Andrew Liszewski | The Verge

These reusable digital Polaroids are a clever way to cover a fridge in memories

2026-05-01T14:35:25-04:00

You can update this photo as often as you want.

I love when my friends have their fridges covered in Polaroids. It’s often a visual crash course of what’s been going on in their lives chronicling recent adventures, get-togethers, and other fun moments. But I don’t love the idea of schlepping around a clunky instant camera or paying a premium for instant film with hit-or-miss results. That’s why I’m infatuated with these magnetic digital Polaroids from a small company called VidaBay. They look like instant photos, but use NFC tech and color E Ink screens so you can change the image as often as you want without ever having to charge a battery.

At roughly 4mm thick and 2.5 inches in size, the VidaBay NFC E-Paper Fridge Magnet — also known as the Snap — reminds me of Xteink’s tiny X3 e-reader, but it doesn’t have any buttons, ports, or connectors. The Snap is more like a very tiny version of the Aura Ink digital photo frame you can stick to your fridge.

VidaBay NFC E-Paper Fridge Magnet

Where to Buy:

The Snap uses the same kind of NFC chip that lets your smartphone double as your credit or debit card. Using an accompanying mobile app images are wirelessly transferred by aligning your smartphone’s NFC antenna to the one located inside the lower left corner of the Snap.

Changing the photo the Snap displays takes about 25 to 30 seconds. While the actual image transfer is a 10-second process, the rest of the time is used to refresh the Snap’s E Ink screen. Unlike devices such as the Kindle Colorsoft that use a black and white e-paper screen overlaid with a color filter so screen refreshes happen almost instantly, the Snap uses e-paper with multiple color pigments that take much longer to refresh. The results look better, but you’ll have to wait a little longer for them.

The Snap comes with a removable screen protector that includes a printed alignment guide for the iPhone. If you’re using an Android phone, you’ll need to determine where your device’s NFC antenna is located." data-portal-copyright="" />

The process of updating the Snap with a new image using NFC is easy once you master it, but it can take a few attempts to get there. Out of the box the device comes with a plastic screen protector that’s printed with a guide so you know exactly how to position your smartphone to ensure the NFC antennas line up. But the guide only works for the iPhone. Android is also supported, but its up to you to figure out exactly where your device’s NFC chip is located which can take some trial and error. The Snap and your smartphone also need to be held very close for the NFC pairing to work – closer than a case allows. The process doesn’t work with my iPhone 16 Pro inside a leather Nomad case, and even the thin silicone case protecting my OnePlus 12 was too thick for the NFC transfers to succeed.

The Snap and your smartphone need to be held very close for the NFC transfers and power delivery to work. You’ll probably also need to remove your phone’s protective case for it to succeed." data-portal-copyright="" />

One of the many advantages of E Ink’s display tech is that, similar to an Etch A Sketch or Magna Doodle toy, once an image is formed it remains on screen without any additional power. That’s why e-readers have such excellent battery life. The Snap comes with a 2.5-inch E Ink screen, and while it uses color technology similar to what you’ll find in large, vibrant, and expensive E Ink posters, it’s actually a repurposed Spectra 3100 screen that E Ink specifically developed for retail use as an electronic shelf label.

E Ink’s Spectra 3100 screen is only capable of displaying black, red, yellow, and white, limiting the accuracy of its color reproduction." data-portal-copyright="" />

They’re cheaper, but the Snap’s color screen is also limited to only displaying black, white, red, and yellow, which limits its ability to accurately reproduce colors. It’s a big tradeoff, but not necessarily a dealbreaker. The VidaBay mobile app lets you crop, zoom, rotate, add filters, and make basic brightness, contrast, and color saturation adjustments to images selected from your phone’s camera roll. Because the transfer process can take upwards of 30 seconds, the app also generates a preview of what the image will look like on the Snap’s four-color screen.

Images are transferred to the Snap using VidaBay’s mobile app that includes tools for adjusting photos and previewing how they will look on the frame’s E Ink screen." data-portal-copyright="" /> The previews generated by the VidaBay app don’t perfectly match the final results on the Snap’s E Ink screen, but they provide a good estimate of how certain colors, like blues and greens, will be adapted." data-portal-copyright="" />

After using the Snap for a couple of weeks I have a better idea of what images will look good on its E Ink screen, and which won’t. Brighter photos with lots of contrast work well, as do photos with color palettes leaning toward reds and yellows. Blue and green areas in an image end up completely desaturated instead of disappearing, but the results aren’t entirely unpleasant. The limitations of the Spectra 3100 screen actually result in color images reminiscent of the lo-fi aesthetic of classic Polaroid photos.

The Snap has no screen lighting so it looks best in a place with lots of ambient light. The device also features a non-removable plastic cover over the E Ink panel, which protects it but also produces a lot of glare and reflections. Removing that for future versions would definitely improve viewing angles and image quality.

The limited color reproduction capabilities of the Snap’s E Ink screen results in a unique lo-fi aesthetic reminiscent of retro Polaroids." data-portal-copyright="" />

At $35.99 each (currently discounted to $29.99), the VidaBay Snap comes close to impulse purchase territory. When I first covered them earlier this year I was skeptical of how effective repurposing the screens many grocery stores now use to display prices could be for displaying photos and memories. But the price, and the fact that the Snap never needs to be charged, more than makes up for its color fidelity limitations. Instant photos might still be cheaper per shot, but the Snap is a good alternative if you don’t have an endless budget for film. Either way, your fridge is a blank palette just waiting to be decorated with memories.

Photography by Andrew Liszewski / The Verge

Some of Xteink’s credit card-sized e-readers are losing their best feature

2026-05-01T10:24:54-04:00

The X3 is Xteink’s smallest e-reader. | Photo: Andrew Liszewski / The Verge

The Xteink X4 and X3 are excellent alternatives to Kindles and Kobos if you want an e-reader that’s as easy to slip into your pocket – just not out of the box. Both devices come with stock firmware that’s clunky, limited, and occasionally confusing, but that can be easily fixed by plugging them into a PC to install alternative software called CrossPoint Reader which delivers a more polished user interface and improved functionality. But now buyers report Xteink is blocking the upgrade, which might depend on where you live and where you purchase its devices.

The issue was first reported by a Reddit user earlier this week when they discovered the second Xteink X4 they had purchased from Taobao (a Chinese online retailer owned by Alibaba) wasn’t recognized as a USB device by their computer. After confirming their USB-C cable still worked with their original X4, the Reddit user contacted Taobao’s customer service. Instead of being offered a replacement, they received a statement they shared to Reddit explaining that recently shipped devices from Xteink now come with firmware flashing disabled.

The support statement claims some users experienced crashes and other issues after installing third-party firmware, even after reverting to the stock firmware:

Previously, we noticed that some users who tried using third-party firmware encountered problems such as poor optimization, frequent crashes, and even screen damage. Some users who later reverted to the official firmware experienced issues like being unable to access reading records, Wi-Fi records not opening, and the book transfer page failing to launch, and subsequently applied for official repairs.

We are very concerned that this may affect your user experience and device safety. At the same time, flashing firmware on your own will void the official warranty, making future repairs more troublesome. Therefore, for recently shipped new devices, we have cautiously added restrictions to the flashing function.

It also says Xteink plans future updates with major improvements, including anti-aliased text, implying third-party firmware may not be needed.

CrossPoint Reader adds improved fonts and a better user interface to the X4. | Photo: Andrew Liszewski / The Verge" data-portal-copyright="Photo: Andrew Liszewski / The Verge" />

In a follow-up statement shared to Reddit through Xteink’s account, the company doesn’t deny it’s putting firmware flashing restrictions on some of its e-readers, and mentions hardware safety concerns as the reason. “To clarify: the information being discussed comes from internal risk assessments focused on safety and after-sales considerations for a specific market and usage context. Xteink develops and optimizes products across different regions based on local user needs, usage habits, and regulatory requirements.”

However, in another statement emailed to The Verge and shared to Reddit, Xteink further clarified that “for all X3 and X4 Overseas Versions purchased through our official website, whether on sale, in transit, or already in customers’ hands, we do not restrict the use of third-party firmware. We are not making any changes that would affect how these devices are currently being used.”

The Verge has asked Xteink to clarify exactly what retailers are selling the restricted versions of the X3 and X4 and where they’re being shipped, and we’ll update this story when they respond. Other Reddit users have discovered the restricted versions can be identified by a new sticker applied to the back of the packaging with a barcode and serial number.

All of Xteink’s e-readers still come with the devices’ standard features. This update to certain devices only affects users wanting to install third-party firmware that delivers a more polished experience that feels closer to what’s included on Kindle and Kobo e-readers. CrossPoint Reader is definitely one of the reasons Xteink’s products have become viral hits and helped the X4 crack Amazon’s top ten best-selling e-readers list, beating out Amazon’s own hardware like the Scribe Colorsoft.

Anbernic’s new rotating screen handheld will start at less than $100

2026-04-30T12:41:06-04:00

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The black version of the RG Rotate features a plastic shell while the silver version has an all-metal design. | Screenshot: YouTube

Following its sliding screen handheld that debuted last June with a design that some reviewers found to be too chunky and thick, Anbernic has shared more details about its new rotating screen handheld that looks more pocketable. The RG Rotate (Anbernic has never been known for its clever device naming) will be available for preorder starting on May 11th through the company’s online store starting at $87.99 for the polar black version featuring a metal front and plastic shell, according to Retro Dodo. A more premium version with an all-metal body and silver finish will be $107.99.

A new unboxing video shared on the company’s YouTube channel reveals the RG Rotate will feature a 3.5-inch square LCD touchscreen display with a 720×720 resolution. While Game Boy and GBC games should mostly fill the screen, games from TV-connected consoles, or other handhelds like the GBA, will have to be displayed with borders or bars.

The RG Rotate will run Android 12 and be powered by a Unisoc Tiger T618 Octa-core CPU paired with 3GB of RAM, which should be capable of emulating most 3D games from the N64 and PS1 eras, as well as some less demanding GameCube titles. With the screen closed, the handheld can still be used with Anbernic, suggesting it can double as an MP3 player thanks to Bluetooth connectivity and support for wireless headphones like Apple’s AirPods. Battery life is estimated to be up to five hours, and Anbernic includes an extra swappable set of inner shoulder buttons with a raised design so they’re easier to distinguish by touch.

The Commodore 64 and ZX Spectrum have been turned into retrofuturistic handhelds

2026-04-30T11:16:50-04:00

Blaze Entertainment, the company behind the cartridge-based Evercade consoles, has announced two new handhelds that reimagine iconic ’80s personal computers as portable gaming machines. The Spectrum Handheld and The C64 Handheld eschew the productivity aspects of the Commodore 64 and ZX Spectrum to focus on gaming, with each portable coming with its own collection of 25 retro titles that can be expanded using a microSD card. If you’re craving a desktop gaming experience, they can both be connected to a keyboard and joystick over USB.

Shipping isn’t expected to start until October 2026 at the earliest, but you can preorder the The C64 and The Spectrum through Funstock starting at $129.99 each. That’s a bit on the expensive side given even Anbernic’s cheapest device, the $48 RG28XX, can easily emulate these games, but the real appeal here are the designs of both handhelds featuring colors and cases inspired by their original ’80s-era counterparts.

Both handhelds include a 4.3-inch screen with a generous 800×480 resolution, remappable D-pads, action buttons, and additional function buttons, stereo speakers, a headphone jack, and a three-hour battery that can be recharged over USB-C. Bundled games from the Commodore 64 include titles like Boulder Dash, Aztec Challenge, and Nebulus, while from the ZX Spectrum you get Manic Miner, Switchblade, and Starquake, among others.

The C64 Handheld

Where to Buy:

$129.99 at Funstock

The resurrected Commodore 64 is getting a facelift like the original

2026-04-28T14:10:39-04:00

The C64C Ultimate features an HDMI port so it’s easy to connect to modern screens. | Image: Commodore

The creators of the C64 Ultimate, a recreation of the iconic ‘80s personal computer that uses an FPGA chip to accurately replicate the original, have announced a follow-up version that continues in its predecessor’s footsteps. The original Commodore 64 first debuted in 1982 and was followed by the Commodore 64C in 1986, which was functionally nearly identical but introduced a slimmer case and a more modern color scheme. It’s the same story for the new Commodore 64C Ultimate. It gives the C64 Ultimate a welcome facelift, but there’s no new functionality.

To make the C64C an authentic recreation of the original – at least on the outside – the reborn Commodore reacquired the exact same injection tooling molds that were used to manufacture the original’s plastic housing 40 years ago. The new C64C Ultimate even features faint semi-circular marks on its housing resulting from melted plastic cooling unevenly inside the molds; a sign of authenticity that would be overly-complicated to fake.

The C64 Ultimate (top) is the more recognizable version of the iconic ‘80s PC, but the C64C Ultimate (bottom) looks a little more refined. | Image: Commodore" data-portal-copyright="Image: Commodore" />

As with the C64 Ultimate, the new C64C Ultimate features upgrades like Wi-Fi, USB, and an HDMI port for connecting it to modern displays. But it also carries forward the same ports from the 1986 version of the computer and is compatible with its ‘80s-era peripherals like floppy disk and cassette drives. It’s available for preorder now starting at $299.99 with shipping expected as early as September, while more premium versions that add upgrades like LED lighting, translucent case, and gold keycaps go up to $499.99.

Amazon’s color screen Kindles are finally getting a system-wide dark mode

2026-04-28T12:32:12-04:00

Dark mode will soon be available for all parts of the Kindle Colorsoft’s UI. | Image: Amazon

Most modern Kindle devices with a black and white E Ink screen offer an alternate inverted dark mode with white text against a black background across their entire user interface. Today Amazon has announced the same feature is coming to the Kindle Colorsoft and Kindle Scribe Colorsoft that instead feature color E Ink screens, which could previously only invert the pages of ebooks. The software update introducing the system-wide dark mode to Colorsoft devices “will be rolling out to readers worldwide” in the coming weeks, and available for download through Amazon’s website.

While dark mode will be available system-wide for every section of the Colorsoft and Scribe Colorsoft’s UI, you’ll be able to specify which sections use it. For instance, you can have dark mode turned on for the homescreen, your ebook library, and reading, while keeping the Scribe’s written notebooks in normal light mode.

The Scribe Colorsoft’s new system-wide dark mode is being joined by new shape drawing tools for notebooks. | Image: Amazon" data-portal-copyright="Image: Amazon" />

In addition to the dark mode, the Scribe Colorsoft’s notebooks are getting Smart Shapes allowing you to add predefined shapes to your handwritten notes and sketches from the toolbar including lines, arrows, circles, triangles, and rectangles. If you prefer to draw them freehand, a new hold-to-snap feature will optionally convert them into precise lines, circles, triangles, or rectangles, keeping your notes looking neat.

DJI’s new Mic Mini 2 adds colorful covers to help them blend in

2026-04-29T11:40:59-04:00

There are currently 12 different colorful covers for the Mic Mini 2 but they’re sold separately. | Image: DJI

Following the launch of the Osmo Pocket 4 earlier this month, DJI has announced a new version of its smallest wireless microphone system. The DJI Mic Mini 2 doesn’t bring a lot of upgrades over the original that debuted in November 2024, but it does introduce a new swappable magnetic cover system so you can customize the look of the microphones to make them stand out or blend in with an outfit.

As with the Osmo Pocket 4 and recent Lito drones, DJI has no plans to release the Mic Mini 2 in the US, but it’s now available in most other markets. Pricing starts at €59 (around $69) for a bundle that includes a single mic transmitter, a compact USB-C wireless receiver, and a smaller charging case. There are several additional bundles available, including a €99 (around $116) option with two mic transmitters, a larger version of the wireless receiver that can be used with cameras, and a charging case large enough to accommodate them all. Obsidian black and glaze white magnetic covers are included, while 12 more colorful alternatives are sold separately.

The Mic Mini 2 is available as part of several bundles that can include multiple transmitters and one of two different versions of DJI’s wireless receiver. | Image: DJI" data-portal-copyright="Image: DJI" />

The Mic Mini 2 transmitters are slightly larger and a gram heavier than the originals as a result of the redesign that accommodates the covers. But they’re much smaller than the Insta360 Mic Pro’s transmitters that will feature a customizable color E Ink screen. Battery life remains the same at 11.5 hours for the Mic Mini 2 with ANC turned off and 10.5 hours for the receiver, while the wireless transmission distance still maxes out at just over 1,312 feet. There’s still no redundant on-mic recording, but DJI teased a Mic Mini 2S version with that feature as part of today’s announcement that it claims will be announced this summer.

Microsoft Office can now be controlled with Logitech’s MX Creative Console

2026-04-27T13:57:56-04:00

Logitech’s Creative Console and other MX accessories are now compatible with several productivity apps. | Image: Logitech

Logitech has announced a new suite of Productivity Plugins for its entire MX line of accessories, including its Stream Deck alternative, the MX Creative Console. Since the console launched in September 2024, Logitech has been expanding its capabilities with plug-ins that support creativity-focused apps such as Final Cut Pro, Adobe Lightroom, and Figma. That is now expanding to include productivity apps, such as Microsoft Office’s Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, as well as Slack and Notion.

Shortcuts, actions, and specific tools in those apps can be quickly accessed using Logitech’s Actions Ring menus, which are supported by accessories like the MX Master 4 mouse and the MX Mechanical Mini keyboard. The Action Rings are available through the Logi Options Plus app, which is also used to customize and personalize the functionality of various Logitech accessories.

You can create custom buttons to control many features of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Slack, and Notion through the MX Creative Console. | Image: Logitech" data-portal-copyright="Image: Logitech" />

With the MX Creative Console, you can create dedicated buttons for common functions across the newly supported apps, such as replacing text in Word, inserting cells in Excel, switching Slack workspaces, or formatting to-do lists in Notion. The new Productivity Plugins are now available for free through the Logi Marketplace.

Alongside the new plug-ins, Logitech also announced improvements to its Easy Switch feature, allowing accessories such as mice and keyboards to connect to and switch between multiple computers. Instead of having to press the Easy Switch button on every device you want to switch, the Logi Options Plus app can be configured so that pressing the button on the MX Keys S or MX Keys Mini keyboards automatically switches an MX mouse and the MX Creative Dialpad, too. One press of the button can move up to three devices. Logitech says a firmware update will be needed for the accessories you want to use with this feature, and it plans to expand support to additional keyboards in the MX line in the future.

Govee’s multicolor ceiling light doubles as a low-res screen

2026-04-27T08:18:29-04:00

The smart lighting company is having a busy month. After releasing its first solar-powered lights, a cordless table lamp, and an updated LED light wall over the past few weeks, Govee has announced a new multicolor ceiling light. Available starting today through the company’s online store and Amazon for $249.99, the Govee Ceiling Light Ultra is larger than previous versions and for the first time uses its array of color-changing LEDs to display images.

At 21-inches in diameter, the new Ultra version of Govee’s ceiling lights will potentially be better at illuminating larger rooms up to 30 square meters. While the cheaper 12– and 15-inch versions output 2,400 and 4,300 lumens of brightness, respectively, the 21-inch Ultra option ups that to 5,000 lumens while carrying forward a broad spectrum of color temperature adjustments from 2,700 to 6,500K.

Govee Ceiling Light Ultra

Where to Buy:

As with the previous versions, the Ceiling Light Ultra has a backlight made up of a ring of color-changing LEDs that projects light onto a ceiling or wall, depending on where it’s installed. What sets the new Ultra version apart is a denser outward-facing array of 616 independently controlled LEDs. They can be used to display layered colors and abstract designs as part of 100 preset lighting effects available through Govee’s mobile app including dynamic reactions to music. The LED array also functions as a low resolution screen capable of displaying custom images that look less pixelated as they’re softened by the light’s diffuser.

The Ceiling Light Ultra is compatible with Matter, Amazon Alexa, Google Home, and Samsung SmartThings so it can be automated and integrated with existing smart home routines. It also features Govee’s new DaySync system that can automatically adjust the brightness, colors, and color temperature of the light throughout the day so it compliments circadian rhythms and mirrors your local conditions including sunrise and sunset timing.

The light uses an array of 616 color-changing LEDs that can be individually controlled. | Image: Govee" data-portal-copyright="Image: Govee" />

BMW is one step closer to selling you a color-changing car

2026-04-24T13:31:44-04:00

It’s not quite the color-changing car that’s been teased, but BMW’s new BMW iX3 Flow Edition brings us closer. | Image: BMW

At CES 2022, BMW debuted its BMW iX Flow concept car that could dynamically change its appearance using the same grayscale E Ink panels found in e-readers like the Kindle. It was followed by the BMW i Vision Dee concept and the BMW i5 Flow Nostokana that were both upgraded with color E Ink panels. Its latest concept, the BMW iX3 Flow Edition announced at the 2026 Beijing Auto Show, might look slightly less ambitious but it takes a new approach, pushing color-changing cars closer to actual production.

BMW’s previous concepts wrapped the entire vehicle in a patchwork of E Ink panels that were all custom-sized and shaped to match its contours. It was an approach that wasn’t practical for mass production, and one that wasn’t very durable. The new BMW iX3 Flow Edition is potentially the most exciting of all of BMW’s concepts as it embeds the E Ink Prism technology directly into the structure of the vehicle’s hood panel, instead of just slapping it on top. The new approach has “undergone BMW’s stringent quality testing” so that it meets the “requirements of automotive engineering and everyday use,” according to a release from E Ink.

The BMW iX3 Flow Edition’s hood has an embedded E Ink panel that’s more durable and easier to manufacture than a custom vehicle wrap. | Image: BMW" data-portal-copyright="Image: BMW" />

The BMW iX3 Flow Edition’s color-changing capabilities are limited to its hood with eight different animations (which appear restricted to a grayscale palette) that can be changed by the driver at the push of a button. It’s not exactly the color-changing car that BMW has been teasing for years and you still can’t buy one, but by focusing on making this technology more practical and functional these vehicles are one step closer to moving past the concept phase.