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eMinder offers a digital alternative to paper to-do lists

eMinder offers a digital alternative to paper to-do lists
The eMinder is presently on Kickstarter
The eMinder is presently on Kickstarter
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The eMinder is presently on Kickstarter
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The eMinder is presently on Kickstarter

Even in this day and age, many people still keep track of their daily tasks on paper do-to lists. The eMinder is designed to be a less wasteful alternative, and it's claimed to be less distracting than keeping such a list solely on your smartphone.

Created by Italian startup post-think, the eMinder is currently the subject of a Kickstarter campaign. The device itself features a 4-inch black-and-white e-paper display, a recycled-aluminum backplate, and a single-piece handcrafted pine-wood body.

Utilizing an accompanying iOS/Android app, the user starts by making a list of tasks that they have to perform (or appointments that they have to keep) throughout the day. When they subsequently hold their phone up to the eMinder and tap a button on the app, the list is transferred across to the device via NFC – this means the phone has to be NFC-capable, as is the case with all iPhones that have come out since and including the iPhone 7.

Once the list has been transferred, it's continuously displayed on the eMinder's screen. The idea is that the user can then just forget about their phone, even turning it off if they wish, so they won't be distracted by texts, calls, or the internet. Presumably they do have to periodically access the app, to check off tasks that have been performed.

Because e-paper uses no power when displaying still images, the eMinder has no battery, nor does it need to be plugged into a power source. It does require a small amount of power to change its display to a new or updated list, and it gets that power from the phone 's NFC signal.

As a side note, the device can also be used to display things like inspirational quotes.

If everything goes according to plan, a pledge of €89 (about US$87) will get you an eMinder of your own. The planned retail price is €149 ($146).

It's demonstrated in the video below.

eMinder - the paperless sticky note from and for tomorrow

Sources: Kickstarter, post-think

6 comments
6 comments
Brian Aksil
If I have to pull out my phone, type in tasks in an app AND physically go to the device to update the task screen, why not just use a $99 e-reader and type notes on the device itself?
When updating a to do list makes the task take more steps than a post-it or notes app, it's not an efficient use of a to do list.
Spud Murphy
Another piece of soon-to-be e-waste just because people have no self control? It would be cheaper and simpler if they just removed the social media apps on their phones, they would be happier, have more time to do useful stuff, and no distractions...
ArdisLille
Less wasteful...huh. Writing it down on scrap paper and then recycling that works for me.
NewOrder
@ArdisLille there a a lot of studies about that. eInk solutions are more sustainable also if we take recycling in consideration.
NewOrder
@Brian Aksil You just upload the todo list once or twice a day. If yours has more task you should probably work on your list to make it more efficient and focus on the most important tasks. You still can use an ugly plastic waste 99$ e-reader, which needs battery or cables.

The thing is designed to make you more productive. If your todo list needs to be uploaded multiple times a day and has more than 8 different task, you know that your task list is not structured, efficient and condensed enough.
NewOrder
@Spud murphy No problem. Those people can just send the eMinder back. They have a good end of life and recycling program