we will never see the Readius :(

gfhuertac · 07-18-2009, 10:51 PM

http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/18/p...readius-adieu/

Abecedary · 07-18-2009, 11:03 PM

Readius, we hardly knew ye. *sniff*

yvanleterrible · 07-18-2009, 11:08 PM

That's a damned shame.

The Readius had the most interesting ergonomics. No doubt that following models would have had as much novelties of function... I was following their evolution with anticipation.

Andybaby · 07-18-2009, 11:57 PM

readius forum yet still no jetbook forum. lalalala, 2 minutes work to add it. 30 seconds to just rename the readius forum jetbook then move all threads in the readius forum to legacy devices or just trash them

Dylrob · 07-19-2009, 02:09 AM

Well... fiddlesticks. I was never in love with the design of the Readius, but the idea of a foldable screen has intrigued me for a long time. Especially if it were scaled up. I guess this isn't the end of it, but it would seem to push things back a bit.

Timoleon · 07-19-2009, 10:29 PM

A sad day for all of us who were looking forward to being able to roll up our ebooks.

Engadget is reporting that Polymer Vision is going the way of the Dodo bird:

"Ugh. Another one bites the gently gnashed rock particles, as they say. Polymer Vision, which was already having some pretty significant cash flow issues back in April, has reportedly caved under pressure and sought shelter under Chapter 11. According to the Hampshire Chronicle, the company famous for developing a bendable e-paper display has fittingly folded, leaving its 50 employees searching for new lines of work and millions of fans grasping for answers. The report continues to say that the promising (but oft delayed) Readius display isn't likely to ship in its current form, and now it seems that the future is quite murky for the company and its flagship product. "

www.engadget.com

I hope someone is able to pick up the pieces and continue on with the technology!

Kris777 · 07-19-2009, 10:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andybaby

readius forum yet still no jetbook forum. lalalala, 2 minutes work to add it. 30 seconds to just rename the readius forum jetbook then move all threads in the readius forum to legacy devices or just trash them

Good idea

I hope that Alex can find 2 minutes to rename Polymer Vision Readius to jetBook.

yvanleterrible · 07-20-2009, 07:40 AM

We should let the thing die off first. Sheesh!

Usually when a company announces that it will close it's like saying it's for sale. Remember GM? It's still possible some other entity might invest of buy them.

brecklundin · 07-22-2009, 01:46 AM

I agree this design of the Readius was so innovative and really the ultimate to date in terms of portable. I had high hopes, but eventually lost them for the device when they were forcing specific mobile connectivity options. I just think that was a function of funding and resources rather than anything else. I hope someone like the folks with the company in the Ukraine or ??? see if they can bring this device back and call it The Phoenix as it willl rise form the ashes if done properly.

HansTWN · 07-22-2009, 02:11 AM

I think Plastic Logic uses the same technology (early prototypes were also flexible). So all is not lost, it should be a great device. Hopefully it will be priced similar to the DX and not the Irex DR. A phone also serves as a browser, so grey scale and e-ink are not really suitable. That phone was doomed from the start. But rollable displays are a great idea.

Dylrob · 07-22-2009, 02:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HansTWN

I think Plastic Logic uses the same technology (early prototypes were also flexible). So all is not lost, it should be a great device. Hopefully it will be priced similar to the DX and not the Irex DR. A phone also serves as a browser, so grey scale and e-ink are not really suitable. That phone was doomed from the start. But rollable displays are a great idea.

Actually Plastic Logic screens seem to only bend a few degrees. Their focus is simply on replacing the glass substrate with a lighter and more durable plastic one. Polymer Vision took it a step forward by developing a flexible TFT.

HansTWN · 07-22-2009, 03:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dylrob

Actually Plastic Logic screens seem to only bend a few degrees. Their focus is simply on replacing the glass substrate with a lighter and more durable plastic one. Polymer Vision took it a step forward by developing a flexible TFT.

I have seen older Youtube videos showing earlier prototypes from Plastic Logic. They could really bend the screen like a thin piece of paper. Later they said they decided to go with a rigid version, because test users said that the flexible one wasn't very usable. My guess is that this is because you would always need a firm surface to place it on before using the touch screen. Anyway, what they will be selling is still plastic, thus it won't break easily and should be very light weight.

yvanleterrible · 07-22-2009, 08:32 AM

Those flexible ones I've seen seemed like some kind of thin, shiny mylar, you know the stuff that looks crumpled when abused?

HansTWN · 07-22-2009, 09:48 PM

I am sure you can still find those videos on youtube (and I always hated chemistry, so I don't know much about plastics!). Can't tell what material they actually used and they didn't mention anything. But these early versions of the plastic reader could be rolled into a large tube, if you shook them they moved like an ocean wave. They were not foldable, though.

07-18-2009, 10:51 PM	#1
gfhuertac Member Posts: 12 Karma: 432 Join Date: Jun 2009 Device: Sony PRS-700	we will never see the Readius :( http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/18/p...readius-adieu/

07-19-2009, 10:29 PM	#6
Timoleon Time Enough at Last Posts: 387 Karma: 1151316 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: New England Device: iPad 3, iPhone 5, Kindle 3, Fire, Sony PRS-350	Goodbye Readius: Polymer Vision Goes Belly-Up! A sad day for all of us who were looking forward to being able to roll up our ebooks. Engadget is reporting that Polymer Vision is going the way of the Dodo bird: "Ugh. Another one bites the gently gnashed rock particles, as they say. Polymer Vision, which was already having some pretty significant cash flow issues back in April, has reportedly caved under pressure and sought shelter under Chapter 11. According to the Hampshire Chronicle, the company famous for developing a bendable e-paper display has fittingly folded, leaving its 50 employees searching for new lines of work and millions of fans grasping for answers. The report continues to say that the promising (but oft delayed) Readius display isn't likely to ship in its current form, and now it seems that the future is quite murky for the company and its flagship product. " www.engadget.com I hope someone is able to pick up the pieces and continue on with the technology! Attached Thumbnails

07-22-2009, 08:32 AM	#13
yvanleterrible Reborn Paper User Posts: 8,616 Karma: 15446734 Join Date: May 2006 Location: Que Nada Device: iPhone8, iPad Air	Those flexible ones I've seen seemed like some kind of thin, shiny mylar, you know the stuff that looks crumpled when abused? Last edited by yvanleterrible; 07-22-2009 at 10:05 PM.

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07-18-2009, 11:03 PM	#2
Abecedary Exwyzeeologist Posts: 535 Karma: 3261 Join Date: Jun 2009 Device: :PRS-505::iPod touch:	Readius, we hardly knew ye. sniff

07-18-2009, 11:08 PM	#3
yvanleterrible Reborn Paper User Posts: 8,616 Karma: 15446734 Join Date: May 2006 Location: Que Nada Device: iPhone8, iPad Air	That's a damned shame. The Readius had the most interesting ergonomics. No doubt that following models would have had as much novelties of function... I was following their evolution with anticipation.

07-18-2009, 11:57 PM	#4
Andybaby Wizard Posts: 1,279 Karma: 1002683 Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: New York Device: PRS-700	readius forum yet still no jetbook forum. lalalala, 2 minutes work to add it. 30 seconds to just rename the readius forum jetbook then move all threads in the readius forum to legacy devices or just trash them

07-19-2009, 02:09 AM	#5
Dylrob Murderous Mustela Posts: 10,141 Karma: 47366760 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: The other land of schnitzel and beer Device: iPad M1 Pro, Kindle Paperwhite	Well... fiddlesticks. I was never in love with the design of the Readius, but the idea of a foldable screen has intrigued me for a long time. Especially if it were scaled up. I guess this isn't the end of it, but it would seem to push things back a bit.

07-20-2009, 07:40 AM	#8
yvanleterrible Reborn Paper User Posts: 8,616 Karma: 15446734 Join Date: May 2006 Location: Que Nada Device: iPhone8, iPad Air	We should let the thing die off first. Sheesh! Usually when a company announces that it will close it's like saying it's for sale. Remember GM? It's still possible some other entity might invest of buy them.

07-22-2009, 01:46 AM	#9
brecklundin Banned Posts: 1,906 Karma: 15348 Join Date: Jun 2007 Device: mine	I agree this design of the Readius was so innovative and really the ultimate to date in terms of portable. I had high hopes, but eventually lost them for the device when they were forcing specific mobile connectivity options. I just think that was a function of funding and resources rather than anything else. I hope someone like the folks with the company in the Ukraine or ??? see if they can bring this device back and call it The Phoenix as it willl rise form the ashes if done properly.

07-22-2009, 02:11 AM	#10
HansTWN Wizard Posts: 4,538 Karma: 264065402 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Taiwan Device: HP Touchpad, Sony Duo 13, Lumia 920, Kobo Aura HD	I think Plastic Logic uses the same technology (early prototypes were also flexible). So all is not lost, it should be a great device. Hopefully it will be priced similar to the DX and not the Irex DR. A phone also serves as a browser, so grey scale and e-ink are not really suitable. That phone was doomed from the start. But rollable displays are a great idea.

07-22-2009, 09:48 PM	#14
HansTWN Wizard Posts: 4,538 Karma: 264065402 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Taiwan Device: HP Touchpad, Sony Duo 13, Lumia 920, Kobo Aura HD	I am sure you can still find those videos on youtube (and I always hated chemistry, so I don't know much about plastics!). Can't tell what material they actually used and they didn't mention anything. But these early versions of the plastic reader could be rolled into a large tube, if you shook them they moved like an ocean wave. They were not foldable, though.