Sony Shows Off Prototype Flexible Electronic Paper Display

[DonaldL.]

Sony Shows Off Prototype Flexible Electronic Paper Display

Sony had a never before seen prototype of flexible electronic paper display technology at the 2010 Dealer Convention. Usually, E-paper has used glass substrate in the past but this new technology uses plastic substrate. Glass substrate is heavier and more prone to damage than plastic substrate, which is much lighter and can also be bent. Electronic paper with plastic substrate is also very difficult to break even when you drop it, and can even be rolled up like real paper.

[SkyDream]

Looks really cool but wonder when we will see a real consumer product.
At least it's Sony = would take some time.

[JSWolf]

That would be rather awesome if Sony was to use this new plastic screen for large screen readers. Can we say KDXG ad Pocketbook 902 killer? I knew you could.

[wallcraft]

If this is from E Ink (PVI), and I don't recall Sony having their own e-paper development team, then this might be an indication that Sony will introduce a 9.7" Reader "soon".

[simplyparticular]

Aside from the implications for large screen readers, the most interesting thing is that it is a sign that Sony is still invested in R&D for the Reader line.

And that is good news for everyone, since it raises the bar for future devices from all the big players.

The way the technology is pictured makes think of the devices used to enter the virtual world in the TV program Caprica.

[ardeegee]

Want the size. Want the plastic. The plastic and the size go well together-- otherwise, if you happened to drop the reader, you'd think of Mark Twain. (Oaf Huck!)

[brecklundin]

what if every textbook or reference book came on it's own sheet of epaper...you then had a master device that could hold all the "books on a sheet" allowing the user to interact with them at the same time...as in an unlimited, well there would eventually be a limit, number of pages in your "library".

Or at least maybe not embed the book on the page but rather just use the good old binder idea as a way to have multiple books open at the same time w/o any added weight...even at $150-$200/sheet for a 14" page would make the device interesting as a tool.

[Dulin's Books]

Its very interesting that there is only one connection on the side




up until very recently there were connectors on a short and long side. LG was first to do it I think. I doubt Sony made this on their own so I wonder who the source is- PVI?

Id be very excited to hear it came from Plastic Logic.

[astra]

WOW! It looks fantastic!

[Papi]

Wonder if 1 - it's a Pearl-type screen 2 - it's coming out soon 3 - it changes anything in the perceived quality of the screen (contrast, glare, etc) compared to glass substrate.
I almost made my mind for a PRS-650, but if Sony pulls a 9.7" display...

[athlonkmf]

It'd really look more impressive on those kinda shows, when the screen displayed isn't showing broken lines and other artefacts...

[Ben Thornton]

Sony have gone for touch screens across their new range, as a big differentiator, and removed the glare issues through the IR touch screen. I wonder what they'll do with a flexible technology, where (I'm assuming) the IR solution wouldn't work.

[Dulin's Books]

flexible display does not mean flexible device or that the display would not be semi-rigid when i use.

but yes touch is very difficult with a rollable device