3 ms·

My understanding is one company holds the patents, and they control the pricing and the speed of innovation. I don't agree with the other comment that implies

My understanding is one company holds the patents, and they control the pricing and the speed of innovation. I don't agree with the other comment that implies a lack of demand. Lots of people would be perfectly happy with an e-ink phone or laptop. I use a Boox tablet, and the slow refreshes are a feature, not a bug, as they keep me from wasting time on Youtube or TikTok like I could with my phone or computer.

generj 4y ago
To expand on this, it is really hard to even get data sheets on e-Ink unless you have serious cash and are going to order tens of thousands of units. Unlike LCDs, e-Ink has complicated voltage waveform requirements. The voltage waveforms are what allow partial refreshes and all the other unique benefits of eink - and they are all proprietary. And there aren’t multiple competing manufacturers, so even though some of the key patents have expired we have not seen a renaissance of display modules. The situation has actually gotten better - there are a few modules available now for tinkerers from Pimoroni, Waveshare, and AliExpress. But when LCD modules cost 1/10 the price (particularly for larger displays) it becomes hard to justify e-ink. The largest untapped market for eink is replacing segmented LCD displays for many products. They did not make many inroads because the costs were higher and LCD segmented displays are commodities that even amateurs can order prototypes of for less than $100 with standardized connectors and controllers. E-ink displays were thus only pushed for by aesthetic reasons by product designers.
- braunboffel 4y ago
  > it is really hard to even get data sheets on e-Ink unless you have serious cash and are going to order tens of thousands of units. What do you mean? You don't have access to these links? https://www.google.com/search?channel=fs&client=ubuntu&q=e-ink+datasheet https://www.google.com/search?channel=fs&client=ubuntu&q=e-i... https://www.waveshare.com/w/upload/7/77/1.54inch_e-Paper_Datasheet.pdf https://www.waveshare.com/w/upload/7/77/1.54inch_e-Paper_Dat... https://www.good-display.com/companyfile/1/ https://www.good-display.com/companyfile/1/ https://www.ti.com/lit/ds/symlink/tps65186.pdf?ts=1673544971171&ref_url=https%253A%252F%252Fwww.google.com%252F https://www.ti.com/lit/ds/symlink/tps65186.pdf?ts=1673544971...
warrenm 4y ago
I've been debating getting an eInk tablet/laptop for a while What do you like about the Boox the most? Which model do you have?
- schwartzworld 4y ago
  I have the Note3. I mainly use it as an eReader. The large size is really comfortable for reading, including PDFs which were unreadable on my old Kindle. Since it has Chrome, I often use it to read HN, especially long-form articles. The stylus is pretty good for note-taking but I don't take notes. It's probably a little pricey for just an e-reader, but I use it a _lot_ so I think it's fine.
- christkv 4y ago
  There is the new Lenovo thinkpad twist that is coming out with dual OLED and Color Eink display.

generj 4y ago

To expand on this, it is really hard to even get data sheets on e-Ink unless you have serious cash and are going to order tens of thousands of units. Unlike LCDs, e-Ink has complicated voltage waveform requirements. The voltage waveforms are what allow partial refreshes and all the other unique benefits of eink - and they are all proprietary. And there aren’t multiple competing manufacturers, so even though some of the key patents have expired we have not seen a renaissance of display modules. The situation has actually gotten better - there are a few modules available now for tinkerers from Pimoroni, Waveshare, and AliExpress. But when LCD modules cost 1/10 the price (particularly for larger displays) it becomes hard to justify e-ink. The largest untapped market for eink is replacing segmented LCD displays for many products. They did not make many inroads because the costs were higher and LCD segmented displays are commodities that even amateurs can order prototypes of for less than $100 with standardized connectors and controllers. E-ink displays were thus only pushed for by aesthetic reasons by product designers.

braunboffel 4y ago
> it is really hard to even get data sheets on e-Ink unless you have serious cash and are going to order tens of thousands of units. What do you mean? You don't have access to these links? https://www.google.com/search?channel=fs&client=ubuntu&q=e-ink+datasheet https://www.google.com/search?channel=fs&client=ubuntu&q=e-i... https://www.waveshare.com/w/upload/7/77/1.54inch_e-Paper_Datasheet.pdf https://www.waveshare.com/w/upload/7/77/1.54inch_e-Paper_Dat... https://www.good-display.com/companyfile/1/ https://www.good-display.com/companyfile/1/ https://www.ti.com/lit/ds/symlink/tps65186.pdf?ts=1673544971171&ref_url=https%253A%252F%252Fwww.google.com%252F https://www.ti.com/lit/ds/symlink/tps65186.pdf?ts=1673544971...

warrenm 4y ago

I've been debating getting an eInk tablet/laptop for a while What do you like about the Boox the most? Which model do you have?

schwartzworld 4y ago
I have the Note3. I mainly use it as an eReader. The large size is really comfortable for reading, including PDFs which were unreadable on my old Kindle. Since it has Chrome, I often use it to read HN, especially long-form articles. The stylus is pretty good for note-taking but I don't take notes. It's probably a little pricey for just an e-reader, but I use it a _lot_ so I think it's fine.
christkv 4y ago
There is the new Lenovo thinkpad twist that is coming out with dual OLED and Color Eink display.