Inky Frame: Energy efficient E Ink screen powered by Raspberry Pi

We have often reported about e-readers, but also about E Ink based screens, which are aimed at tech hobbyists. The Inky Frame 7.3 is one such screen and can be used, for example, to create a smart screen for the smart home. In principle, the Inky Frame 7.3 is well suited for this purpose thanks to its low power consumption, wireless connectivity and the possibility of connecting additional sensors and actuators.

As the name suggests, the e-paper display of the Inky Frame 7.3 measures 7.3 inches and has a resolution of 800 x 480, which supports colors. The primary advantage of an E Ink screen is its low power consumption, and that it is also easy to read in sunlight. According to Pimoroni, however, a (complete) refresh of the display takes around 40 seconds, making it suitable only for displaying semi-static content that changes every minute. 

A Raspberry Pi Pico 2 W is installed as the computing chip, which further benefits the power consumption and allows for wireless connectivity, so WiFi 4 and Bluetooth 5.2 are supported. The inbuilt USB port is in microUSB format, which unfortunately no longer meets current standards. Power can also be supplied via rechargeable batteries or batteries; if the Inky Frame is ordered with the accessory kit, three AA batteries are already included in the scope of delivery.

The system can be programmed with C, C++ and MicroPython. A microSD card can be installed, and two Qwiic/Stemma plugs are available for the convenient connection of compatible expansion boards or sensors. There are also five tactile buttons on the front.

The Inky Frame 7.3 is available directly from Pimoroni for a price of $93.75. Shipping is available worldwide.