April 2017

HP Developed a new system, called IonTouch, which enables cheap and easy "paperless" printing. The basic idea is that IonTouch can be used to "print" small displays for applications such as calling cards, QR Codes, badges and more.

Those cards are based on E Ink, and so does not require any power while the image stays - and of course the image can be changed with the "printing" equipment. Each display is a 2.5" 300x300 monochrome (16 grayscales) E Ink panel. HP is aiming for a low-cost solution and each display will cost less than $2 to make.

E Ink and Sony Semiconductor Solutions announced a joint venture with an aim to develop, manufacture and market products that use e-paper displays. Sony and E Ink Holdings will have about 70% of the shares in the new JV, while the rest will be owned by venture capital companies.

Sony has been using E Ink displays since 2004, first with its e-reader devices (it is still offering its large 13.3" flexible E Ink based reader, but the smaller ones are no longer in production) and later with wearables and other unique products.