Author Clock: a novel way to tell time
A dedicated “Author Clock” that displays literary quotes matching the current time is drawing both admiration for its concept and criticism over its execution and $199–$349 price. Commenters debate whether the e‑ink hardware, wood case and curated quote database justify the cost, with some reporting underwhelming build quality and battery life while others see it as a niche, high-end gift. Concerns about the device’s Wi‑Fi connectivity, potential for ads or cloud lock‑in, and the appeal of DIY or Kindle-based alternatives are recurring themes.
Overall Reception
- Many find the concept charming, literary, and aesthetically pleasing; seen as a good gift for avid readers.
- Others consider it more of an “executive toy” or art object than a practical clock.
- Some early backers/owners say it “works as advertised” and like it; others describe significant disappointment.
Price, Value, and Profit Model
- Price ($199–$349) widely viewed as high; several call it “expensive” or “overpriced.”
- Counter‑argument: small e‑ink runs, custom enclosure, low volumes, and software justify the cost; some think it could even sell at much higher luxury prices.
- Separate debate about capitalism and profit maximization; some defend pricing to maximize profit, others criticize the broader system and “cause‑branded” markups (e.g., tree‑planting claims).
Hardware, Build Quality, and UX
- Mixed reports: marketing photos praised; in‑person owners mention plasticky wood, sharp/unfinished knob, bezel gaps, small screen, and poor battery life.
- E‑ink refresh flicker is distracting for some, including one spouse who rejected it outright.
- Battery life claims: marketing suggests over a week to months depending on settings; owners report roughly 2–3 weeks or “runs out quickly.”
- One report of interference with Bluetooth peripherals, possibly due to Wi‑Fi/firmware.
Wi‑Fi, Updates, and Ads Concerns
- Wi‑Fi used for quote/timezone updates and time sync; can be updated manually without Wi‑Fi.
- Some see connectivity as useful; others consider it unnecessary and prefer an offline, SD‑based design.
- Strong anxiety that any internet‑connected display could eventually show ads or be bricked if service shuts down; others criticize this as overly cynical.
- Discussion of dark‑pattern “social proof” popups on the website (recent purchases), generally disliked.
Quotes, Content, and DIY Alternatives
- About 13,000 quotes for ~720 time combinations seen as reasonable by some, too sparse by others.
- Concerns that quotes often feel banal out of context and repeat over time; limited reading window before refresh.
- Curiosity about extracting the quote database; attempts found firmware blobs but not an obvious quote store.
- Multiple references to open “literature clock” projects and public quote datasets; several say they’d rather repurpose a Kindle, Raspberry Pi, or e‑ink dev boards to build their own.