E-ink can be fast, proven with Sony Reader PRS-T1
E-readers aren't exactly our most focused-on products, but devices that use the e-ink technology that's featured in almost all e-readers are starting to become some of the hottest products around.
Above is just a simple Sony Reader; the PRS-T1, to be exact. This device was designed to just be a simple e-reader, like its name implies. But a few hackers were able to load Android on it. Until now, however, apps and videos look terrible due to e-ink's programmed slow refresh rates.
It turns out that e-ink is actually designed to have slow refresh rates to enhance the picture quality of the display. It can have much higher refresh rates, but they come at the expense of reduced-quality text and images, which is a big no-no for eReaders. Another reason for the hold-back in refresh rates is power usage. And, as you all know, eReaders are insanely low-powered devices, but that's mostly because the device doesn't actually need to refresh all that often. With videos, games, and other apps, refreshing is a near constant occurrence.
Still, even with those caveats, e-ink could prove to replace LCD panels in tablets in the near future, especially when Mirasol hits the mainstream. What are your thoughts on e-ink?
[The eBook Reader]
