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The release of the updated Amazon Kindle DX wasn't met with the same level of fanfare it was used to in a post iPad world, but the new gadget showcases the next generation of e-ink displays which offer up impressive performance improvements over what you may have seen in the past. The new "Pearl" display featured on the DX is currently one of a kind in the electronic reader market, but the E Ink Corporation has already successfully ported the design over to smaller screen sizes, most of which are slated for product releases later in the year.
The difference between the previous generation displays and the pearl is described as the difference in contrast between a newspaper, and a high quality paperback book. In terms of numbers this is estimated to be a 50% improvement over the previous generation, and even offers up additional power savings. According to the company, "the crisp text and detailed graphics also continue to remain pleasant to view when E Ink products are enjoyed outside. In addition, with 16 gray level depth, E Ink Pearl offers the sharpest rendering of images and allows product developers to display images with smooth tones and rich detail."
Improved contrast and better battery performance are going to make for an impressive next generation of e-book readers, so those who are on the market would be well advised to wait a couple of months if they can help it.
Comments are closed on this article
JohnP
July 05, 2010 at 8:07pm
And I am waiting. Please santa give me a Pearl 8 1/2 by 11 inch e-reader screen that does PDFs by Xmas!
violian
July 05, 2010 at 3:34pm
IMO - the cost of the DX needs to come down before it gets wider adoption. Being that it's just shy of $400, for only $100 more, people can get the iPad that can do a "million" more things. I think $300 would be a sweetspot for the DX.
