Wonder Wallet: a smart wallet with e-ink display exists

A South Korean startup has announced that it’s successfully funded full development of an e-ink wallet on Kickstarter.

The Wonder Wallet has an e-ink display, offering a variety of functions as well.

“From customisable exterior to time/location based smart functions, Wonder Wallet utilises every possibility of E-paper display to bring a whole new experience to an everyday product,” the team behind the wallet says in an emailed statement.

The Wonder Wallet probably won’t be the most popular wallet ever, but it seems cool nonetheless

Going into more detail, the team adds that the wallet can store up to ten images for display without a smartphone being connected.

As for the time- and location-based features, the Wonder Wallet seems rather intriguing…

“When connected with a smartphone, Wonder Wallet recognises specific locations and schedule (sic) to display just the right image for its users,” the team explained.

“For example, instead of carrying around all the loyalty membership cards, it can store them digitally. As a user enters his/her favourite coffee shop for daily coffee, Wonder Wallet will recognise the location and display the loyalty membership upon payment.”

The Kickstarter page expands on this a little, mooting examples such as subway maps/arrival times and calendar entries.

Another notable “smart” feature is lost and found functionality, which sees the wallet send push notifications to the smartphone and displaying a help message on the e-ink screen.

If there is one weakness though, it’s that the wallet seems to be very card-focused. There is the ability to add a money clip to the rear compartment, but if you carry more than one or two notes, it doesn’t seem like the best option…

Either way, Kickstarter backers have the opportunity to secure a Wonder Wallet at an early bird price of US$55. The campaign, which is already successful, ends on 1 January 2017.