CalandreaOpen CalandreaWhich screen should I use?
Probably one you already have. Calandrea doesn't need a special frame: a spare iPad, an Android tablet, an old phone or a laptop on the kitchen bench all make a good family wall.
What the wall needs
- A touch screen, so everyone can tick off chores and lists.
- Wi-Fi, and somewhere to plug it in.
- A speaker, for timers and reminders.
- Ideally 10 inches or bigger, so it reads from across the room.
- The Calandrea app (iPad and Android) or an up-to-date browser such as Google Chrome, Safari, Microsoft Edge or Firefox.
If you're buying one
Our pick for most families is an 11-inch Android tablet, such as one from Samsung's Galaxy Tab A range. It runs everything (tap to talk, timer sounds, night dimming and App pinning to keep it on Calandrea), and these tablets are often on sale. Want it bigger? A 12- or 13-inch tablet such as the Lenovo Idea Tab Pro, or an iPad if your family uses Apple.
Android tablet, 11 inches or more
Our pickMost families. The best value, and its battery keeps the wall going through a power cut
- Runs
- The Calandrea app
- Tap to talk
- Yes
- At night
- Yes, it dims itself
- Setting up
- Minutes
iPad
Families on Apple, and anyone with a spare iPad. Works with Apple Pencil on the whiteboard
- Runs
- The Calandrea app
- Tap to talk
- Yes
- At night
- Yes, it dims itself
- Setting up
- Minutes
Android tablet, 12 to 13 inches
A bigger screen that's still simple
- Runs
- The Calandrea app
- Tap to talk
- Yes
- At night
- Yes, it dims itself
- Setting up
- Minutes
A computer behind a touch screen monitor, 15 inches or more
A big kitchen screen, for families happy to tinker
- Runs
- A browser, full screen, at calandrea.app/pair
- Tap to talk
- With Google Chrome, Safari or Microsoft Edge and a microphone
- At night
- Night mode darkens the screen, but it can't turn the brightness down
- Setting up
- An afternoon
Raspberry Pi 5 with a touch screen
Tinkerers who want a fixed screen with no battery
- Runs
- Chromium, full screen, at calandrea.app/pair
- Tap to talk
- No
- At night
- Night mode darkens the screen
- Setting up
- A weekend
What won't work
- Screens without a full web browser, such as ESP32 displays, e-ink panels and most digital photo frames. They can't run Calandrea.
- A TV or monitor without touch can show Calandrea from a computer, but nobody can tick anything off on it. Use phones for changes, or pick a touch screen.
Keeping it on the wall
- A wall holder or stand, and a right-angle charging cable, keep it tidy.
- Tablets stay plugged in all day, so protect the battery: turn on its charging limit if it has one (on Samsung tablets, Settings > Battery > Battery protection), or put the charger on a smart plug that turns off for a few hours at a time.
- Keep it on Calandrea with Guided Access on an iPad or App pinning on Android. See recommended settings for the wall.
- A computer should start by itself after a power cut (often a setting called "restore on AC power loss") and open the browser full screen.
Ready to put it up?
Install Calandrea on the tablet, or open calandrea.app/pair in its browser, and pair it from an adult's phone. The wall setup guide walks you through it.