Hacking the Webmail Notifier USB device

Some time ago I ordered the USB Webmail Notifier (only $17). When I received it, I was disapointed to find that the bundled software was very limited, only using the POP3 protocol. This protocol for example has no way of returning number unread mails, so the use cases are rather small.

So I decided to look at how I could code for this device. I found this very useful (albeit quite old) article on USB HID devices, a wery well though standard for this kind of devices (and keyboards, mouses, joysticks).

I also used a USB protocol analyzer to see what data was sent to the device. I managed to make it accept any color I want (whereas the bundled software only has green, red and blinking blue).

Each component is 5 bits, that makes some noticable transitions between adjacent colors. Also not all colors we use to get on LCD displays are available, because there is no black.

Here is a small image of an orange notifier.

I made 3 command line programs (building them requires the Windows DDK):

• a simple color setter, arguments are R G B
• a HUE wheel switcher
• a CPU usage related color, green beeing 0%, red 100%

There is certainly many other possible uses for this cheap device:

• An IMAP4 mail notifier, making use of all IMAP4 features
• An automatic build indicator, for example for CruiseControl
• an event remainder
• ...

As usual source code will be send on request.