It looks like a couple of companies are getting set to release new ebook readers with color E Ink screens in China soon.
There’s the iReader C6, pictured above, from a company that’s released several black-and-white ebook readers, and there’s another one from a company called iFlytek.
Both devices have a 6-inch screen capable of displaying 4096 colors.
Apparently they’re using E Ink’s new print color technology.
The 6-inch screen size is kind of an odd choice for color; you’d think a larger screen would be better-suited for color content, but at least it’s a start.
Along with the Hisense color E Ink phone, these two new ebook readers are among the first devices to use a color E Ink screen. The JetBook Color was the first way back in 2012, but it used E Ink’s older color screen tech and it failed to catch on at all. Hopefully these newer screens can deliver a better user experience (it helps having a frontlight to illuminate the color).
These devices most surely aren’t going to be sold in the US—they probably don’t even support English— but maybe they will help pave the way for a new wave of color ereaders in 2020.
via: cnTechPost
Hopefully the larger companies will come out with new readers this year. 10″ with additional storage might be a good size for manga and graphics heavy magazines and books.
An Onyx type device might be interesting.
Main challenge will be pricing.
Ebook consumption will probably increase this year due to coronavirus issues like library and bookstore closings. Publishers are probably struggling with the needed idea of supporting ebook sales. Good color devices, along with regular tablets may be one of the few ways get graphic content this year.
Well I don’t know the conjuncture in your country, but in Spain it’s going to be big crisis because coronavirus and I guess too few people will be able to buy luxuries goods.
Probably a big crisis worldwide, Vicente. Maryland, U.S. for me. Most non-essential stores are closed. People will still consume media to keep sane during various levels of restriction/lockdown. Library ebooks through Overdrive have been great.
Same economic challenges here…still want progress…even if few buy devices.
Good luck.
That searingly bright white bezel is certainly not doing the screen any favors. It frankly looks terrible.
I totally agree. A white e-reader has always been a deal breaker for me.
Nathan: I was wondering if you agree that with the advent of a color e-ink readers regular black-and-white e-readers will be a thing of the past? (Perhaps just kept around for nostalgia or niche collectors). After all, these new color e-readers are approaching tablet capacity.
Honestly I think they’ll fizzle out just like they did ten years ago. If it was really a game changer companies like Amazon would be first in line. It’s not true, rich color. They’re using a color filter that degrades clarity. I would bet that the contrast for text is worse than a regular E Ink screen.