Waveshare has launched a new e-paper display module featuring a 7.5-inch 800 x 480 pixels B/W e-paper display. As TechBang reported, the one aspect that makes the display unique is that it lacks a battery of its own. It does not need to be plugged in to a power source either. Rather, it supports NFC technology which provides the juice needed for its operations. The display image is also changed via NFC tech. The e-paper display supports 2 levels of grayscale and has a refresh time of less than 5 seconds.
Information shown via the display can be updated using a dedicated app, and the same gets transmitted to the display using NFC tech. As already stated, the power needed for the display to change is also transmitted via NFC. As is already known, e-paper display does not require any power for holding on to an image. It requires power only when the display changes, that too, only a minuscule amount. Another way the image can be changed is by using the ST25R3911B NFC Board.
Waveshare however stated they are only providing an app that supports Android at the moment. That said, Samsung and Google devices aren’t supported. Additionally, there isn’t an iOS version of the app available as well. Maybe the company will address these shortcomings soon and come up with a better app that is compatible with both Android and iOS. As of now, users will have to change the image or make other edits using the Android app available at the moment.
The Waveshare 7.5-inch e-paper display modules come encased within a protective ABS case. It is ideal for use as device tags, shelf tags, and so o,n where there is no need to change the display frequently. It measures 195.84 x 137.68 x 13 mm in dimensions and can be ordered via AliExpres,s where it is priced NT$2,000.