First readers with SiPix screens announced

[igorsk]

Looks like Jinke is moving from E-Ink to SiPix technology (made by Taiwan's AUO). They announced two new models with Sipix screens with integrated multitouch, WiFi and optional 3G.

Vladimir Levchenko of lBook (LVD) posted some pictures and specs.

A6



Size: 185.2mm (L)*124.6mm (W) *10.9mm (H)
Weight: 260g (with battery)
Screen: 6 inches EPD 600*800 Pixel, 16 Grayscale Sipix Technology
RAM: mobile SDRAM 128 Mb
Flash: 2.0 Gb Nandflash, external: SD Card (support 16 Gb)
CPU: 400 MHz Samsung ARM9
Touch screen: AUO capacitive with Multi-touch
Network: WiFi 802.11a/b/g , 3G (optional)
Gravitation Sensor
I/O: SD slot/3.5mm stereo audio jack/USB2.0 Slave only
Battery: Li-Ion 1600mAh
Accessories:
- USB cable
- Adapter 110\240V
- Protection cover
- User manual

Operating system: Linux OS 2.6
Supported formats:
fb2, ePub, pdf, doc, djvu, rtf, txt, html, ppt, bmp, jpg, png, gif, tif, mp3.
DRM: Adobe DRM
Applications:
- Bookstore (Support Adobe CS4 server)
- Bookshelf
- RSS news
- Search
- Dictionary
- Zoom in/Zoom out
- Reflow pdf/epub
- MP3 playing
- Make notes in books/docs +save
- Flip pages / zoom / rotate with finger(s)
- Make bookmarks in ebooks
- Working system clock
- Switch to landscape manually
- Easy firmware update feature

A9



Size: 262mm (L)*170mm (W) *11.9mm (H)
Weight: 390g (with battery)
Screen: 9 inches EPD 1024*768 Pixel, 16 Grayscale Sipix Technology
RAM: mobile SDRAM 128 Mb
Flash: 4.0 Gb Nandflash, external SD Card (support 16 Gb)
CPU: 400 MHz Samsung ARM9
Touch screen: AUO capacitive with Multi-touch
Network: WiFi 802.11a/b/g , 3G (optional)
Gravitation Sensor
I/O: SD slot/3.5mm stereo audio jack/USB2.0 Slave only
Battery: Li-Ion 1600mAh
Accessories:
- USB cable
- Adapter 110\240V
- Protection cover
- User manual

Operating system: Linux OS 2.6
Supported formats:
fb2, ePub, pdf, doc, djvu, rtf, txt, html, ppt, bmp, jpg, png, gif, tif, mp3.
DRM: Adobe DRM
Applications:
- Bookstore (Support Adobe CS4 server)
- Bookshelf
- RSS news
- Search
- Dictionary
- Zoom in/Zoom out
- Reflow pdf/epub
- MP3 playing
- Make notes in books/docs +save
- Flip pages / zoom / rotate with finger(s)
- Make bookmarks in ebooks
- Working system clock
- Switch to landscape manually
- Easy firmware update feature

There is also a keyboard version of A9:


First shipments expected in march. Preliminary price range:
À6: 265-275 USD
A9: 320-330 USD

[pdurrant]

Originally Posted by igorsk

Looks like Jinke is moving from E-Ink to SiPix technology (made by Taiwan's AUO).

The big advantage of SiPix over current eInk is that SiPix displays don't have a glass substrate and are very robust.

[mtravellerh]

Originally Posted by pdurrant

The big advantage of SiPix over current eInk is that SiPix displays don't have a glass substrate and are very robust.

How so? Plastic substrate or no substrate at all?

[igorsk]

LVD says "no one has plastic and if something appears it will be expensive and with a lot of technical issues".

[Slite]

Oh, lookie! Big iPhones!

Seems like everyone is more or less copying the iPhone look these days.

[Latinandgreek]

I'm loving the price on the A9 unit and the screen size, I'm definitely interested.

[EowynCarter]

Originally Posted by Latinandgreek

I'm loving the price on the A9 unit and the screen size, I'm definitely interested.

Same here
I might get one, if it's sold in france at some point. It's the closest to what i need right now.

[brecklundin]

Originally Posted by Slite

Oh, lookie! Big iPhones!

Seems like everyone is more or less copying the iPhone look these days.

oh, just....just....just, go away and play with yer puppies!!! Everything looks like an ipHonE indeed!! hehehehe....

[Jellby]

Those are bad names. We already have A# names for paper sizes: A3 (297×420mm), A4 (210×297mm)... So A6 and A9 are respectively 105×148mm (7.1" diagonal, not so bad) and 37×52mm (2.5" diagonal, I don't want such a tiny screen!).

[Latinandgreek]

Will this be sold in brick and mortar stores, or will it only be internet orders? I ask because I may be able to pop into the U.S. sometime in March, and I'd like to check it out in person.

[anahid]

Does it say anything about batterylife?? This looks like a great device to me, and certainly a very nice alternative to kindle dx (specially because of the price). Will it be available in europe??

[pdurrant]

Originally Posted by igorsk

LVD says "no one has plastic and if something appears it will be expensive and with a lot of technical issues".

As far as I can see Sipix active matrix displays don't have a glass substrate.

On the Sipix web site, under the "Benefits" link, it says:

Display Modules - Key Benefits

Eye-Catching Readability
High contrast & reflectivity
Wide viewing angle: ~180°
Multiple monochromatic choices: Black, red, green, blue, gold
Ultra-low Power: Bistable, Low switching power
Large Form factor: Custom sizes from 11"-wide e-Paper Roll
Flexible e-Paper: < 2 cm bending radius
Durable: No glass, endures > 1290 PSI
Lightweight: 22.5 mg/cm^2 (film only)

[Edit] Unless they're being very sneaky, and not including the active matrix backplace in those specs.

[KoopaOne]

The Price on the A9 is very promissing. I might get one too!

[brecklundin]

jeeze people...it's Jinke...they have had devices listed for years which never have seen the light of day. I don't believe anything on their site for even on second.

[igorsk]

Originally Posted by pdurrant

As far as I can see Sipix active matrix displays don't have a glass substrate.
[Edit] Unless they're being very sneaky, and not including the active matrix backplace in those specs.

http://www.the-ebook.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=12635

Currenly the production has started for 6 and 9.1 inch screens with glass TFT substrate. Plastic, as with everyone else, has to wait. The [plastic] technology is very undeveloped and expensive.