Apple e-book reader rumor

[ppw]

Apple reportedly plans to launch its second-generation iPad, using 5.6-inch and 7-inch OLED panels, as soon as in the fourth quarter of 2010

The new 5.6- and 7-inch iPads will mainly target the e-book reader market, separating them from the 9.7-inch model, which mainly targets multimedia entertainment, the sources stated.

http://www.digitimes.com/news/a20100713PD207.html

If the rumor turns out to be true, how is OLED screen compared to E-ink in terms of book reading?

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by ppw

http://www.digitimes.com/news/a20100713PD207.html

If the rumor turns out to be true, how is OLED screen compared to E-ink in terms of book reading?

Nothing at all like. An OLED screen is much more like an LCD; the primary difference is that it emits its own light, rather than needing a separate light source, as an LCD does.

[fjtorres]

Originally Posted by ppw

If the rumor turns out to be true, how is OLED screen compared to E-ink in terms of book reading?

OLED panels are active emissive displays, that constantly refresh just like LCDs. Just a bit pricier. You get better color, slightly longer battery life, slightly thinner form factor. In other words, the benefits for ebooks are essentially zero. But it looks cool on the specsheet. A typical Apple choice.

[kjk]

Originally Posted by fjtorres

A typical Apple choice.

You mean a typical Google, Samsung, Nokia, and Microsoft choice

[HarryT]

One advantage the OLED displays do have is that they are sunlight readable. That's important to many people.

[m-reader]

Originally Posted by kjk

You mean a typical Google, Samsung, Nokia, and Microsoft choice

Ah, but he was talking about their choice for an e-reader! None of the companies you listed produce dedicated e-readers.

[kjk]

Originally Posted by m-reader

Ah, but he was talking about their choice for an e-reader! None of the companies you listed produce dedicated e-readers.

Right, that would be Asus

[m-reader]

Originally Posted by kjk

Right, that would be Asus

I stand corrected


PS: I almost chocked reading that article - 122hrs battery life? Right'o!

[kjk]

Originally Posted by m-reader

I stand corrected


PS: I almost chocked reading that article - 122hrs battery life? Right'o!

That would be a pretty long book

[=X=]

Originally Posted by HarryT

One advantage the OLED displays do have is that they are sunlight readable. That's important to many people.

Have you any links? So far everything I've seen is no better than a regular LCD screen. My phone (Storm 1) and the Dell Streak, both LCD screens are visible in direct sunlight, but neither compare to eInk. But all of the AOLED/OLED pictures that I've seen look about the same.

Originally Posted by m-reader

Ah, but he was talking about their choice for an e-reader! None of the companies you listed produce dedicated e-readers.

Apple doesn't make dedicated ereaders either.

=X=

[HarryT]

I'm speaking from personal experience, X. I have a DAB radio with an OLED display, and it's perfectly readable in full sunlight.

[LDBoblo]

The 122-hour thing struck me as an error back when it first leaked out, and it was pretty ridiculous that it was echoed by a bunch of sources without question.

Originally Posted by HarryT

One advantage the OLED displays do have is that they are sunlight readable. That's important to many people.

Huh? Generally speaking, sunlight readability is one of the primary weaknesses of OLED displays. A few crank out enough light to be somewhat usable in the sun, but that's not an ideal situation when you want to be saving power.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by LDBoblo

Huh? Generally speaking, sunlight readability is one of the primary weaknesses of OLED displays. A few crank out enough light to be somewhat usable in the sun, but that's not an ideal situation when you want to be saving power.

Really? As I say, my radio's display, which is unquestionably OLED, is perfectly readable in full daylight. It seems to be a reflective-type display for that purpose, rather than relying on emitted light. I've not seen any other OLED screen, so I'm going off a sample of one, I must confess!

[Shaggy]

Originally Posted by HarryT

It seems to be a reflective-type display for that purpose, rather than relying on emitted light.

That doesn't sound like an OLED display.

[LDBoblo]

Originally Posted by HarryT

Really? As I say, my radio's display, which is unquestionably OLED, is perfectly readable in full daylight. It seems to be a reflective-type display for that purpose, rather than relying on emitted light. I've not seen any other OLED screen, so I'm going off a sample of one, I must confess!

Yes, I have an mp3 player with an OLED screen as well and it is usable in daylight because it is illuminated text on a black background, with a rather intense light output.

OLED is completely emissive. There is no such thing as a reflective OLED. In order to work in the sun, it needs to put out a LOT of light for its area.