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Alpha Firmware Update - 1.14.2

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

Today, we’re 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
September 29, 2026 • 2 min read

Official Rules for the Promotion

No purchase necessary to enter or win. A purchase will not increase your changes of wining. Void where prohibited or restricted by law.

1. Eligibility

The "Hemingwrite Giveaway" ("Promotion") is open only to legal residents of the 50 United States and the District of Columbia, who are 18 years of age or older at the time of entry. Employees, officers, and directors of Astrohaus ("Sponsor") and its affiliates, subsidiaries, advertising and promotion agencies, and their immediate family members (spouse, parents, siblings, and children) and/or those living in the same household are not eligible. The Promotion is subject to all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations.

2. Promotion Period

The Promotion begins at 8 a.m. EST Sept 1, and ends at 11:59 p.m. EST on September 30 ("Promotion Period"). Sponsor's computer is the official timekeeping device for this Promotion.

3. How to Enter

There are two (2) ways to enter:

a) Purchase Method:

During the Promotion Period, fill out the form here: https://getfreewrite.com/a/ps/landing_pages/28761/hemingwrite-giveaway-2026Limit one (1) entry per person.

4. Prize

One (1) Grand Prize: A Freewrite Ernest Hemingway Special Edition Smart Typewriter (value $1,099.00 USD).

Approximate Retail Value (“ARV”): up to $1,099.00 USD.

5. Winner Selection

One (1) potential winner will be selected in a random drawing on or about October 1, from among all eligible entries received during the Promotion Period. Odds of winning depend on the total number of eligible entries received.

6. Winner Notification

The potential winner will be notified by email within five (5) business days following the drawing. The potential winner may be required to complete and return an Affidavit of Eligibility, Liability & Publicity Release within seven (7) days of notification. If a selected winner cannot be contacted, is ineligible, fails to claim the prize, or fails to timely return the required documents, the prize may be forfeited and an alternate winner selected.

7. General Conditions

By participating, entrants agree to abide by these Official Rules and the decisions of the Sponsor, which are final. The Sponsor reserves the right to cancel, modify, or suspend the Promotion if it becomes technically corrupted or cannot be conducted as planned. The prize is non-transferable. All federal, state, and local taxes are the responsibility of the winner.

8. Limitation of Liability

Sponsor is not responsible for lost, late, misdirected, damaged, or illegible entries or for any technical or human error that may occur in the administration of the Promotion.

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Any personal information collected will be used in accordance with the Sponsor’s Privacy Policy located at https://getfreewrite.com/pages/privacy-policy.

9. Sponsor

Astrohaus
1632 1st Avenue #29179
New York, NY 10028

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