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Pixel Qi and the Impending Apple "MediaBook?"
Following the latest Apple rumors is something of a Silicon Valley sport, so I'm going to put my own spin on one. Note this one has no basis on anything other then my own fevered imaginings, so treat accordingly.
One persistent rumor is that Apple is developing a device which has been characterized as a tablet or netbook, depending on the rumor monger. There have also been some questions about why Apple doesn't develop an eBook reader to compete against the Kindle. I think Apple might actually be doing both at once and using technology from a company called Pixel Qi to do it.
A major issue with the Kindle and other similar eBook readers is the cost is relatively high for what is essentially a single use device. As a consumer, it just seems strange to me that I have to pay $359 for a Kindle just to read black and white eBooks when I can get all sorts of devices that play video (in color!) and music etc. for much less then that.
Pixel Qi is a spinout of the OLPC effort and claims to be developing low cost display technology with 3 modes, a full-color LCD TV mode, a low power "highlight" color mode which can be read in the sunlight ala the OLPC XO, and an e-paper mode similar to the display on the Kindle. First product is a 10 inch diagonal screen, sample shipments are mid-09 with mass production in late-09. WWDC is in June (mid-09)¡Ä
If the technology works as promised, it could allow Apple to come out with a device that is not "yet another eBook reader," but something which could be called a "MediaBook (iBook?)." It could show videos and web sites/apps in addition to eBooks. Imagine something like the iPod touch but with a 10 inch screen, hold it vertically and it becomes an eBook reader, turn it horizontal and it becomes a video playback device, web browser, etc. etc¡Ä
At an event in March of this year, the CEO of Pixel Qi, Mary Lou Jepsen, said they were working with a manufacturer whose name they couldn't disclose at the wish of the manufacturer. Sounds like Apple to me!
Posted by Phillip Keys : May 22, 2009 10:08 AM
