Color touch-screen e-Ink displays should be on devices, soon

Here’s some good news for e-book readers: e-Ink are prepping to roll out some improvements on their displays and by the end of the year, we should have readers with color and touch-sensitive screens.

Color e-Ink displays

With most existing digital ebook readers, including Amazon’s Kindle, B&Ns Nook and Sony’s Readers, having only black and white displays was kind of an impediment, especially after the launch of the iPad and other tablets on their way. A lot of potential ebook readers customers might have turned towards such devices, although the technology behind the first ones is better when using the device for actually reading texts. That’s because e-Ink displays are not artificially back-lit , thus they produce no glares and reflections in direct light conditions. In fact, they try to reproduce as close as possible the sensation you get when actually reading an old-fashioned paper printed book. And it’s not exactly the same feeling, but it is pretty close.

Now, with these devices offering touch controls, you will get rid of the jerky interface used before and you’ll be able to make selections, scroll, switch between pages with just a touch of the finger. Plus, you will be able to display colors, which is not actually something you will need for books, but will be great for those reading papers, magazines or manga/comic books on such devices.

With touch controls, should be available by the end of 2010

It will be interesting to see how much more expensive will devices with these new screens going to be, relative to existing ones (6 inch Kindle and Nook go for around 150 in the States). Plus, we should see the impact on battery life, as this is another big advantage for ebook readers, when compared to tablets: they can last for weeks on a single charge.

All in all, I’m glad to see things moving in this segment. After Apple launched the iPad, there were many preparing requiems for digital readers, but now, with e-ink displays getting better and better, I’m pretty sure there’s still a place for them on the market. Also expect new improvements soon. it might not be long until we actually see a device like the Skiff Reader in stores.

I know I for one would not give away my Kindle for a tablet, I’ve tried reading on one and my eyes couldn’t have been more soar after a couple of hours.

And I’m not saying touch tablets aren’t useful, they definitely are, just not for reading.

Via Digitimes

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Tags: e-ink, ebook reader, EEE Reader, touchscreen

Last updated: August 13, 2010 | Published: August 13th, 2010 | See the comments or add yours!