News - An E-Ink Android reference smartphone design from MWC

[HEXUS]

It “runs for weeks” on a single charge.

Read more.

[scaryjim]

Interesting concept, but I can only really see it working with a whole bunch of custom apps designed to give a smartphone experience with e-ink. If it included a browser that automatically paged website content, a maps app with simplified navigation (so less pinch/swipe and more on-screen UI elements) etc. it could be a really useful device, particularly as a phablet replacement (after all, web browsing email e-reader with phone capability fills a lots of general use cases).

I know I'm sounding like a broken record with this, but I could see businesses going after it in a big way: a long battery communications device with only limited "fun" potential? Even better, make this the phone part of a pad/phone device, so when you want the full range of UI experience you dock it with the tablet and get full on Android, but the phone itself runs a limited, e-ink friendly UI (easy enough, just make the phone switch launchers when it's docked ). Then make a desk dock, add some mouse/keybaord enhancements, and you've got a mobile workstation

OK, I seriously need to hit kickstarter with this

[Spud1]

I love the idea/concept - makes you wonder why no-one has done it before

If priced right this sort of device would be perfect for festivals/trips away from power sources, offering basic smartphone functionality and a batter life that even beats the £15 nokias that I usually take to a festival.

On to a winner here I think!

[Animus404]

Bad battery life is one thing that really annoys me on modern smartphones. I normally blame it on the fact that they are being made too thin so that battery is a compromise

[ed^chigliak]

Put the eInk display on the back of a regular smartphone. Use which ever screen is best in any given situation. Add a stylus too. I think that pretty much covers it.

[wasabi]

Hope it takes off. I'm still stuck in the featurephone era because of rubbish battery life and poor daylight readability of most smartphones.