DIY Pixel Qi screen kits due in June 2010

Mary Lou Jepsen has confirmed over on her blog that Pixel Qi will be shipping do-it-yourself screen kits for their 3Qi hybrid displays at the end of Q2 2010, meaning a likely June launch date. She rightfully says that many people do not realise how easy it is to change their display, going on to say that it’s only slightly more difficult than changing a bulb.

“It’s basically 6 screws, pulling off a bezel, unconnecting the old screen and plugging this one in. That’s it. It’s a 5 minute operation”, says Jepsen. Pricing and netbook compatibility remains a mystery for now.

Pixel Qi’s 3Qi Hybrid display shown off at CES [Video]

We have already seen a few demos of Pixel Qi’s e-ink killing, 3Qi display, but there’s always room for more. The 3-in-1 display can not only switch between an efficient black-and-white mode and a high resolution colour screen, but also to an e-paper mode suitable for reading in direct sunlight.

The possibilities for such a screen extend behind obvious e-reader devices. Judging by the number of hands-on videos (after the break) we’ve seen, it seems that this is genuinely innovative technology and once refined, could feature on many netbooks/notebooks/smartbooks of the future as well as e-readers.

Being able to turn off the backlight saves you 2W of power (down to 0.5W) so you could extend the battery life of your device too if needed. We were hoping that we’d see some firm product announcements at CES of devices using these displays, but until we do, check out a number of hands-on video impressions after the jump. Read more

First Pixel Qi displays target multi-touch tablets; DIY kits promised

The production of Pixel Qi’s 3Qi Hybrid Display is starting shortly and will ramp up over the first quarter of 2010. The company also confirmed that the first displays will hit “specialized tablet devices with multi-touch.”

The driving force behind the project, Mary Lou Jepsen, did not give any hints as to which manufacturers she is working with but expects further announcements at CES 2010 in early January. Interestingly, for those budding modders out there, Pixel Qi also confirmed that it plans to make its displays available through a DIY kit.

The 3-in-1 display can not only switch between an efficient black-and-white mode and a high resolution colour screen, but also to an e-paper mode suitable for reading in direct sunlight.

Samsung’s 10.2-inch colour e-paper display, Pixel Qi need not worry

Samsung has been demonstrating a number of new types of display at the SID Display Week 2009 show. As well as 10-inch low-power and touchscreen panels, it was also showing off a 10.2-inch colour e-paper display. Pixel Qi doesn’t have the limelight all to itself, as this screen is also capable of playing video too.

In what seems very similar to Pixel Qi’s hybrid display, the screen combines both e-paper and video technologies, allowing the user to switch between the two. This involves switching between “memory mode” and “dynamic mode” pixels. However, from what I can tell it doesn’t seem as accomplished as the 3Qi display from Pixel Qi and neither does it seem as far down the road. Read more

Video: Pixel Qi vs. Amazon Kindle + Mary Lou Jepson Q&A

Pixel Qi has made a number of demonstrations of its 3Qi display over the past week or so at Computex in Taiwan. All of this coverage has prompted many questions, which its founder & CTO, Mary Lou Jepsen, has only been too happy to answer. Among the questions include battery life and price.

The latter is very interesting as the $200 muted price is for the entire netbook NOT just the 3Qi display itself, as was previously thought. This is mainly because the hybrid panel is based on existing LCD technology.

Another video compares the 3Qi display to the Amazon Kindle, a Toshiba R600 with a transflective LCD and a standard LCD touchscreen, with and without the backlight, indoors and out. The last video talks more about the Pixel Qi display versus current LCD technology as well as the OLPC project.

So far, there is no hardware partner to use this innovative display. Despite this, Pixel Qi is still expecting mass production of this display by the end of the year. Check out all of the videos after the jump. Read more

Samsung demos 3 netbook displays: low-power, colour e-paper & touch

Samsung is unveiling some of its latest developments on the display side at the SID (Society of Information Display) 2009. From the netbook perspective, the most interesting is a new 10.1-inch LCD which is touted to use around 50 percent less power than normal LCDs. This display is manufactured using Samsung’s proprietary Pentile technology.

This display has a HD resolution of 1366 x 768 pixels along with “perfect reading capabilities both indoor and outdoor” according to Akhibara News. I’m not sure what that means, but Samsung is also highlighting some next-gen displays which include a 10.2-inch colour e-paper display (something that is maybe similar to Pixel Qi’s 3Qi display) along with a 10.1-inch diagonal integrated-touch netbook panel (anticipating the launch of Windows 7).

Pixel Qi 3Qi display gets video demo

We have heard quite a bit about Pixel Qi’s 3Qi Hybrid display recently as well as seeing photos of the screen in direct sunlight and photos comparing it to the Amazon Kindle. The 3-in-1 display can not only switch between an efficient black-and-white mode and a high resolution colour screen, but also to an e-paper mode suitable for reading in direct sunlight.

A video of the display has now been released which shows John Ryan, COO and VP of Sales and Marketing at Pixel Qi, describing the technology as well as the company’s plans for the display. The video also demonstrated the display outside when using it in e-paper mode, very impressive stuff. Pixel Qi is planning production of these panels by the end of the year.

Another video, shows the 3Qi display playing a movie in full colour mode. The screen can handle video playback at 60fps. It’s only a very short clip (9 seconds) but well worth a watch for this promising technology. Check out both videos after the break. Read more

Pixel Qi’s 3Qi display and Amazon Kindle side-by-side

Mary Lou Jepsen has been on the road demonstrating the new 3Qi display from Pixel Qi, which combines three types of display in one screen. There is an efficient black-and-white mode, a high resolution colour screen and also an e-paper mode suitable for reading in direct sunlight.

We have already seen some pictures of the display, including the e-paper mode in direct sunlight. But now, Mary Lou has updated her blog with a picture that many want to see, the 3Qi display versus the Amazon Kindle with backlights off. It’s impressive how good the 3Qi display looks and, to my eyes, is more legible than the Kindle. Click through for a larger screengrab of the photo comparison. Read more

A closer look at Pixel Qi’s 3Qi Hybrid display

Mary Lou Jepsen recently demonstrated Pixel Qi’s much anticipated 3Qi Hybrid display this week. The 3-in-1 display can not only switch between an efficient black-and-white mode and a high resolution colour screen, but also to an e-paper mode suitable for reading in direct sunlight. Time managed to get a closer look at some modded Acer Aspire One netbooks with the Pixel Qi display.

The pictures show a toggle switch on the side of the netbook that allows you to switch between reflective and emissive display. The way in which Pixel Qi’s technology differs from E-ink is that the 3Qi screen allows you to use the netbook as traditional LCD which means full colour and video (at 60fps). Read more

Pixel Qi demos 3Qi Hybrid Display

Pixel Qi has demonstrated its 3Qi screen which it hopes will revolutionise display technology. The 3-in-1 display can not only switch between an efficient black-and-white mode and a high resolution colour screen, but also to an e-paper mode suitable for reading in direct sunlight.

The same panel is used in the picture below. The left picture has the backlight on, with the screen set to full colour saturation. The right picture shows the same screen in e-paper mode with the backlight off. Battery life will be conserved when using the e-paper mode, as the only energy consumption occurs when the page changes. Read more

Pixel Qi’s hybrid display due next month

Ever since it spun off from the OLPC project last year, Pixel Qi has been pushing the idea that the future of inexpensive portables and longer-lasting batteries depends much on screen innovations. Apart from the fancy dual-mode display technology found in the XO-1, we’ve yet to see Pixel Qi’s ideas fulfilled on more commercial devices.

Pixel Qi is looking to revolutionise display technology with its 3Qi screen which, Cnet reports, will hit the scene next month. The 3-in-1 display can not only switch between an efficient black-and-white mode and a high resolution colour screen, like on the XO, but also to an e-paper mode suitable for reading. It’s not clear whether this would let images remain on the display when power is shut off, as with most e-book readers.

The current focus is on getting this technology into developing markets, where things like using a minimum of power and readability in broad daylight are initially more important. Only samples will be shipping initially for evaluation purposes, but Pixel Qi is looking for mass volume production this summer. Which clients have been lined up outside of OLPC aren’t known, the XO-2 is due next year and should include twin multi-touch screens, but isn’t yet known to be using Pixel Qi technology.

Pixel Qi’s LCD netbook display rivals e-paper

Pixel Qi has said it will ship a screen that combines the benefits of HDTV and epaper for 10-inch netbooks, according to an announcement at the Emerging Technology conference in San Jose. The Pixel Qi 3Qi display has an ‘HDTV mode’ with normal colour saturation for watching video as well as an e-paper mode with three times normal resolution, five times better battery life and reflectivity rivalling the electrophoretic imaging technology used by E-Ink. The price is also expected to be the same price as a normal LCD screen. Read more