Production and shipping update, 8 Nov 2026

Hey everyone,

If you’ve been following along, you’ve probably seen bits of the production progress over the last couple of months on Reddit, on Discord or in the occasional email. I realised it’s been a little scattered and it’s easy to miss updates, so I’m starting this Niblet blog series to bring it all into one place.

In this first update, I want to walk you through where each part of the first batch is at, share some photos and videos from production, and give you an update on when you can expect your Niblet.

Where everything stands

I want to be more open about how Niblet is actually made, so here’s every part that goes into the first batch and exactly where it stands. Four of the seven are done, two are on their final step, and packing starts right after.

Displays and controller boards are done

The LED matrix panels and custom controller boards both come from China. I secured the full stock of 500 displays early, and every panel was tested when it arrived, so I know each one works before it goes into a frame.

The controller boards are the brain inside every Niblet. They’re built around the ESP32-S3-WROOM module, which handles Wi-Fi, runs the apps and drives the display. The board is also fully hackable, so you can tinker with it and run your own code (you’ll also be able to flash Tronbyt on it).

China has a few holidays in October, so I planned around them from the start and had both parts in hand well before the first batch was due. I expected the electronics to be the hardest part of all this, but they ended up being one of the smoothest.

The frames turned out great

The frames are cut, joined and hand-polished by woodworkers in India, and because they’re made from real wood, every frame has its own natural grain pattern. You can see it in the photo below, and it’s one of my favourite things about Niblet. It should feel like something you’d want on your shelf, not just another gadget.

Assembly is done

Final assembly happens in India too. This is where the panels and boards from China meet the frames, get put together and get checked one by one.

Here’s a quick walk through the workshop where the frames are made. There are stacks of frames everywhere and a lot of sawdust on the floor.

The good news is that the first batch is now fully assembled and sitting in the warehouse, ready to be packed. It was really nice to finally see all of them lined up together.

Chargers and cables are on the last customs step

Every Niblet comes with a USB-C charger and a USB-C cable in the box, so you can plug it in and start using it right away. I ordered 500 of each in bulk from China to India, where they’ll go into the final packaging.

This one took a bit longer than I planned. I had all the documents ready, but it turns out chargers fall under an exception at Indian customs that needs a few extra details, so I’ve been going back and forth with the port authorities for a while now. The good news is that they have everything they asked for, and the shipment is just waiting on the final sign-off. I’ll post here as soon as it clears.

Building the unboxing experience

I wanted opening a Niblet to feel special, and I wanted it to arrive safely no matter how rough the journey is along the way. So I placed the packaging order back in August, went through different materials and formats, and approved a golden sample for the outer shipping box that I was really happy with.

The boxes arrived on time, and before shipping to everyone, I sent a few finished Niblets to friends and family with a real courier to test the whole experience, from the shipping box to the unboxing. That test did exactly what it was meant to do. The boxes didn’t match the golden sample I had approved, and the Niblets inside picked up damage on the way.

Here’s the box design I signed off on, and below it, what was delivered. The colour print was missing, and the board was so much thinner that it was already creasing and warping before it was even folded into a box.

That wasn’t the standard I set for Niblet, so I rejected the whole batch. I don’t want to compromise on quality anywhere, and especially not on the box. It’s the first thing you see when your Niblet arrives, and it’s also what keeps your Niblet safe on its way to you, so it needs to look good and hold up to a rough trip.

So I’ve gone with a new packaging partner, and they’re making the boxes right now, exactly to the design I approved and on stronger board. I didn’t expect it, but packaging turned out to be the trickiest part of the whole process, even more than the electronics. I’ll share photos of the new boxes and the unboxing as soon as they arrive.

More than $13,000 in preorders

On a much happier note, so many of you have trusted me with a preorder since September, for a product most of you haven’t even seen in person yet. Thank you for being part of this so early. That trust is exactly why I’m taking the time to get every part of this right, even when it means waiting a little longer.

So, when is my Niblet arriving?

My target is to have your Niblet with you by November 25 if you’re an Early Believer, and by November 30 for everyone else. I’ve built some buffer into those dates, so if something small slips, the latest I expect is early December.

I know this isn’t the October 31 date I first gave you, and I’m sorry for the extra wait. The parts I could plan around, like the October holidays in China, stayed on schedule. What moved the date was the last customs step for the chargers and the switch to stronger boxes. But I’d rather take a few more weeks than have your Niblet arrive damaged. I’m following up every day to get both in as quickly as possible, and the moment they land, we start packing and your order goes out with tracking.

Last week I flew out to see everything in person. I spent time at the assembly workshop, then went to the wood frame factory and the packaging factory to walk through each step and sign off on it myself. It’s a lot easier to spot the small things on the factory floor than on a video call.

Thanks for waiting with me

I know waiting is the hardest part, so thank you for being patient with me. I’m using this extra time to make sure your Niblet shows up just the way I want it to, fully tested, delivered safely, and fun to open and use. I believe you’ll feel it was worth it when it arrives.

If you’re new here and thinking about getting one, preorders are still open at a discounted launch price. The first batch is limited, and once it sells out, the next batch won’t be available until next year. You can preorder yours here.

I’ll keep posting updates here as things move along. If you have any questions about your order, write to [email protected] and you’ll hear back from me directly.

Cheers,
Ayush Soni
Founder, Niblet