PrestoDeck claims to be the desk music player Spotify should have made. This compact touchscreen gadget aims to transform how you interact with your music while working. The palm-sized screen frees your phone from DJ duty while displaying album art like tiny digital vinyl on your desk. Designer AKZ Dev creation targets anyone tired of app-switching just to skip a bad track. Is it one the coolest new tech gadgets? That’s is subjective, but it is fun.
Sleek Design That Doesn’t Scream “DIY Project”
The black unit walks the line between weekend project and polished product. Its angled display shows album artwork on a 4-inch screen that sits unobtrusively next to your keyboard. Unlike Spotify’s Car Thing that vanished faster than a GameStop stock spike, PrestoDeck sticks to one job: being your desk’s dedicated music command center.
Vibrant Display Makes Album Art Pop
The screen appears to punch above its weight class. Colors look vibrant, making album artwork pop like Instagram filters on steroids. The touch response works well for basic controls, though don’t expect iPad-level responsiveness when rapidly scrolling through playlists.
Powered by Raspberry Pi Pico Brain
PrestoDeck runs on Pimoroni Presto hardware with a Raspberry Pi Pico brain. This hardware choice brings both benefits and limits. It handles simple playback commands, but don’t expect full Spotify Connect features that bigger devices offer at twice the price point.
Your Music Taste, Proudly Displayed
Its strength lies in displaying album art that adds visual flair to your music listening. Whether showing off your sophisticated jazz collection or hiding your secret Taylor Swift obsession, the screen quality makes even guilty pleasure tracks look professionally curated.
Not Your Grandmother’s Setup Process
Getting started requires several technical steps that might intimidate casual users. You’ll need a Spotify Premium account and developer credentials – about as straightforward as explaining NFTs to your parents. The setup process separates serious tech enthusiasts from casual listeners.
Premium Requirements Limit Mass Appeal
The Spotify Premium-only requirement naturally limits its audience. Spotify’s API restrictions explain why bigger companies haven’t released similar products despite obvious demand. The gatekeeping is frustrating but unavoidable given Spotify’s walled garden approach.
Value Proposition: Worth the $99?
The hardware costs around $99, but the setup time investment makes this more weekend project than impulse buy. For the price of a year’s worth of lattes, you get a dedicated music display that may or may not impress your coworkers during Zoom calls.
Braided Cable: Small Detail, Big Difference
The connection uses a braided USB cable that looks surprisingly premium. The build quality feels robust enough to survive daily desk life, unlike those dollar-store earbuds that mysteriously die after three weeks. Power consumption remains minimal since it stays connected to your computer.
The Verdict: Niche Appeal with Real Charm
This specialized gadget delivers what it promises: a dedicated music display that keeps your phone free for other tasks. Whether that justifies the cost and setup time depends on how much you value desktop aesthetics over convenience. For music-loving gadget fans with Pinterest-worthy desks, it might hit the sweet spot.
