E Ink (electrophoretic ink) is a specific proprietary type of electronic paper manufactured by E Ink Corporation, founded in 1997 based on research started at the MIT Media Lab. It is currently available commercially in grayscale and color[1] and is commonly used in mobile devices such as e-readers and, to a lesser extent, mobile phones and watches.
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The material is processed into a film for integration into electronic displays, particularly for e-readers. The Motorola F3 was the first mobile phone to employ E Ink technology into its display, taking advantage of the material's ultra-low power consumption. In addition, the Samsung Alias 2 uses this technology as the display on the buttons change.[2] The October 2008 limited edition North American issue of Esquire was the first magazine cover to integrate E Ink and featured flashing text. The cover was manufactured in Shanghai, China, was shipped refrigerated to the United States for binding and was powered by a nominal 90-day integrated battery supply.[3][4]
On June 1, 2009, E Ink Corp. announced an agreement to be purchased by one of its primary business partners, Prime View Int'l Co. Ltd (元太科技工業), for US$215 million.[5] It is predicted that the purchase by this Taiwanese company will put the production of the E-Ink EPD on a larger scale than before, as Prime View also owns BOE Hydis Technology Co. Ltd (京东方海帝士科技) and maintains a strategic partner relationship with Chi Mei Optoelectronics Corp., which is now Chi Mei Innolux Corp. (奇美電子), part of the Hon Hai-Foxconn Group (鴻海富士康集團). It is noteworthy that Foxconn is the sole ODM partner for Prime View's Netronix Inc. (振曜科技), the supplier of E-Ink-panel e-readers for rebranding (the end-user products may appear with any of several brands, e.g., Bookeen, COOL-ER, PocketBook, etc.).
On July 31, 2010, E Ink announced a second generation of E-ink displays, a higher contrast screen built with E Ink Pearl Imaging Film.[6] The updated Amazon Kindle DX was the first device announced to use the screen, and the Kindle 3 also incorporates the Pearl display.[7][8] Sony has also included this technology into its latest release of the Sony Reader Touch edition.[9] This display is also used in the Nook Simple Touch,[10] Kobo eReader Touch,[11] Onyx Boox M90[12] and X61S.[13]
On November 9, 2010, E Ink announced a third generation of E-ink displays: a color display that is easy to read in high light. The E Ink Triton will display 16 shades of gray, and 4096 colors.[14] E Ink Triton is being used in commercially available products such as the Hanvon color eReader.[15]