UI and Controls
UI Intent
Create a modern digital user experience inside a retro radio form factor.
The interface should feel:
- Simple
- Tactile
- Calm
- Legible from across a room
- Familiar to users of classic tabletop radios
Front-Panel Elements
Required Elements
- Left front knob
- Right front knob
- Small center display
Possible Additional Hidden or Secondary Elements
- Push action on one or both knobs
- Small discreet button(s) for back, source, pairing, or preset access
- Power button integrated into a knob or hidden on side/rear panel
Proposed Control Model
Knob 1
Primary role candidate:
Secondary options:
- Push to mute
- Push to power/wake
Knob 2
Primary role candidate:
- Browse/tune/select navigation
Secondary options:
- Push to enter/select
- Long-press for pairing, source change, or presets
Digital Display Role
The center display replaces the analog radio band scale.
The display should show:
- Source or mode
- Track/station/service name
- Volume level
- Playback state
- WiFi connection state
- Bluetooth pairing/connection state
- Battery status when operating unplugged
- Time or preset information if space allows
UX Modes
1. Home/Now Playing
Default screen showing:
- Current source
- Current track or station
- Volume indicator
- Connectivity status
2. Source Selection
User can switch among:
- WiFi streaming
- Bluetooth audio
- Saved presets
- Optional local/aux sources if later included
3. Browse/Selection
Knob-driven list navigation for:
- Stations
- Playlists
- Presets
- Settings
4. Pairing and Network Status
Dedicated simple states for:
- Bluetooth pairing
- WiFi connecting
- Error/reconnect conditions
- Low battery or charging status
5. Settings
Minimal settings tree for:
- Network setup
- Display brightness
- Audio balance/EQ if supported
- System info
- Factory reset
Display Content Priorities
When the screen area is limited, prioritize:
- Source/mode
- Title or station name
- Volume
- Connection state
- Battery state
- Time/secondary metadata
Visual Style Direction
The UI should match the industrial design:
- Warm, restrained aesthetic
- Clean typography
- Minimal clutter
- High contrast for readability
- Visually centered composition to echo classic radio dials
Interaction Principles
- Core actions should be possible with one or two gestures
- Essential playback actions should require no deep menu navigation
- Knob turns should always produce predictable responses
- Push actions must be clearly assigned and consistent
- Error states should be brief and easy to recover from
Accessibility and Readability
- Legible at tabletop distance
- Strong contrast in varied indoor lighting
- Clear volume and source confirmation after user input
- Avoid overly dense information on the small display
Candidate Front-Panel Mapping
Recommended Baseline
- Left knob: volume, push = mute or power
- Right knob: navigate, push = select
- Display: source, metadata, status
UI Requirements for Schematic/PCB
The electronics should support:
- Two rotary front-panel control inputs
- Optional push-switch support on knobs
- Display interface support
- Status/state handling for battery and connectivity
- Fast UI response without audible artifacts in the audio path
Open Decisions
- Exact display technology and resolution
- Whether both knobs are encoders or one is analog-style
- Whether dedicated preset or back buttons are needed
- Whether a clock/sleep/alarm feature is desired
- Whether the product should support app-based setup in addition to on-device control