What is e-ink and how does it work?
E-ink and how it works：
E-ink, also known as "e-ink" or "e-paper", is a display technology known for its low power consumption and visual effects similar to ink on paper. These features make it ideal for many e-readers, such as Amazon Kindle and Kobo devices.
Unlike traditional display devices such as LEDs and TNs, which typically contain individual pixels for each displayed color, e-ink devices rely more on fascinating chemicals. E-Ink displays are made of membranes on top of millions of tiny capsules filled with a bunch of particles floating in a clear liquid. These particles all carry specific pigments: in a grayscale display, these pigments are either black or white. Unlike LED displays that use an always-on color light, E-Ink displays only consume power when the arrangement of colors on the display needs to change. When you're just reading the text on the screen, the display draws almost no power.
Easier on the eyes?
We've discussed some of the advantages of E-Ink in the past, comparing E-Ink to LCD technology. Besides the huge difference in power consumption (e-readers can often go weeks without a charge), there are other notable differences.
If you're reading in direct sunlight, the E-Ink is better because there's no glare on the display. You also gain some aesthetic value when reading something akin to paper, which may appeal to those turning away from traditional reading. And finally the price: E-Ink devices tend to be the most affordable devices on the market, because they don't have very demanding specs, and because their makers end up making money from selling books
E-ink devices of the future
One of the most exciting alternative uses for e-ink is note-taking. While the display doesn't fully support it, it still offers a completely different note-taking experience than any traditional tablet. That's why some companies are taking the plunge to make it their primary touchscreen.
In 2020, a Norwegian company called reMarkable released a second-generation e-ink tablet dedicated to note-taking. reMarkable has fairly modest specs, a small body, and a custom version of Linux. It also includes a note-taking pen. While tech enthusiasts consider its performance to be fairly mediocre for the price, it still offers a fascinating look at what it might look like using e-ink technology as an input device.
For now, it looks like e-ink is here to stay. E-book adoption continues to grow, and e-readers from companies like Amazon and Kobo continue to command more attractive prices. Furthermore, the company behind e-ink is committed to continuously improving its technology, with new versions coming out every few years.
E-Book Reader Recommendations
