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Apple Exploring E-Ink/Video Hybrid Displays for iPhone?

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Apr 12, 2001
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The other interesting patent application coming out of Apple yesterday was one of a hybrid e-Paper/Video iOS display. Apple's second patent surprise of the day is all about Apple devising a next generation iPhone that would effectively offer us a smart hybrid display that could switch between a standard LCD and an e-Paper display. In fact, it's so smart that the display could actually subdivide itself into quadrants that could intelligently switch display types depending on the content that the user is running. E-Ink displays have been popular on early eReaders such as the Amazon Kindle. E-Ink displays are unbacklit high resolution displays that offer superior readability in direct sunlight. Amazon even ran TV ads promoting this feature over Apple's iPad. Fans of e-Ink also claim the displays are less fatiguing on the eyes over long periods of reading.

Apple's new research into a hybrid e-Ink/Video display is reminiscent of technology from 3Qi who also offers a dual-mode LCD screen that offers both reflective e-ink as well as a the traditional emissive video mode.

Article Link: Apple Exploring E-Ink/Video Hybrid Displays for iPhone?
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2011/04/08/apple-exploring-e-ink-video-hybrid-displays-for-iphone/
I think it would be great if Apple could produce a good hybrid display. I like both the IPS of the iPhone and e-Ink on my kindle. Having the best of both worlds would be awesome. Not likely, but awesome.
 
nwcs said:
I think it would be great if Apple could produce a good hybrid display. I like both the IPS of the iPhone and e-Ink on my kindle. Having the best of both worlds would be awesome. Not likely, but awesome.
Click to expand...

Agree that it would be awesome, but probably unlikely. Guess they just want to keep a hold on the patent...
 
iPad yes! iPhone no!

This would be killer for the iPad... iPhone... no... iPad yes.

But they should also have a retina only option for the iPad. I would not care about e-ink. But I know many who love their Kindles would so they could read in the sun.

Michael
 
How is this patentable? There are several companies already working on this.

Tony
 
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I'm a proud owner of both and a strong advocate of the Kindle. This would kill all other e-readers.
 
iBooks... only feature that I never touch on my iPad. A hybrid display would complete the experience for me. I'm not holding my breath though.
 
the best application for this would be when the phone is in standby. would be nice to have the clock and perhaps some other data like upcoming iCal items on there in e-ink so there's no battery drain.
and also, obviously, a mode in iBooks to switch to pure e-ink for when reading in the sun, and switch to backlight when reading at night

sounds like a good response to the kindle advert
 
I say go for it! I love to have options. I enjoy reading books on both screens but agree that if I am reading in the dark the LCD hurts my eyes:cool:
 
illitrate23 said:
the best application for this would be when the phone is in standby. would be nice to have the clock and perhaps some other data like upcoming iCal items on there in e-ink so there's no battery drain.
and also, obviously, a mode in iBooks to switch to pure e-ink for when reading in the sun, and switch to backlight when reading at night

sounds like a good response to the kindle advert
Click to expand...

Some nice ideas there.
 
Wow if Apple did this for the iPad and offered a cheaper model with less storage to entice the e-reader crowd...... they would crush the kindle and other e-readers out there On their way to world dominance
 
I love my Nook ereader, and have been eye-balling the Sony Pocket Reader due to its small size/weight. While an iPhone with a hybrid display would be too small for some, it would be nice to have such a portable e-ink capable display in my pocket, nearly all the time.
 
Needs to be on the iPad. I love my iPad, but it will never replace a Kindle. The e-ink is so much better for reading.
 
levitynyc said:
Needs to be on the iPad. I love my iPad, but it will never replace a Kindle. The e-ink is so much better for reading.
Click to expand...

Indeed. I love the Kindle's screen for reading novels and most documents that don't have charts or tables.

However, I don't see how it would be possible for the iPad to have a glossy screen and make good use of e-ink. The strength of the Kindle is that there is no glare in the sun (or any bright light). Would Apple be willing to forgo the glossy touch screen in favor of a matte touch screen (I believe one of Sony's e-readers uses such a screen)?
 
illitrate23 said:
the best application for this would be when the phone is in standby. would be nice to have the clock and perhaps some other data like upcoming iCal items on there in e-ink so there's no battery drain.
and also, obviously, a mode in iBooks to switch to pure e-ink for when reading in the sun, and switch to backlight when reading at night

sounds like a good response to the kindle advert
Click to expand...

Constantly having the e-ink refresh for time changes, notifications, etc. would still drain the battery (of course not as much as the LCD).

E-ink for books would be nice. However, there's still an issue of the glass to worry about. E-ink works well in the sun because of the matte finish.
 
If it could be pulled off it will be great, but i dont expect news of this nature to come out of apple.
 
Why is everyone only thinking of this being useful when you read books? E-ink only uses power to change an image on a screen, which would make this very useful on the iPhone. Think of having all if your notifications, time, date, and other things on the screen when its locked. All without use up any more power.
 
I don't really see apple doing this, unless maybe they implement an e-ink SDK that allows app developers to switch modes when it would be appropriate.

The home screen would be terrible in e-ink, as they would have to remove all the animations (dragging, folders, the wobble when changing apps, etc), not to mention icons which would look bad in grayscale (Unless it is color e-ink).

It would be good for battery and for using it in the sun, but pretty much terrible to use because of the ultra slow refresh rate.
 
Definitely makes more sense in the iPad than iPhone. Anyone know how thick these types of screens are compared to regular displays?
 
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