AI E Ink case adds a second display to your iPhone

We have just lately seen a bunch of E Ink smartphones launched for eye-friendly productiveness on the go. However what should you do not wish to hand over your handset, but would love an ePaper assistant on faucet? That is the place the Reetle SmartInk I is available in.

First issues first, the identify. The startup explains that the shared model and product moniker represents two facets of its design. The primary declares its use as a studying gadget, whereas the second half “symbolizes the robust shell that protects your telephone” within the type of a beetle. Put them collectively – whereas snipping out a number of letters – and also you get Reetle.

The second factor to notice is that should you’re an Android telephone person, this “E Ink hub” just isn’t for you because it’s presently solely appropriate with newer iPhones (iPhone 14 to 17 collection fashions plus the Air). The idea provides just a little extra utility to your common protecting case, shaping up as a 3.97-inch E Ink touchscreen reader at 235 pixels-per-inch.

So somewhat than utilizing an app to devour ebooks or learn work paperwork on the brilliant and color-rich essential display screen, you are able to do your eyes a favor and swap to the slim show below tempered glass that takes up the decrease part of the magnetically secured Reetle case. Along with AI-powered studying instruments, the hub additionally permits voice-to-text seize – that means that there is potential for transcribing a name when you’re speaking.

Reetle/Kickstarter

The AI also can summarize transcribed notes, type and retailer for straightforward recall, and even translate throughout greater than 100 languages. A primary free package deal gives you 50 minutes of transcription monthly together with a restricted allowance for summaries and AI-generated imagery. However there is a primary enterprise package deal obtainable for US$99.99 each year that extends month-to-month transcription time to 150 minutes, or the next tier the place you get 250 minutes for $149.99 per 12 months.

Widgets, to-do lists, digital enterprise playing cards or journey paperwork, QR codes and extra will be displayed onscreen too. “Seamless syncing” with different gadgets over Wi-Fi or Bluetooth is promised too. It will not leech your iPhone’s battery because it has 300-mAh of its personal to attract from, which is reckoned good for 7 days on standby or 10 hours of studying or the identical for recoding. The devs additionally report compatibility with MagSafe wi-fi charging.

Reetle/Kickstarter

All in, a helpful additional one thing for people who need extra than simply drop safety from an outer case. The Reetle SmartInk I has been prototyped on an iPhone 16 Professional however needs to be appropriate with all fashions from the 14 collection onwards. To get it rolling off the manufacturing line, the Hong Kong startup has launched on Kickstarter – the place pledge ranges presently begin at round US$120, representing a saving of 40% on the anticipated retail worth.

All crowdfunding campaigns carry a component of threat, and this appears to be Reetle’s first product and first Kickstarter so that you may wish to preserve that in thoughts earlier than backing the venture. If all goes to plan, delivery is estimated to begin from February 2026.

Supply: Kickstarter

New Atlas could obtain fee if you buy by way of our hyperlinks