Windowsthing is an Arduino-based, open-source media controller for Windows.
It displays the currently playing media and allows basic media control via a rotary encoder.

Features

• Displays current track information

• Volume control

• Play / pause

• Next / previous track

• Compact OLED display

• USB serial communication with Windows

How It Works

The desktop host application retrieves information about the currently playing media from the Windows Global Media Player and sends it over serial to an Arduino Pro Micro.

The Arduino then displays the media information on an SSD1306 OLED display and handles user input from the rotary encoder.

Arduino Firmware, Desktop Application and other details are aviable on Github 

PLEASE NOTE!

This project is still in development and may have bugs!

Known bugs:

• Some apps like Firefox dont support timeline reporting, so the timeline has to be estimated.  May not be accurate. 

I am happy if you report any bugs you found or improvement ideas to me.

You can contact me directly on:

• discord: @pablobee

• telegram: @aosp_user

If you want to improve the project by yourself or fix bugs, feel free to do so. 

Controls

Parts Needed

Electronics

• Arduino Pro Micro

• Rotary encoder with 6 mm knurled shaft and integrated push button

• SSD1306 128×32 I²C OLED display

• Flexible wires (used: 28 AWG / 0.08 mm²)

3D Printed Parts

• Housing

• Housing cover

• Encoder knob
  

Printed in PLA, but other materials can be used.

Other Parts

• 4× Countersunk screws M3×8

• 4× M3 nuts

Assembly

1. Solder all electronic components according to the wiring diagram

2. Flash the Arduino firmware

3. Assemble the 3D printed housing

4. Install the Windows host application

5. Connect via USB