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Color E-Paper Debuts

The first device with a display that can be read in direct sunlight hits the market.

A waterproof MP3 player built for bright beach days is the first device with a color “e-paper” display, meaning it has no backlighting and thus can be read in direct sunlight. The display, from Qualcomm, consists of two layers of a reflective material. Some wavelengths of light bounce off the first layer; some pass through and bounce off the second. Interference between the two beams creates the color, and electrostatic forces control the distance between the layers.

Credit: Courtesy of Qualcomm

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Product: Freestyle Audio player

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Cost: Around that of Freestyle’s previous players, which range from $80 to $100

Source: freestyleaudio.com

Company: Freestyle Audio, Qualcomm

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