LiquavistaColor display promises color video ebook readers [Video]

Looks like Qualcomm's mirasol low-power color displays have some competition, with Liquavista launching their first LiquavistaColor panels for ebook readers.  The displays are capable of showing not only monochrome text but color images and video, and thanks to the reflective technology are sunlight-viewable.Video demo after the cut

Technical details are scarce right now, but the LiquavistaColor panel seems to build on the company's existing LiquavistaBright monochrome display, adding in color filters and new power management technology.  No sign of any power frugality estimates – Qualcomm, you might remember, said their color mirasol panel would last for a week showing a mixture of text, images and video on a Kindle-sized battery – but Liquavista claim production is more straightforward than rival systems as more than 90-percent of the process is identical to regular LCD manufacture.

Next step – aside from getting the panel into devices – is LiquavistaVivid, an evolution of the LiquavistaBright and LiquavistaColor technologies in the shape of a transflective display which can flip between low-power monochrome e-ink-style mode and LCD-style full color modes.  Liquavista expect to commercialize the panels in 2010 and 2011.

Press Release:

eReaders set for a revolution as Liquavista launches Color display

LiquavistaColorTM brings high performance full color video reflective displays

6th January 2010 – Eindhoven – Liquavista BV. today launched its latest technology platform LiquavistaColor, which offers bright full color capability and the advantages of full interactivity and hi-fidelity video at ultra-low power to future advanced eReader devices for the first time.

"The market for eReaders is set to be revolutionised by the availability of high performance color displays for the very first time." Stated Guy Demuynck, Liquavista's CEO. "We believe our new display technology, LiquavistaColor will mean that fully interactive color devices will now become available to consumers with all the advantages of true mobility. This underlines the tremendous potential of Liquavista technology and its promise to revolutionise mobile consumer products".

"Users will now get to see the true power of magazine quality performance in fully interactive mobile devices" added Nigel Litchfield, Chairman of Liquavista "LiquavistaColor brings full-color sunlight readable screens which can bring significantly enhanced usability and interactivity. Consumers can now read not only books but also enjoy magazines or newspapers as well as browsing photos, video clips and enjoy social networking. It transforms devices with just a basic reading function into full-feature low-powered multi-media devices that are usable in all environments."

LiquavistaColor demonstrates the natural evolution from the LiquavistaBright technology platform, unveiled only 3 months ago, combining color filter technology with our unique high efficiency optical models and the most advanced algorithms for improved color management. All the features and benefits of the existing LiquavistaBright platform can be found in LiquavistaColor but now with the benefit of full color capability. This technology is the perfect solution for a full range of low-cost sunlight readable handheld devices: not only reading books, news feeds or newspapers but also browsing photos and video clips, as well as the ability to fully enjoy the complete range of online services.

Liquavista's electrowetting display technology has been developed to be compatible with existing display manufacturing techniques and processes. In fact, more than 90% of the manufacturing cycle use standard LCD manufacturing equipment and processes. Called LCD 2.0, this enables our partners to quickly re-use their manufacturing assets to our displays and bring exciting, highly differentiated products to life with both enhanced usability and performance.

Liquavista are developing three technology platforms, LiquavistaBright™, LiquavistaColor™ and LiquavistaVivid™) planned for product implementation throughout 2010/2011.

Liquavista will be demonstrating LiquavistaColor as well as the current generations of the technology platforms on stand 12041 at CES 2010 taking place 7th to 11th January 2010 at Las Vegas Convention Centre or you can see the latest video of our color demonstrators by visiting http://www.liquavista.com/products/liquavistacolor.aspx