Kindle, Sony Reader, others to use Wacom pen-input tech, despite F-Origin announcement?
The word was that PVI, the E Ink supplier, was partnering with F-Origin to use F-O’s touch-screen tech, which could work with styluses, not just fingers. Possibilities for the Kindle, the Sony Reader and other E Ink machines? Sure. But could another company enter the picture, too, at least as far as the stylus approach?
Wacom, known for its pen input tech, has just signed a deal with E Ink, the originator of the technology that PVI’s displays use. The related news release says Wacom tech will be integrated "with E Ink’s Vizplex electronic paper displays" (link added).
Interestingly, the pen-enabled iRex iLiad already uses Wacom technology in models such as the Book Edition, shown here, although I don’t know if the BE’s screen is Vizplex.
Obvious question: Will PVI let E Ink tablet-makers choose between the F-O and Wacom approaches?
News release: "Wacom and E Ink Corporation announced today a partnership that will integrate Wacom’s Penabled® digital pen input solution with E Ink’s Vizplex electronic paper displays. With pen input high on the list of many eBook, Tablet PC, eNewspaper, PDA, eNotepad and appliance-type designers, the Wacom and E Ink partnership comes at an ideal time for mobile computing manufacturers looking to develop new and exciting consumer products.
"E Ink’s Broadsheet AM300 prototyping kit, available in a 6 inch diagonal size in June and other sizes later, combines the two technologies in a solution that mobile computing manufacturers can easily integrate into their product designs…"
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