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King Jim Launches Pomera D250US: A Distraction-Free Writing Tool for U.S. Market

In a notable return to the U.S. market, King Jim, a renowned Japanese stationery brand, is introducing the Pomera D250US, a device designed to facilitate focused writing without the common distractions found on modern devices. Initially launched in Japan in 2022, this digital typewriter resembles a compact laptop but limits functionality to writing alone, deliberately excluding features such as email, social media, and web browsing.

The Pomera D250US specifically caters to English-speaking users, featuring a keyboard with a U.S. layout and an integrated English dictionary for convenient spell checking. This product is being offered through a crowdfunding campaign on Indiegogo, which has already exceeded its initial funding goal of $10,000. Early supporters can secure a unit for $374, though the anticipated retail price will rise to around $499 when the device becomes widely available, with shipments expected to begin as early as March 2025. While its price is higher than that of comparable distraction-free tools like the $349 Freewrite Alpha and many Chromebooks, it emphasizes the notion of personal discipline in writing.

The last version of the Pomera available in the U.S. was the DM30, characterized by a six-inch E Ink display and a distinct folding design. In contrast, the new Pomera D250US features a 10.3-inch clamshell design, equipped with a larger seven-inch LCD screen (1024 x 600) that offers enhanced performance without issues like ghosting or slow refresh rates that can affect E Ink displays.

According to King Jim, the Pomera D250US boasts an impressive battery life of up to 20 hours, allowing users to quickly power on and begin typing the moment they open the device. With a scissor-switch keyboard designed for comfortable typing, the device aims to facilitate an engaging writing experience.

While built-in storage is modest at 1.3GB, this capacity is sufficient for a substantial amount of text. For those needing additional storage, the device supports SD cards up to 32GB. Documents can be conveniently transferred to a personal computer via USB-C, or through wireless methods using the Pomera Link mobile app, available for both iOS and Android. In situations lacking a wireless connection, the Pomera D250US offers a unique method for transferring documents by converting text into QR codes, allowing users to scan the codes with their smartphones, albeit through a more tedious process.

As the Pomera D250US makes its debut in the United States, it represents a growing interest in products that enhance concentration and productivity, appealing to writers seeking simplicity in their tools.

Source
www.theverge.com