Plastic Logic raises $100 million to enable the first “take anywhere, read anywhere”

NatCh · 01-03-2007, 12:34 PM

Plastic Logic raises $100 million to enable the first “take anywhere, read anywhere” electronic reader products

New volume manufacturing facility to ramp-up in 2008

Cambridge, UK – 3rd January 2007 – Plastic Logic announced today that it will build the first factory to manufacture plastic electronics on a commercial scale. The facility will produce flexible active-matrix display modules for ‘take anywhere, read anywhere’ electronic reader products. It will utilize Plastic Logic’s unique process to fabricate active-matrix displays that are thin, light and robust; enabling a reading experience closer to paper than any other technology.
Read more >>

(includes "high resolution" images and videos!)

Hat tip to Francis at the Baen Bar

yvanleterrible · 01-03-2007, 01:43 PM

Forgive my ignorance but is'nt active matrix an LCD term or could it be applied to eink in a way?

Hadrien · 01-03-2007, 01:46 PM

That's a groundbreaking news. The device looks great: flexible, A4, e-ink reader.

But what are these people reading ? A Google Books version of The Metamorphosis with ugly scan lines everywhere ? At least this means that the reader will handle PDF files I guess (A4, and good looking A4).

GodDamN · 01-03-2007, 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yvanleterrible

Forgive my ignorance but is'nt active matrix an LCD term or could it be applied to eink in a way?

My limited knowledge (and I say limited) is that Active Matrix relates to the use of transistors for pixel switching rather than capacitance. The TFT sets the state of the pixel. With LCD's as soon as the TFT loses its charge the LCD pixel reverts to its natural position - but these guys are using organic materials - maybe they hold their position after the TFT lets go, leaving only a power requirement to change the state of the pixel. That sounds familiar??

Or i could be completely wrong...!

GodDamN · 01-03-2007, 02:00 PM

http://news.zdnet.co.uk/emergingtech...9285323,00.htm

There is "clever chemistry going on"....

NatCh · 01-03-2007, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yvanleterrible

Forgive my ignorance but is'nt active matrix an LCD term or could it be applied to eink in a way?

I think that e-ink uses the same sort of driver backplane that an LCD display does, so this ought to apply just fine.

Leaping Gnome · 01-03-2007, 02:25 PM

If this is in consumer hands in 2008 I'll drink soup from my shoe.

sorcerian · 01-03-2007, 02:47 PM

Why do they think people want a floppy display? You can see the issue with it in all of those pictures, you need 2 hands to use it effectively. One handed or no handed use is easier when you have a stiff substance.

yvanleterrible · 01-03-2007, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leaping Gnome

If this is in consumer hands in 2008 I'll drink soup from my shoe.

OH! Goodie goodie!
I wanna see a movie of that one.

Better start wearing oregano socks soon!

To be fair it would have to be today's shoes.

NatCh · 01-03-2007, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leaping Gnome

If this is in consumer hands in 2008 I'll drink soup from my shoe.

They didn't say that the product would be in consumer hands by 08, LG, just that the new plant was scheduled to "ramp up" in 08.

Besides, you might want to be careful with that sort of statment, some folks around here have long memories, and perverse enough senses of humor to try to hold you to them.

Such as yvanleterrible, for instance.

nekokami · 01-03-2007, 04:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sorcerian

Why do they think people want a floppy display?

Because it's less likely to break if you bump it? Because you can roll it up and stuff it into a smaller container? I see your point about one-handed use, but I can think of several good reasons for a flexible display.

Personally, I'd be more concerned about the gloss-induced glare in the photo.

slayda · 01-03-2007, 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leaping Gnome

If this is in consumer hands in 2008 I'll drink soup from my shoe.

New shoe or old, stinky used shoe?

yvanleterrible · 01-03-2007, 05:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sorcerian

Why do they think people want a floppy display? You can see the issue with it in all of those pictures, you need 2 hands to use it effectively. One handed or no handed use is easier when you have a stiff substance.

I think the guy in the picture is exagerating a bit to show the movement. It does'nt look more flexible than a transparent document binder. The logic behing this is that it will pile better in a suitcase filled with folders than the current crop of readers.

Leaping Gnome · 01-03-2007, 06:29 PM

For the record I just bought new Nikes this weekend, they currently have about three days of foot sweat in them.

yvanleterrible · 01-04-2007, 08:51 AM

I suggest you put them aside for a couple of months.

But I think you are right about them not being able to sell their first flexible display before 2008. If they have 10mil to spend it means they have factories to build first. We all know how long that takes.

01-03-2007, 12:34 PM	#1
NatCh Gizmologist Posts: 11,615 Karma: 929550 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Republic of Texas Embassy at Jackson, TN Device: Pocketbook Touch HD3	Plastic Logic Announces New Plant Plastic Logic raises $100 million to enable the first “take anywhere, read anywhere” electronic reader products New volume manufacturing facility to ramp-up in 2008 Cambridge, UK – 3rd January 2007 – Plastic Logic announced today that it will build the first factory to manufacture plastic electronics on a commercial scale. The facility will produce flexible active-matrix display modules for ‘take anywhere, read anywhere’ electronic reader products. It will utilize Plastic Logic’s unique process to fabricate active-matrix displays that are thin, light and robust; enabling a reading experience closer to paper than any other technology. Read more >> (includes "high resolution" images and videos!) Hat tip to Francis at the Baen Bar Last edited by NatCh; 01-03-2007 at 12:49 PM. Reason: Fixing title -- Didn't realize it was too long the first go-round. Oops.

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01-03-2007, 01:43 PM	#2
yvanleterrible Reborn Paper User Posts: 8,616 Karma: 15446734 Join Date: May 2006 Location: Que Nada Device: iPhone8, iPad Air	Forgive my ignorance but is'nt active matrix an LCD term or could it be applied to eink in a way?

01-03-2007, 01:46 PM	#3
Hadrien Feedbooks.com Co-Founder Posts: 2,263 Karma: 145123 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Paris, France Device: Sony PRS-t-1/350/300/500/505/600/700, Nexus S, iPad	That's a groundbreaking news. The device looks great: flexible, A4, e-ink reader. But what are these people reading ? A Google Books version of The Metamorphosis with ugly scan lines everywhere ? At least this means that the reader will handle PDF files I guess (A4, and good looking A4).

01-03-2007, 02:00 PM	#5
GodDamN Member Posts: 12 Karma: 10 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Sydney Device: Sony Reader	http://news.zdnet.co.uk/emergingtech...9285323,00.htm There is "clever chemistry going on"....

01-03-2007, 02:25 PM	#7
Leaping Gnome Evangelist Posts: 490 Karma: 1641 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Louisville Device: Sony Reader PRS-500	If this is in consumer hands in 2008 I'll drink soup from my shoe.

01-03-2007, 02:47 PM	#8
sorcerian Junior Member Posts: 2 Karma: 10 Join Date: Nov 2006 Device: Sony prs-500	Why do they think people want a floppy display? You can see the issue with it in all of those pictures, you need 2 hands to use it effectively. One handed or no handed use is easier when you have a stiff substance.

01-03-2007, 06:29 PM	#14
Leaping Gnome Evangelist Posts: 490 Karma: 1641 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Louisville Device: Sony Reader PRS-500	For the record I just bought new Nikes this weekend, they currently have about three days of foot sweat in them.

01-04-2007, 08:51 AM	#15
yvanleterrible Reborn Paper User Posts: 8,616 Karma: 15446734 Join Date: May 2006 Location: Que Nada Device: iPhone8, iPad Air	I suggest you put them aside for a couple of months. But I think you are right about them not being able to sell their first flexible display before 2008. If they have 10mil to spend it means they have factories to build first. We all know how long that takes.

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