Amazon embracing LCD displays?

[Daithi]

An article on AppleInsider (sorry I lost the link) is crowing that Amazon, on its LAB126 website, has a wanted ad for a "Hardware Display Manager" that requires applicants "know the LCD business and key players in the market." I don't know if this means anything or not, but I thought Mobileread visitors might find it interesting. BTW, if you're looking for work, there are a ton of job openings on the site.

[DG25]

That might have you thinking the next Kindle will go LCD, but the requirements also mention a "deep knowledge of current display technology and potential future technologies," and nothing about the role seems exactly prescriptive of an LCD expertise -- more of a general focus on displays and product design, whatever tech might come. Pixel Qi or Mirasol, anybody?

From Engadget.

So it's not yet clear what type of screen they will use. Imo, it will be a real shame if they will go the Apple route, with a back light LCD.

[guyanonymous]

Cheap ebook readers with old-school backlit b/w LCD displays ala ebookwise/RCA? I enjoy 15+ hours on mine, with backlight set to lowest setting...?

[Charbax]

Kindle 3 needs to use a Pixel Qi 3Qi LCD screen, for dual-mode both e-ink quality low power e-reader and full color Android based user interfaces. Yup having unlocked WiFi and 3G or other modem through a module and unlocked would be the best way to do it. The Kindle 3 with Pixel Qi would be 100x better than the ipad, because with Pixel Qi the readability is 10 times better and the battery runtime is 10 times longer.

[Sonist]

Originally Posted by Charbax

... The Kindle 3 with Pixel Qi would be 100x better than the ipad, because with Pixel Qi the readability is 10 times better and the battery runtime is 10 times longer.

Hm, supposedly the Pixel Qi screen is WORSE than e-ink for reading, and WORSE than a regular LCD for color and wide-angle view.

So, how could it be "10 times better" than the iPad, which sports arguably the best screen this side of OLED?

[HansTWN]

Originally Posted by Charbax

Kindle 3 needs to use a Pixel Qi 3Qi LCD screen, for dual-mode both e-ink quality low power e-reader and full color Android based user interfaces. Yup having unlocked WiFi and 3G or other modem through a module and unlocked would be the best way to do it. The Kindle 3 with Pixel Qi would be 100x better than the ipad, because with Pixel Qi the readability is 10 times better and the battery runtime is 10 times longer.

Nobody here has even seen a real Pixel Qi screen. I think you are putting way too much faith in it. It is an attempt to use existing (and, as Sonist rightly points out, even dated) technology to create a compromise solution. From all we know, it is not a very good one. And looking ahead 1 year, it may have disappeared. We must hope for new solutions, new screen technology.

Besides, 10 times the battery life of the iPad just by using the Pixel Qi screen? You would be lucky to get 50% more. To get 100 hours the only option would be e-ink, at this time.

[Daithi]

I've got no idea, but I hope they don't go the LCD route, and I'm rooting for Mirasol.

[iReaderReview]

It probably has to do with this -

For flexible EPDs, PVI will be producing them using its existing TFT LCD equipment, plus a small amount of extra tools, Liu said

From http://www.digitimes.com/news/a20100205PD213.html

Lab 126 probably want someone who understands this and can represent them.

The other possibility is a new Kindle line which has color screens and the new multi-touch capability.

[LDBoblo]

As iReaderReview said...many, possibly most, of the newer e-paper technologies are piggybacking on LCD technology and manufacturing processes, and actually being involved in e-paper development will require quite a bit of knowledge about the current market.

As far as Pixel Qi is concerned...I doubt they're going to go that route. Though there's a chance they'll try to pick up Mirasol or Liquavista, it's also uncertain at this time. It's not about how good or interesting or useful the technology is...it's a question of what they can sell.

The question right now that should be addressed regarding screen technology is: Do they bifurcate the Kindle market into two distinct market branches, keeping EPD on one hand and adopting a colorful emissive display on the other? Or do they maintain a singular device platform? The former creates problems with pricing disparities, and the latter requires careful consideration of technology and marketing. Maintaining an EPD-only product line will likely hurt Amazon. Moving to Mirasol creates problems since it apparently can't do grayscale very well, but is highly marketable. Transflective LCD like Pixel Qi both yields technological drawbacks and might not make for a happy customer migration.

[dmikov]

Originally Posted by Sonist

So, how could it be "10 times better" than the iPad, which sports arguably the best screen this side of OLED?

Kinda of an empty accomplishment considering how bad LCD is comparing to OLED and how many oled/amoled devices started showing up recently.
Add to it arguable part and it is no wonder some people will think hybrid screen 10 times better - at lest you can see it in daylight. I personally cannot see what's on the screen of my iphone on the street or in the car - Florida have very sunny days, takes me a few second and shading it to see who's calling.

[fugazied]

Perhaps they are keeping their option open...?

But really Amazon know they are selling to hardcore reader types, they won't be running away from e-ink/mirasol technologies anytime soon. Can't wait to see what the Kindle 3 offers us!