Tag: Waveshare

  • 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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  • PocketTerm35 Handheld with Touchscreen, Keyboard & Raspberry Pi 5

    PocketTerm35 Handheld with Touchscreen, Keyboard & Raspberry Pi 5

    Key Takeaway

    1. The PocketTerm35 is a handheld device powered by Raspberry Pi 4 or Pi 5, with different RAM and storage options.
    2. It features a 3.5″ touchscreen, multiple ports including USB and Ethernet, and an integrated 5,000mAh battery for portability.
    3. The device includes a six-row keyboard, suitable for typing and gaming, with additional arrow and action buttons.
    4. Design incorporates a bulge for housing the single-board computer, increasing thickness but supporting standard ports.
    5. The PocketTerm35-Pi5 is priced at $149, emphasizing its versatile, portable computing capabilities.

    Introduction to the PocketTerm35 Handheld

    The PocketTerm35 is a new portable device based on Raspberry Pi, designed for those who wants a compact computer for various uses. It comes in two main versions, the PocketTerm35-Pi5 and the PocketTerm35-Pi4, both offering different Raspberry Pi options and features that suit varied needs. The device is designed with portability and functionality in mind, making it perfect for on-the-go use or hobbyist projects.

    Design and Hardware Features

    The PocketTerm35-Pi5 hosts the powerful Raspberry Pi 5 with only 1GB of RAM and ships with a 64GB preinstalled storage card. The design displays a noticeable bulge behind the screen, where the single-board computer is situated, causing the device’s thickness to increase from about 0.8 inches to approximately 1.5 inches. The PocketTerm35-Pi4 on the other hand uses the Raspberry Pi 4 with 2GB RAM, maintaining the overall look reminiscent of standard single-board computer setups with accessible ports.

    Connectivity Options and Battery

    Standard ports including multiple USB ports and Ethernet are available on this device owing to its design. It also packs a substantial 5,000mAh battery, allowing users to operate the device while mobile without relying solely on external power sources. This makes it versatile enough for casual use or fieldwork without worrying about quick power drainage.

    Input Devices and Display

    The device features a six-row keyboard which allows for direct number input, eliminating the need to use secondary functions for numerals. Additionally, it includes arrow keys and buttons for action, making it suitable for certain gaming activities, although the silicone keyboard might not deliver the crisp response typists expect. The PocketTerm35 sports a 3.5-inch touchscreen with a resolution of 640 x 480 pixels, complemented with video output options via HDMI and a headphone jack for audio.

    Pricing and Summary

    According to Waveshare, the PocketTerm35-Pi5 is priced at $149, offering an affordable portable Raspberry Pi experience with powerful hardware and flexible features. Overall, this handheld provides a neat combination of portability, connectivity, and functionality, targeting Raspberry Pi enthusiasts and casual users alike.


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  • Waveshare Launches Affordable Fanless Mini PC Case for Raspberry Pi CM5

    Waveshare Launches Affordable Fanless Mini PC Case for Raspberry Pi CM5

    Key Takeaways

    1. Compact Size: The CM5-DUAL-ETH-BOX-B measures only 101 x 62 x 23.4 mm, making it a small and portable mini PC.

    2. Connectivity: The device lacks wireless networking but supports a wide range of input and output options through the Raspberry Pi CM5 module.

    3. Fanless Design: The unit operates without a fan, suitable for low power consumption, which is typical for similar systems.

    4. Decent Performance: It features a quad-core Cortex A76 CPU, offering performance comparable to older dual-core Intel CPUs for lightweight computing tasks.

    5. Affordable Pricing: The mini PC is available for just under $100, but users must purchase the CM5 module separately.

    Waveshare has launched a new mini PC called the CM5-DUAL-ETH-BOX-B. While the name may not be very exciting, the device features a small case with a carrier board, allowing users to attach their Raspberry Pi CM5 compute module.

    Compact Design

    Measuring only 101 x 62 x 23.4 mm, or approximately 4 x 2.4 x 0.9 inches, the Waveshare CM5 BOX is delightfully small. This isn’t surprising, given how tiny the CM5 module itself is. As with any I/O carrier board, this setup provides a Raspberry Pi CM5 with a wide range of input and output options. You can find the details listed below:

    Connectivity Options

    The device does not include wireless networking support, but this shouldn’t pose much of a problem since many CM5 boards come with integrated wireless capabilities. Additionally, the entire unit has been designed to run without a fan, which is quite typical for systems with low power consumption.

    Thanks to its video output, the CM5-powered BOX can function as a standard mini PC for lightweight computing tasks. The quad-core CPU featuring Cortex A76 cores may not be a powerhouse, yet it can still deliver decent performance for everyday activities. For example, in Geekbench 6, its performance is comparable to older dual-core Intel CPUs from the Skylake and Kaby Lake series.

    Availability and Pricing

    The Waveshare CM5-DUAL-ETH-BOX-B is now available to buy, with a price tag of just under $100. As previously mentioned, buyers will need to provide their own CM5 module.

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  • Waveshare 4.2-Inch Smart Display with WiFi and Bluetooth Features

    Waveshare 4.2-Inch Smart Display with WiFi and Bluetooth Features

    Key Takeaways

    1. The ESP32-S3-RLCD-4.2 features a 4.2-inch reflective LCD screen that utilizes natural light for visibility, making it easy to read in bright sunlight.
    2. It has a resolution of 300 x 400 pixels and can display customizable content like time and weather updates.
    3. The device includes a built-in temperature and humidity sensor and two microphones for interaction with virtual assistants.
    4. Connectivity options include WiFi and Bluetooth via the ESP32-S3 chip, along with GPIO pins for connecting external sensors.
    5. The price for the smart display is €29, with an additional charge of €3 if a rechargeable battery is included.

    The ESP32-S3-RLCD-4.2 is a innovative display that comes with a development board and a reflective LCD screen. This design utilizes natural light for visibility, as opposed to built-in LEDs. The company Waveshare claims that this feature enables the smart display to be easy to read in bright sunlight, much like e-ink displays, but without the slower response times often seen with those types of screens. Power can be drawn from a rechargeable 18650 battery.

    Display Features and Functionality

    The display measures 4.2 inches and has a resolution of 300 x 400 pixels. Users can utilize this device as a smart screen to display the current time, weather updates, or personalized content. The focus is on customization, as users will need to do some work to set up the device properly. It supports both ESP-IDF and the popular Arduino IDE. Additionally, it comes with a built-in temperature and humidity sensor, which can provide useful information for assessing comfort in indoor spaces. There are also two microphones included, allowing interaction with virtual assistants; however, users might consider adding a speaker, which may or may not be included depending on the seller.

    Connectivity Options

    With the built-in ESP32-S3 chip, the device supports wireless connections through WiFi and Bluetooth, meaning that displaying current weather information does not depend on a wired Ethernet setup. Regardless, users can connect external sensors and devices through GPIO pins. On AliExpress, Waveshare’s new smart home display is available for €29, plus shipping costs. If a battery is included, the price rises to €32.

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