July 2013

The Good E-Reader site posted a review of Seiko's SBPA003, their 2nd-gen E Ink watch. The watch uses an active-matrix E Ink panel, 1.5" in size (300 PPI). Seiko says it's got a new active-matrix drivers that enable it to be very power efficient. The watch recharges via a small solar-panel (which is located around the display). The watch synchronizes automatically via signals from atomic clocks, but these aren't available in all places.

The reviewer says that the watch is great, although there's no way to sync to Android or iOS.

One three days ago we reported that CopyTele's lawsuit against E Ink was dismissed (although they do have to participate in the CopyTele vs AUO arbitration meetings) - and today a new lawsuit was charged against E Ink, Amazon, B&N and Sony, this time by Research Frontiers.

Research Frontiers developed a technology called SPD, a smart light-control technology. They say that E Ink and the other companies infringed upon two of their patents. Research Frontiers say they have invested about $90 million dollar in decades of research to develop the SPD technology. Over 40 companies around the world entered into a license agreement with them.

In January 2013 CopyTele (CTI) filed a lawsuit against E Ink Holdings, alleging an elaborate scheme to steal valuable, patented electrophoretic display technologies developed by CopyTele. CTI also filed a similar lawsuit against AU Optronics.

Today the patent lawsuit against E Ink was dismissed and the court entered final judgment in E Ink’s favor. In the AU Optronics case, there will be arbitration hearings - and E Ink was ordered to participate in those hearings.