reTerminal Sticky is a $50 E Ink gadget with flashable firmware that can be a refrigerator sign or a pocket-sized eReade

Seeed Studio’s reTerminal Sticky is a small, versatile device that combines a 3.97 inch E Ink touschreen display with an ESP32 microcontroller and magnets. You can use it as a digital signage device by snapping it to your refrigerator to share notes, weather updates, or reminders with your household. But it’s also a small battery-powered device that you could use a tiny eReader.In other words, it’s yet another entry in the increasingly crowded pocket-sized eReader space. There are a few things setting this model apart though, for better or worse.On the bright side, the reTerminal Sticky is one of the most affordable options to date. It’s available for pre-order for $50 and should begin shipping to customers in mid-September. The built-in magnet also makes it more useful for use as a signage or black-and-white picture frame than other models in this space.And while it ships with firmware that lets you manage the device from a mobile device, you can flash third-party firmware – the Sticky is compatible with the popular CrossPoint Reader firmware that makes the Xteink line of devices far more useful.On the other hand, it has a glossy screen, which means that it might reflect glare if you use it to read eBooks in bright sunlight or under a lamp. That’s not necessarily a dealbreaker for everyone, but if you prefer a matte finish, then you may need a matte screen protector.The Sticky has a 3.97 inch, 800 x 480 pixel black and white display with 235 pixels per inch and support for 4 shades of gray. There is no frontlight, but the screen is visible using ambient light.It has an ESP32-S3R8 microcontroller and uses a microSD card for removable storage. There’s a 750 mAh battery and USB Type-C port for charging.Wireless capabilities including Bluetooth 5.0 and WiFi 4. There’s also a temperature and humidity sensor, 6-axis IMU for motion detection, microphone for voice input, and audio buzzer, and three physical buttons: power, up, and down.The reTerminal Sticky measures 106 x 65.5 x 7.3mm (4.2″ x 2.6″ x 0.3″) and weighs 70 grams (2.5 ounces).It’s a relatively simple device that isn’t going to replace a smartphone or full-function tablet anytime soon, and folks who’ve spent time with pre-release units report that the hardware can feel a little cheap and the software a little quirky. But if you manage your expectations for a $50 gadget, it seems like a pretty nifty device.