Please keep in mind that Firmware 4 is currently in Beta, as such issues are expected. If you face issues, please email contact@thehandy.com with as much information as you can gather regarding the issue.
Intro
We are excited to introduce a new firmware version that marks a significant milestone in our company’s growth. As we evolve from a startup to an established player with multiple innovative products, this firmware will serve as the foundation for our future. Moving beyond a single product, our new lineup brings unique solutions to an industry long overdue for innovation. The firmware has been designed with ease and efficiency in mind, simplifying driver management for developers while streamlining build processes and rollouts through automation.
In response to feedback from our development community, we’ve added new features and laid the groundwork for future enhancements. This firmware is part of a larger transition to a new platform, which also includes updates to our backend infrastructure, APIs, app portal, and onboarding process—all built from the ground up to support our expanding ecosystem.
The transition to the new platform will happen gradually, and we’re starting by inviting all Handy users to update via our new app portal: new.handyfeeling.com.
Highlights
Firmware changes
You are now able to choose which mode the device starts on via the Handy Onboarding app.
You are still able to use the Action Button (Formerly Wi-Fi button) to cycle between Bluetooth only and Wi-Fi + Bluetooth.Audio mode support (Oh! Exclusive)
Better Bluetooth connection, this change may cause 3rd party apps to be incompatible. To use those apps, please use Legacy Bluetooth mode.
The protocol for handling Handy movements has been enhanced to allow for live changes to the script, lowering delay between loading the new script as well as loading a fresh scripts.
Improved synchronization
Handy Onboarding App changes
Simplified Onboarding via the new App previously mentioned
Thanks to the Handy Onboarding App, you can better track diagnostical information of your device in the Information Screen.
Remote Control via Bluetooth on the App
Better Wi-Fi test
Improved readability for the connection key.
Able to pick Privacy choices for your usage.
New Handy Feeling changes
Thanks to Firmware 4, new features are available on new.handyfeeling.com
Beatbox: A quick script editor that updates it on the fly, it also allows you to save "beats" for easy access to previous segments your create and also to download it.
Device Linking: This allows you to link devices together and control each other via either a webpage control or the buttons on the device itself. Currently able to do link a Oh! with a Oh!, Oh! with a Handy (And vice versa) or Handy with another Handy.
Improvements to already existing features:
Video Player
Remote Control
The new.handyfeeling.com also allow you to better find updates to your device.
Also allows you to leave all public channels you connected previously
Quick access to Help Center.
Detailed changes
Changes in Operation
Persistent Boot mode setting
You can now select the device's startup Online mode:
WiFi
BLE (Bluetooth)
WiFi+BLE
Legacy BLE
Offline
No need to single-click the WiFi button to go online after setting the Boot mode
Long-pressing the WiFi button will always start BLE and toggle WiFi
The WiFi button's single-click is now available for other uses, hence its renaming to "Action" button
Developers can integrate this button into their apps
In the future, users can program the button to trigger device behaviors
Simplified onboarding
We're lowering the barrier to online device use. With FW4, we've introduced tools to streamline the setup process.
Note: You must use the "Handy onboarding" app (iOS/Android/web)
Messaging
Devices now send notifications for state changes.
Simplifies app logic by eliminating the need for constant information polling
Developers can make their apps react to unused button mappings
Single click on ACTION button is currently unused on all devices
Switched from JSON to protobuf communications
Significantly reduced message size and memory usage
Message bundling
Multiple messages can be combined
Reduces message latency and speeds up applications
Example: Moving the Handy to a specific pattern can now be done in one message bundle:
Set up HSP mode
Add points to the buffer
Play HSP
New Modes
Audio Mode
Connect as a Bluetooth headset and control the motor based on audio input.
Only supports devices with external memory (currently only Oh)
Handy Vibrate Protocol (HVP)
Only supports devices with external memory (currently only Oh)
Supports LRA, ERM, and slider devices
Handy Streaming Protocol (HSP)
"One mode to rule them all"
Stream points to a buffer
Add points while playing
Enables new use cases such as:
Games
Live data from sensor input
Replaces HSSP
HSSP is in the new API but uses HSP under the hood
Reduces HSSP setup time from seconds to milliseconds
New features
HMI control
You can now manipulate the device's Human-Machine Interface (HMI)
Currently limited to the RGB LED
Battery handling
Now supports devices that run on battery
Other improvements
Handy Direct Streaming Protocol (HDSP)
Added stop command
Implemented state change notification
Introduced control capability using XaVp
Enhanced timing functions to improve video sync accuracy
Under the Hood
FW build infrastructure
Automatic testing
Automatic distribution
Opt-in rollouts
Rollout filters
Can target hardware models, country, or city
Hardware variant handling
Support for Oh and future new hardware projects
Simplified config system that allows building different hardware configurations from one project
OTA updates over WebSocket and Protocol Buffers
Switched from Bluedroid to NimBLE to save device memory
Now possible to use the device with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth simultaneously
Simplified onboarding
Doubled WebSocket buffer size
API v3
All these firmware changes have contributed to a massive improvement to the API. The most notable addition is the SSE event notification. You can read more about the changes in our developer documentation
If you are facing issues with Firmware 4, please message us in the chat box on the bottom right or email contact@thehandy.com for support.