Color Kindle to use Qualcomm's Mirasol screen

[Godzil]

Why thé kindle? I can read too that could be Apple that will use such a screen on a future tablette/iPhone...

Who knows...

[DMcCunney]

Originally Posted by Godzil

Why thé kindle? I can read too that could be Apple that will use such a screen on a future tablette/iPhone...

Who knows...

The Kindle gets the buzz because a Qualcomm rep in an interview made a thinly veiled reference to Amazon as someone Qualcomm would partner with in 2010, and Qualcomm's Mirasol web site outs ereaders as an application:
http://www.mirasoldisplays.com/ereader/

But yes, if proven, this techology has far broader applicarions.
______
Dennis

[gastan]

Originally Posted by DMcCunney

I'd place it at a lot more than a matter of months.

Mirasol is new technology. Qualcomm has to ramp up from prototype to volume production, which will happen after they have sufficient design wins to justify the investment, and Amazon and whoever else will have to design devices to use them, and get sufficient displays from Qualcomm to ramp up for volume production.

This is not a quick process. Right now, you can assume Qualcomm is sampling evaluation display units to interested parties. I'd call "end of 2010" the time when we would start seeing these available.

______
Dennis

Apparently the fab plant is already up and running:
"SAN DIEGO - June 2, 2009 - /PRNewswire/— Qualcomm MEMS Technologies, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Qualcomm Incorporated (Nasdaq: QCOM) today announced that a dedicated mirasol® display fabrication plant in the Longtan's Science Park in Taoyuan, Taiwan has commenced operations. "
From: http://www2.prnewswire.com/mnr/qualcomm/38597/

And more than one source is reporting availability by the end of 2010. For example, Slashgear reports multiple OEM's and says a 5.7" version by years end.
http://www.slashgear.com/qualcomm-mi...-2010-1863752/

Another article at OhGizmo (from CES 2010) with a photo of a small screen version and a shot with two of the large screen versions here:
http://www.ohgizmo.com/2010/01/07/ce...asol-displays/

[Jellby]

You know that device that everyone reads books on?

The armchair? The Holy Grail (there are lots of books on that )?

[Bremen Cole]

Sounds like excellent technology and a good next step. I would like to see the screens live to get an idea what it actually looks like.

[WT Sharpe]

Originally Posted by Jellby

The armchair? The Holy Grail (there are lots of books on that )?

As far as I can tell, none of the company sources actually mention Kindle, and Sony has done a bit of advertising recently to get their name out there as well. In truth, "that device that everyone reads books on" doesn't cinch the case for Amazon's e-reader.

[Daithi]

Originally Posted by WT Sharpe

As far as I can tell, none of the company sources actually mention Kindle, and Sony has done a bit of advertising recently to get their name out there as well. In truth, "that device that everyone reads books on" doesn't cinch the case for Amazon's e-reader.

I don't know WT Sharp. I think that when a company represenative makes a statement like "that device that everyone reads books on" he is certainly implying that he is talking about the device that is leading the market in ereaders currently being sold. I feel pretty safe in inferring that he was talking about the Kindle.

[Godzil]

For me "that device that everyone reads books on" is an iPhone with Stanza

[DMcCunney]

Originally Posted by WT Sharpe

As far as I can tell, none of the company sources actually mention Kindle, and Sony has done a bit of advertising recently to get their name out there as well. In truth, "that device that everyone reads books on" doesn't cinch the case for Amazon's e-reader.

No, but it's a good bet. Given Amazon's position on the web, the Kindle is arguably the best known dedicated reader. It's a front page item seen by anyone who visits Amazon, and just about everybody visits Amazon...

There are probably people who think of Kindle as a synonym for ebook reader and will apply the name to any such device. I doubt Amazon will be unhappy about that...
______
Dennis

[LDBoblo]

Originally Posted by Godzil

For me "that device that everyone reads books on" is an iPhone with Stanza

Actually it's a PC.

The common rumor was floating around CES as I mentioned earlier in another thread. Its veracity is questionable, including an alleged comment from a representative. I however have no inclination whatsoever to believe Apple has any vested interest in Mirasol or any other e-paper company. I have a tiny bit of reason to believe Amazon might be interested in it. Whether they'll come up with a good product is another question entirely.