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Alpha Firmware Update - 1.14.2

March 08, 2024 | 2 min read
Happy Friday, Freewriters!

Today, were releasing Alpha’s second Over-The-Air (OTA) firmware update, which contains multiple new features, performance improvements, and bug fixes.
Alpha firmware rolls out automatically and will be available on your device when powered down and connected to Wi-Fi. (You can also manually check for an update using these instructions.)

For a full list of Alpha firmware improvements and fixes
, please read over our Release Notes page. Here are a few of the highlights:
 
International Diacritical Marks
Alpha now has support for international English diacritical marks through the use of [alt gr] key. See the keyboard layout below to see what letters and symbols are now available with [alt gr].

English International keyboard layout (EN_INTL_ALTGR)
Freewrite English International keyboard layout (EN_INTL_ALTGR)
Added Lockscreen Support
You can now protect against unauthorized access to your account with a lockscreen on Alpha. You can enable the lockscreen directly on your device by holding the power button to access the main menu, or in "Device Settings" in your Postbox account.

Improved Typing Performance & Sync Pattern
Some users have reported experiencing input lag, which is due to extended syncing times on Alpha. Our primary focus has always been to ensure a seamless typing performance to avoid disrupting your writing flow. To address this, we’ve introduced improvements to how drafts sync on Alpha.  This new firmware reallocates processing power to enhance writing performance and changes the syncing pattern to avoid disruption to the user. 

What does this mean?
You can type all you want, for as long as you want, without experiencing lag, and as long as you’re connected to Wi-Fi, syncing will occur at strategic points in your writing session, including when the device enters sleep mode, or when manually triggered by a defined event.

Syncing is still automatic when connected to Wi-Fi and you do not need to manually trigger a sync. Alpha will automatically sync at various defined points, including when:
  • You hit the power button at the end of your writing session.
  • You create a new doc.
  • You switch drafts[New]+[PgUp/PgDn]
  • You connect to a new Wi-Fi network.
  • You press the [send] key.
  • Your device checks for firmware updates.
  • You connect the USB cable to PC.

Ongoing Development
Our journey toward creating the most seamless writing experience is ongoing. We are constantly working on further enhancements and appreciate your support, patience, and valuable feedback. We’re not done optimizing Alpha, so stay tuned for more soon!


Find 24/7 help with questions in our expansive 
Alpha Freewrite Knowledge Base. Or, contact our Support Team here. 

Thank you for being part of our community. Your insights help us grow and improve, ensuring that our devices continue to evolve in ways that support your writing journey.

Write on!

The Freewrite Team
October 12, 2025 4 min read

The winner of the inaugural Freewrite 500 flash fiction competition is Brie Ripley Sparks, with her short story "High Holy Days."

October 12, 2025 2 min read

The first place story in the 2025 Freewrite 500 is "High Holy Days" by Brie Ripley Sparks.

September 10, 2025 3 min read

The Freewrite 500 Writing Contest — Terms and Conditions

Last Updated: 10-09-2025

By submitting an entry to The Freewrite 500 Writing Contest (the “Contest”), you agree to abide by the following Terms and Conditions.

1. Organizer

The Contest is organized by Freewrite, a brand owned and operated by Astrohaus, Inc. (hereinafter referred to as “Freewrite”, “we”, “our”, or “us”).

2. Eligibility

  • The Contest is open to individuals who are 18 years of age or older at the time of entry.

  • Employees of Freewrite, the Flash Fiction Institute, and their immediate families are not eligible to enter.

  • Void where prohibited by law.

3. How to Enter

  • Entries must be submitted through the official entry form before Monday, September 22.

  • Entries must be original works of flash fiction no longer than 500 words.

  • All submissions must be the original work of the entrant.

  • Only one entry per person is allowed.

  • Entries must be written in English.

  • The deadline for submission is 11:59 p.m. EST on September 22, 2025. Late or incomplete entries will not be accepted.

4. Entry Requirements

  • Submissions must be the entrant’s own original work and must not have been previously published, including on personal blogs or social media.

  • Entries must not contain any material that is obscene, offensive, defamatory, or otherwise inappropriate.

  • By entering, you confirm that your submission does not infringe on any third-party rights, including copyright, trademark, or privacy rights.

5. Judging and Winner Selection

  • All eligible entries will be judged by a panel of reviewers affiliated with Freewrite and the Flash Fiction Institute.

  • Judging criteria include length, creativity, and adherence to theme, and overall quality of writing.

  • The winner will be notified via email.

6. Use of Generative AI Prohibited

  • The use of generative AI in the creation of a submission for this competition is prohibited.

  • The organizers reserve the right to disqualify any entry that is suspected to have been generated, in whole or in part, using generative AI tools (including but not limited to text-generating algorithms, large language models, or similar technologies).

7. Prize

  • The winning entry will be published on both the Freewrite Blog and the Flash Fiction Institute Blog.

  • The winner will receive recognition across Freewrite and Flash Fiction Institute's social media platforms.

  • No cash prizes will be offered. Prizes include a Freewrite Traveler, a Words Are Hard writing prompt deck, publication on the Freewrite blog and the Flash Fiction Institute blog, and a free flash gym session hosted by the Flash Fiction Institute.

8. Rights and Usage

  • By entering the contest, entrants grant Freewrite and the Flash Fiction Institute first publication rights. This means Freewrite and the Flash Fiction Institute have a non-exclusive, royalty-free, worldwide license to publish, reproduce, and distribute the submitted entry in connection with the promotion of the Contest, including on their websites, blogs, email newsletters, social media channels, and more.

  • After initial publication, all rights revert back to the author, who is then free to republish or distribute their work elsewhere. However, we request that any subsequent publication acknowledges Freewrite and the Flash Fiction Institute as the original place of publication.

  • The winning author will be credited by name or preferred pen name when their work is published.

9. Privacy

  • Personal information collected during the entry process will be used only for the administration of the Contest and in accordance with Freewrite’s Privacy Policy.

  • Entrants may be contacted by Freewrite regarding their submission or related opportunities.

10. Disqualification

Freewrite reserves the right to disqualify any entry that:

  • Violates these Terms and Conditions,

  • Is found to contain plagiarized material,

  • Is deemed offensive or inappropriate,

  • Is submitted by someone ineligible.

11. Limitation of Liability

Freewrite is not responsible for:

  • Lost, late, incomplete, or misdirected entries;

  • Technical failures of any kind;

  • Any injury or damage to persons or property related to participation in the Contest.

12. Governing Law

These Terms and Conditions shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of [Insert State], without regard to its conflict of laws principles.

13. Contact

For any questions regarding the Contest, please contact us at:
📧 hello@getfreewrite.com.