14 DAY TRIAL // There's been lots of talk about flexible LCDs, flexible AMOLEDs and flexible OLEDs, but there are people who are preparing flexible e-paper as well. E Ink is particularly eager to launch a few.
We've seen some proof-of-concept and product demos at trade shows in the past, like CES (Consumer Electronics Show) and IFA (Internationale Funkausstellung).
Most of them were small screens though, in 6-inch sizes or thereabouts, and they couldn't bend all that much without suffering permanent harm.
Rollable screens are still a way off, so that's not something we can hold against anyone for now, but bendable models are very much achievable.
Which is why E Ink Holdings intends to release the E Ink Mobius during the second half of 2013, which can mean anything from the July 1 to December 31.
The E Ink Mobius will rely on flexible TFT technology from Sony, but will still be a monochrome e-paper panel.
Its diagonal will measure 13.3 inches, and the substrate is of plastic instead of glass, hence the rugged and lightweight feel.
"We have been working with Sony for over 10 years, and we are extremely happy to bring this technology to mass production," said Giovanni Mancini, director of product management for E Ink Holdings.
"Development of this new digital paper product by Sony confirms our belief that the e-paper market is still strong."
E Ink Mobius will weigh 50% less than equivalent TFTs based on glass, which is about 60 grams (2.11 ounces).
No doubt a new generation of e-readers will use the Mobius, provided companies and customers warm up to the idea of such a large form factor. If nothing else, devices meant to substitute for school books will be possible to promote among schools and universities. The lack of color support will be the only hindrance, assuming E Ink doesn't modify the e-paper to support that too.