Introduction:  Welcome back! In the first post in this series, we delved into the world of DIY UI design for embedded systems and introduced the concept of using off-the-shelf UI Kits and Element Packs. Today, we're taking the next step in this journey. You've chosen your UI Kit, and now it's time to extract the assets you need to create a cohesive and visually stunning user interface. This blog will focus on two popular types of UI Kits: Photoshop documents (.psd) and Figma files (.fig). We'll cover the essentials of working

A Real-Time Operation System (RTOS) fundamentally differs from general-purpose operating systems like Windows or macOS. While the typical OS can afford occasional delays or a leisurely approach to task management (imagine casually stirring a risotto while chatting with guests), an RTOS must adhere to strict timing constraints (think of deftly flipping a steak at just the right second for the perfect sear). The stakes are high, and there's no room for error. What Defines a Timing Critical Application? Timing critical applications are those in which the correct functioning of a system within

Understanding the Aesthetic Usability Effect   The Aesthetic-Usability Effect refers to a user's tendency to perceive more aesthetically pleasing designs as more usable. This phenomenon, deeply rooted in human psychology, plays a crucial role in the user experience and interface design. The principle suggests that users are more likely to tolerate minor usability issues in a product or system if they find its design appealing. This overview aims to shed light on this intriguing effect by defining it, exploring supporting research findings, and delving into the psychological principles that explain why

Imagine you're an architect tasked with designing a skyscraper. Every aspect, from the materials used to the structural framework, needs to be meticulously planned to withstand environmental stresses, ensuring the building stands tall and secure for decades. Designing electronic systems, particularly those involving sensitive components like touchscreens, involves a similar level of precision and foresight. One of the most pervasive threats to the longevity and reliability of electronic devices is electrostatic discharge (ESD). Just as an architect must consider wind and seismic forces, an engineer must account for ESD in

  GEMscript and Virtual Machines  If you've been using GEMstudio, you’re probably familiar with our programming language, GEMscript. We designed GEMscript to be a user-friendly, C-like language with the intention of enabling a “write once, run anywhere” approach. This means it can be used seamlessly across all our platforms, including GEMplayer on PC and various hardware devices.  GEMscript is a VM (virtual machine) based language, meaning your code gets compiled into "bytecode" and runs in a VM interpreter instead of being compiled down to native machine code. This allows us to achieve our

  As a seasoned firmware engineer, I've encountered my fair share of perplexing bugs. But few have been as challenging and enlightening as an insidious SDRAM initialization bug I stumbled upon in the free software provided by a prominent chip manufacturer. In this blog post, I'll take you through the journey of how this bug was discovered, the process of unraveling its mysteries, and the eventual triumph of fixing it.   The Discovery  I was tasked with starting to develop for a new MPU, so I bought three identical evaluation kits. The kits didn't

The continuing advancement in capacitive touch technology has made it possible for modern capacitive touch screens to become the leading, or primary, user interface of choice. Early capacitive touch screens were limited in capability, whereas today's touch screens can detect multiple fingers, reject water, know when gloves are worn, and work through thick protective glass or acrylic. With 25 years in the industry, Amulet has had a front-row seat to the many advancements in capacitive touch technology and has taken a keen interest in how best to utilize this tech in

In the realm of User Experience (UX) Design, aesthetics extend far beyond the mere appearance of a product. They encompass the overall sensory experience a user encounters when interacting with a digital interface. This includes the layout, color scheme, typography, and imagery that collectively evoke an emotional response. Aesthetics in UX design play a pivotal role in the digital landscape, as they significantly influence user engagement, satisfaction, and, ultimately, the success of a product or service.   This article will shed light on the importance of aesthetics in UX design, setting the

In the realm of embedded firmware engineering, creating a product that not only functions flawlessly but also boasts a superior Human-Machine Interface (HMI) is a challenge worth embracing. For engineers with advanced technical experience but limited exposure to User Interface (UI) and User Experience (UX) design, differentiating your HMI from the competition may seem daunting. Fear not – in this guide, we'll explore practical strategies to set your HMI apart without delving into the intricacies of UI/UX design.      1. Start with User-Centric Functionality   While your focus may be on your

The Challenge for Engineers: As engineers, our primary focus is on functionality and performance. We thrive on solving complex problems and pushing the boundaries of technology. But when it comes to UI design, we often find ourselves out of our depth. You want it to be intuitive, visually appealing, and seamlessly integrated with your project.  This type of design requires a different set of skills - skills that many of us simply don't possess.  The best results are usually going to come from a professional User Experience and User Interface Designer. It

In the ever-evolving world of digital experiences, the terms User Experience (UX) and User Interface (UI) are often used interchangeably, leading to confusion about their roles and significance. Understanding the intricacies of product design requires a clear distinction between User Experience (UX) and User Interface (UI) design. While often used interchangeably, these two disciplines encompass different aspects of the product development process and directly impact the usability and aesthetic appeal of the final product. This article explores the definitions, roles, and importance of both UX and UI design, shedding light

In the ever-evolving world of touchscreen technology, two types of touchscreen technology have predominantly occupied the market: resistive and capacitive touchscreens. Each of these technologies offers unique features and caters to different applications. Let's dive into a comparative analysis to understand their distinct characteristics and help you make the correct choice for your application. Resistive Touch The structure of resistive touchscreens is very simple. The resistive touch screen consists of two transparent conductive layers separated by a small gap. When the screen is touched by pressure using either your finger or stylus,

In today's digital era, businesses have come to realize the importance of providing a seamless and enjoyable User Experience (UX). It is no longer just a nicety but a strategic necessity. Besides enhancing user satisfaction, a well-crafted UX can significantly impact a company's bottom line. In this article, we explore the business case for UX and delve into the tangible benefits of investing in User Experience. And discuss how it can translate into a substantial Return on Investment (ROI). Customer Loyalty and Retention: The results of a study conducted by PwC indicate

(Campbell, California - August 28, 2023) Silicon Valley-based company, Amulet Technologies, proudly celebrates its 25th anniversary as an industry leader and inventor of smart displays. The smart display was an innovation that began with the novel idea of revolutionizing the front panel of everyday things and transforming it into a visual and enjoyable interactive experience.  Amulet has revolutionized how we interact and experience various devices, such as medical instruments, gas station pumps, HVAC controls, and more.  From its inception, the guiding mission and vision has always been to make the

Take your project to the next level with the new AM070RVS01. Our new 7" display comes with built in Wi-Fi!

After 10 years of working at Amulet Technologies, Paul Indaco announced that he will retire from his position of President and CEO at the end of March 2021.

From brand new features to better functionality, we are constantly rolling out new improvements requested by our users. Learn more about what's new in GEMstudio Pro 4.0.

Since the last official release of GEMstudio Pro version 3.4.0.2, we have added many customer requested features, some major enhancements and a list of bug fixes.

Dickensian scenes of miniature Christmas villages have been a staple of indoor holiday decorations at my house for decades. This year I wanted to spruce things up with something a little different, incorporating Amulet's MK-070C-HP display and GEMstudio Pro software.

Terrifying Jack-O-Lanterns take a fair amount of planning and artistry. This is not one of those. In this one-day build I make an electrifying Jack-O-Lantern using the spookiest components that haunt my closet. Read how I jazzed up my pumpkin with Amulet's STK-043-HP and Arduino Uno to light up our porch on Halloween.

Amulet can do Wireless?? File this under the “I didnt know it could do that” category. The MK-070C-HP actually has a special header dedicated to many types of devices that conform to the Digi XBee™ form factor, meaning you can add pre-certified wireless functionality quickly and easily. This project demonstrates the use of an Esprissif ESP8266 “Bee” to take a stock thermostat demo and add live forecast data from the weather service Wunderground.com.

What happens when you put 2 dueling coders in the same room, with the same goal of designing a GUI, but one person does it the “old fashioned” way, and the other with the current GEMstudio Pro™? Watch the video to see how it all plays out. Who will win - will it be Johnny or Minta? Place your bets and watch the short video!

The word is getting out - it’s really easy to incorporate Adruino with Amulet displays! One user who wanted to add a full color LCD to Arduino wrote, “The easiest method to communicate data between Arduino and any LCD display, can be found with the Amulet Technologies’ Arduino library. Amulet has cleverly taken out the need to know their communication protocol or any type of serial communication.”

Have you ever wondered how to change the language on your HMI touchscreen display to Chinese, French, Spanish, or maybe … Klingon? Amulet has simple step-by-step instructions to do just that! In our example, we show you how to use the multi-language feature in Amulet’s GEMstudio Pro™ software to translate from English to Klingon (but you can do the same steps for any language). Beam me up, Scotty!