E Ink fits Vizplex displays into Casio, Hitachi handsets

For those still thinking that flexible displays are far from being widely accessible, think again. E Ink has just announced that its Vizplex Imaging Film-based displays will be used in handsets by Casio Hitachi Mobile Communications. For starters, the Hitachi W61H (already available) boasts a 2.7-inch E Ink display that can scroll through 96 different images whenever a call is received or the clamshell is cracked open; the Casio G'zOne (shown after the jump) will feature the same technology on its secondary "silhouette display." Details beyond that are pretty scant, but the real news here is that these displays are finally making their way into reasonably affordable handsets. Open up the flood gates, we say.

[Via SlashPhone]

[Richard @ Aug 3rd 2008 1:26PM]

Casio and Hitachi make phones?

[X2P @ Aug 3rd 2008 1:40PM]

Yes they do, so does toshiba and other japanese brands. >.< I love my Toshiba W54T. Random brands make phones here in Japan

[etechshop @ Aug 4th 2008 2:30PM]

Sign me up for the W61H already.......

[xValentine @ Aug 3rd 2008 1:42PM]

The designs = WIN!

[iEye @ Aug 3rd 2008 1:43PM]

What about the MOTOFONE F3?

http://www.engadget.com/2006/07/25/motorolas-9mm-motofone/

[Wwhat @ Aug 3rd 2008 2:02PM]

Here's an idea: how about putting these e-ink thingies on keys on a keyboard instead of OLED on keys, that way you don't draw much power but can still do imaging on keys, in a more subtle way since it doesn't give off light.
And perhaps, but only perhaps, it can be done cheaper?

[Travis @ Aug 3rd 2008 3:11PM]

That's a fantastic idea, at least in principle. I wonder if anyone has put any R&D time into to determine the feasibility.

[The Dude @ Aug 3rd 2008 3:22PM]

"E-paper is not transparent so it cannot be backlit, thus it requires external lighting to be read in the dark."
- http://wiki.mobileread.com/wiki/E-Ink

Pain in the ass if you're texting in the dark and don't have your phone's key layout/spacing perfectly committed to tactile memory.

[Richard @ Aug 3rd 2008 6:36PM]

The Dude,
Re-read the post. He's talking about a real keyboard and not a cellphone. The Optimus keyboard used OLED screens, but it's ungodly expensive. Thus the reason for him to point out that e-paper might be a decent alternative, especially since colorized versions are in the pipeline.

Personally, I love having a backlight on my keyboard. My Razer Lycosa will be hard to move on from, but maybe this keyboard could include some sort of lamp attachment point so that you can have light shining down on it.

[Mustaine @ Aug 4th 2008 1:07AM]

wake me up when they have e-ink tattoos.

[hank94jp @ Aug 3rd 2008 2:29PM]

That first, horribly ugly phone reminds me of a Katana LX with the OLED external display... which also happens to be horribly ugly.

Hooray!

[Tohe @ Aug 3rd 2008 2:32PM]

what about mitsubitchy?

[who? @ Aug 3rd 2008 2:49PM]

This stuff + iPhone 4G + Mobile Bootcamp (so the iPhone 4G can run Windows Mobile) = Best phone EVER.

[Chris Aubeck @ Aug 3rd 2008 3:27PM]

I second your nonsense!

[who? @ Aug 3rd 2008 3:36PM]

Nonsense?!?! How dare you? This happens to be an extremely complex and in depth equation that could result in the best portable media device ever made!

Nonsense, why I otta...

[who? @ Aug 3rd 2008 4:20PM]

I daresay that I got a Low Rank for using a word with i in the beginning of it... What is it with you people? If I had said HTC Touch I would have been fine... *sighs*

[mymaclife @ Aug 3rd 2008 5:02PM]

No you got low rank because you were talking crap!

[etechshop @ Aug 4th 2008 2:34PM]

Just "who?"'s talking crap.....

oh..yea...... it's [who?] talking crap...that is [who]....

muwahahaha

[Pingmeister @ Aug 3rd 2008 3:33PM]

"that can scroll through 96 different images"

Are these just on/off designs?

I wonder why it isn't a dot matrix display? Is this more like those Nintendo Handheld games that had LCD images that just jumped form position to position.

I think I'd rather have a smaller display that could do any image you wanted.

[giuliop @ Aug 3rd 2008 4:07PM]

Yeah, I was quite fond of the mitsubitchy and mitsuscratchy show myself.

[Shadyman @ Aug 3rd 2008 4:42PM]

Is it just me, or is the Gz'one advertising its "WIN"?

[fh @ Aug 3rd 2008 5:10PM]

It's for the au/KDDI 3G network, which is branded as "WIN" (analagous to DoCoMo's "FOMA" network).

[KilgoreTrout @ Aug 3rd 2008 4:56PM]

It could be WIN or it could be NIM according on how you turn the phone.
Two names for the price of one!!!
Now that's something to brag about.

[Metkis @ Aug 3rd 2008 10:59PM]

That's pure.... WIN!

IM NIM NIM NIM!

[Quikboy @ Aug 3rd 2008 7:23PM]

Is is just me, or does the first phone have a doubleshot effect? Like the first Zune?

It looks kind of cool with with the doubleshot effect.

[tom @ Aug 3rd 2008 8:16PM]

Yes its WIN and stands for "We Innovate Next" and if you look at it on its side it reads EZ which is how they brand all of their different services(EZnavi, EZtv, EZweb, EZnews Flash etc...)

[phanbouy @ Aug 4th 2008 12:59AM]

i used to use their EZ-E service till i got a cap busted in my ass

[Colin Potter @ Aug 4th 2008 2:33AM]

and aids

[TechShoe @ Aug 4th 2008 2:24AM]

This is going to take customization to another level. I hope you'll be able to upload your own designs at some point.

Love the idea for the keyboard as well. Would be handy for all kinds of applications. I wonder if the e-paper can take that kind of repeated pressing?

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[chyan @ Aug 4th 2008 2:37AM]

I love how the famous Japanese Flip designs.
They ooze style.

[Steffen Jobbs @ Aug 8th 2008 2:44PM]

Yeah, I was quite fond of the mitsubitchy and mitsuscratchy show myself.

Speaking about mitsubitchy and mitsuscratchy, that kinda how my genitals feel whenever I see ugly handsets like those shown above. I'd better get my plug-in electric backscratcher to calm myself down.