Fable turned remarkable into Tom Riddle's diary from Harry Potter
This project transforms a reMarkable Paper Pro into a modern-day Tom Riddle's diary, where your handwritten questions are 'drunk' by the page and an LLM-powered response appears in flowing script. It's a whimsical yet technically impressive hack that reimagines human-AI interaction, captivating HN with its creative application of e-ink and large language models. The blend of physical interaction and digital intelligence offers a unique, screen-free experience that sparks both wonder and debate about the nature of a 'chat UI'.
The Lowdown
MaximeRivest's "Riddle" project turns a reMarkable Paper Pro into a fantastical, AI-powered diary inspired by Harry Potter's Tom Riddle. Users write on the e-ink screen with their pen; after a brief pause, their words fade, and an LLM-generated response appears, stroke by stroke, in a flowing handwritten font.
- Core Concept: A magical interaction where written input is consumed, and AI replies in a hand-drawn script directly on the e-ink display.
- Technology: Built primarily in Rust, it processes pen input, synthesizes handwriting, and manages LLM interactions. It uses either an OpenAI-compatible API (e.g., GPT-4o-mini) or a local
piprocess for the AI 'oracle'. - Installation: Requires a reMarkable Paper Pro in developer mode with a launcher like AppLoad. Users can install a prebuilt bundle or compile from source, with options for windowed (AppLoad) or full 'takeover' mode for instant ink response.
- Interaction: Gestures include resting the pen for a reply, flipping the marker to erase, drawing a large '?' for a guide, or a five-finger tap to exit.
- E-ink Integration: The project directly drives the e-ink engine for low-latency ink appearance, bypassing the default UI in 'takeover' mode.
This innovative hack merges the tactile experience of writing with the power of modern AI, offering a glimpse into alternative, less screen-centric ways to interact with artificial intelligence, all wrapped in a delightful and nostalgic Harry Potter theme.
The Gossip
Demonstration Deficiencies
Many commenters immediately noted the absence of an embedded video or GIF in the README, despite the project's visual nature. While a Twitter link to a demo was available, it was often inaccessible without an X.com account, leading to frustration and calls for direct, easily viewable media to properly showcase the remarkable (pun intended) functionality.
Diabolical Diary or Divine Device?
The comparison to Tom Riddle's diary sparked a lively debate. Some found it eerily apt, highlighting concerns about AI's potential to manipulate or drive undesirable behavior, drawing parallels to GenAI's real-world impact. Others dismissed it as hyperbolic or humorously questioned the ethics of creating 'horcruxes,' while some embraced the magical, 'sufficiently advanced technology' aspect, viewing the name as a clever thematic choice.
Novelty and New Interfaces
Beyond the Harry Potter reference, many users praised the project's innovative approach to LLM interaction. They saw it as a new medium, less like a chatbot and more like a personal, private journal. Commenters highlighted the potential for gifting it with a specific personality or using it for natural, reflective communication without the distractions of a typical screen or keyboard.
Critiques of 'Chat UI' and 'AI Slop'
A vocal minority critiqued the project's core claim of 'No chat UI.' Some argued that the pen-and-paper interaction *is* merely a stylized, slow chat interface, making it less novel. One particularly strong commenter expressed intense disdain, labeling the LLM output as 'slop' and questioning the effort put into the README given the perceived low quality of AI-generated content.
Engineering Evolution and Efficiency
Several commenters reflected on the current speed of development compared to past experiences. They lauded the ability for individuals to 'bang stuff into existence' quickly, contrasting it with previous corporate environments where even minor UI changes could take days or weeks due to bureaucratic processes, design systems, and team dependencies. This theme celebrated the newfound agility in building complex projects.