Developer builds self-hosted dashboard to unify hacked Kindle and LCD smart displays

A developer has created an open-source, self-hosted platform called Hackreen that lets users manage multiple repurposed screens from a single web interface. The project connects two very different devices: a GeekMagic Ultra LCD panel and a jailbroken second-hand Kindle 4 NT, which together cost under $30. The GeekMagic display, which normally only cycles through static images, is updated by repeatedly overwriting a JPEG file via its built-in upload endpoint — requiring no firmware modifications or soldering. The Kindle, running on Linux with an e-ink screen, operates in pull mode, waking every 30 minutes over Wi-Fi to fetch a fresh image before returning to deep sleep for days of battery life. Hackreen runs locally via Docker, uses a declarative JSON screen language, and stores API credentials with AES-256-GCM encryption, with no cloud subscription or third-party dependency required.
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