Mirasol - Page 2

Here's a nice video from CES showing the new color E Ink display as used in the Hanvon reader, and also a color Mirasol display. It's nice to compare them:

Qualcomm's new Mirasol plant was rumored for a long time, and now it's official: Qualcomm will build a new Mirasol plant in Taiwan in a $1 billion investment. The new plant will make small and medium sized Mirasol displays.

There are reports that PocketBook will release an e-reader at CES 2011 (January) - the first one with a Mirasol display. This will be a color display featuring 12fps refresh rate. PocketBook says that this is a mistake, but the information was included in an official PR...

Two days ago we reported that Mirasol displays are delayed till early 2011. But that was not true: today we hear that Qualcomm is already producing panels and will start shipping them to OEMs this fall. But the release of devices that uses these displays is not expected before early 2011.

The 5.7" XGA displays will be used in devices that look more like a tablet than an e-reader. In the future they also plan to produce smaller displays for smartphones. They did not comment about the $2 billion Mirasol plant.

Update: It seems that Qualcomm are already prodcuing Mirasol 5.7" panels. But devices using those displays are only expected to be released early in 2011.

Qualcomm's Mirasol displays are delayed again - till early 2011. The real volume production will begin in 2012 - Qualcomm plans to invest $2 billion in a 4.5 Gen production plant, that will produce 5.7" panels.

Qualcomm plans to invest $2 billion in a 4.5 Gen Mirasol production plant. Volume production will being in 2012. The mainly aim to produce 5.7" color panels. There are reports that samples have been shipped to customers already, and at least one 'major client' has started the design-in process.

Mirasol displays claim a 6X power advantage of E Ink, offer a fast response time (enough for Video!) and color.

Engadget has got some new information on Qualcomm's Mirasol display exhibited at CES:

• Qualcomm claims a 6X (!) power advantage over E Ink in a typical usage scenario, even with the color and video.
• Qualcomm expects that the first product that uses their display will indeed use the 5.7" XGA display that Qualcomm are showing.
• The display can be paired with a capactivie or resistive touchscreen (which impairs visibility a little, just like it does with any other display).
• Qualcomm has a method to light the display from the edges, which will provide even lighting across the display.

Qualcomm is showing their new Mirasol displays, and they look good. It's a 5.7" XGA color screen, that is very power efficient, but faster (can play video), has color, and should be cheaper.

There are rumors that the new displays might be used in future Kindle devices. We'll have to wait and see. In any case, Qualcomm say that the displays will be ready by automn.

Qualcomm says that they are on-track to deliver their full-color Mirasol displays for e-readers late in 2010. These are 5.7" displays at XGA resolution. They have a fast refresh rates, can play videos, and are readable in direct sunlight. Qualcomm says that the battery consumption is good, too.