Aura has revamped the digital photo frame market with its new Ink frame, which uses color e-ink technology to create a display that resembles printed photographs. The frame's e-ink screen is designed to reduce eye strain and can be powered by USB-C. Aura's founders started the company 10 years ago, but they had to wait until now for color e-ink to become feasible in digital frames.
The Ink frame connects to the Aura app, where users can upload photos from their phone, web, email, or cloud storage services. The app has social features that allow multiple family members to share photos with each other's frames. Aura also offers a more classic LED Aspen frame as an alternative, which has its own unique design and premium look.
The Ink frame uses a dithering algorithm to render images in six colors, which is a limitation of the e-ink technology. However, this creates a distinctive aesthetic that some may find appealing. The frame changes photos once per day by default, but users can manually change them via the app. Mounting hardware is also included with the frame.
The Aura Ink frame is priced at $499, while the Aspen frame costs $229. Despite its higher price point, the Ink frame has received positive reviews for its unique design and ability to create a printed-like display in a digital format.
