Ever wished for a Bluetooth speaker that doubles as a tiny retro computer? Me neither. Why would you need that? You already have (or will have) amazing sounding bookshelf or studio monitor speakers in your dream home office. Well, meet the Divoom Ditoo anyway! This gadget is not just a speaker; it’s a mood-lifter, pixel art display, and alarm clock all rolled into one. But if you’re like me, you don’t care about the speaker or the alarm clock. You care about a good-looking retro piece of tech that can bring a little pizzazz to your office shelves.
As someone steeped in IT, I knew from the moment I first stumbled upon this product that I had to get one. Honestly, at the time, I didn’t even know it was a speaker. The ability to display pixel art on my shelves was the key feature for me. Even with its 16×16-pixel resolution—tiny enough that your masterpiece Picasso is more “Passableo”—the customization possibilities are enough to get your creative brain tingling.
You’re not going to be displaying long, profound messages like, “Have you tried turning it off and back on again?” But hey, with a glorious 256 individual pixels (yes, I counted), it’s likely you can convey some very basic vibes. And that’s the beauty of it. Minimalism meets nostalgia.
Running Mine 24/7 (In Spite of the App)
I’ve been running my Divoom Ditoo for a couple of months now. While it’s portable and includes a battery, I simply keep it plugged in and running around the clock. My requirements were simple enough: just rotate back and forth between my company logo and the time. It took some effort (and perhaps a little shouting) to figure out how to get the app to do this easy task, but eventually, it worked. Barely.
The app, to put it kindly, has room for improvement. It’s about as intuitive as trying to solve a Rubik’s cube without knowing what colors are. In fact, I’m not entirely sure how I managed to program it in the first place! But do I forgive the app? Absolutely. Why? Because, even if the functionality was a minor headache, there’s no denying the charm of the Ditoo once it’s set up. Sitting on my shelf, brightly displaying pixel art in a retro-pop glow, it’s a piece of eye candy I’m happy to have, app quirks and all.
The Design: Nostalgia Unleashed
The Ditoo doesn’t just win on its pixelated charm; the design itself is fantastic. The tiny mechanical keyboard keys are a nostalgic nod to old-school computers, and it even includes a joystick. Yes, a joystick. For those times you don’t want to work (or log into that frustrating app) and instead feel like playing some old-school pixel mini-games. The LED display is bright and colorful, turning even the simplest animation into #DeskGoals.
Visually, the Ditoo feels like stepping into a ‘90s computer fever dream, and it fits perfectly with any retro-style desk setup. Even if it did nothing, it would still look incredible sitting on your shelves.
Speaker: The Forgotten Feature
Oh right, it’s technically a Bluetooth speaker, too. That’s cute. But if you’re buying a Divoom Ditoo, you’re probably not in it for the audiophile experience. I won’t say the sound quality is bad, but let’s just say it isn’t going to replace those gorgeous bookshelf speakers you already have, nor should it. It’s functional, and that’s good enough because that’s not the point of this device.
No, the real reason to grab the Ditoo is for all the delightful and utterly ridiculous features that make their way into your day. From customizable pixel art to tiny games to tricking out your desk setup with something that’s both a toy and a conversation starter, this is not just a speaker—it’s a personality statement. Sound is merely an afterthought, like the parsley garnish around the filet mignon of retro desk accessories.
Pixel Art Playground
The companion app for the Ditoo is, admittedly, a double-edged sword. On one hand, its unintuitiveness can make you feel like you’re decoding the Da Vinci Code. On the other hand, once you figure it out, it becomes an endless pixelated playground for your imagination. Through the app, you can program animations, create pixel art, display weather info, inspect social media notifications, and more.
There’s more joy too which comes from browsing the massive library of pre-made animations and creations from other users. Want a digital cat wagging its tail? Sure thing. Or maybe a tiny T-rex doing a pixelated chomp? Oh, absolutely. Whether you’re an artist itching for a retro canvas or someone who just wants Shrek to high-five them in 16×16 glory, this little device has you covered.
Final Thoughts: A Gadget You Didn’t Know You Needed
Should you buy the Divoom Ditoo Retro Pixel Art Game Bluetooth Speaker? Look, let’s be honest—there’s no practical reason to own this thing. But that’s exactly what makes it amazing. It’s for people who love functional art, retro vibes, and the occasional escape from the serious monotony of modern desk setups.
This is not a product you buy because you need it. You buy it because life is better when your desk feels fun, quirky, and full of personality. Whether you’re using it to display your favorite pixel dragon or just to stare at its delightful LED animations, the Ditoo is an unnecessary but utterly charming addition to your workspace. And honestly, in the world of Dream Office Hacks, that’s reason enough.