Android eink phone hack?

[jago25_98]

Do you think there's a android phone out there with a screen that can be easily replaced for eink?

 

[sitlet]

Its not as simple as just swapping out the screen, those screens require special hardware to make them run.

 

[jago25_98]

did a google search to get an update and still no sink phones out there! so strange.

I looked into whether the nook could have a modem added but unfortunately unlike the nook color its had that point on the circuit board removed.

amazing that there's no eink phone... when using a phone the screen is the thing that uses most batterylife

 

[MonkeyKombat]

eink screens are very slow at redrawing the image, so aren't suited for fast changing images.
That means eink devices need a graphical user interface specifically designed for them.
The Android GUI isn't suited for eink screens, neither are the apps.
It would be nearly unusable.

 

[MSUgEEk]

Most people want phones that can play movies, display pictures, and play games on. You could not do that with an e-ink display.

 

[jago25_98]

eink screens are very slow at redrawing the image, so aren't suited for fast changing images.
That means eink devices need a graphical user interface specifically designed for them.
The Android GUI isn't suited for eink screens, neither are the apps.
It would be nearly unusable.

My rooted NookTouch used to work great before it got stolen; RSS reader, Opera, coolReader, loads of things but no phone.

I used to like not being distracted by movies but I agree that really a whole new UI would be needed for a product that's fit enough to market.

You could have the ink behind the LCD display instead.

I suppose since HDMI output is possible on some phones an external eink display is theoretically possible to hack...

In theory you could put an eink display behind a Galaxy Note display via HDMI output (soldered on to be neat) and then have switchable displays. You could then use your Note in bright sunlight like an ebook reader and save battery. My display was taking almost all my battery this morning so it's definately a big potential gain for battery... and then switch on LCD when you need it.

Alternatively a eink display could go on the back of the phone...

 

[breadnatty08]

I think the closest you'll get is something with a Pixel Qi display like the one in the Notion Ink Adam tablet. Don't know any smartphones using the technology though.