Aura cuts price of color E Ink photo frame to $349

Aura has released a smaller and cheaper version of its color E Ink photo frame. The new Aura Ink 10 costs 349 dollars in the United States. This price is 150 dollars lower than the original 13-inch model, which remains at 499 dollars.

The company aims to make the technology more accessible. The lower cost addresses a previous barrier for buyers. Many consumers found the original price hard to justify against Aura’s LCD-based frames. Those LCD options offer screens up to 15 inches for just 299 dollars.

The 10-inch device uses a black frame and a matching mat board. This design choice helps displayed images stand out more effectively than the original model. The display utilizes E Ink’s Spectra 6 technology. This system uses ink droplets in black, white, red, yellow, blue, and green to create color.

Aura worked with E Ink to add three custom base colors for the new model. These include off-white, mustard yellow, and orange. The additions are designed to improve the proprietary dithering algorithm. The goal is to render skin tones more naturally and add detail to textures such as grass.

The new panel features a pixel density of 200 ppi. This is an increase from the 150 ppi found on the 13-inch model. The upgrades result in slightly sharper images, but the difference in color reproduction is subtle. Side-by-side comparisons are needed to see the enhancements. The Spectra 6 technology supports approximately 65,000 colors, compared to millions on LCD displays.

Practical use shows that rich colors like blue skies and green foliage appear vibrant. However, skin tones can sometimes skew too warm or too cold. Specific shades such as bright yellow may appear more subdued than expected. The frame includes a front light that adjusts automatically to room conditions. This allows it to blend into a gallery of physical prints.

Aura estimates the battery requires charging only once every three months. This assumes the displayed photo updates once per night. Users can increase the refresh rate to 12 times daily via the mobile app, which depletes the battery faster. Changing images on the E Ink display takes about 30 seconds. This process involves flickering patterns and is slower than the instant refresh of a standard e-reader.

The frame connects via Wi-Fi and works with a mobile app that offers free unlimited cloud storage. It integrates with Google Photos and Apple Photos. Users can also send images directly via text or email without the app. For holiday shoppers, Aura’s 10-inch LCD models start at 149 dollars. The Aura Ink 10 suits buyers who prefer the look of a physical print over a glowing digital screen.