Questions about hörbert

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How do you use hörbert as a podcast player?

Categories: hörbert 2021 FAQ hörbert 3.0 FAQ hörbert FAQ

Requirements:

  1. You need access to a 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi at your location.

  2. Your hörbert must have the latest firmware version (Butterfly2) installed. The model hörbert 3.0 already has this firmware version or a newer one. Here’s the link to the -> Instructions for a firmware update.

How to activate the podcast function for your hörbert

  • Start the Browser Set Mode for hörbert -> Explanation video
  • Click on “WLAN” in the main menu. Activate the WLAN there and enter the WLAN name and password.
  • Choose in the “Advanced Settings” at what time hörbert should wake up silently and download new episodes. Use a time when hörbert is definitely not being used.
  • Add podcasts to playlists:
    • Select one of the colourful playlists in the main menu where you’d like to save a podcast URL.
    • Click on the “+Podcast” button
    • If you know the URL, enter a name for the podcast here and type or copy the URL into the designated field and select “save”
    • You can also start a keyword search for a podcast, select the right podcast from the results list and “Save”.
    • Define at this point as well how many podcast episodes should be kept:
  • Once you’ve clicked “Save”, hörbert downloads the control file for the podcast. In the playlist, this control file is displayed together with the preview of the podcast episodes.
  • If you then click on the download icon in the parent control file, hörbert downloads the entire number of episodes displayed. This can take several minutes depending on the podcast length.
  • If you want to download just a single episode first, click on the download symbol to the right of the desired episode.
  • hörbert then automatically downloads the other episodes at the previously set wake-up time, provided it’s connected to the home Wi-Fi at that moment and was switched off beforehand. If it’s currently playing and in use, no new episodes will be loaded.

We wish you lots of fun with your favourite podcasts!

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Start Browser Set Mode – without unscrewing

Categories: hörbert 2021 FAQ hörbert 3.0 FAQ hörbert FAQ Questions about hörbert

Requirement:

  • Your hörbert is already running the new BETA version of the Butterfly2 firmware from October 2025. hörbert 3.0 (release March 2026) definitely has it.
  • If needed, here’s how to update to the new BETA version -> Firmware update

People who use hörbert, especially small children who often press all the buttons just for fun, must not end up in hörbert’s SET mode by accident. That’s why we’ve come up with a method that can’t be triggered “by mistake”.

Here’s how to get into hörbert’s SET mode without unscrewing him:

  • Press the rotary knob on top and keep it pressed.
  • Wait 5 seconds (hörbert may start playing)
  • Now additionally press the dark green button.
  • Hold both buttons for at least 10 seconds, then first release the rotary knob and afterwards the dark green button.
  • hörbert is now in SET mode and opens his own WiFi network for you.
  • Connect your smartphone, tablet or computer to hörbert’s WiFi. The WiFi password is: hoerbert
  • Then start a web browser on your device and enter the following address: http://hoerbert.local
  • Now you’ll see hörbert’s Browser Set Mode on your screen:

In the Browser Set Mode you can now make all the settings for hörbert. For example:

activate/deactivate WiFi, Bluetooth and the voice microphone, edit playlists, add podcasts or web radio stations, and much more.

Here you’ll find an overview of the options in the Browser Set Mode: BLOG ARTICLE BROWSER SET MODE

Tags: Browser Set Mode hörbert, Browser Set Mode without pressing SET button
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How do you perform a firmware update on hörbert?

Categories: hörbert 2021 FAQ hörbert 3.0 FAQ hörbert FAQ

Requirement: You have a hörbert model without a toggle switch.
If you want to upgrade your hörbert 2011 (old model with toggle switch), order the Upgrade Kit for self-retrofitting now, or have hörbert upgraded by us in our workshop.

How you perform a firmware update depends on which firmware is running on your hörbert. If your firmware is older than November 2024, you must use the manual method (further below). It’s most convenient if your hörbert already has the “Butterfly” firmware or newer.

Firmware Update via WLAN through the Browser Set Mode

Start the Browser Set Mode (click here to get to the explanatory video)

Activate and configure hörbert’s Wi-Fi function in the Wi-Fi menu item:
Select your Wi-Fi (2.4GHz only) from the list of available networks and enter your Wi-Fi password.
Tip: If you want to use hörbert as a podcast player: Set under “Advanced Settings” when hörbert should automatically search for new podcast episodes. Choose a time when hörbert isn’t being used, e.g. at night. hörbert won’t make any sounds when updating podcasts.

Then select “General” from the main menu and open the Advanced Settings there. Click on “CHECK for updates NOW” to bring your hörbert’s firmware up to the latest version.

Wait until the update has been carried out. You can recognise this when hörbert automatically exits the Browser Set Mode. Please don’t switch hörbert off and wait until it plays content through its speaker again.

Done! You’re now using the latest firmware with the current functions and bug fixes!

TIP: BETA VERSIONS

We’re constantly developing hörbert’s firmware further. We test new functions in BETA versions that aren’t yet stable or mature. If you’re curious, and you have a backup copy of your memory card, you can also have a look at these BETA versions:

To do this, download the BETA firmware as a file. You mustn’t unpack the downloaded file, as it’s simply loaded onto hörbert as a .bin file:
To do this, click on “Select file“, then search for the downloaded .bin file, and then click on “Update“.

Upload firmware as a file

Manual firmware update via memory card

  1. Download the latest firmware file “hoerbert_firmware.bin” on this page: hörbert Firmware
  2. Don’t unpack the downloaded file, it will be loaded onto hörbert as a .bin file.
  3. Insert the memory card into your computer now and drag and drop the file onto the card.
    Place the file directly on the card, and not in a subdirectory.
    The file must be named exactly like this: hoerbert_firmware.bin
  4. Properly eject the SD card and put it back into hörbert.
  5. Check out our explanatory video for the further steps with hörbert or continue directly with points 6 to 10.
  6. Remove one of the four batteries or rechargeable batteries from the battery clips or the separate battery compartment, and unplug the USB charging cable if your hörbert has the charging function.
  7. Wait at least 20 seconds until hörbert is completely powered off.
  8. Press the SET button inside hörbert and hold it down, whilst you now reinsert the last battery/rechargeable battery.
  9. Hold down the SET button for another approx. 50 seconds until the LED on the SET button flashes quickly. Now you can release the SET button.
  10. Wait at least 10 seconds before you switch on hörbert.

Done! From now on you can carry out future firmware updates quite easily via WLAN through the browser Set Mode.