KDDI Shows Prototype E-Paper Device Using "Liquid Powder" Display
Thanks to
jonbaber for
pointing this out to us!
We've heard
bits and snatches about
Bridgestone's "Liquid Powder" technology for a while, but this is the first time it's shown up as any sort of product. Previously, it was
really sluggish, needing ~20 seconds to refresh the display, but this version is boasting an improvement to only ~12 seconds to refresh the whole screen -- they're really cooking now! Of course Liquid Powder
does boast color, which is still an illusive commodity in the current e-paper market.
In an interesting move, the 13.1" (presumably diagonal) prototype device can only be used to display things that are already on your cell-phone display, if your cell has an infra-red link -- that's the only way it has to communicate. At first I couldn't see what they were getting at with that move, but they actually have an explanation that makes a sort of sense ... sorta:
Quote:
In the finance and insurance areas, there has been a strong need for a tool that can display personal information and other data at an appropriate size while ensuring security of the information.
The company developed this system, assuming that it would be used to display an almost full-scale A4 size pamphlet, for example, while ensuring high security using mobile phone functions such as remote lock and remote data deletion.
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Okay, if they're seeing that need, I hope it works out well for them. In any case, it's exciting to see some sort of movement on new e-paper technology. Sure they've still got a ways to go on the refresh front, and the color looks a bit dull in these photos, but it's still good to see that folks other than e-Ink think it's a good enough idea to pursue.
Join the ongoing discussion here.
Source Article here.