Smart gadgets have a reputation for adding complexity where none is needed — smart TVs that track viewing habits, fridges cycling through ads, gym equipment that refuses to work offline. Dory Sign sidesteps that entirely. This $149 E Ink display keeps things simple: a small sign you control via a free iOS or Android app, communicating through Bluetooth without forcing you to hand over an email or name.

The app lets multiple people edit the display simultaneously, with sections for header, main text, footer, images, and backgrounds. Real-time preview shows changes instantly. Dory preloads a decent library of images and backgrounds — animals, flowers, marble textures, landscapes — so you can set up a sign quickly without design skills.

Customization extends to six typefaces plus sliders for text size, line height, letter spacing, and color. At $149, Dory avoids the bloat that plagues typical smart hardware. The CEO also claims the signs won't be bricked if Dory shuts down, addressing a real pain point in the smart device market where cloud dependency leaves products useless.