Prototype Rollable Paper-like Display Ready Early 267
freitasm writes "A few months ago Philips promised a rollable, paper-like display in two years, but it only took them a few months to have a prototype ready. From the article: 'The Readius is the world's first prototype of a functional electronic-document reader that can unroll its display to a scale larger than the device itself. With four gray levels, the monochrome, 5-inch QVGA (320 pixels x 240 pixels) display provides paper-like viewing with a high contrast ratio. Once the user has finished reading, the display can be rolled back into the pocket-size (100 mm x 60 mm x 20 mm) device.'"
need higher resolution and more gray level (Score:4, Insightful)
From the article: With four gray levels, the monochrome, 5-inch QVGA (320 pixels x 240 pixels) display provides paper-like viewing comfort with a high contrast ratio for reading-intensive applications, including text, graphics, and electronic maps.
This is the type of screen resolution for my Digital Reader, the resolution that made me send it back the day I got it. There's nothing paper-like about reading dot-matrix like resolutions. The eye doesn't adapt but instead becomes increasingly fatigued.
This technology may have some application for computer-like applications. I was hoping for e-books. This screen resolution won't cut that....
Give it some time. (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:Give it some time. (Score:2, Funny)
Re:Give it some time. (Score:5, Interesting)
If they can mass produce it ... (Score:5, Interesting)
Another major selling point could be the ability to stay 'on' the whole time while still sucking up less battery. How much battery is sucked up by current displays? After all, there is a reason why all cellphones have screen savers or at least the ability to choose for how long after the key presses the display has to stay bright. Of course you might not be able to use your cellphone or iPod as nightlamp anymore ...
While an extensible, always-on display could be a selling feature of some such portable device (oh yeah, did I mention portable music players?) it would still need to be priced reasonably. In-between the current B&W braindead displays and the current fancy color displays of phone-cams.
Re:If they can mass produce it ... (Score:5, Interesting)
There are more reasons to demonstrate this than 'we can sell it'. By doing this they are not only getting feedback from potential customers and hardware developers but also cementing themselves as being one the pioneers of the technology.
If a company designed a new type of PC memory I would imagine they would build a prototype motherboard to demonstrate it to the professional motherboard manufacturers. They may not concern themselves with building the commercial motherboard as it's not in their expertise, rather develop business relations with motherboard manufacturers to allow them to embed it.
Re:If they can mass produce it ... (Score:3)
Yes, that has been Phillips' way of doing business for a long time now. Seems to work well for them, and we actually get to see quite a few of their inventions, so companies seem to be quite willing to take their 'inventions' and make products based on them.
Re:Give it some time. (Score:5, Funny)
> CD-I... what?
Yeah, and CDs. CD players are just too expensive. They'll never catch on.
Re:Give it some time. (Score:3, Interesting)
Basicaly DVD functions on normal CD-Rom media.
Re:Give it some time. (Score:2)
Re:Give it some time. (Score:5, Interesting)
Well mostly just that you can sell suckers (most buyers) a low rez 17" LCD screen and they don't know the difference.
Heck look at what prices 15" LCD TVs go for! You can get a 15" LCD Monitor for less.
And a computer with a TV tuner!
Re:need higher resolution and more gray level (Score:2, Redundant)
Give it time. This is "the world's first prototype".
GREEN SCREENS! (Score:2)
Re:need higher resolution and more gray level (Score:2)
Do you really think they would say "paper-like display in two years" and then throw something out in two months, and put it on the market? It will still be two years before something like this hits the shops.
Re:need higher resolution and more gray level (Score:2)
Paper like comfort *IF* the text was PRINTED using a dot matrix printer..
Re:need higher resolution and more gray level (Score:5, Interesting)
It all depends on the specifics of the device. I'ved used a Handspring Prism [pdasupport.com] with a resolution of only 160x160 for years for an ebook reader, and it's great. I've gone through quite a few, especially from Baen [baen.com]
It ends up with a column width around that of an article in a newspaper or magazine, and is quite readable. Even when only using a limited number of colors (default fonts are only 1-bit) ti works well. I think much of it is due to having a white background. So the reflective properties and contrast of the display itself could make a huge difference.
Re:need higher resolution and more gray level (Score:2, Insightful)
Re:need higher resolution and more gray level (Score:5, Insightful)
The two key features that make this a revolutionary new display technology is that it is thin and flexible (and can be manufactured and processed as giant sheets) and that it is bi-stable, meaning once you set the image it takes no power to retain that image. These two features are unlike any other display technology we have today, and unltimately will define the applications it is appropriate for. This really does have the potential to radically change periodical print media, personal printing, and poster/billboard advertising.
In the future, I would encourage you to learn a little bit more about a new technology before saying it sucks.
Re:need higher resolution and more gray level (Score:5, Informative)
Re:need higher resolution and more gray level (Score:3, Insightful)
Also interesting for the thin, flexible and "no need to maintain power" part, the displayed prototype on have 80dpi resolution and AFAIK a really poor constrast. So I don't want to bash ne
Re:need higher resolution and more gray level (Score:2)
It'll be great to watch as it develops though - if we could send videos of drunk girls [vobbo.com] via email/MMS out to handheld paper displays, I think college students could die happy.
Re:need higher resolution and more gray level (Score:2)
Re:need higher resolution and more gray level (Score:5, Interesting)
And I too have read ebooks on a smaller 320x240 display and found it easy enough to keep using 5 hours+ in a row during reading sessions.
Re:need higher resolution and more gray level (Score:2)
Using a bi-stable electrophoretic display effect from E Ink Corp., the display consumes little power and is easy to read, even in bright daylight
So you spent more time typing an irrelevant comment than it woulda taken you to RTFA. But hey, this IS slashdot
Ready for primetime? (Score:5, Insightful)
- Greg
Re:Ready for primetime? (Score:2)
Just about everything you use started out really pricey and flaky -- but then got cheap and reliable.
Re:Ready for primetime? (Score:3, Interesting)
I'm really excited about reflective (vs emissive, like color LCD) displays though. Computers just won't work well outside dimly lit offices until reflective displays are practical. Think about a large-screen TV with NO brightness issues; you want it brighter, just shine a lamp on it (like a painting).
Re:Ready for primetime? (Score:2, Funny)
you mean like the iPod?
Re:Ready for primetime? (Score:2)
Re:Ready for primetime? (Score:2)
Re:Ready for primetime? (Score:5, Insightful)
It's a good start. They said they'd have a prototype in 2 years, it took a few months... but it's nothing more than a proof of concept.
Re: (Score:3, Interesting)
Re:Ready for primetime? (Score:3, Insightful)
A prototype isn't "Well, it's got a couple of bugs, but otherwise it's ready".
A prototype is "if we cobble together these bits and pieces, you can get a general idea of what it might possibly look like once we've actually developed it"
Re:Ready for primetime? (Score:5, Funny)
Oh oh! (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Oh oh! (Score:5, Funny)
This is going to completely ruin the blonde joke involving computer screens and white out!
Yeah but it will introduce a new joke about the blonde wiping her ass with her monitor.
Re:Oh oh! (Score:2)
How tough is it? (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:How tough is it? (Score:2)
Re:How tough is it? (Score:2)
Re:How tough is it? (Score:3, Insightful)
Will it have a paper-like price-tag (bumped up slightly for it's more durable state)? If yes, great. Otherwise it being fragile is a real concern. Now I'm by no means rough with my expensive gadgets, but if it's too flimsy when unrolling it, it's usefulness is decreased dramatically.
Also, how easy will it be to keep this thing open? And do you really need both hands? Reading something so small two handed can be annoying (please leave the jokes f
Re:How tough is it? (Score:2)
Re:How tough is it? (Score:5, Insightful)
So think of a mobile phone sized device that can expand out to screen size of a PSP (or something like that). Then give that screen touch pad or stylus abilities, and a powerful CPU and you have an ultimate generic portable PC with game, mp3 and organiser abilities.
Re:How tough is it? (Score:2)
It means a lower weight device with much lower power consumption. I like the idea of one of these devices as a simple e-book reader that runs on a single AA.
Big version of the image in the article... (Score:5, Informative)
Re:Big version of the image in the article... (Score:2)
What sport are those results from? More specifically, who exactly is "Kaka"? "Kaka" is a term normally used by children to refer to faeces. It is indeed quite a hilarity that it would be the name of an athlete!
Also, what sort of device is that? Is that device required to modify and view the images that are displayed? If so, that looks to be less portable than your typical PDA.
Re:Big version of the image in the article... (Score:2)
Re:Big version of the image in the article... (Score:2)
You're thinking of caca [reference.com].
Kaka means something else [reference.com].
This is just unacceptable (Score:3, Funny)
Who cares about yellow cards, i wanted to know who toped the red card ranks.
omg... (Score:4, Interesting)
E:FC MCI "Global" [jjambproductions.com]
Yet another case of companies ripping off scifi inventions. The only difference is the EFC ones were badged MCI. And of course, the Philips ones are functional. :)
That having been said, I can't wait to pick one up!
Re:omg... (Score:3, Insightful)
That was the first thing I was thinking too! Can't wait to pick one of these up in the sto'or.
Seriously though, most of the rest of the global technology already exists, essentiall it's a video/camera phone with the roll-up display. Of course the real time video phone technology as well as the truly global (& orbital) range are a long ways off practicality wise.
It's definitely reasonable to expect a device very similar to the EFC Global within our lifetimes.
Re:omg... (Score:2)
Re:omg... (Score:3, Funny)
Re:Sci-fi precedents (Score:2)
press release from polymervision (Score:5, Informative)
http://www.polymervision.com/New-Center/Press-Rel
This will revolutionize schools (Score:5, Funny)
Now thats progress.
Re:This will revolutionize schools (Score:3, Insightful)
Re:This will revolutionize schools (Score:4, Funny)
Better watch where you put your textbooks....
Re:This will revolutionize schools (Score:2, Insightful)
Where are these societies where people aren't interested in pictures of other, naked people? I think such a society would be very dull. And short-lived.
Red Planet (Score:5, Interesting)
Applications! (Score:2, Funny)
The Ultimate PDA (Score:5, Funny)
Re:The Ultimate PDA (Score:2)
I call bullshit.
Re: /. Poker (Score:2, Funny)
Re: /. Poker (Score:2)
Measurements... (Score:2)
Reminds me of that prop on SG-1 in Window of Opportunity with the guy's wife's picture on it, except that was color (and was a lot better than 320x240
A comparision: (Score:2)
But I agree. Get it to a higher resolution and color, and you got yourself a deal.
Great military potential (Score:2, Interesting)
Re:Great military potential (Score:5, Funny)
E-Ink (Score:4, Interesting)
Check out their site to see the roadmap... we should be seeing much improved versions of this gadget very soon.
Re:E-Ink (Score:2)
Re:E-Ink (Score:5, Informative)
That is not true. Each display has a frontplane (the display mechanism) and a backplane (the transistors that control it).
As far as I understand it, only the front plane is by e-Ink. The back plane was apparently entirely developed by polymer vision.
An interesting fact is, that it is based on organic electronics. (check out the tech section). If they manage to bring this display to market, it will probably be the first commercial application of organic electronic.
Re:E-Ink (Score:3, Funny)
Shadow, or Vorlon?
That's Great but... (Score:2, Interesting)
Only a few month? (Score:3, Informative)
The new thing is the reader. Functional prototypes of the displays have been presented way earlier, as obvious from many older articles on slashdot. The displays have been under development for at least five years. Check out the publications from the polymervision website:
H. E. A. Huitema, G. H. Gelinck, J. B. P. H. van der Putten, K. E. Kuijk, C. M. Hart, E. Cantatore, P. T. Herwig, A. J. J. M. van Breemen, D. M. de Leeuw, Plastic transistors in active-matrix displays, Nature 2001, 414, 599.
G. H. Gelinck, T. C. T. Geuns, D. M. de Leeuw,High-performance all-polymer integrated circuits, Appl. Phys. Lett. 2000, 77, 1487-1489.
C. J. Drury, C. M. J. Mutsaerts, C. M. Hart, M. Matters, D. M. de Leeuw, Low-cost all-polymer integrated circuits., Appl. Phys. Lett. 1998, 73, 108-110.
direct competition to print (Score:2)
People said the same thing when the internet came, but they underestimated the importance that we give to the flexibilty of paper - it can be rolled, folded, tucked in your suitcase, offer a large view etc. Now finally, we have a ch
Re:direct competition to print (Score:2)
Sorry.. you made an interesting and serious post but I just couldn't resist.
G
Buttons on the top (Score:5, Insightful)
My Pocket PC (Asus a716) has buttons on the top (when held landscape) that I can push with either index finger.
The main problem I see with this prototype is they force you to hold the device with your left hand in a specific position to operate the buttons. Hopefully an engineer will have the foresight to put multiple sets of page up / down buttons on the device so it can be utilized in different ways.
Dan East
Flat speakers (Score:2, Interesting)
Here's a better image (Score:4, Funny)
Nattering Nabobs of Negativity (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:Nattering Nabobs of Negativity (Score:2, Interesting)
Mod Parent Up (Score:2, Insightful)
-AT
Re:Nattering Nabobs of Negativity (Score:2, Insightful)
thankfully... (Score:3, Insightful)
right? right...?
There's a gumstix in that thing! (Score:2)
best use for this: (Score:3, Interesting)
Very slow response time of 0.5 - 1 s (Score:3, Interesting)
Obligatory stolen joke from last time round (Score:2, Funny)
Gripe Gripe Gripe (Score:4, Insightful)
"There's nothing paper-like about reading dot-matrix like resolutions."
"this stuff is much greyer than even newsprint. There's a reason real paper is white"
"Cool prototype and proof of concept, but is it ready for primetime with the specs?"
Of course it isn't! Thats why it's a prototype!! It'll get brighter and more... erm... contrastier... and the resolution will increase. It's not like they expect you to buy and use one today.
Re:Gripe Gripe Gripe (Score:3, Insightful)
Better yet, imagine
Heck, I know that is a gross over simplification and stereotype. I look at it this way, imagine bottom of the barrel and when something better comes along, you'
Twistability (Score:3, Funny)
Prototype Rollable Paper-like Display Ready Early (Score:3)
Nobody puts paper back on the roll around here!
Bedsheets (Score:3, Funny)
Re:Looks good... (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Looks good... (Score:3, Funny)
Re:Looks good... (Score:2, Funny)
Re:Looks good... (Score:3, Informative)
Re:Looks good... (Score:2, Funny)
Re:Building a better mouse trap? (Score:3, Interesting)
This