Imagine a screen that doesn’t demand your attention — one that quietly updates throughout the day with just the info you want. No glowing LEDs. No noise. No distractions. That’s the promise of TRMNL, a flexible, open-source display platform built around E Ink and simplicity.
Originally launched through crowdfunding in 2024, TRMNL is now available to purchase as ready-to-use hardware. But here’s what makes it really interesting: you don’t need to buy anything to use it.
Build or Buy: TRMNL’s Open-Source DNA
At its heart, TRMNL is software — and it’s free. The developers maintain an open-source TRMNL project on GitHub, which means anyone can repurpose an existing E Ink device like a jailbroken Kindle into their own personalized display.
For hands-on makers, this opens up a world of DIY options. There’s even an excellent step-by-step tutorial on Medium showing how to get TRMNL running on older Kindle models. It’s a clever way to breathe new life into tech you already own — and a great weekend project for tinkerers.
What the Official TRMNL Device Offers
If building your own setup sounds like a hassle, TRMNL’s dedicated hardware is ready out of the box. It features:
- A 7.5” black-and-white E Ink screen (800×480 resolution)
- ESP32-based microcontroller with WiFi and Bluetooth
- Rechargeable battery with up to 3 months of runtime (6 months with the upgraded model)
- USB-C charging and a modern, unobtrusive casing
- Optional finishes including black, white, transparent, sage, gray, and wood-grain
Designed specifically for low-power ambient use, the TRMNL device fits well in spaces where a tablet would feel excessive — on a bookshelf, a desk, or mounted like a picture frame.
How It Works: One Job, Done Well
The TRMNL system operates on a simple idea: a connected display that fetches and shows an image at regular intervals. That image is generated server-side, combining any number of plugins you configure — calendars, headlines, quotes, Reddit threads, even photo galleries.
Think of it like a slow, quiet, personalized dashboard — one that updates every few minutes (you control the timing) and sips power in the process.
Some key highlights:
- Use dozens of community-built plugins or create your own (I even made one!)
- Display content in rotating “playlists” or composite mashups
- Host your own backend or use TRMNL’s hosted service
- Total control over how and what gets displayed
Whether you’re tracking appointments, curating poems, or quietly following a news feed, TRMNL adapts to your style.
Self-Hosting & Longevity
Another major draw: you can run your own TRMNL server. This gives you full privacy and independence, with no reliance on third-party services. It also means TRMNL isn’t tied to the lifespan of any one company — a rare thing in today’s connected device ecosystem.
With self-hosting, you can customize update frequency, manage plugins, and ensure long-term support regardless of what happens with the official platform.
A Quietly Powerful Alternative
TRMNL doesn’t try to be a smart display in the conventional sense. It doesn’t talk. It doesn’t push alerts. It’s not interactive. And that’s the point.
It’s ideal for anyone who wants information that blends into their space — always visible, never demanding.
Whether you buy the hardware or build your own, TRMNL is a calm interface for a noisy world.