3 subscriptions you’ll be able to substitute with a $5 Pi Pico 2
If there’s one factor that annoys me about trendy internet-connected know-how, it is that every thing is a subscription as of late. Features that ought to simply be a part of an equipment, or carried out regionally by an app, now rely upon siphoning a couple of {dollars} out of your account each month.
But with a small, low cost laptop just like the Pi Pico 2, a couple of bits of {hardware}, and free community-made software program, you’ll be able to cancel a minimum of a couple of of these pernicious funds.
Stop paying for noise technology with the Picosounds Project
Better sleep totally free!
BetterSleep is a well-liked sleep and meditation app that used to make use of a freemium mannequin, however in 2025 the corporate announced its transition to a premium-only service. So after your free trial ends, you are on the hook for $9.99 a month, $59.99 a 12 months, or $249.99 for a lifetime subscription.
Personally, I’m fairly skeptical of “lifetime” licenses, as a result of sooner or later the corporate might want to get more cash out of you, however regardless, in case you want apps like these to sleep soundly, it will price you.
However, the picosounds project guarantees to allow you to get a minimum of a part of the advantage of these apps for not more than the price of a Pico and this Cytron Maker Pi Pico Base.
If you have already got a appropriate Pico, the bottom is simply ten bucks, and with the picosounds software program, you’ll be able to loop MP3 or WAV recordsdata or generate coloured noise like white, pink, and brown.
Obviously, this solely replaces the noise-generator a part of these sleep-aid apps, however in case you weren’t utilizing that facet anyway, simply roll your individual. Sadly, all of the best sleep tracking apps price cash as of late. But if in case you have an Apple iPhone or Watch, or a Samsung machine with Samsung Health, you may get most of that totally free.
Get extra macro keys totally free with picoMacroPad
Imagine subscribing to buttons
You’ve most likely heard of the Stream Deck (to not be confused with the Steam Deck), which is a macro key machine streamers use to regulate their stay streams. Press a button to change scenes, press one other to activate an on-screen overlay, and so forth.
Elgato additionally makes an app referred to as Stream Deck Mobile, which turns your cellular machine right into a digital Stream Deck. The free model of the app provides you a beneficiant six buttons, however if you would like extra you may need to pay for it.
Or, hear me out: take your Pi Pico, purchase a Pico RGB keypad base, anduse picoMacroPad to construct your individual pad with programmable shortcuts.
Stay productive totally free with inkmodoro
The price of staying on-task needs to be zero
I’m a giant fan of the Pomodoro methodology, and it is most likely my greatest hack for getting all my work performed each day. It’s a easy timer-based system the place you’re employed flat-out for a set period of time, after which relaxation for a set period of time. These intervals allow you to focus at your greatest, and it is ridiculous how efficient they are often.
You can get timer apps totally free, and even Windows 11 has a built-in Pomodoro timer, however some folks nonetheless choose a extra bespoke resolution. For instance, Focus Keeper will run you $35 a 12 months.
Instead of that, why not strive inkmodoro? It’s designed to be used with the Waveshare Pico-CapTouch-ePaper-2.9 display, which prices simply $25 plus no matter you paid to your Pico 2.
It is only a customized Pomodoro timer, however as a result of that e-paper display is touch-capable, you’ll be able to management it elegantly with on-screen controls or three bodily keys.
Yes, this does not have all the additional cloud-connected options of paid Pomodoro apps, but it surely works as a result of it is easy. When you begin monitoring productiveness and need to sift by means of information, you miss the purpose. Focus on the cadence, and all the remainder will fall into place.
It’s a small value to pay
Even in case you already personal a Pico, these initiatives usually want a bit further {hardware} and some hours of your time to get all of it working. However, if you add up the price of subscriptions to do the identical job over time, you may be within the black inside a couple of months.
Not to say, because you personal and run the service, nobody will lower you off or abruptly resolve to cost you extra when you’re hooked. Best of all, you get to study new stuff as you deal with these initiatives, and now you lastly have a justification for these Picos you obtain for enjoyable. Everyone wins besides the businesses leeching your cash.
If you’ve extra Pi Picos in your arms, you may wish to discover extra projects that solve surprisingly relatable problems. At the very least, it solves the issue of getting a drawer filled with issues with no clear thought of what to do with them.
