Quote:
Originally Posted by astra
So, it means that if a Sony/CyBook/Amazon make a move from 6" to 8/10" screens the price will stay the same? Bacause the screen will not be a custom screen and they will use just a modified version of 6" display controller?  |
No.
Currently, Sony/CyBook/Amazon can't switch to either the 8" or 10" screen that iRex is using. The only way iRex is able to do it is that they are the ones that designed the display controllers that work with eInk. Currently, the standard 6" screen size is the only one available to other devices. There are also other differences between the 6" and 8" screens besides the size. 16 shades of grey versus 4, etc. It's not just a matter of modifying the 6" (alpha) controller to drive a larger screen. The 8"/10" (delta) controller has different technology/capability in it. That's probably part of the higher cost as well as the custom screen size being less mass produced by PVI.
I assume with the next generation, 9.7" will be the "standard" size since that's what most of them are talking about using. When most of the manufacturers switch to that, PVI will be producing it in the largest numbers which will help drive the individual cost down. So the cost of the 9.7" display will likely be cheaper than the cost of the 10.2" display. I don't know what controller the 9.7" will use though.