E-Ink release first colour E-reader

E-Ink, the company responsible for the monochrome displays on the Amazon Kindle and Sony Reader devices have just launched their new colour ebook reader display this week.

The benefits of E-Ink readers are well known, with less eyestrain caused by the removal of backlit technology. Power reduction is also significantly lower as LCD technology constantly draws power. This can increase battery life from days to weeks. Electronic Ink works by attracting black or white powders to the front of the clear pixel capsules.

E-Ink are based in Cambridge, Massachusetts and have managed to improve the technology by dividing the capsules into four subcapsules, each containing red, blue, green and white powders.

This display can handle thousands of colours although due to the technology the colours don't look as vibrant as a backlit LCD screen.  “We are improving our base material to get more colour saturation,” E Ink engineer Sriram Peruvemba told New Scientist.

KitGuru says: Exciting or useless for books? Share your views.

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