Colour e-ink screens to take a stand at CES

We’ve seen a few e-book readers with e-ink screens so far, but while they’re crisp and clear, these greyscale-only displays still have a way to go before they combine the best of both paper and colour computer displays. Colour displays are on the way though, and Philips spin-off company Liquivista will be demonstrating working colour displays at the Las Vega Consumer Electronics Show in January.

Philips is a prime-mover in the development of monochrome e-ink displays, but although it delivers comparable displays in colour, Liquivista’s ColorBright uses different technology called ‘electrowetting’. We’ll spare you science here, but the Liquivista web site has a good primer on how electrowetting works.

What’s important is that it can be used for low-power, high resolution colour screens that don’t need a backlight and are daylight-readable. Better still, the refresh rate is sufficient for video – existing monochrome e-ink screens take a few seconds to refresh, which means they’re best-suited to static images. The displays aren't flexible yet, but since the technology is broadly compatible with existing LCD panel production processes, there’s a good chance that manufacturers will pick up on it.

We’ll hopefully be able to post a few videos of ColorBright screens in action at CES in the New Year, but in the meantime, here are a few more images of prototype products with electrowetting displays, followed by Liquivista’s press release.

[ Liquivista]

LIQUAVISTA AND SEYMOURPOWELL LAUNCH INNOVATIVE NEW CONSUMER ELECTRONICS CONCEPTS

Concepts built on Liquavista ColorBright display platform

Cambridge UK, 10 December, 2008 – Liquavista and Seymourpowell today launched a series of new product concepts built on the Liquavista ColorBright display platform. Applied to watches and mobile phone secondary displays, the concepts clearly show how Liquavista’s differentiated display technology can be used to create a more engaging user experience.

The high impact concepts are showcased, along with Liquavista’s own designs for cycle computers, shower displays etc. at www.liquavista.com/downloads. The Seymourpowell watch features a full colour, highly legible display that replaces the traditional black on grey LCD for maximum aesthetic, functional and fashion appeal. The mobile phone concept transforms the previously unused phone back into a dynamic graphic display triggered when the phone is used to play music or to take photos.

Liquavista’s ColorBright, based on its patented electrowetting technology, provides a unique combination of outstanding brightness in natural light and a vivid colour range that offers new legibility and design freedom to creators of design-led electronic products.

“The combination of the design expertise of Seymourpowell and the innovative display technology of Liquavista ColorBright in these concepts demonstrate the possibilities for transforming everyday products,” commented Mark Gostick, Liquavista CEO. “This comes at a time when the increasingly challenging market environment is making product differentiation more important and more valuable than ever.

As well as the concepts, the Liquavista site features other resources, including the Liquavista ColorBright Liquadizer design tool (see www.tryadesign.com). The ColorBright Liquadizer enables designers to create concepts and experiment with the power of Liquavista ColorBright when designing consumer electronics products.

“As consumer products become increasingly display led, we believe that Liquavista ColorBright can deliver the brightness and vivid colour that designers are looking for,” said David Fisher, Design Director at Seymourpowell. “This range of concepts demonstrates the potential of the technology in key products such as phones and watches.”

Liquavista will deliver both standard and custom displays using the Liquavista ColorBright platform. Standard display designs will be available in a number of colours and can be further customised through reflector choice. The Liquavista ColorBright range will be on display at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas from 8th-11th January (booth 21421).