E Ink demonstrates evolved ebook display

 

Gallery

By Stuart Turton

Posted on 29 Oct 2008 at 09:11

Cambridge-based E Ink has been showing off the display technology which could power the next generation of ebook readers.

E Ink displays power the majority of today's ebook readers, but are limited by their slow refresh time and ability to show only static images. However, a video of the company's new developers kit, suggests it's some way along in correcting these drawbacks.

The AM 300 developers kit, which features an E Ink display and controller board, offers stylus-based touchscreen input and the ability to display animations on the page, with the demonstration video suggesting rendering speed has been given an impressive boost.

According to the company, the AM 300 could open up some interesting new applications for the readers: "This would enable advertisements on electric newspapers, you could also imagine applications in text books or even normal books where figures and explanations come to life," says Joanna Owl, E INK senior application engineer.

"With this new chip we're also able to drive four bit greyscale which is sixteen levels of grey which allows much sharper levels of photos."

To see the display in action click here.