December 2009

Apple are working on a tablet computer - this rumor has been around for ages. Now there are new rumors that the new gadget will primarily be an e-reader. Obviously that might shake up the whole e-reader market...

It'll be interesting to see what kind of display will the new device have. The best display for e-readers is e-paper (currently almost all e-readers use E Ink displays). There were rumors that Apple will use OLEDs in their new tablet. We'll have to wait and see...

PVI has signed a deal with LG Display, which will be able to make E Ink based panels. LG Displays has invested (in bonds) around $30 million in Hydis, PVI's subsidiary.

IBM is developing new systems for retail and energy suppliers. This is part of their 'Smarter-Planet' initiative to create useful, efficient and green systems. IBM has shown new electronic shelf labels that use E Ink to display prices. The labels themselves are made by MariSense.

IBM E Ink shelf labels

The Flexible Display Center (at the Arizona State University) has developed a controller for a WowWee Rovio Robot using a flexible E Ink display:

Toppan Printing has developed and prototyped a new solution-processed TFT using transparent amorphous oxide semiconductor and a low-temperature manufacturing process. Toppan is using this to drive a flexible e-paper - they say that the new technology will enable cheap, light weight and flexible e-papers. 

Toppan is showing a 2" x 2" prototype, with a 80x60 resolution. The TFT substrate is made of glass, and the semiconductor material is a transparent amorphous oxide semiconductor.

Philips say they have developed a new kind of color e-paper. They call it"e-skins", and think it is suitable for covering gadgets, such as mobile phones or mp3-players...

Taiwan's Delta Electronics plans to broaden its e-paper business to applications such as highway billboards. They are using Bridgestone's e-paper. They will also launch e-readers in 1H 2010.

China's Hanwang is currently using 5" E Ink displays (made by PVI) for their e-readers. They have now started to use AUO's panels (9" ones) for future products in 2010.

Hanwang hopes to sell over 500,000 e-readers in 2009, and over a million in 2010.