the WIP notice above).

Full product (hardware)

  • EU customers: you have 14 days from delivery to cancel for any reason (right of withdrawal). The device must be returned unused and in original packaging. You pay return shipping unless the item is faulty.
  • Faulty or damaged on arrival: contact us within 14 days with photos. We will repair, replace, or refund - including return shipping.
  • Change of mind after 14 days: no refund, but contact us if something is wrong - we want you to enjoy the device.

How to request a refund
Email quiet-forecast@developer-service.io with your order number and a short description. We aim to respond within 3 business days and process approved refunds within 14 days to your original payment method.

Can I use my own hardware?
The digital SKU is built for the Waveshare ESP32-S3-RLCD-4.2. Other boards are not supported.

Pre-order now

Pre-order pricing until 31 July 2026. Lock in €29 firmware or €119 full kit (excl. VAT & shipping) before prices rise to €39 / €149.

SKU Pre-order price Ships / delivers
Digital firmware €29 €39 August 2026 Pre-order →
Full product (flashed & ready) €119 €149 End of August 2026 (EU) Pre-order →

Quiet Forecast v1.0.0 · MicroPython on ESP32-S3 · Firmware work in progress