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Imagine having a magic window on your wall that shows everything you need to know about your day – your schedule, family photos, the weather, and even the news. That’s basically what a DAKboard is. It’s like a digital command center for your home that replaces all those sticky notes, paper calendars, and endless phone notifications.
Think of DAKboard as a super-smart screen that hangs on your wall and connects to all your important stuff. It grabs your events from Google Calendar, photos from your phone, weather updates, and news, putting them all in one place that’s easy to see. No more opening five different apps just to figure out what’s happening today!
Have you ever had that heart-stopping moment when you wake up, grab your coffee, and suddenly wonder if you’ve forgotten something important? That was my life every morning until I discovered the DAKboard.
I want to share my journey of how this smart display transformed my chaotic schedule into something manageable, and maybe even enjoyable.
What is Dakboard Digital Wall Calendar?
DAKboard is a digital wall display that shows your daily schedule, photos, and weather all in one place. Like a smart bulletin board, it connects to your Google, Apple, or Microsoft calendar to keep your events up to date. You can also add news and customize what appears on screen.
My Journey to Finding DAKboard
Let me paint you a picture of my typical morning before DAKboard: Phone in one hand, coffee in the other, frantically scrolling through various apps to piece together my day. Calendar app for meetings, weather app for the forecast, news app for updates – you get the idea. It was exhausting, and I still managed to miss important events sometimes.
That’s when I stumbled across DAKboard, and its origin story really connected with me. Scott Cate created it back in 2016 because he was dealing with the same problems I was having. He was trying to keep track of his family’s busy schedule and got frustrated with jumping between different apps and calendars. So he built DAKboard first just for himself and his family. When he saw how well it worked, he decided to share it with everyone else who was struggling to stay organized.
I love that DAKboard came from someone trying to solve a real problem in their own life. It wasn’t just another tech product – it was a solution born from actual day-to-day family chaos. And let me tell you, it’s been a game-changer for my home.
What Makes DAKboard Different?
The best way I can describe DAKboard is that it’s like having a personal assistant mounted on your wall. But instead of just being a calendar, it’s a command center for your life. Picture a sleek display that shows your schedule, family photos, weather updates, and news – all in one beautiful interface that you can actually customize to match your style.
When I first mounted mine in my living room (it’s basically like hanging a digital picture frame), I was amazed at how naturally it fit into my space. The display is always on, which means no fumbling with apps or devices – the information is just there when you need it.
Why I Love My DAKboard
The best way I can describe DAKboard is that it’s like having a personal assistant mounted on your wall. But instead of just being a calendar, it’s a command center for your life. Here’s why I’ve fallen in love with it:
First off, it’s always there when I need it. No more unlocking phones or opening apps – I just glance at my wall, and boom, there’s my schedule. Whether I’m rushing out at 7 AM or working late, my information is right there, quietly keeping me on track.
Second, it’s made my space look better. When I first mounted mine in my living room (it’s basically like hanging a digital picture frame), I was amazed at how naturally it fit in. The sleek design actually adds something special to my wall – kind of like a piece of modern art that’s also super useful.
But what really won me over is how it’s replaced so many messy organization systems. Gone are my paper calendar, sticky notes, and endless phone reminders. Now everything lives in one beautiful screen that I actually enjoy looking at. It’s like upgrading from a cluttered bulletin board to a personal command center that keeps me organized without trying too hard.
Features That Make My Life Easier
After using DAKboard for several months, I want to share the features that have totally changed how I stay organized. Think of it like having a super-smart bulletin board that updates itself!
Making It My Own
The best part about DAKboard is that I can set it up exactly how I want it. I’ve arranged mine to show my calendar on one side and rotating family photos on the other. You can move things around until it feels just right – kind of like decorating your room, but on a screen. Some days I switch things up, especially when my schedule gets busier and I need to see more calendar space.
All My Calendars in One Place
Remember how I used to check multiple calendars every morning? Not anymore! I connected my Google Calendar, and my partner linked their iCloud calendar – now everything shows up in one place. It’s like having all your favorite books on one shelf instead of scattered around the house. Whether you use Google, Apple, or Microsoft calendars (or all three!), DAKboard brings them together seamlessly.
Weather At a Glance
The weather display has saved me so many times! Just last week, I saw it was going to rain later and grabbed my umbrella – past me would have gotten soaked. It shows both current weather and what’s coming up, so I can plan my outfit and activities better. No more weather app checking needed!
Family Photos That Make Me Smile
I hooked up my Google Photos account to DAKboard, and now my favorite memories pop up throughout the day. Yesterday, it showed a picture from our beach trip last summer right when I was having a rough morning – instant mood boost! It’s like having a digital photo album that surprises you with happy memories when you least expect it.
Staying in the Loop
One feature I didn’t expect to love so much is the news feed. While I’m checking my schedule in the morning, I can quickly scan the headlines. It’s not overwhelming – just enough to know what’s going on in the world while I’m planning my day.
What makes all these features special is how they work together. Instead of jumping between five different apps on my phone, everything I need is right there on my wall. It’s like having a personal assistant who knows exactly what information I need and when I need it.
The Real Cost of Organization
Let’s talk about the elephant in the room – the price. The DAKboard display starts at $399.95, and there’s a subscription fee of $26 per month (billed yearly) for the service. I’ll be honest: when I first saw the price tag, I hesitated. It’s not cheap, especially when you factor in the subscription.
But here’s how I thought about it: I was spending countless hours trying to stay organized, missing appointments occasionally (which sometimes cost me money), and generally feeling stressed about keeping track of everything. The peace of mind and time saved made it worth the investment for me.
On Etsy, a 24″ Digital Family Planner is listed at $726.28. This smart display serves as a Wi-Fi family calendar, home planner page, to-do list, weekly planner page, digital organizer, and picture frame.
Please note that if you decide to return any of these products, most sellers charge a 10% restocking fee, and you would be responsible for return shipping costs.
Some Hurdles Along the Way
While I love my DAKboard, it hasn’t been perfect. Here are some real challenges I’ve faced:
- The free version is quite limited, which essentially makes the subscription mandatory if you want to make the most of the device.
- The setup process took longer than I expected. It’s not complicated, but it does require some patience to get everything configured just right.
- You absolutely need reliable WiFi. There was one time when my internet went down, and I realized how dependent the system is on a stable connection.
Dakboard Pros and Cons
Pros of Dakboard Digital Wall Calendar:
Customization: Users have the freedom to customize the layout of their screen according to their preference.
Integration: It seamlessly integrates with many popular calendar services like Google Calendar, Apple Calendar, Outlook, and more.
Wireless Updates: The display updates automatically over wifi, so your information is always current.
Ease of Use: The user-friendly interface makes it easy for anyone to use, regardless of their technical proficiency.
Cons of Dakboard Digital Wall Calendar:
Price: The cost of the Dakboard Wall Calendar, including the subscription service, can be a con for some potential buyers.
Limited Free Version: The free version of the service is quite limited, forcing users to upgrade to a paid plan for more features.
Dependent on Internet Connection: Since it’s a wifi-connected device, it requires a stable internet connection to function effectively.
Setup: Some users have reported that the setup process can be somewhat complex and time-consuming.
DAKboard Digital Wall Calendar Alternatives
During my research, I looked into several alternatives. The Skylight Calendar caught my eye with its touchscreen interface, and the Hearth Display impressed me with its family management features. The Amazon Echo Show was also tempting, especially if you’re already in the Alexa ecosystem
1. Skylight Calendar: The Skylight Calendar is an interactive, touch-screen calendar that syncs with Google and Outlook calendars. It allows users to manage events, reminders, and to-do lists. The Skylight Calendar app also supports photo sharing, making it a versatile tool for home and office organization.
2. Hearth Display: Hearth Display is a 27-inch touchscreen display designed for family task management. It can replace your computer monitor or traditional whiteboard monitor, allowing family members to sync their existing Google Calendars. iCal and Outlook support are also available.
3. Amazon Echo Show: Amazon Echo Show integrates with Alexa to provide visual feedback. It can show your calendar, make to-do lists, display weather forecasts, and even play videos.
4. MagicMirror: MagicMirror is a Raspberry Pi powered alternative that allows users to create and configure a smart mirror with news feeds, calendars, weather forecasts google photos, and more.
5. HADashboard: HADashboard is creating a dashboard for Home Assistant that is highly customizable and perfect for wall-mounted displays.
For the tech-savvy folks, there are DIY options like MagicMirror (using a Raspberry Pi) or HADashboard. These might save you some money if you’re comfortable with the technical setup, but they require significantly more time and effort to get running.
My Final Thoughts
After living with DAKboard for several months, I can confidently say it’s become an essential part of my home. Yes, it’s an investment, and yes, there are some quirks to work around. But the way it’s streamlined my daily routine and reduced my mental load has been invaluable.
Is it perfect? No. But it’s pretty close to what I was looking for in a digital organization tool. If you’re someone who values visual organization, appreciates good design, and wants to simplify your daily planning, DAKboard might be exactly what you need.
Just remember – like any tool, it’s not about the technology itself but how you use it. For me, DAKboard has become more than just a smart display; it’s the central hub that keeps my life running smoothly, one day at a time.
Would I recommend it? Absolutely, with the caveat that you should be ready to commit to both the price tag and the time it takes to set it up properly. In return, you’ll get a powerful organization tool that looks great on your wall and might just make your mornings a little less chaotic.
