reTerminal Sticky is a $50 E Ink gadget with flashable firmware that may be a fridge signal or a pocket-sized eReader

Seeed Studio’s reTerminal Sticky is a small, versatile system that mixes a 3.97 inch E Ink touschreen show with an ESP32 microcontroller and magnets. You can use it as a digital signage system by snapping it to your fridge to share notes, climate updates, or reminders along with your family. But it’s additionally a small battery-powered system that you may use a tiny eReader.

In different phrases, it’s one more entry within the more and more crowded pocket-sized eReader house. There are some things setting this mannequin aside although, for higher or worse.

On the intense facet, the reTerminal Sticky is without doubt one of the most inexpensive choices to this point. It’s available for pre-order for $50 and may start transport to clients in mid-September. The built-in magnet additionally makes it extra helpful to be used as a signage or black-and-white image body than different fashions on this house.

And whereas it ships with firmware that allows you to manage the device from a mobile device, you’ll be able to flash third-party firmware – the Sticky is compatible with the popular CrossPoint Reader firmware that makes the Xteink line of units much more helpful.

On the opposite hand, it has a shiny display screen, which implies that it’d mirror glare in the event you use it to learn eBooks in vivid daylight or beneath a lamp. That’s not essentially a dealbreaker for everybody, however in the event you want a matte end, then it’s possible you’ll want a matte display screen protector.

The Sticky has a 3.97 inch, 800 x 480 pixel black and white show with 235 pixels per inch and help for 4 shades of grey. There isn’t any frontlight, however the display screen is seen utilizing ambient mild.

It has an ESP32-S3R8 microcontroller and makes use of a microSD card for detachable storage. There’s a 750 mAh battery and USB Type-C port for charging.

Wireless capabilities together with Bluetooth 5.0 and WiFi 4. There’s additionally a temperature and humidity sensor, 6-axis IMU for movement detection, microphone for voice enter, and audio buzzer, and three bodily buttons: energy, up, and down.

The reTerminal Sticky measures 106 x 65.5 x 7.3mm (4.2″ x 2.6″ x 0.3″) and weighs 70 grams (2.5 ounces).

It’s a comparatively easy system that isn’t going to switch a smartphone or full-function pill anytime quickly, and folk who’ve spent time with pre-release units report that the {hardware} can really feel a little bit low cost and the software program a little bit quirky. But in the event you handle your expectations for a $50 gadget, it looks as if a fairly nifty system.