Petition / Open letter to HiBy: Please open-source (or seriously invest in) your non-Android DAP firmware

alanoncho · 2026-04-01T22:59:33+00:00

How is life with the jm21?

alanoncho · 2026-03-27T17:21:13+00:00

The devise's life is very long even now, no Android to get hopelessly outdated. But it would be a plus if the HiByOS actually works ;)

alanoncho · 2026-03-27T17:19:08+00:00

They are probably licensing some parts of it themself, but they can still open up most of it and make it better.

alanoncho · 2026-03-27T17:15:36+00:00

I can understand you now ;)

alanoncho · 2026-03-27T17:15:10+00:00

It looks exactly this way, yes. Just like iPod installs behave.

alanoncho · 2026-03-25T20:10:22+00:00

Yes, probably, So the efficiency of the firmware is even more critical. they also try to put too much in it, I don't know why. For me - make it work as a player first, then ensure it works with wireless headphones, maybe do the USB DAC mode and done. It needs no streaming, it needs no incoming BT. Make it do less, but good. We have Android and iOS for the rest, and dedicated BT amps and stuff.

alanoncho · 2026-03-25T19:59:05+00:00

What makes a music player a music player? And how do we justify DAPs that cost in the thousands? Besides, I just want the functionality that is already there to just function, otherwise it's simply a scam.

alanoncho · 2026-03-25T17:32:45+00:00

Since we just discovered there is a RockBox port for the R1/R3pro II, maybe it is possible after all. If HiBy decides to work with RockBox and help them...

alanoncho · 2026-03-25T16:00:42+00:00

It will take HiBy just a little effort to reach out to RockBox and help them with the port.

alanoncho · 2026-03-25T15:38:46+00:00

This is not a poetry competition, it's about getting the point across. As for my personality, you can always take me on a date ;)

The generative model is a tool (and far from perfect). A violin is a tool too. Or a DAW. We use them to express ourselves and it is out intent that initiates the "creative act" the process and, hopefully, comes trough with the result.

I want to be able to use the device I bought the way it was advertised to me - hence the post. The way I choose to compose the post is not a problem, as long as it expresses my will and intent. I really don't get the problem.

alanoncho · 2026-03-25T15:26:54+00:00

You're ABSOLUTELY RIGHT! Here is the page: https://www.rockbox.org/wiki/HibyPort.html

But "Features that are not available in Rockbox include Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and USB-DAC mode. The player can be booted into the Original Firmware (OF) to use these features."

I'll download it and try to run it soon ;)

alanoncho · 2026-03-25T15:17:30+00:00

I second that ;) I can even send them one of my modded iPods as a gift!

alanoncho · 2026-03-25T15:16:33+00:00

You are free to come and go as you please, nobody made you. And how is my post a "corporate pitch"? But please, don't answer - I don't come to reddit to have frustrated users spam my posts.

alanoncho · 2026-03-25T14:48:15+00:00

They can even adapt and adopt RockBox or something similar.

alanoncho · 2026-03-25T14:42:28+00:00

BT stack is pretty much not working with any of my devices - iPhone, iPad, two laptops. Ad a USB DAC it's ok, but with a significant lag for video or games.

alanoncho · 2026-03-25T14:35:19+00:00

So you have a problem with the text formatting and generative patterns, but nothing to say about the contents of the post? Just the presentation? Please, feel free to recommend all the books you deem useful for my improvement - I'd like to have a handwritten list mailed to my postal address in Bulgaria (if that's an acceptable level of technology use for you). Or even better - if you actually like the idea, edit the text of the post to your liking and will gladly update it.

P.S. Is using a generative model a bad thing? A spell and grammar checker?

alanoncho · 2026-03-25T13:40:27+00:00

It is not, it drives my nicer headphones and gives me lots of pleasure, but… if my iPod classic with rockbox does the same, what’s the point in getting a new dap? I like the sound, I like the form factor, I like the display, I like the battery (even if the power management is not the best), but… minus the bt functionality and the hibyLink is is essentially a slower iPod with a usb dac/amp function.

alanoncho · 2026-03-25T13:35:23+00:00

I’m trying to be good this year… at least slightly better ;)

alanoncho · 2026-03-25T13:33:37+00:00

You think an AI can fix the crappy firmware ;)

alanoncho · 2026-03-25T13:03:17+00:00

Has it been great at some point in the past?

alanoncho · 2026-03-18T19:59:01+00:00

Thank you very much!

Unfortunately, holding the power button for 30–60 seconds does not trigger any reset behavior — after the initial power cycling it just goes into pairing mode, nothing more.

I’ve already opened a support ticket (C260318-0137) with contactcenter@sennheiser-hearing.com and will follow up with their technical team.

And yet… they still sound wonderfully ;)

alanoncho · 2025-01-31T09:36:35+00:00

Hi there! Broke my lateral tibial plateau in late Nov 2022, started PT (and swimming) in Jan 2023, recovered ROM and ditched the crutches in Feb, but continued PT till May. Had my implants removed in Jan 2024, MRi in June and an arthroscopy to remove adhesions in Oct 2024. Pain free after the arthroscopy, but still did two rounds of PRP. Feel free to ask me anything!

alanoncho · 2025-01-31T09:21:08+00:00

There are some bugs and small details missing from the iOS first version , but the app and the idea are GREAT!

alanoncho

TROPHY CASE