Kindly Morrow
NFC E-Ink Display Badge 1.54" Passive Phone-Powered
Tap your phone, update the display, walk away. No battery, no cable, no charging. This 1.54-inch e-ink badge pulls power directly from your phone's NFC field during the write cycle, then holds the image indefinitely with zero power draw.
The 200x200 pixel black and white display reads clearly in direct sunlight and holds its last image until the next NFC write. Any NFC-enabled Android or iOS device can update it using standard NDEF writing apps or a custom mobile app. Built for places where running power is impractical: lanyards, shelf edges, door signs, tool cabinets.
Things to build with this
- Build a rotating conference badge that writes your current session talk title or table number to the display via NFC tap, swapping attendee context without any app install on the reader side
- Mount one on a shared desk or office door and write availability status (in a meeting, heads down, available) directly from an NFC shortcut on your phone's lock screen using a Shortcuts or Tasker automation
- Label physical storage bins in a workshop or warehouse and let any team member tap to overwrite the bin contents using a simple NFC-enabled web app, no label printer, no rewiring, no power outlet anywhere near the shelf
Key Features
- Passive NFC power: harvests energy from phone's NFC field during updates, no battery or charging ever
- 1.54-inch e-ink panel: 200x200 pixels, black and white, bistable (holds image with zero power)
- Sunlight-readable: high contrast display with no backlight, visible in direct outdoor light
- Compatible with standard NDEF NFC writing apps on Android and iOS
- Supports custom mobile app integration for programmatic image pushes
- Form factor: badge-ready, flat profile suitable for lanyards, desk stands, or adhesive mounting
- No firmware to flash, no pairing, no Wi-Fi setup required
Frequently Asked Questions
What file format does the display accept for images?
The display expects a 200x200 pixel black and white bitmap encoded into the NFC NDEF payload. Most NFC e-ink writing apps handle the conversion automatically, but if you're building a custom app you'll need to encode the image as a 1-bit BMP or raw pixel array depending on the app library you're using.
How close does the phone need to be to update it?
Typical NFC range is 1 to 4 centimeters. You need to hold the phone directly against the badge for the write to complete. The closer and more centered, the more reliable the power harvest and data transfer.
Does the image stay if I remove it from the NFC field before the write finishes?
If the write is interrupted mid-transfer, the display may show a partial or corrupted image. Hold the phone steady until the writing app confirms success before pulling away.
Can I update it from an iPhone?
Yes. iPhones from the XS onward support background NFC tag reading and writing. You can use apps like NFC Tools on iOS to write to the badge without any special configuration.
Why we stock this
Curated by Kindly Morrow. We test and vet every product before it hits the store. If we wouldn't use it in our own builds, we don't sell it.
Things to build with this
Fun projects to try once you get your hands on it.
Split-flap board connected to Claude
Hook up a display to the Claude API and have it show you a new message every morning. Motivational quotes, weather, or passive-aggressive reminders to drink water.
Spotify now-playing display
Show the album art and track name on your desk display. Looks incredible on e-ink. Updates every time the song changes.
Real-time crypto/stock ticker
Pull prices from an API, show them on the display. Flip between assets. Try not to check it every 30 seconds.
Ambient room dashboard
Temperature, humidity, air quality, and time on a bedside e-ink screen. Updates every 5 minutes, uses almost no power. Looks like a museum label.
