maybe stick with the current set-up...
but add a $2.00 HC-05 bluetooth module to it.. (allowing external user interaction)
or
(what I have done recently a few times).
is using an ESP8266 module to add wi-fi capabilities..
I then make the ESP8266 module serve up its own 'web page' as a captive portal
ie: if you take your cell phone.. search for local wi-fi networks.. you would see 'holocron' (or whatever you named it).. you can 'connect' to that 'wireless network'..
(kinda like when you are at a hotel.. and you connect to their wi-fi network.. but when you open your browser.. all you can get is there default 'home page' asking you to pay or enter in password..etc)
same concept.. except this 'home page' is nothing but an HTML/CSS gui/interface (a bunch of buttons/links to click on)
makes for a nice interface for projects (this seems like another great example case scenario)
my last use of this was to use a Pro-Micro acting as HID (human input device) connected to a PC..
I then used my cell phone to 'connect' to it.. and get my 'admin page'.. whenever I clicked on any of my buttons/links (more or less macro/pre-sets)..
it would then do things to the PC this device was connected to
such as type keystrokes... move the mouse around.. open a browser/tab and go to pre-defined youtube video....etc.. (this was a great trolling device/prank we played on a co-worker).. but could easily have delivered a malicious payload/virus..etc..
ESP8266 modules are only a couple of bucks as well..
As far as some cool 'app' that plays once connected.. I may be of help with that.. (I used to be an Adobe Flash developer for many years.. and have written a lot of apps with it)
I actually had started my own 'holocron project' long ago.. (before I had a laser cutter..etc)
and worked on a 'timeline' app to be triggered/played once connected to a PC... the only downfall is I am not up-to-speed on the availability on if these things can 'auto-play' on current machines or not?
(could still just manually click an executable or something to start it though)
so after all this wall of 'make you go to sleep' text... maybe just sum up the CORE functionality you want v1.0 to have.. and then figure out the best way to let user have control (if at all)
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cripes! I have more to comment on! HAHA
As far as working with the SMD version of the ATMega328 chips...etc
I can also help with that..
you can get set up pretty quickly and for cheap if you want to.
I do all my (SMD) pcb assembly at home.
examples:
these were TINY (but fun) to do!
barely bigger than the size of a MICRO sd card socket.. (spider man webshooter pcbs)
these are just (basically) Arduino compatible circuits/clones..etc.. with custom footprints/shapes and maybe some other components.. (microSD, DAC/AMP..etc)
what I did was went to my local wal-mart and bought a $17 toaster oven.
I order my solder paste off ebay (from China..takes a while to get here)
and then I cut my own solder paste stencils/masks and smear/squeegee the solder paste over the mask.. remove mask.. leaving only solder paste on the pads of the pcb.
take some tweezers and populate board with components..
pop it into the toaster over @ 225-250 degrees for roughly 3-5 minutes..
you will see the solder paste go 'dull' (like its drying out or something).. once you see that.. it will only take a short moment for it to melt and turn bright silver/liquid like..
once at that point I maybe a few more moments and turn off oven.. couple minutes later I removed boards and fun stuff!
I can cut you some solder paste stencils for free (you pay shipping).. saves you $30 a pop I guess!
or maybe even just make them here if you only wanted a few.