Fujitsu is showing off an electronic book reader that works in color, yet features power efficiency similar to Amazon's just-released Kindle 2. Planned in models with eight- and 12-inch displays, the "Flepia" displays up to 4,096 colors, and runs Windows CE 5.0, says Fujitsu.
Fujitstu's film-substrate-based screen technology (Click image for further information)
According to Fujitsu, the Flepia devices will last about 50 hours, if readers switch pages once per minute. As with the Kindle's electro-phloresecent display (EPD, also known as "electronic paper display"), the Flepia's display requires power only to "turn the page," Fujitsu says. Since displays are typically the most power-hungry component in mobile devices, the potential power savings are considerable.
The Flepia's advertised resolution is 1024 x 768 pixels, and touchscreen capabilities are also present. The display can be set to show either eight or 4,096 colors. Page refreshes take two seconds in 8-color mode, or up to 10 seconds in color mode.
While Fujitsu did not specify, the Flepia may well use Fujitsu's own "film-substrate" display technology (pictured, above right), first announced in 2005. If so, an added benefit may be some flexibility, as shown in the image at right. While the Flepia does not exploit this possible capability explicitly, flexibility could contribute to the device's longevity, given its thin profile (0.47 inches, or 12mm thick).
Fujitsu's Flepia includes a web browser (Click image to enlarge)
Four Flepia devices reportedly made their debut last week in a Tokyo railway station restaurant, the "Termina Kinshicho Fujiya." According to Nikkei Business Publications, the electronic book readers will be available for public testing until Friday, displaying newspapers, advertisements, train timetables, and weather forecasts.
Fujitsu's FLEPia at the Termina Kinshicho Fujiya restaurant in Tokyo (click to play) Source: "epapertokyo"
Flepia under the hood
The Flepia runs the Windows CE 5.0 core operating system on a Marvell applications processor, according to Fujitsu. While the amount of RAM and flash storage in the device was not specified, an included expansion slot accepts 1GB, 2GB, or 4GB memory cards, the company says.
Offered in white, pink, or gray cases, the Flepia supplements its touchscreen display with six function keys and a five-way controller. Other hardware features cited by Fujitsu include 802.11b/g wireless networking, a USB 2.0 port, stereo speakers, and a headphone jack.
Features and specifications listed by Fujitsu for its FLEPia include:
Processor -- Marvell XScale CPU
Memory -- n/s
Display -- 1024 x 768 pixel touchscreen display, available in eight- and 12-inch versions; displays eight or 4,096 colors simultaneously
Keys -- Six function keys and five-way controller
Storage -- SD slot accepts 1GB, 2GB, or 4GB of RAM
Networking -- 802.11b/g wireless networking
Other I/O:
USB 2.0
Headphone jack
Stereo speakers
Expansion -- SD slot
Battery life -- 50 hours, assuming one page "turn" per minute
Operating temperature -- 5 to 35 deg. C
Dimensions:
8-inch version -- 9.84 x 6.22 x 0.47 inches (250 x 158 x 12mm)
12-inch version -- 11.96 x 8.26 x 0.47 inches (304 x 210 x 12mm)
Weight:
8-ich version -- 12.3 ounces (350g)
12-inch version -- 1.2 pounds (560g)
Further information
Fujitsu said the Flepia is sampling now, but provided no information about pricing or wider public availability. One rumor suggests that the device would cost approximately $900, making color a pricey way to go.
To see the Nikkei Business Publications report mentioned above, see the Tech-On website, here.
More information on the Flepia may be found on the Fujitsu website, here.
