What is it?

Hardware

The ThingPulse 4.2" ESPaper module is a battery driven device that displays information on an energy efficient e-paper/e-ink display. Unlike conventional backlit flat panel displays that emit light, electronic paper displays reflect light like paper. This may make them more comfortable to read. Also, they provide a wider viewing angle than most light-emitting displays.

E-paper displays hold static text and images indefinitely without electricity. That means that the screen content does not vanish when the device is asleep. This energy efficiency allows for the device to run cordless from battery (included). Depending on the update interval the 4.2" ESPaper device runs for more than 3 months on a single battery charge.

Software

The pre-installed ThingPulse ESPaper Client pulls display content from a free cloud-based web application. It allows you to define screen content without programming in a browser based editor. Thanks to the power of a web application integrating external content is a breeze. The screen is prepared on the server. Hence, you escape the resource constraints of an IoT device.

Smart widgets help you design your own calendar screen (Google, iCloud, etc.). Or use the weather application and its widgets to create a custom weather display. Or capture a section of your favorite website and display it on your ESPaper device.

No more programming. No more uploading code via USB to the device. No more Arduino IDE frustration.

Instant relief!

If all else fails, the device firmware is open for modifications and comes with a well documented library and example code.

Why did you make it?

After the huge success with the 2.9" version we wanted to offer a device with a higher resolution and more screen real estate. A bigger enclosure does also allow for a bigger battery. This allows the device to run for more than 3 months from one battery charge, depending on your update intervals.

What makes it special?

The combination of energy efficient hardware with a powerful web based application to design the dynamic screen content is a unique solution in the market for a very competitive price.