i12bp8 writes about TagTinker, a Flipper Zero app for exploring infrared electronic shelf-label (ESL) protocols, enabling users to transmit custom images and text to supported e-ink graphics tags. The project bundles a browser-based image preparer with dithering and colour quantisation, NFC tag scanning for auto-identifying ESL targets, and optional WiFi plugins via an ESP32-S2 bridge that render live designs (crypto prices, weather, GitHub profiles) through a Cloudflare Worker without reflashing the Flipper.
- Security relies entirely on protocol obscurity; the Flipper team noted the IR signal is "same that you use in TV remotes"
- Tags store firmware in volatile RAM, so removing the battery permanently bricks them
- A sub-$5 ESP32 + IR LED setup replicates the functionality without a Flipper Zero
- The web preparer uses Oklab 3-colour quantisation with Floyd-Steinberg, Atkinson, or Bayer dithering
- Supports monochrome and accent-colour (red/yellow) tags including SmartTAG Color 2.6 (type 1626)
- Security relies entirely on protocol obscurity; the Flipper team noted the IR signal is "same that you use in TV remotes"
- Tags store firmware in volatile RAM, so removing the battery permanently bricks them
- A sub-$5 ESP32 + IR LED setup replicates the functionality without a Flipper Zero
- The web preparer uses Oklab 3-colour quantisation with Floyd-Steinberg, Atkinson, or Bayer dithering
- Supports monochrome and accent-colour (red/yellow) tags including SmartTAG Color 2.6 (type 1626)
