One thing to sit up for: E-ink know-how has come a great distance over the previous few years. We’re now seeing shows with 60Hz refresh charges and colour e-ink displays, however this newest machine is one thing new: a hybrid handheld console that makes use of an e-ink display. It isn’t going to be a rival for the Swap, but it surely’s nonetheless a novel merchandise that ought to enchantment to followers of retro text-based video games.

The machine, aptly known as the Ink Console, contains a 7.5-inch e-ink display with an 800 x 480 decision. Powered by an ESP32-D0WDQ6 dual-core 32-bit microprocessor and that includes 4MB of flash reminiscence, it is described as a hybrid of a conventional e-reader and a recreation console.

Due to the restrictions of the e-ink tech, the console is designed for interactive tales impressed by previous text-based video games and choose-your-own-adventure books. The crowdfunding web page provides examples similar to the unique Zork and The Hobbit for the ZX Spectrum — a recreation and residential pc this author fondly remembers — because the type of titles the Ink Console may supply.

There are presently various idea Gamebooks being developed for the Ink Console. They promise “thrilling expeditions and deep-sea adventures to immersive sci-fi narratives and fantasy epics in fantastical realms.” Gamebooks may be added through the built-in SD card reader.

As for the way the video games play: customers might be prompted to make selections at key moments within the story, shaping their journey. The OS options a listing system for viewing and managing collected gadgets, and a few video games could have a well being standing system.

There will even be a “You Create” Software program Growth Package for the Ink Console so customers can construct their very own interactive tales for the machine, and with no coding expertise required.

The remainder of the specs embody 8MP of PSRAM within the type of an built-in in-module, which is claimed to be superb for functions requiring larger reminiscence, like graphics or complicated audio processing. There’s additionally 520KB of SRAM, Wi-Fi 4, Bluetooth 4.2, LE, an analog joystick, and a potentiometer for adjusting settings and controls.

The Ink Console additionally comes with a built-in mono speaker, stereo headphone jack, a 5,000mAh lithium-ion battery, and a Micro-USB port for charging.

Developer Dana Puch, the founding father of Ink Console-maker Singular 9, might be launching a Crowd Provide crowdfunding campaign for the machine on March 1. As soon as the marketing campaign ends, there are plans to make the console solely open supply for anybody who desires to make modifications, and STEP recordsdata might be obtainable for case customizations and add-ons – Puch suggests an exterior mini keyboard, which may enable a extra basic text-based-adventure expertise.




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