Android-powered eBook readers on the horizon?

 

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By Stuart Turton

Posted on 13 Feb 2009 at 09:14

A motley group of developers have built a prototype E-Ink device running Android.

E-Ink screens are typically found on eBook readers, meaning their potential applications have been severely limited.

However, the Moto team in San Francisco believes that because E-Ink screens only require power when changing the display, they could be applied to a much broader range of applications.

In order to prove this, the team is currently demonstrating a proof-of-concept E-Ink device running the Android OS.

In the demonstration the team navigates the familiar Android interface, opening apps and showing what can be achieved.

While the demonstration is somewhat hampered by the two-second refresh delays common to E-Ink displays, there is certainly evidence that the two could make a formidable combination in the future.

"Google has really targeted Android at mobile devices but we believe it's a really good candidate to power other consumer devices," says a Moto group engineer in a demonstration video.

"Because it's open source there's a lot you can do to modify it and customise it for a specific application."