Flexible eBook reader company folds

 

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By Stuart Turton

Posted on 21 Jul 2009 at 08:40

Polymer Vision, the makers of the Readius folding eBook reader, have shut down after running into funding problems.

The Readius was one of the most interesting of the current crop of eBook readers due to its flexible screen which allowed it to be folded away in the pocket.

Among its other tricks, the device doubled as a mobile phone with the fold-out screen being used to check and recieve email, peruse your calenders and contacts, and access your favourite mags and newspapers.

Given that most devices using E Ink screens seem to be specialist devices, the Readius was an interesting peek at the other applications the technology could be applied to.

The device was slated for a May 2007 launch, but funding issues brought long delays which finally appear to have caught up with the firm, based in Southampton. The closure brings the loss of 50 jobs.

There's no word yet on what will happen to the technology.