Tag: e-Paper display

  • Waveshare NFC e-Paper: No Battery, Wireless, Color

    Key Takeaway

    – NFC powers and transmits data to e-paper displays, which only need energy to change content.
    – The 2.9-inch Waveshare display costs $28, supports red/yellow/black/white pixels, and refreshes in ~16 seconds.
    – Potential uses include name tags and retail, but manual smartphone-based updates limit practicality for large-scale retail.
    – E-paper retains images for months without continuous power, though it is not permanent.
    – Centralized wireless updates are more practical for retail than per-device smartphone connections.

    NFC is a well-established method for data transmission, typically used to transfer only small amounts of data. It operates via electromagnetic waves—and therefore energy—which a new compact display from Waveshare takes full advantage of. This approach works because e-paper displays only require power when changing their content, as long as no backlight is used. In simple terms, once the digital ink is arranged, the image remains stable for a long time without a continuous power supply. “Stable” does not mean permanent, but rather that the content can remain unchanged for months.

    Specifications and Pricing Details

    The $28 Waveshare 2.9-inch NFC-powered e-paper display (34751) uses a compatible smartphone to receive both the energy required to update the image and the image data itself. This process relies on NFC in combination with an app. The display supports red, yellow, black, and white pixels, with a resolution of 296 × 128 pixels. The device measures 87.50 × 47.70 millimetres and is 12.70 millimetres thick.

    Potential Use Cases and Limitations

    Potential use cases include name tags, and Waveshare also promotes the display for retail applications. However, its practicality in larger retail environments is questionable. Refreshing the display takes around 16 seconds (excluding data transfer time), and a direct connection to a smartphone is required. While e-paper price tags are becoming more common in retail, they are typically updated wirelessly and centrally, avoiding the significant labour costs associated with manual updates.


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  • Pebble Watch Round 2: Delayed by Manufacturing Issues

    Key Takeaway

    – Pebble Round 2 mass production not yet started, causing further delays.
    – Shipments now expected to begin in July, with all pre-orders shipped by September.
    – Delay caused by a cosmetic defect (small indentation) from CNC machining.
    – Fix involves adjusting the die for metal injection molding to avoid the CNC cut.
    – Smartwatch priced at $199, features a 1.3-inch e-paper display, two-week battery, but no heart rate monitor.

    Production Pushed Back Again

    The Pebble Watch 2 is facing further delays. Specifically, the model is yet to enter mass production, even though the company is very close to starting mass production. This is affecting the delivery schedule: shipments of the Pebble Round 2 are now expected to begin in July. The plan is to have all pre-ordered units of the Pebble Round 2 shipped by September. Furthermore, Pebble founder Eric Migicovsky has stated that leather straps will be available in black and brown.

    Behind The Scenes of The Holdup

    An X post from Migicovsky explains the reason for the delay in considerable detail and with complete transparency. During a visit to China, a cosmetic issue was discovered, caused by the manufacturing process. This was a small indentation near the point where the strap lug connects to the case, which was caused by the CNC machining process. The aim is to correct this defect by adjusting the die for the metal injection molding and to simply avoid the CNC cut.

    Current Pre-Order Pricing and Features

    The Pebble Round 2 is still available for pre-order at a price of $199. The smartwatch will sport a 1.3-inch display capable of showing 64 colors and processing touch input. Thanks to its relatively energy-efficient e-paper display, it reportedly reaches a battery life of around two weeks. However, the Round 2 doesn’t include a heart rate monitor, a feature now almost standard on smartwatches.

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  • Inkplate 13SPECTRA: 13.3″ Six-Color e-Paper Display with ESP32-S3

    Inkplate 13SPECTRA: 13.3″ Six-Color e-Paper Display with ESP32-S3

    Key Takeaways

    1. The Inkplate 13SPECTRA is a 13.3-inch six-color e-paper display designed for low-power IoT and smart home projects.
    2. It features an ESP32-S3-WROOM-2-N32R16V module with Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity, 32 MB flash memory, and 16 MB PSRAM.
    3. The board has a long battery life, consuming only 14 µA in deep sleep mode, allowing for 40 to 50 days of backup on a single charge.
    4. It is open-source, with programming support for Arduino IDE, MicroPython, and upcoming ESPHome compatibility.
    5. The Inkplate 13SPECTRA is available for backing on Crowd Supply, starting at $309, with international shipping options.

    This is not the first time that Soldered Electronics has introduced an e-Paper display. As we previously mentioned, they launched the Inkplate 6 in 2019, followed by the Inkplate 10 in 2021, and the Inkplate 2 in late 2022. Now, they have unveiled the Inkplate 13SPECTRA, a sizable 13.3-inch (1600 x 1200) six-color e-paper development board that utilizes E-Ink Spectra technology, tailored for low-power IoT and smart home projects.

    Specifications of the Board

    The board comes equipped with an ESP32-S3-WROOM-2-N32R16V module featuring a dual-core Xtensa LX7 processor, 32 MB of flash memory, and 16 MB of PSRAM. This module also supports both Bluetooth and wifi connectivity. To accommodate image storage, the board has a microSD card slot, and it includes an RTC with a battery holder for accurate timekeeping. For expansion, there are three onboard Qwiic connectors and a 16-pin GPIO header, while the board’s USB Type-C port allows for power, programming, and battery charging, complete with dedicated boot and reset buttons.

    Battery Life and Performance

    When it comes to the battery, the company states that the display can work with a 3.7V, 3,000 mAh Li-ion battery through an onboard JST connector. It consumes only 14 µA in deep sleep mode, providing around 40 to 50 days of backup on a single charge, even with hourly display updates. Each update takes about 20 to 30 seconds to finish, which includes downloading, processing, and refreshing the image on the display.

    The Inkplate 13SPECTRA is completely open-source, with hardware specifications, software resources, and product documentation accessible on Soldered’s documentation page. In terms of software, it can be programmed using the Arduino IDE along with popular libraries like LVGL and Inkplate. Additionally, MicroPython support is available through specific Python modules on the company’s GitHub repository. Soldered also mentions that ESPHome support is in progress and should be ready by the time shipments begin.

    Pricing and Availability

    The Inkplate 13SPECTRA is now up for backing on Crowd Supply. The Base Edition starts at US$309, while the package that includes a 3D-printed enclosure and a 3000 mAh Li-ion battery is available for US$349. International shipping is offered for $12, with orders anticipated to ship by June 30, 2026.

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