Freescale and E Ink have teamed up to develop a platform for color e-readers, based on the i.MX508 processor (which uses an ARM Cortex A8). This is the same processor that is currently driving E Ink's new monochrome display (the Pearl).
A color E Ink display prototype
Digitimes posted an interesting Q&A with the Chairmen of Hanvon and E Ink. They discuss the new color e-paper display, the cooperation between the two companies, and the educational e-reader market.
Seiko Epson announced that it has developed a new 16-bit micro-controller (the S1C17F57) for segmented e-paper displays (like the E Ink SURF). The new chip is now shipping samples, and will be available in volume by March 2011.
The S1C17F57 has memory (ROM and RAM), timers, and serial interfaces. It includes a real-time clock, theoretical regulation, a high performance segmented EPD driver, and a temperature sensor (so it can correct temperature related distortions). The IC draws 120 nA in sleep mode and the bare die is only 200-microns thick.
Seiko's active-matrix E Ink watch is now shipping in Amazon Japan. It costs ?84,000, which is just a little over $1000...
