Astak Mentor eBook readers with WiFi and Touchscreen (read-only)

[Sonist]

Originally Posted by Emu

... I think Pixel Qi plans to run over the whole market in Q3 09. It is really hard to get infos about their new technology, but it definitley sounds astonishing....and they seem to be very confident about the impact their technology will have.
....

I might be a bit too skeptical, but I feel what might be a warm mist in the air....

[emellaich]

Originally Posted by Sonist

I might be a bit too skeptical, but I feel what might be a warm mist in the air....

As someone who has eagerly awaited e-book technology for years, I understand where your skepticism comes from. I know that e-ink has finally delivered an adequate solution, but the wait and over-promises to get here have been tortuous.

On the other hand, I watched the announcement of the OLPC and thought they would never get the price as low as $200. The screen alone seemed like it would break that budget. One of the groundbreaking innovations that made the OLPC work was the special two-mode (high resolution b/w and color) screen from the founder at Pixel Qi.

Basically, the difference between Pixel Qi and the other vaporware e-book devices is that they have already delivered a real product in high volumes. Although the OLPC has fallen far short of estimates it appears that its actual shipments have been near the number of shipments of e-ink readers (neither e-ink shipments nor OLPC shipments are known figures, but it appears that they are in the same neighborhood).

So, Pixel Qi is not talking about a lab prototype and vaporware. They are actually talking about the second generation of a product that is already available.

Michael

[Emu]

if I compare this http://wiki.laptop.org/go/XO-2
to ebook readers, than I don't know if I would care, if the device only has power for 20h instead of 40.000 pages.

On the other hand... a book which says "battery low" while you are reading on the beach is really lame

[DG25]

Originally Posted by Emu

On the other hand... a book which says "battery low" while you are reading on the beach is really lame

Maybe someone will put some solar cells on the back of the reader.

[slayda]

There are solar chargers already available. Google for them.

[Emu]

Originally Posted by slayda

There are solar chargers already available. Google for them.

but I guess they can't bring an empty netbook back to life, can they?

[oggelbe2007]

Originally Posted by Sonist

I might be a bit too skeptical, but I feel what might be a warm mist in the air....

Sonist, I must agree. Pixel Qi just had a big layoff and are in disarray. They are looking for investors & engineers and that usually doesn’t mean they’re ready to ramp up and start shipping usable screens. I wouldn’t hold my breath waiting on any new and amazing products shipping from Pixel Qi anytime soon. Christmas maybe? Bummer!


See how the generations pass
Like sand through Heaven's blue hourglass.
- Nicholas Linsay

[emellaich]

Originally Posted by oggelbe2007

Sonist, I must agree. Pixel Qi just had a big layoff and are in disarray. They are looking for investors & engineers and that usually doesn’t mean they’re ready to ramp up and start shipping usable screens. I wouldn’t hold my breath waiting on any new and amazing products shipping from Pixel Qi anytime soon. Christmas maybe? Bummer!

Interesting news! This is the first I've heard of this. Do you have a source, so that I can read more?

I had thought that Mary Lou had said that they just lined up some investors (via her blog -- I don't have any personal info on this). Of course, it wouldn't be the first time that my memory failed me -- or alternatively the first time a corporate executive stretched the truth slightly.

[Druidsbane]

Originally Posted by emellaich

I had thought that Mary Lou had said that they just lined up some investors (via her blog -- I don't have any personal info on this). Of course, it wouldn't be the first time that my memory failed me -- or alternatively the first time a corporate executive stretched the truth slightly.

Your memory isn't failing you, though I hope it isn't an exaggeration on her part, the post is here: http://pixelqi.com/blog1/2009/03/16/...ook-blur-lines

I really hope the layoffs if they happened don't have a huge impact on the release of these displays (and that they are as good as they say they are, the last review I read said that they might only use one half to a quarter the power of regular displays, hardly the huge step forward we expected).

[Sonist]

Originally Posted by emellaich

... So, Pixel Qi is not talking about a lab prototype and vaporware. They are actually talking about the second generation of a product that is already available....

Hey, I really, really hope you are correct. But Robert's comment makes me wonder:

-------------------
"...Astak and I are urgently trying to get more info on Pixel Qi technology for our 9.7 eBook Readers. They have an office in San Bruno, California. I drove up there this morning (40 miles each way) and the office there is an "executive one-room suite" with one lady who was anything but happy to see me. She did not give me her business card, had no brochures or handouts, AND would not show the device. She would not even invite me to the office but insisted we talk in front of the elevator.

This was a strange start; but we are in the process of contacting their Taiwan office. So far... we have seen no help or explanation of their technology... but hope things will improve."
--------------------

Recently secure round A financing may mean different amounts, and Mary Lou is quiet about that part, but it generally does not indicate full-blown production in a few months. Maybe we'll see a prototype.

Also, from my very cursory reading, Mary Lou appears to be focusing mostly on self-promotion, rather than providing any details of her product. You'd think if it was this close to production, we'll have some leaks. Selling a $200 tax-deductible product "for the children," with the potential of getting government contracts, is not necessarily bad business, but it's different from selling a product on the open marketplace.

I hope I am wrong, of course, but Robert's comment does not make me optimistic.

[Robertb]

Originally Posted by DG25

Maybe someone will put some solar cells on the back of the reader.

Actually, there has been some talk of putting a solar photovoltaic cell on the inside of a crush-resistant case and letting that charge the battery. However, IF your eBook Reader has an easily replaceable battery like the EZ Reader (one screw)... then why not simply put a spare battery for $14.95 in a built-in pocket on the case.


Still further info for discussion, the new Mentor Intruque will have 16,000 pages of text to a single charge... or double what all other E-Ink devices now get. They are NOT yet saying HOW they do it: but they do.

Robert B

[Robertb]

Originally Posted by phenomshel

Robert, you have my sincere sympathy. ONE time on San Jose area freeways was all it took to make me be really thankful I was there visiting, not moving there. 40 miles from San Jose to San Bruno sounds like torture to me. And then it turns out to be complete waste of said torture. Ouch.

p.s. Still loving my EZ Reader!

Dear Shel:

You are phenomenal. Yes, driving the freeways here is akin to driving in a demolition derby except some of the cars have glass. It would not have been too bad except that they were doing road work and were backed up about 15 miles! Now, if I can only put some form of particle beam reorganizer in my eBook Readers so we all can get around.

I am glad that you (and I) are still loving our EZ Readers. Did you see the new "luxury" cases with the split beam lights for reading that I posted?

Robert B

[Robertb]

Originally Posted by Sonist

Hey, I really, really hope you are correct. But Robert's comment makes me wonder:

-------------------
"...Astak and I are urgently trying to get more info on Pixel Qi technology for our 9.7 eBook Readers. They have an office in San Bruno, California. I drove up there this morning (40 miles each way) and the office there is an "executive one-room suite" with one lady who was anything but happy to see me. She did not give me her business card, had no brochures or handouts, AND would not show the device. She would not even invite me to the office but insisted we talk in front of the elevator.

This was a strange start; but we are in the process of contacting their Taiwan office. So far... we have seen no help or explanation of their technology... but hope things will improve."
--------------------

Recently secure round A financing may mean different amounts, and Mary Lou is quiet about that part, but it generally does not indicate full-blown production in a few months. Maybe we'll see a prototype.

Also, from my very cursory reading, Mary Lou appears to be focusing mostly on self-promotion, rather than providing any details of her product. You'd think if it was this close to production, we'll have some leaks. Selling a $200 tax-deductible product "for the children," with the potential of getting government contracts, is not necessarily bad business, but it's different from selling a product on the open marketplace.

I hope I am wrong, of course, but Robert's comment does not make me optimistic.

Just a note to say that Pixel Qi has promised a conference call for tonight. They also promised an NDA... but are still waiting.

Robert B

[griffonwing]

Originally Posted by Robertb

Actually, there has been some talk of putting a solar photovoltaic cell on the inside of a crush-resistant case and letting that charge the battery. However, IF your eBook Reader has an easily replaceable battery like the EZ Reader (one screw)... then why not simply put a spare battery for $14.95 in a built-in pocket on the case.


Still further info for discussion, the new Mentor Intruque will have 16,000 pages of text to a single charge... or double what all other E-Ink devices now get. They are NOT yet saying HOW they do it: but they do.

Robert B

This would be great for some, but useless if you were the kind to fold your cover behind the reader, or not use the cover at all.

Might I suggest implanting the cell(s) along the top of the reader, encased in a seamless clear/tinted plexi or some other sealant.

This way, regardless of how you read, you would benefit from the charging.

It would change the design of the reader some, of that there can be no doubt. But it's a thought.

[snipenekkid]

Originally Posted by Robertb

Just a note to say that Pixel Qi has promised a conference call for tonight. They also promised an NDA... but are still waiting.

Robert B

Nice you are trying to keep everyone updated but at the same time do you really think airing your dialog or difficulties in contacting them is going to help things? As a potential customer, it is somewhat off-putting.

Also, I have a very, and I mean VERY, hard time believing that you were somehow unaware of this display tech. But this tech has been mentioned on this site I have no idea how many times and also has been in almost every hardware oriented tech periodical I read more than a few times in the past year. I mean good gawds man this is the business you are in, stay on top of the curve. Maybe get a Kindle and a few journal subscriptions?