Electrowetting color displays coming up in 2008

searcher · 04-02-2008, 01:43 PM

It's somewhat similar to the E Ink technology, but it should have better colors than even future color versions of E Ink displays.

"Responding to the strong demand of our lead customers, Liquavista is on track to achieve volume production of displays in 2008," said Mark Gostick, Liquavista's CEO. He added "Thanks to the continued support of our investors, we now have everything we need to achieve the first commercial introduction of ColorMatch-based products this year and to maintain our rapid progress in the development of active-matrix displays."

Liquavista's electrowetting displays provide world-beating brightness at low power and offer the potential for clear viewing in all lighting conditions, from a dimly lit office environment to the bright light of a sunny day. Applications range from watches, mobile phones and digital cameras to notebook computers.

Hermann Hauser, Amadeus Director and Liquavista board member commented: "Liquavista's electrowetting technology provides a light shutter that is fundamentally more efficient than LCD and ultimately simpler and less costly to make. There really is no limit to its potential to transform the displays industry."

Link: press release

Related links: Liquavista mixes oil and water to produce a new display technology, Philips spins off Liquavista to start yet another e-paper venture

HarryT · 04-02-2008, 01:48 PM

It'll be interesting to see if they are able to make the transition from a technology demonstration to large-scale industrial production. That's a leap that many technologies fail to make.

Steven Lyle Jordan · 04-02-2008, 01:52 PM

I'm trying to think of the last time I saw a "dimly-lit office environment"...

searcher · 04-02-2008, 01:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

It'll be interesting to see if they are able to make the transition from a technology demonstration to large-scale industrial production. That's a leap that many technologies fail to make.

Liquavista is a spinoff from Philips so this can't be a problem.

slayda · 04-02-2008, 02:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve Jordan

I'm trying to think of the last time I saw a "dimly-lit office environment"...

When the power goes out? Where I work, we often lose power during thunder storms.

MaggieScratch · 04-02-2008, 04:32 PM

This is really interesting, but I don't see anything on their website (which admittedly I read through very quickly) about the comfort of reading this type of screen. The main reason I purchased an eInk device was because it isn't backlit and I can read it for a few hours without everything going swimmy. Low power consumption and outdoor readability are value added.

Steven Lyle Jordan · 04-02-2008, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MaggieScratch

This is really interesting, but I don't see anything on their website (which admittedly I read through very quickly) about the comfort of reading this type of screen.

We'll probably just have to see for ourselves when the screens come out. After all, what good is their telling us the screens are great? We'll be the judge of that!

bingle · 04-02-2008, 04:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve Jordan

I'm trying to think of the last time I saw a "dimly-lit office environment"...

Programming offices are often very dimly-lit. Programmers, like fungi, shun the light.

dalai · 04-02-2008, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MaggieScratch

This is really interesting, but I don't see anything on their website (which admittedly I read through very quickly) about the comfort of reading this type of screen. The main reason I purchased an eInk device was because it isn't backlit and I can read it for a few hours without everything going swimmy. Low power consumption and outdoor readability are value added.

From their website:

Quote:

Key features of the "ColorFull" technology:

Paper-like color reflectivity
Low power full color video with unrivaled color gamut
Excellent indoor and outdoor viewability
High resolution

If they deliver on the promise, it seems a nice combination of the advantages of eInk and LCD. After that we will only have to worry about the price.

searcher · 04-02-2008, 05:42 PM

Actually they will start to make ColorMatch line production. This is a monochrome or single color displays.

They are not ready for ColorFull line, but anyway this is the most promising technology.

Greg Anos · 04-02-2008, 06:54 PM

The long haul result of this technology - if it scales up industrially <and> when the Colorfull is readily available <and> is competitvely priced with other display technologies (3 ifs!) - is the currently mythical all-in-one gizmo. The web browser/music player/video player/e-book reader/portable game player/cell phone/texting device/ect., with a relatively long battery life, weighing less that a 1/4 kilo (size your choice). It may not be better than, and possible worse that, e-ink technology for reading, but I suspect mass market will want the "Jack-of-all-trades" gizmo over the "master-of-one" e-reader.

Darqref · 04-02-2008, 11:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve Jordan

I'm trying to think of the last time I saw a "dimly-lit office environment"...

Most every office I've worked in? Especially at Microsoft (I was a contractor drone), the overhead lighting seemed to be a thing to be avoided. Never understood it myself, but almost every office had the overhead lights turned off, and a small number of incandescent desk lamps turned on. Now, these were not cheap "shop-style" tube lights, but much higher quality lights that did a credible job of duplicating daylight. But programmers are strange beasts, and they turned them off.

Dark office, small spot of lights, and big thick glasses.

brecklundin · 04-02-2008, 11:51 PM

Is it just me or does "Electrowetting" sound, well, a tad, ummm...naughty?

Really though very interesting. After my recent comparison with the new eink visplex on the Sony 505 and my N800 I am very hopeful these displays might offer the improved contrast ratio's some of us need.

If nothing else it's another option that can spur more innovation in other technologies. And then more competition. In the past when there was true competition between companies it always meant better deals for consumers. These days with maybe not so much.

If ya can't tell one of my fav reads is Jennifer Government...it feeds my inner cynic...

moz · 04-03-2008, 12:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darqref

Most every office I've worked in? Especially at Microsoft (I was a contractor drone), the overhead lighting seemed to be a thing to be avoided.

The overhead lighting is commonly fluorescent and flickers at 120 or 100Hz (twice mains frequency) and beats against CRT refresh frequency. Many of us can see it directly, others just notice that they get headaches when they use CRTs. LCDs are not as bad in that regard, but they're still not perfect. Incandescent bulbs don't have this problem because they're primarily heaters and there's enough thermal lag to carry them through the dip in output ever 1/100th of a second.

There's also issues with screen brightness relative to the room but that problem is being inverted by the newer LCDs that are disturbingly bright compared to normal room lighting.

Donnageddon · 04-03-2008, 02:33 AM

Coupled with hytrachromatic transient photomichondrial teknentisomers, it is a wonder I can find my stapler, let alone my computer's frigging LCD screen.

Oh, for the days of whale oil lamps and strategically placed mirrors to capture the minuscule rays of the sun, filtered through the canvas coverings of the tent flaps.

I never had any difficulty reading the chiseled corporate memos in a clear and appropriate Times London font.

But try telling kids that today...

04-02-2008, 01:43 PM	#1
searcher Connoisseur Posts: 58 Karma: 344 Join Date: Dec 2007 Device: Sony PRS-500, PRS-505	Electrowetting color displays coming up in 2008 It's somewhat similar to the E Ink technology, but it should have better colors than even future color versions of E Ink displays. "Responding to the strong demand of our lead customers, Liquavista is on track to achieve volume production of displays in 2008," said Mark Gostick, Liquavista's CEO. He added "Thanks to the continued support of our investors, we now have everything we need to achieve the first commercial introduction of ColorMatch-based products this year and to maintain our rapid progress in the development of active-matrix displays." Liquavista's electrowetting displays provide world-beating brightness at low power and offer the potential for clear viewing in all lighting conditions, from a dimly lit office environment to the bright light of a sunny day. Applications range from watches, mobile phones and digital cameras to notebook computers. Hermann Hauser, Amadeus Director and Liquavista board member commented: "Liquavista's electrowetting technology provides a light shutter that is fundamentally more efficient than LCD and ultimately simpler and less costly to make. There really is no limit to its potential to transform the displays industry." Link: press release Related links: Liquavista mixes oil and water to produce a new display technology, Philips spins off Liquavista to start yet another e-paper venture

04-02-2008, 06:54 PM	#11
Greg Anos Grand Sorcerer Posts: 11,494 Karma: 37057604 Join Date: Jan 2008 Device: Pocketbook	The long haul result of this technology - if it scales up industrially <and> when the Colorfull is readily available <and> is competitvely priced with other display technologies (3 ifs!) - is the currently mythical all-in-one gizmo. The web browser/music player/video player/e-book reader/portable game player/cell phone/texting device/ect., with a relatively long battery life, weighing less that a 1/4 kilo (size your choice). It may not be better than, and possible worse that, e-ink technology for reading, but I suspect mass market will want the "Jack-of-all-trades" gizmo over the "master-of-one" e-reader. Last edited by Greg Anos; 04-02-2008 at 06:55 PM. Reason: Can't spell

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04-02-2008, 01:48 PM	#2
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383099 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	It'll be interesting to see if they are able to make the transition from a technology demonstration to large-scale industrial production. That's a leap that many technologies fail to make.

04-02-2008, 01:52 PM	#3
Steven Lyle Jordan Grand Sorcerer Posts: 8,478 Karma: 5171130 Join Date: Jan 2006 Device: none	I'm trying to think of the last time I saw a "dimly-lit office environment"...

04-02-2008, 04:32 PM	#6
MaggieScratch Has got to the black veil Posts: 542 Karma: 2144168 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Southeastern Pennsylvania Device: Kobo Aura One, Kindle Paperwhite 2	This is really interesting, but I don't see anything on their website (which admittedly I read through very quickly) about the comfort of reading this type of screen. The main reason I purchased an eInk device was because it isn't backlit and I can read it for a few hours without everything going swimmy. Low power consumption and outdoor readability are value added.

04-02-2008, 05:42 PM	#10
searcher Connoisseur Posts: 58 Karma: 344 Join Date: Dec 2007 Device: Sony PRS-500, PRS-505	Actually they will start to make ColorMatch line production. This is a monochrome or single color displays. They are not ready for ColorFull line, but anyway this is the most promising technology.

04-02-2008, 11:51 PM	#13
brecklundin Banned Posts: 1,906 Karma: 15348 Join Date: Jun 2007 Device: mine	Is it just me or does "Electrowetting" sound, well, a tad, ummm...naughty? Really though very interesting. After my recent comparison with the new eink visplex on the Sony 505 and my N800 I am very hopeful these displays might offer the improved contrast ratio's some of us need. If nothing else it's another option that can spur more innovation in other technologies. And then more competition. In the past when there was true competition between companies it always meant better deals for consumers. These days with maybe not so much. If ya can't tell one of my fav reads is Jennifer Government...it feeds my inner cynic...

04-03-2008, 02:33 AM	#15
Donnageddon Now you lishen here... Posts: 2,494 Karma: 479498 Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Seattle-ish Device: Sony PRS-650. Kobo Touch, Kindle Fire	Coupled with hytrachromatic transient photomichondrial teknentisomers, it is a wonder I can find my stapler, let alone my computer's frigging LCD screen. Oh, for the days of whale oil lamps and strategically placed mirrors to capture the minuscule rays of the sun, filtered through the canvas coverings of the tent flaps. I never had any difficulty reading the chiseled corporate memos in a clear and appropriate Times London font. But try telling kids that today...