Aura Introduces Innovative E-ink Based Photo Frame
While digital photo frames have long held a place in the gift market, most differ sharply from real photographs due to their bright screens and conspicuous cables. Aura has taken a revolutionary step in this direction by unveiling the new Aura Ink model. Using e-ink technology, this device presents an image that looks like a real photo printed on paper rather than a digital screen. This is reported by Techcrunch.com news reports.
Users are well-acquainted with e-ink technology from e-book readers like Kindle. Its main advantage is that the screen does not tire the eyes and is almost indistinguishable from matte paper in appearance. When Aura's founders established the company ten years ago, they aimed to create exactly such a product, but color e-ink technology has only now reached a sufficient level for commercial use.
Color Theory and Technological Solution
Currently, color electronic ink panel manufacturers are forced to work with a limited number of colors (red, blue, green, yellow, white, and black). This creates difficulties in reflecting complex family portraits or nature landscapes. However, Aura engineers developed a special dithering algorithm. This technology blends the limited color palette in such a way that the human eye perceives them as smooth gradients and rich colors.According to an interview with TechCrunch by the company's CTO Eric Jensen, the device looks so realistic that many guests do not realize it is a digital screen. "People tell us that they hang the frame on the wall and guests ask, 'When did you manage to print this photo?'" says Jensen. To achieve this result, numerous tests were conducted under various lighting conditions.
The Aura Ink frame features a 13.3-inch screen and is managed via a dedicated mobile app. Users can remotely upload photos from their smartphones, iCloud, or Google Photos services. The app also has social features: for example, if family members add a new photo to a shared library, it immediately appears in the frame at home. This can be a very convenient gift, especially for elderly people who are further from technology.
LED vs E-ink: Which is Better?
For comparison, Aura also offers the 12-inch Aspen model, but it has a traditional LED screen. The Aspen model is also considered a premium product with its anti-glare coating and paper-like frame. Nevertheless, the appeal of e-ink technology lies in its completely natural appearance. Below are the main features of these devices:- Maximum resemblance of the image to paper;
- Matte screen that does not damage the eyes;
- Easy management via app and integration with cloud services;
- Minimal electrical energy consumption.
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