E-Ink

Researchers at Queen’s University’s Human Media Lab have developed a prototype smartphone that uses shape-changing capabilities to let the user know of an incoming call, text or email. Built around a thin, flexible electrophoretic display manufactured by Plastic Logic, the MorePhone can curl its entire body to indicate a call, or curl up to three individual corners to indicate a particular message.  Read More

When it comes to eReaders, Amazon's Kindle and Barnes and Noble's Nook tend to get the most attention, but Kobo has put out a fair share of impressive e-book readers as well. The company recently revealed its latest device, the Aura HD, which features a 1440 x 1080 resolution on a 265 dpi screen, making it the highest resolution eReader available.  Read More

Though e-ink watches have been around for a few years now, most, like the Touch Time, tend to follow the same form factor as their LCD-screened cousins, which are themselves based on analog ancestors. The patent-pending CST-01 from Chicago-based Central Standard Timing is a different proposition altogether. Claimed to be the world's thinnest watch at just 0.8 mm thin, yet still managing to squeeze in a rechargeable battery, it makes use of segmented (rather than pixel-based) e-ink technology, has no buttons or knobs and has only one function ... to let its wearer know what time it is.  Read More

Yota, a Russian company best known for its router and modem hardware, has announced plans to produce an Android smartphone with two screens, one a standard 720 x 1280 LCD and the second an E-Ink display providing users with constant access to social network notifications and other important information. The dual-screen YotaPhone would be the company's first mobile phone with both displays on the 4G Android device measuring 4.3 inches (10.9 cm) and featuring Gorilla Glass.  Read More

The popSLATE is an iPhone 5 case with a difference. Unlike your standard "dumb" cases, the popSLATE won't just protect your phone, but also provides a rear-facing 4-inch E-Ink display that's capable of displaying images, slideshows and even app alerts.  Read More

Anyone who has tried to view the display on their tablet or smartphone in direct sunlight (which I’m guessing is pretty much everyone) will know that outdoors isn’t the ideal viewing environment for LCDs. E-Ink displays, such as those found in the Kindle, rely on reflected light rather than backlights, which is why they're better suited to outdoor viewing. Now Japan Display has created a paper-like, low-power, LCD panel that relies on reflected light and can display color video.  Read More

While the Kindle and Nook are busy adding HD displays and more storage, at least one company is focusing on making eReaders as portable as possible. German developer, txtr, recently revealed the Beagle, which it claims is the smallest eReader in the world, with a 5-inch screen and a weight of 128 grams (about 4.5 ounces).  Read More

While Apple dominates the tablet market with its iPad, there are two big names competing for your dollars in the dedicated e-book realm: Amazon's Kindle and Barnes & Noble's Nook. Both have been around for several generations, and have closely followed each others' footsteps. This year both product lines saw a long-anticipated upgrade: backlit displays. This tech allows for easier reading in low-lit conditions, which was long the Achilles heel of e-readers. So how do Amazon's Kindle Paperwhite and Barnes & Noble's Nook Simple Touch with GlowLight stack up?  Read More

Sony says that its new 6-inch touchscreen e-Reader benefits from more paper-like page turns, an E-Ink display that's been optimized for long-term, ad-free reading and a splattering of social features. The Sony Reader PRS-T2 also comes with 2GB of onboard storage (with about 1.3GB available for use after initial setup) and microSD media card expansion and includes the company's public library lending feature allows library card holders to wirelessly borrow free e-books from over 15,000 public libraries in the U.S.  Read More