Aura has launched a new digital photo frame called the Aura Ink. This frame features a unique color E Ink display, designed to showcase family photos in a way that feels fresh and vibrant.
The Aura Ink uses a 13.3-inch Spectra 6 panel and can last months on a single charge. It’s great for anyone who dislikes tangled cords. However, this cool gadget comes with a hefty price tag of $499, significantly higher than other models in Aura’s range.
Eric Jensen, co-founder and CTO of Aura, has aimed to create a cord-free display for nearly a decade. Until recently, technology didn’t allow for an effective cordless option. Traditional LCD screens use too much power. Jensen made it clear, “A backlit LCD just can’t hang on your wall for long,” when he spoke with The Verge.
One notable aspect of E Ink technology is its impressive battery life. Still, until now, it struggled to display images realistically. Jensen argues that the latest E Ink tech can finally bring home photos to life adequately.
The Ink frame can technically display six colors—white, black, red, yellow, green, and blue. Instead of a backlight, it uses a subtle front light that enhances the colors slightly. Users have mentioned that the images seem a bit muted without this light. There’s even a built-in motion sensor to turn off this light when no one is around.
While Jensen believes that the E Ink display is specially tailored for cameras, it’s essential to choose the right type of photos. Bright images with good contrast look fantastic, while soft, lower-contrast photos may appear washed out.
The frame also allows users to set how often it refreshes images, with options for daily or multiple updates throughout the day. After four days of use, I still had around 92% battery, proving that the battery life claims are reliable. Plus, a long USB-C cable is included, making recharging on the wall easy.
Interacting with the frame is done through a user-friendly app. You can upload photos and even comment on others’ images. Aura offers unlimited free cloud storage with its frames, ensuring you won’t lose cherished memories.
User feedback has been overall positive, especially among those looking to declutter their digital photo collections without losing the charm of physical prints. The sentiment is clear: while Aura frames dominate the digital photo frame market, the Ink may not be for everyone due to its substantial price and some limitations in photo display.
As technology advances, it’s likely that future versions of the Aura Ink will improve even further. If you’re a grandparent who loves to show off pictures of the grandkids, the classic Aura LCD frames might still be your best bet. But if you prefer a subtle, stylish display, the Ink frame could be the right fit—assuming you’re okay with being an early adopter.
For those reluctant to spend $500, consider printing photos the traditional way. It’s still an excellent way to share your memories without the tech fuss.
For more tips on digital photo display, check this report from The Verge.
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