Aura’s $499 Cordless E-Ink Frame for Wireless Photo Display

Aura has launched its latest product, the $499 Ink frame, featuring a 13-inch color e-paper display that operates without a power cord. This marks a departure from the company’s usual LCD offerings, incorporating technology similar to that used in the Kindle Colorsoft e-reader. The device employs a six-color ink system to simulate millions of hues, and its cordless design makes it especially suitable for placement in areas where visible wires would detract from the decor, such as living room walls or stairwells.

Founded by former Twitter staff, Aura has long been interested in e-ink but waited until the technology matured enough to handle vibrant smartphone photos. The new frame utilizes Spectra 6 technology, which enhances saturation and contrast using six primary colors: white, black, red, yellow, green, and blue. A front light, inspired by the Kindle Paperwhite, has also been integrated to improve contrast subtly. According to Eric Jensen, Aura’s co-founder and CTO, the lighting is much less intense than an LCD’s, often going unnoticed until it switches off in a dark room.

Aura developed its own proprietary dithering algorithm based on error diffusion, drawing from traditional newspaper printing methods to blend dots and simulate a broader color palette. While the e-ink display enables cordless use, the frame does require periodic recharging. Aura states the battery can last up to three months, minimizing how often it needs to be taken down. To conserve power, motion and ambient light sensors automatically turn off the front light when no one is present. Users can also set custom on/off schedules through the companion mobile app.

The Ink frame features an upgraded design with a graphite-inspired bezel, paper-textured mat, and glass front, giving it the appearance of a high-end traditional photo frame. It measures 13.3 inches with a 1600 x 1200 resolution and a 4:3 aspect ratio. The package includes wall-mounting hardware, a stand, and a charging cable. A USB-C port, status light, and manual controls allow for easy navigation between photos, though the frame can also update automatically overnight to show the latest images in a preselected rotation.

In practical use, the frame produces softer, more muted colors compared to Aura’s LCD models, helping it blend seamlessly alongside printed photographs. From a distance, visitors might not immediately recognize it as an electronic display. One noticeable quirk is the photo-loading process, which causes the screen to flash repeatedly in a yellowish light. Jensen acknowledges this can be jarring but notes that scheduling updates overnight helps avoid the issue. He also points out that frequent photo changes impact battery life, which may lead users to be more selective about how often they refresh the display.

Aura sold over one million frames by 2022, accompanied by an app used by three million people, and secured $26 million in funding. The company has since sold “double-digit millions” of frames, reached profitability, and seen a billion photos shared through its platform. Although its founders have backgrounds at Twitter, Aura now concentrates on private social networks where friends and families share photos via its app and devices. Jensen believes the combination of hardware and private sharing fills a gap in the market, one that ad-based models have struggled to monetize.

While Aura continues to explore software innovations beyond frame management, it remains cautious about building a standalone private photo network. The current business model, selling hardware with no subscription and unlimited photo sharing, has proven effective. The Ink frame is available for purchase directly through Aura’s website.

(Source: TechCrunch)