Last year, we launched the fourth iteration of the LipSync (new window), re-designed from the ground up with new hardware and software to better serve the people who use it. But we’re always listening to our device users and working to improve our devices — no device is ever truly final. Today, we’re excited to share our LipSync 4.1 firmware update, a major update which addresses the user feedback we’ve received over the last year.

One of the major new features we’ve added is an adjustable scroll speed. One thing we heard from many users was that the scroll speed was too slow on some devices, sometimes even making it unusable. While there were workarounds, it wasn’t very user-friendly and likely required someone to help — one of our main goals with the new LipSync was that people could use it independently. Now, all you need to do is go to the menu on your LipSync Hub, and you can adjust the scroll speed to meet your needs.

We’ve also improved the audio and visual feedback a user receives when using the LipSync Hub. For starters, the LipSync Hub will now display hardware errors — like if your joystick isn’t plugged in — so you’ll have a better idea of what to do if something isn’t working. As well, the LipSync Hub makes sounds when it is starting up, when there is an error, when it re-starts, as well as for a few other functions. We’ve also added the ability to adjust the LipSync Hub light brightness, as we’ve heard from many users that it’s too bright when used in darker rooms.

We’ve made it a bit harder to trigger the full calibration process — many users were accidentally triggering it just through use of the joystick. Now, we have a confirmation message to ensure that you actually want to do a full calibration, and we’ve also improved the coding to override calibration errors.

In many cases when your cursor is drifting, you don’t need to do a full calibration, but rather just a center reset, so we’ve also made it easier to access the center reset in the LipSync Hub menu, and moved the full calibration to the more menu.

LipSync 4.1 addresses a number of bugs, including unintended sip and puff feedback, automatically switching to Bluetooth when USB isn’t detected, as well as errors with the deadzone and loop timer that were causing issues for users.

In addition to the user improvements, we also wanted to make it easier for makers to build LipSyncs. We’ve added built-in tests for lights and sounds, so makers have an easier time determining if the LipSync they’re building is working properly. We’ve made it easier to upload the firmware to the device. And while it’s technically not firmware, we’ve also simplified the mouthpiece design — requiring just three parts and much less hand strength. As a bonus, it also reduces the cost of building a LipSync.

Coinciding with the firmware update, we have also designed a 3D printed LipSync Hub stand. If you’re just using your LipSync at a desk, this stand props up the LipSync Hub, allowing you to put it at an angle that’s easier to read.

The LipSync 4.1 firmware update is now available on our LipSync GitHub (new window). If you need any help updating your LipSync with the new firmware, or have any feedback, please contact us at info@makersmakingchange.com.

This post originally appeared on the Makers Making Change (new window) website.