3 ms·
e-ink phones are an interesting idea. If I look at apps most people use, most could just-as-good e-ink versions: phone, contacts, sms, skype, viber, mail, what
by netcan 13y ago
e-ink phones are an interesting idea.
If I look at apps most people use, most could just-as-good e-ink versions: phone, contacts, sms, skype, viber, mail, whatsapp, weather, radio, podcasts, buses/trains, ebooks, banking. Some could have functional but slightly lamer versions: Camera, browser, dating. A few can't be done: videos, video calls, games.
I think it's got a decent chance at success. But someone has to have the balls to really make it work. You can't just stick android on it. The Apps & OS need to be different or its going to feel like using an android phone that's been in the pool.
- Zigurd 13y agoIt's something that can be done in theory, with a few fundamental changes to resource qualifiers and, maybe, drawing primitives. It's close enough to be tempting, but I believe it would be a better design to use e-ink as a secondary display. That, of course, reduces the power benefits of e-ink in such a product. Only when an e-reader is in use would the color display be drawing zero power. But, if you add up all the issues, tempting as it may be, a monochrome e-ink Android would just suck too much. An e-ink OLED combination might be just right.
- untog 13y agoBut where is the actual advantage to using it? Better battery life, sure, but most people are fine charging their phone once per day.
- scarmig 13y agoViewing in daylight, for one, and text is still easier to read on it than on LED. And I think you understate the battery life aspect of it. Getting it from one to two days is of limited value, but right now people's behavior is driven by the pattern of charging the phone at night. They want to use their phone more, except they don't want it to have run out by 2 PM, so they moderate their usage. If they knew they could use it with abandon and have it last until they went to bed, they would. Or so goes my theory.
- cdash 13y agoThis is a pretty big feature for me. I am tired of barely being able to read my screen when I am outside. I would also like a longer battery life but I am able to deal with current battery life and is not the primary concern for me.
- the_rosentotter 13y ago> right now people's behavior is driven by the pattern of charging the phone at night. Exactly. With e-Ink the screeen would always be on, showing the time, messages, inbox or whatever, no need to "pick up phone -> click power - > swipe to unlock" every ten minutes.
- netcan 13y agoBattery life. It's a big advantage to some people. Maybe most people are OK charging every day, but a big minority aren't. Camping, multi day festivals, unplanned promiscuity, overnight business trip to someplace with different sockets. 24+ hr traveling (EG London to Sydney). Even outside of these, people ask for chargers all the time. Trade off is worth it to some people. Especially if they rarely do the things e-ink is is bad at like games and videos.
- zeckalpha 13y agoGnome 3 might work well, but you won't be able to middle click.