The Problem with Standard HID Standard Bluetooth media remotes fail this use case because they rely on the Next Track code, which often skips the entire episode in popular podcast players. They also cannot interact with proprietary UI elements like in-app skip buttons or YouTube's "Skip Ad" overlays. The HID standard and the consumer controls usage table does not include time skipping.
The Technical Solution: Pointer Anchoring and UI Macroing This device implements a custom protocol to achieve reliable, precise, and blind UI interaction across both iOS and Android:
Low-Level Reports: The firmware leverages basic 8-bit relative mouse movement with LMB (Left Mouse Button) reports, which are universally accepted by both operating systems.
Pointer Anchoring: The user enters a quick setup mode to precisely anchor the pointer's location over any desired UI object (e.g., the +30s skip icon on a media player or the lock screen widget).
Coordinate Storage: This position is stored in non-volatile memory (NVM). The system then creates a physical, tactile, and fully customizable remote-controlled button for any UI object that executes an LMB click at that stored location with every press.
This hardware macro system bypasses the limitations of the standard Consumer Control profile, enabling specific, high-value actions:
OSK Preservation: Crucially, the device strictly avoids registering a keyboard Report ID in its report map, which is the mechanism that disables the On-Screen Keyboard (OSK) on iOS. Instead, device wake-up and lock screen interaction are handled exclusively through precisely timed pointer input macros, preserving full OSK functionality on both Android and iOS.
Ad and Sponsor Control: Remote control skipping of skippable ads on YouTube on iOS and fast forwarding over embedded sponsor and ad-read segments on YouTube mobile.
Full Device Control: Seamlessly controls core device functions, including both device volume and brightness.
This is fundamentally a hardware solution to a software problem, allowing the user to maintain complete darkness and silence while interacting with complex mobile applications.
Status and Ask I've filed a patent application on the core functionality described in this post. The device is currently small-batch, launched as a semi-assembled kit on Etsy and Tindie. The goal of this phase is to validate the demand for this specific technical solution to fund the DFM process. I've designed a 3D printable PCB and manually assemble it, and the whole product is made with 3D printing and off the shelf components.
I am particularly interested in feedback on:
Cross-Platform Longevity: Specific OS versions or custom Android skins that might present reliability challenges for the anchored pointer functionality.
Protocol Extensions: Ideas for leveraging the core pointer anchoring functionality for other low-friction, high-value mobile use cases (e.g., single-button launch macros).
Companion app: I am curious about knowing more on how a companion app could add value to the product-feature set. I.e automatic triggering of skipping through touch tap emulation through HID with AI detection and execution of what now requires a manual button press.
I'll be monitoring the thread to discuss the firmware architecture and the specific challenges of managing the BLE profile for a device designed to be used while sleeping.
Here is a YouTube video showing time skipping in podcasts (product shown after a minute): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HBmGddUc8do
atmanactive•2mo ago
SEMIPREMIUM•2mo ago
Tindie: https://www.tindie.com/products/40190/
atmanactive•2mo ago
SEMIPREMIUM•2mo ago
The point of the product, is to remote control all sorts of skipping ads or ad-reads so it can be done with closed eyes and without moving. The product compliments various Premium subscriptions by offering more ways to skip ads even the Premium subscriptions do not have a technical solution for. That being ad-reads embedded in YouTube videos or ad-reads embedded in podcasts. That's why I named it SemiPremium.
The elevator pitch can be as simple as: Skip ads on your smartphone while consuming content with closed eyes - without moving.
I concluded the drilling down of the purpose of the system to be a "Sleep Onset Facilitation or Acceleration Device". It eliminates the jolt of wakefulness caused by ads but giving the user control over them. Normally, it is not recommended to bring the smartphone to the bedroom, but coupled with the product, the negative effects is more or less eliminated. It can be used with open eyes while active too, but the current product is designed with gated functions to prevent accidental button presses as the device is tossed and turned for 7-8 hours with the user asleep, sometimes on top of it. That is why it has some strange looking geometry on the button pad - to prevent button presses from the hipbone and elbows during sleep.
Here are a few short clips showing the core functionality. Quality is so so in some of them, but they get the point through.
Skipping re-caps and intros on Netflix (Android) https://youtu.be/nW5zK_zQm0M
Skipping intros on Netflix https://youtube.com/shorts/g00K22BUkAY
Skipping ads on YouTube https://youtube.com/shorts/UvlBlp2FJrU
Longer setup guide and demo on iOS: https://youtu.be/KftE5HxVeEE
Longer setup guide and demo on Android: https://youtu.be/KcPzD06thyE
atmanactive•2mo ago
SEMIPREMIUM•2mo ago
I chose to not ask friends and family to perform "help" orders and writing me fake reviews on my Etsy and Tindie pages. I wanted this product/feature set to meet the harsh reality through buying interest or better yet commitment to buy the hardcore way, and spending weeks to months to get that first one. I launched 3 weeks ago, and I am looking forward to serving my so far only customer and deserve a good review, eventually. You're that stranger I am happy to have taken the time to sit down and use attention that could have been spent elsewhere on what I've built - and for that I am grateful whether you choose to go through with it or not. I've already gotten a lot of value out of your time in explaining what the product is back to me. :)
atmanactive•2mo ago
SEMIPREMIUM•2mo ago
I have nothing against some x for y analogy, using the clicker to prime and frame the products category. I just updated the copy on Etsy based on your feedback and will pivot the messaging with that as the core. The presentation clicker is the closest product in similarity, and many are familiar with the interface. Not looking at the screen and on the move while being able to change slides. I got stuck on remote controller, but clicker is more accurate as sub-category of remotes. More specific, better. Then I imagine it may also easier to deliver the message of what the primary function is (and how it works), where the pointer can be pre-positioned and hit the same spot reliably. Clicker is usually air mouse/directional pad and lmb or pg up/pg dn/space. Not sure, as it's been a while since I used one.
I think one of the upcoming problems will be that most users are not aware of the existence of the pointer input device native in their handhelds, and therefore some intuitiveness glitch may appear when building the product on a underutilized pointer device as a substitute for the fingers touch tap. Maybe people won't connect the fact that a touch tap is equivalent clicking the left mouse button on the prediction of an estimated accurate pixel of the index finger touch.