E-Ink Magic Calendar that runs off a battery powered Raspberry Pi (github.com)

Article summary

The article describes a DIY project that creates an E-Ink Magic Calendar using a Raspberry Pi Zero WH, a Waveshare 12.48" tri-color E-Ink display, and a PiSugar2 battery. The calendar automatically syncs with Google Calendar and can run for 3-4 weeks on a single battery charge. The project's code and instructions are available on GitHub. The calendar displays the current week and the next four weeks, with features such as highlighting the current date and recently added events.

Main themes

• E-Ink displays
• DIY projects
• Google Calendar integration
• Raspberry Pi
• Battery life
• Display size and cost
• Niche market applications
• Aesthetics and user experience

What commenters say

• Some commenters think that larger E-Ink displays are needed to make such projects more useful, with sizes like 2ft by 3ft being ideal.
• Others suggest using multiple smaller E-Ink displays, such as old Kindles, to create a larger display.
• The high cost of E-Ink displays is a major barrier to making such projects more widely available.
• Some commenters believe that E-Ink displays have a unique aesthetic that makes them appealing for certain types of projects, such as digital art or information displays.
• There are concerns about the refresh rate and partial refresh capabilities of 3-color E-Ink panels, which can be slower and more difficult to work with than monochrome panels.
• The potential for using E-Ink displays in niche markets, such as high-end planning devices or low-power consumption applications, is being explored.
• Some commenters think that the lo-fi, unobtrusive nature of E-Ink displays is part of their appeal, making them suitable for certain types of applications where a more subtle display is desired.