What are the state-of-the-art-technologies for eReaders out there?

[TechScout_SF]

Hello Folks,

I am currently trying to compile all current state-of-the-art technologies for eReaders... I wonder what are the recent or upcoming solutions for key technology components of the flexible display, PCB, etc.?

Or, to put it that way, what high-tech components would your private eReader consist of, if you had all resources?


Aiko

[Ervserver]

Color screen, more durable/damage resistant

[astra]

I never used eReader before, cannot comment on it.
I prefer eInk ebook readers.
I would like 9.7" reader

[Dylrob]

Another area where the technology is seeing improvement is in the controllers used to drive the eInk displays. See this recent news post as an example.

What would MY private eReader consist of if I had all resources? I'm going to say a large flexible eInk display, with at least 16 shades of gray, and a reasonably high DPI.

[Alisa]

You may want to do a board search on "InfoPad".

My ideal reader:

E-ink or any other technology that was easy on the eyes, readable in daylight, and could last all day without a recharge.

A5-sized but would fold in half so it would still be roughly the size and weight of a thin book and easy to fit in a large handbag. I could then read regular books as two pages or A4/Letter-sized documents in portrait mode slightly shrunken or in landscape mode as full-sized half pages.

It would have a touchscreen and a faster and higher-contrast screen than we see now. Color would be great.

I would like for it to have PDA functionality as well as being a reader.

As a reader, I would like to be able to search, organize and annotate documents. I would also like dictionary functionality like we see in the Cybook and Kindle.

It would have a network connection, WiFi or 3G options.

It would be nice if there were some built in lighting that could be turned on or off depending on lighting conditions. An LED front-light like a Lightwedge would be nice and shouldn't be much of a battery drain.

And it would be <$100 and come with a pony.

[zelda_pinwheel]

Originally Posted by Alisa

And it would be <$100 and come with a pony.

and a mars bar please.

[Dylrob]

Huh, though it's not directly related, but I thought this was interesting when I saw it linked on another forum:

Stanford researchers have found a way to use silicon nanowires to reinvent the rechargeable lithium-ion batteries that power laptops, iPods, video cameras, cell phones, and countless other devices.

The new technology, developed through research led by Yi Cui, assistant professor of materials science and engineering, produces 10 times the amount of electricity of existing lithium-ion, known as Li-ion, batteries. A laptop that now runs on battery for two hours could operate for 20 hours, a boon to ocean-hopping business travelers.

<snip>

http://news-service.stanford.edu/new...re-010908.html

Now if an eInk device can give over a week's battery life (or more) with just a conventional Li-ion battery, than this could potentially give you months. Either that, or drastically reduce the size of battery needed.

[Alisa]

I'd be more interested in the size/weight reduction. I don't mind recharging once or twice a week.