popSLATE 2 adds a e-Ink screen to your iPhone

The creators of the original popSLATE are back with a new e-Ink case for the iPhone 6/6S, and it's better than ever.

e-Ink screen powered by NFC

I'm not a big fan of NFC (considering that most of the "problems" it promises to solve aren't really problems - and could be easily sorted out using other widely available technologies, like bluetooth) but I might be about to change my mind. Just take a look at these ingenious wireless and battery-less e-Ink screen e-Ink screens powered by NFC.

The e-Ink screen can keep the current image without needing any extra power, and the power needed to receive the data and update the screen is harvested by the NFC field itself. It's quite a clever feat, and if it were to be combined with that technology that allows for wireless communications between modules using TV RF transmissions, you'd might be able to come up with lots of interesting devices that would never need to worry about battery life.

For starters, I'd imagine one would appreciate having some kind of digital paper (without the need for batteries, a flexible eInk screen could probably be made as thin as "paper"), that we could keep anywhere - from our desk to the fridge door, and where we could easily upload any image or note by simply touching it with a smartphone. But one can imagine a future where one would have digital travel tickets using this "digital paper", that could be updated to show the current status of the flight, etc.

Let's hope it won't take long for this technology to become commercially available.

Bendable eInk Screen by Sony

Digital paper has been around for a while, but it keeps evolving, as Sony just proved with their  13.3" bendable eInk paper.

This 13.3" screen/paper has a resolution of 1200x1600 (150ppi) and is capable of showing 16 gray levels with a constrat ratio of 10:1. You can bend it up to a 5mm radius, and the main question is: when will this sort of technology be available for commercial use?

Until then, we'll have to keep waiting, seeing these prototypes being shown in exhibitions... and imagining all the equipments such technology would allow.

NoteSlate - Digital Paper for the Masses

Promissed for June, for just $99, this NoteSlate seems to be too good to be true. But let's hope they really make it.

Unlike the more complex (and expensive) tablets, this NoteSlate goes back to the basics. It's just a plain digital slate where you can write and draw stuff. A page of digital paper and nothing more.

 Basic Characteristics

• REAL PAPER look design
• ONE COLOR display
• ONE TOUCH ability just with pen / eraser
• 210x310x6mm thin body
• 13 inch matte monochrome eInk display
• 190x270mm active display, 750x1080pixels
• 180 hours battery life (almost 3 weeks of daily work !)
• 280 g weight !
• basic inputs: pen with eraser, USB mini, SD Card, Jack 3.5 mm, AC/DC 12V
• Wi-Fi module on request with order (no added charge (!)
• no web browsing !
• end price $99
• ONE POINT OF SALE - NoteSlate online e-store

Special patents

• simple three button physical interface ( SAVE CURRENT SCREEN / SHOW LAST SCREEN / DELETE CURRENT SCREEN )
• pen magnetic holder directly on the tablet surface (throw the pen away and go !)
• any ordinary pen or pencil usage (works just on NoteSlate NATURAL model )
• real paper look and feel when using

Accessories

• solar energy backside cover

Models

• BASIC MODEL / WHITE / BLACK / GREEN / BLUE / RED / COLOR MODEL / NATURAL

Kindle 3 Screen vs Kindle 2

Kindle has always been one of the most popular (and well known) eBook reader devices. With the new Kindle 3 on the market, some people might be tempted between getting a new Kindle 3 device, or maybe opt for a second hand older Kindle.

Here are some photos that show the eInk screen of the new generation Kindle next to its older sibling. Although not earth-shattering, the Kindle 3 eInk display does offer slightly enhanced contrast which will make it easier and more pleasing to the eyes to read.