Video: Fujitsu Shows Next-Generation Color E-Paper

Serkan Toto

Dr. Serkan Toto is an independent consultant and advisor focusing on Japan’s web, mobile and social gaming industries. Based in Tokyo, he works together with financial institutions and startups worldwide. Serkan has been the Japan contributor for TechCrunch.com since 2008. He is sept-lingual, holds an MBA and is a PhD in economics. → Learn More

Monday, July 11th, 2011

Electronic paper has come a long way, but displaying content in color in a way that makes sense (refresh rate, resolution etc.) is still a problem. One of the bigger companies working on color e-papers is Fujitsu whose FLEPia is among the most advanced devices out there. The FLEPia went through several iterations since its launch in 2007, and now Fujitsu has showcased the latest version last week in Tokyo.

As you can see in the video embedded below, the new device is more of an evolution than a revolution, especially with regard to the refresh rate (0.7 seconds is still too slow).

But they’re getting there: just like the already commercialized FLEPia Lite, the prototype has an 8-inch screen displaying 4,096 colors. At 220g, the new model is 60g lighter than the FLEPia Lite, with Fujitsu saying they also boosted brightness, contrast and color replication.

This video (shot last week by our friends over at Diginfonews in Tokyo) provides more insight: