J Scroller Progress

Made significant improvements to the J Scroller project this month. The biggest addition is a new push/subscribe system for sending real-time updates to the device. We're using this first iteration to change text colors through the new Noe Foundry controller web app.

One of the tough lessons learned with hardware projects: robustness is hard. What would be a trivial software update becomes challenging when you're writing code for devices that aren't as advanced as the latest iPhone. The J Scroller currently starts to crash after running for a day or two, so my next focus is simplifying the codebase to achieve multi-day reliability.

Controller App Development

The controller app has been helpful for thinking about common interfaces across Noe Foundry projects. We explored using SMS for device interaction, but the technical challenges make a simple web/app interface the better approach. Planning to continue iterating on these controller apps to make all Noe Foundry projects easily interactive from your device.

What's Next

June will focus on advancing the Animal Generator project. Stay tuned for updates in next month's newsletter!

Art Garage represents the most "low-tech" project in our experimental series, and interestingly, the one that required the most hands-on collaboration with my partner—who happens to be the tool-savvy, handcraft expert in our household.

The Genesis

The concept is simple: our garage has windows facing the street—why not transform them into the frames of an art display?

Initially, I explored several high-tech approaches. I experimented with Processing (p5.js) to create vector images from AI-generated code sketches that could be printed on acrylic and mounted on plywood. I also dabbled with various AI image generation programs for non-programmatic visuals.

But as with many creative partnerships, finding images we both loved proved challenging. Even after attending SF Art Week and visiting numerous galleries in search of artists for a site-specific installation—meeting amazing creators and discovering new spaces along the way—we couldn't quite agree on what would be the perfect art piece for our space.

The Obvious Solution

The breakthrough came from my partner's suggestion: start with art we could both instantly approve—our daughter's creations. This cut through our decision paralysis and gave us the momentum to begin.

We sketched the design and made a few pilgrimages to the hardware store. As the least handy person in our home, even learning how the hardware store cuts large sheets of wood was an education for me. My partner devised a smart mounting system using hinges and screws, while I found unexpected joy in the meditative process of applying three coats of paint to the wood base.

Despite careful measurements, I initially purchased pieces that were too small for our windows! I started over with another hardware store trip for thicker wood that wouldn't warp. While our gallery currently showcases just two pieces, we're excited to expand with more artwork from our daughter and friends.

Looking Forward

Our ultimate vision is to display works from local artists, but starting with family art has provided valuable lessons about the practical challenges of an outdoor gallery. The current mounting system works adequately, though we've discussed more dynamic possibilities like a rotating canvas (potentially powered by a tie hanger motor).

My partner noticed sun damage affecting the artwork after just a few days—our windows are quite old, and we'll definitely need UV protection on the window for future installations. While I've been tempted to incorporate digital elements or screens, I've come to appreciate the charm of this extremely low-tech approach to street-level art sharing.

We also plan to add QR codes near the garage so passersby can learn about the featured artists and their work.

Real-World Impact

Though it's our most technically modest project, Art Garage is the first to reach "production" status—truly facing and engaging with our community. This experience has reinforced the value of site-specific installation, non-digital approaches, and the special significance of creating tangible work in the physical world rather than just contributing to the digital ether.

There's something particularly meaningful about showcasing a toddler's creative expression—as my partner jokes, she sometimes struggles to distinguish between our daughter's artwork and my own creations. I take this as both a compliment to my work and an acknowledgment of our daughter's innate artistic talent.

If you have local artwork you'd like to feature, are interested in creating your own Art Garage, or simply want to learn more about this project, reach out to seb@noefoundry.com.

J Scroller is the first non-Mac app we’ve built—a small but exciting shift. It started as an audio visualizer experiment (more on that soon!), playing around with sending messages to a web app via webhook. But then I started wondering: what real-time data should power the visualizer?

Visit the J Scroller Web App

I wanted something tied to San Francisco, something dynamic and constantly changing. That’s when I landed on Muni. Not only is Muni real-time, but I also live right on the J line, and honestly—I love it. Watching the light rail pass with my daughter, seeing people on their way to work or heading home, it’s a small but meaningful part of our daily rhythm. Recently, Muni moved a stop closer to our house, right across the street. It’s been fascinating to see the morning queues form, even if the stop itself doesn’t have much signage yet.

One thing Muni does have, though, is its classic scrolling LED signs. The ones inside the trains announce the next stop, and some of the more built-out stations have LED signs displaying real-time arrival times. So I figured—why not build one of my own?

Behind the Scenes of J Scroller

Thanks to 511.org, I had easy access to real-time Muni data. Their API is well-documented, provides a generous access token, and outputs JSON. With that in hand, I used an AI-powered Next.js app generator to build a simple red LED-style scrolling display. It mostly worked right away (with some inevitable tweaking), and suddenly I had my own little Muni tracker.

This project also gave me a chance to explore two new areas:

1. AI-Generated Apps
   I’ve used AI coding assistants like Claude, Copilot, and ChatGPT for my macOS apps, but this time, I went deeper into tools that generate and deploy full applications. I tested V0, Bolt, and Lovable—each did a solid job spinning up an app. While the AI-generated code wasn’t perfect, it got me 95% of the way there. The biggest limitation was debugging—real-time feedback was too slow, so I ended up pulling the code locally to fine-tune it. Long term, I’d likely rewrite parts for better structure and maintainability, but for quick prototyping, these tools are incredible.

2. Adafruit & LED Hardware
   I wanted J Scroller to exist as a real, physical display—something you could actually see outside. So I ordered an LED matrix and the corresponding electronics to take text input over WiFi and display text, all powered by Adafruit components. No soldering required! My goal is to mount it in my window, facing the street, so folks waiting for the J can see real-time train arrivals as they sip their coffee.

Visit the J Scroller Web App

Future Ideas

Right now, J Scroller is a simple Muni arrival display. But there’s a lot of room to grow:

• Interactive Messages – Display a phone number where people can text, then respond to the messages on the sign.

• Emojis & Fun Content – Imagine little jokes, emoji games, or other little fun text tidbits.

This is our first real-world installation, and I’m excited to keep prototyping interactive public-facing projects like this. Stay tuned for updates on the physical build—and if you’re in SF, maybe you’ll spot J Scroller lighting up the neighborhood soon.

If you're interested in combining technology and play in new ways, we'd love to hear from you. seb@noefoundry.com

Animal Generator emerged from an exploration building a simple toy with AI. Animal Generator lets you mix and match animals to create new creatures.

Download Animal Generator for macOS

It’s a Mac app that harnesses Apple Intelligence, specifically the Image Playground feature, to generate unique animated-style creatures in Apple’s distinctive artistic style. Select from a variety of animal emojis and colors to create your own beasts—all processed directly on your device, requiring no internet connection.

So go for it, generate an elephant with a lion to create an "Elelion.”

Future Ideas

Some future ways to expand the possibilities include emotions, actions, costumes, and environmental settings. Imagine your animal mashups expressing different moods or wearing seasonal outfits. And doing this as an iPhone app!

Really excited about the possibility of projecting these generative creatures onto buildings, creating an interactive public installation where a passersby can control the animals. And add sound! Imagine hearing the majestic roar of an "Elelion" that combines an elephant's trumpet with a lion's roar.

Requirements

• macOS 15.1 or later

• Apple Silicon chip (M1 or newer)

• Apple Intelligence enabled (default on macOS 15.3+)

Earlier versions require manually enabling Apple Intelligence in System Settings.

Try It Out

Download Animal Generator for macOS

We're seeking feedback and collaboration opportunities, especially around public installations and interactive experiences. Whether you're an artist, developer, or just someone who loves creating whimsical creatures, we'd love to hear your thoughts and ideas!

This is just the beginning of our exploration into creative AI toys. If you're interested in combining technology and play in new ways, we'd love to hear from you. seb@noefoundry.com

Sebastian Gallese ("we," "our," or "us") values your privacy. This Privacy Policy outlines how "Night Phone" (the "App") handles your information.

1. Information We Collect

We do not collect any information from users of the App.

2. Third-Party Services

The App does not use any third-party services.

3. Contact Us

If you have any questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy, please contact us at:

Sebastian Gallese
Email: nightphone@noefoundry.com
Website: noefoundry.com/nightphone

Night Phone is born from my experiences as the owner of a smartphone. Like many screen addicts, my sleep patterns have shifted dramatically over the past few years. One of the most impactful changes I've made is sleeping with my phone in a different room—a simple but powerful habit for better rest.

Download Night Phone for macOS

Night Phone is a macOS app that turns this healthy habit into art. If you plug your phone into your computer before bed to charge, the Mac app begins creating a unique work of generative art that unfolds slowly through the night. There's a little surprise waiting when you wake up and check your screen.

The current version simulates a cosmic scene, where distant stars gradually appear every few seconds, accompanied by occasional brighter stars that emerge every few minutes. The stars twinkle and radiate throughout the night.

Future Directions

What interests me most about Night Phone is its potential for evolution and collaboration:

The concept of time-stretched generative art—pieces that unfold over hours—opens up new possibilities. This could be a platform where artists can contribute their own generative artworks.

We're also prototyped a companion phone app that would create a symbiotic relationship between your devices. Think about the phone and computer working together to create synchronized artistic experiences during your rest hours.

We even thought about a dedicated hardware version: a simple docking station with LEDs or a basic display that could create color patterns throughout the night, independent of your computer. There's something appealing about a dedicated physical shrine for this nighttime ritual.

Try It Out

The first version of Night Phone is available now on the Mac App Store, completely free.

Download Night Phone for macOS

We're seeking feedback and contributions from the community. Whether you're an artist interested in creating visualizations, a developer with ideas for new features, or someone who just wants to try it out and share their thoughts, we'd love to hear from you at nightphone@noefoundry.com.

Stay tuned for more experiments from the Noe Foundry. If you're in SF or interested in creative technology projects, we'd love to have you join us on this journey of exploration and creation.