When Amazon introduced the Kindle in 2007, Fujitsu started showcasing the first version of its own e-book reader, the so-called FLEPia. Back then, Fujitsu marketed the FLEPia as the world’s first such device displaying pages in color. We covered the device a few times until it actually went on sale in Japan with a $1,200 price tag [JP] last year.
And during a recent tech exhibition in Tokyo, our friends at Diginfonews Tokyo were able to shoot a video that shows the new FLEPia model in action: dubbed FLEPia Lite, the device is based on a “cholesteric LCD”, which reflects only specific wavelengths of light and boasts superior brightness.
According to Fujitsu, the FLEPia Lite features:
- an 8-inch display with XGA resolution (the Kindle 3 has a 6-inch display with 600×800 resolution)
- 7:1 contrast ratio (3 times higher than the existing FLEPia)
- 0.7 seconds refresh time (2 times faster than the existing FLEPia)
- display with 32% reflectivity
- “slim, lightweight” design
Fujitsu claims we will see the FLEPia Lite in stores (probably in Japan first) as early as next year. By the way, E Ink Inc. showcased their color e-readers, Triton, at the same exhibition without giving details on release dates.
Here’s the video (in English):