We have been singing our praises for the e-ink technology because without it, we wouldn’t be reading our favorite books on an ebook reader like the Amazon Kindle or the Nook, but now as consumers we want more. We want to see our ebooks in color.
If you’re keeping up with the developments in ereader technology, you’d know that companies are trying to develop a way for ereaders to display color. E-ink has done its job, emerging us into this technology. Its major advantages are:
• It is easier on the eyes in comparison to LCDs, and it truly gives the appearance of an actual book.
• It can last for several days or even weeks on one battery charge.
But then again, the technology also has some cons, mostly pertaining to the absence of colored e-ink :
• It’s not possible to read color publications that include photography books, art books and the ever-popular graphic novels.
• Grayscale e-ink can’t render full-color illustrations, photos or other images that add to the reading experience.
• Textbooks are lacking for students because hyperlinks aren’t accessible.
• Colored highlighted text is visually better to detect.
• It doesn’t translate magazines or cookbooks well.
Never fear, however, as we may see color ereaders pretty soon, perhaps even within the year 2010. Companies introduced their prototypes at the CES in Las Vegas in January. Additionally, in Japan and Taiwan, ereader manufacturers have already introduced color screen ebook readers to their markets. Some that are soon to emerge onto the American market are:
1. Qualcomm Mirasol – This color technology mimics the iridescence we see on butterfly wings, pearls or peacock feathers. Mirasol works well on a small screen, but it hasn’t been viewed on larger screens.
2. Kent Display – It is created out of film that uses cholesteric crystals. It is currently used on an ereader from Japan, the Fujitsu FLEPia. The problem with the Kent Display is that the refresh rate is slow, and the display panel is thick.
3. Pixel Qi – The company uses LCD technology that is similar to OLPC laptop displays. There isn’t a prototype available yet, and experts say that this technology is better suited for netbooks.
Until a solid color technology is discovered, it is no wonder why companies like Amazon may be reluctant to abandon the e-ink technology for its popular ebook reader, the Kindle. So while it’s true that color will add an entirely new dimension to ebook reading, we will have to wait and see if manufacturers can come up with a comparable product.
Related Posts:
- Electronic Ink Display for Ebook Readers: Going, Going… Gone?
- QR-LPD (Electronic Paper) Screens: The Future of Ereader Displays?
- What Happened to the Promise of Mirasol Displays?
- Mirasol Display: Ebook Reader Technology Takes Flight
- The Best of Both Worlds: Devices Using Both LCD and E-Ink Display Hit the Market