At Very Good Ventures (VGV), we’re always pushing the boundaries of what’s possible with Flutter. While most know Flutter for its mobile app capabilities, its versatility enables it to function seamlessly as a multi-device powerhouse. We showed off the Flutter Boombox project at the recent #FlutterInProduction virtual event—here’s everything you need to know about this innovative showcase of Flutter’s potential.
Enter: a 1984 Sanyo portable radio and cassette player. An iconic staple of the boombox era, this nostalgic go-to got an innovative modern makeover by VGV.
The revamped Flutter Boombox was showcased by none other than Weezer frontman Rivers Cuomo—who, fun fact, is also a Flutter developer—alongside Andrew Brogdon, Staff Developer Relations Engineer at Google.
The highlight? Watching Cuomo and Brogdon bond over the Boombox while vibing to Cuomo’s own hits before unveiling this impressive innovation. How cool is that?
As Andrew pointed out, Flutter officially supports six platforms iOS, Android, Linux, macOS, Windows, and Web—but developers in the community are constantly experimenting to see what else they can run Flutter on. And that’s exactly what we did!
We will dive into how our developers used Flutter to seamlessly integrate with embedded systems and APIs (like Raspberry Pi and Spotify) to create a unique and immersive experience. Ready? Let’s go!
Say Anything: The Magic Behind the Boombox
For this updated trip down memory lane, we took a Raspberry Pi 4B running Linux, paired it with Spotify Connect software, and used MQTT for event handling.
First, we removed the cassette deck and replaced it with a 5-inch touchscreen. Then, we added our Flutter-based UI that mimics a retro cassette tape. The UI dynamically changes with the music, showcasing real-time song data pulled from the Spotify API.
The result? A modern spin on an old-school device, with Flutter at its core.
VGV’s Boombox Project handles the complex task of rendering the UI on a custom device while seamlessly integrating with Spotify’s API. But it doesn’t stop there. The project opens up a world of possibilities for developers beyond app screens and web browsers, demonstrating the real-world potential of Flutter in embedded systems.
With a growing number of businesses looking to create unified experiences across devices, Flutter offers an opportunity to deliver consistent, high-quality UIs on platforms well beyond the smartphone.
#FlutterInProduction: Key Takeaways
Missed the #FlutterInProduction virtual event? No worries! We've summarized the key highlights for you, and you can also watch the full event here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AEXIrThTgb0
In a nutshell, the event highlighted the evolution, achievements, and future of Flutter as a versatile framework for building high-quality, multi-platform apps. The event celebrated how Flutter empowers teams to create innovative, unified digital experiences, setting the stage for even greater possibilities in the future.
Flutter's Journey
What started as an experimental project a decade ago –yes, it all started 10 years ago and was initially called Sky– has now grown into a powerful framework, driving over a million apps with hundreds of millions of users worldwide. Pretty mind-blowing, right?
Cross-Platform Leadership
Developers can share up to 90% of their codebase, drastically reducing development costs and timelines. With a thriving community of over a million active developers and vibrant meetups in 64 countries, Flutter’s future looks brighter than ever.
Flutter = Innovation
Flutter 3.27 introduced exciting updates, including improvements to the Material Design library, accessibility enhancements for the web, and performance boosts through technologies like Impeller and WebAssembly.
Enterprise Success
Leading companies like LG Electronics, MGM Rewards, and SNCF Connect have leveraged Flutter to enhance app quality, scalability, and accessibility, all while reducing time to market.
The Production Era
Flutter is now focused on fulfilling its promises with enhanced tools, improved rendering, and a seamless developer experience, cementing its role as the go-to framework for high-quality apps on any device.
Get Involved
The Flutter Boombox is just an example of how deep we can dive into the future of Flutter in spaces beyond mobile devices, and we’re committed to investing in demos and prototypes that showcase what this framework can do in non-traditional environments. With Flutter, you can build high-quality, beautiful UIs anywhere. The possibilities for creating rich, interactive experiences on non-mobile platforms are endless.Stay tuned for more innovation—and if you’re a developer looking to experiment with Flutter beyond mobile, we encourage you to get started!
Read more about how we can shape the future of Flutter together, and explore the community-driven roadmap in this blog covering David DeRemer’s keynote talk at Fluttercon USA earlier this year.
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