July 2010

Amazon has just announced the third generation of their popular Kindle e-reader devices. The new Amazon Kindle is smaller, and lighter but still has the same display size. They are using the new 'pearl' displays, which offer an improved contrast (by 50%!). The display size is still 6", 600x800.

There are two versions: Wi-Fi only and WiFi/3G. Both versions will ship on August 27th, and can be pre-ordered now. The Wi-Fi only will cost $139, and will come in Graphite. The 3G version will cost $189, and you can choose between white and Graphite.

You can now buy a Pixel-Qi display for your netbook (10.1"). Engadget has posted a nice guide on how to actually install such a display. Beside the how-to guide, they also review the quality. They say that in a normal usage mode, it's basically just like a normal LCD in regard to brightness and colors. The viewing angle, however, is poor. Pixel Qi promises a new, better-angled display soon. Outdoor visibility is awesome.

HP is reportedly developing new e-paper materials that will be sued to make bright, efficient, video-capable displays.

Fujitsu has a new hospital registration system. It uses a small tag that has an E Ink display, into which you insert your "patient" card which then analyzes your medical history and latest info and uses wireless connectivity to tell when a doctor/nurse will be available to attend. The service will start in February 2011.

E Ink Holding (previous PVI) has posted their June revenues - $53.04 million (USD). Down 3% sequentially but up 4% on year. E Ink expects its revenues for the second quarter of 2010 to remain flat or increase slightly compared to the first quarter.

Revenues for the third quarter are expected to rise significantly, because there are several new e-readers planned for that time.

Pixel-Qi has started to offer 10.1" DYI displays a couple of days ago. They are available here, for $275, but are already sold-out. Hopefully they'll have more by next week.

These screens replace those found in the Samsung N130 & Lenovo S10-2. Although they do work in other models, the only guaranteed compatibility is on those 2 specific netbooks.

Changing the screen of your netbook is easy, the process takes about 5-10 minutes using a small screwdriver. It’s simple: 2-4 screws have to be removed to allow unsnapping of the front plastic bezel. Once that step is done, removal of another few screws allows the screen to be unlatched and its cable disconnected. Next, the Pixel Qi screen is plugged in, screwed in, and the bezel snapped back in place. That’s it.

E Ink has announced their next-gen display technology called Pearl, to be released in July 2010. This new display has about 50% improved contrast ratio compared to the current Vizplex displays. The Pearl has 16 levels of gray, improved power consumption (and of course they do not require power when images are not changed).

The Pearl is the display used in Amazon's new Graphite Kindle DX, which will ship on July 2010, and cost $379.

Amazon has announced an upgrade to the original Kindle DX: the new Graphite Kindle DX. It has a new 9.7" E Ink display that has 50% improved contrast, and is cheaper - $379 (down from $489!). It still has free US 3G access (Sprint 3G) and 4GB of internal memory. Oh, and it's gray.

The Graphite Kindle DX will ship on July 7th for $379. You can pre-order it now.