Peekpal is a colour e-paper faceplate for the Steam Machine
Peekpal is a colour e-paper Steam Machine faceplate heading towards Kickstarter, with a planned $79 early-bird price and $149 retail target.
Peekpal is a colour e-paper faceplate being developed for Valve’s Steam Machine, with the maker preparing the device for a Kickstarter campaign rather than selling it today.12
What Peekpal is
The faceplate uses E Ink Spectra 6 to display photos, artwork, gaming news and other still images. Its maker says the prototype can also work as a standalone display on a desk, wall or fridge, with a companion app planned for changing content and schedules.2
The official product site lists a 960 × 680 display, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth LE, USB-C charging and a target of months between charges. Those are prototype specifications and design goals, so the final production hardware may change.2
Kickstarter plans
Peekpal’s developer told GamingOnLinux that the hardware is nearly finalised and a factory has been lined up. The current plan is a $79 Kickstarter early-bird price and around $149 at retail, although the campaign, delivery dates and final availability have not been announced.1
The project is also aiming to build a library of dynamic frames, including public-domain artwork and gaming-focused information. Its site says officially licensed game art is a longer-term ambition, not a confirmed launch feature.2
Our opinion
A custom Steam Machine faceplate is a far more interesting pitch than another glowing screen: the e-paper display gives it a genuine reason to exist as a quiet piece of gaming kit. The important caveat is that Peekpal is still a prototype heading towards crowdfunding, so the prices and feature list should be treated as targets rather than a buying decision.
For now, it is best understood as a promising hardware project to watch, not a Steam Machine accessory you can order today.