The ideal e-reader is easy on the eyes in all sorts of lighting conditions, displays full-motion and full-color images, is rollable and durable, and uses precious little power. And it always seems to be at least 10 years away. But now, it really will be available in a decade.
The question is, what technology will power it? Will it be a new generation of electrophoretic technology, like E Ink? Multimode technology of the Pixel Qi variety? Cholesteric LCD, starting to emerge in Japan? A MEMS-based display from a division of Qualcomm? Electrofluidic pixels from a small company in Cincinnati? Photonic ink, from another start-up? Or something else? "Lite, Brite Displays," in the March issue of IEEE Spectrum, explains what they are, how they work, and what their chances for success are.
One thing is for certain: When the ultimate display arrives, we won't see it just in e-readers or roll-up computers; it'll find its way into shelf labeling, home windows, billboards, and even wearable adaptive camouflage. In fact, the truly ultimate display's perfect visibility might have a side benefit--perfect invisibility.