
One of the more low-key exhibits at the Display 2008 show in Tokyo was a new kind of e-paper that promises an electronic experience far closer to real paper than anything we’ve seen before.
The result of a collaboration between Seiko Epson and E Ink is e-paper that a user can ‘draw on’ with a stylus, just like its tree-based predecessors. In addition, a super-fast screen refresh of 50 cycles per second removes the lags that plague older e-papers.
At the heart of the breakthrough is a new controller chip that allows for speedy, multiple operations with no delay on screens with a resolution up to 2,048 x 1,536 pixels. The chip will be available to device builders from August.
The demonstration we saw was certainly impressive – the screen responded to being scribbled on instantly, resulting in an experience a lot like making notes with a pencil on a book or newspaper. The vid below almost shows all of that ![]()
Looking to the possible applications of the new e-paper, E Ink’s CEO Russ Wilcox said, “With the ability to address many screen regions simultaneously, future devices using this chip could offer a fast menu interface, simple animations, higher grayscale levels and user input through typing and touch.”
(Crossposted to TechRadar)
Author: Mark Hiratsuka
Displays | Events | R&D • Permalink
Tagged with: e-ink e-paper seiko
Next entry: Mumbling robots more pleasing than the silent type
Previous entry: Display 2008: E-paper makes move for big time (with video)
Support DWT and share the love:
Or try our acclaimed members-only dating site:
C'mon - let's hear it...
Spammers beware: Any links in comments to commercial websites will be treated as paid advertising and will be charged at rate of $10 per link per day. Invoices will be sent to the idiots who hire you for so-called SEO jobs. All you good people will always keep it real, of course - thanks!

Scan the super-duper QR code with your phone camera or