Kyobo and Qualcomm Demo Mirasol E-Reader on Video

For those who remember when we said that the first Mirasol-equipped e-reader had finally been completed, it turns out that Kyobo and Qualcomm decided it was time for a real video walkthrough.

When we talked about how the 5.7-inch device had finally become reality, we also pointed people towards a small intro video of it.

Now, though, a longer video showing of the long-awaited invention has made its way to the web.

As a reminder, the item that Kyobo and Qualcomm together made is a unique e-reader that uses Mirasol displays.

Mirasol is a sort of panel that was inspired by the butterfly iridescence and, essentially, captures the ambient light.

In other words, it is a low-power color screen (consumes as little as monochrome e-paper) that doesn't need a backlight, though it got one anyway, for clarity during dark hours (it can be totally shut off or toned down).

Some were hoping that tablets would use this technology eventually, but Mirasol really doesn't seem to be headed that way, liking e-readers more.

Then again, with how the colors aren't overly vibrant, and the viewing angle seems to leave a bit to be desired, tablet makers probably wouldn't jump at it that fast anyway.

That said, the Kyobo e-reader has a 1 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon S2 (single-core) processor running Android 2.3 on the 5.7-inch 1,024 x 768 pixels multi-touch screen.

The walkthrough video shows it running standard definition films without stutter or lag.

HD media probably won't do so well, and neither will games but, then again, this is, in the end, a gadget meant for students, so that could very well be the point.

All in all, Mirasol definitely has what it takes to bring E Ink's bliss down a notch, assuming more companies decide to use it instead of e-paper.

So far, though, only Korean stores have Kyobo on sale, for $310 / 237.58 Euro ($265 / 203.09 Euro at a discount for members of the Kyobo Platinum Book Club).