Editing Electronic paper (section)

==Applications==
{{Update|inaccurate=yes|date=October 2011}}
[[File:EInk Refresh.gif|thumb|An e-paper display on a watch refreshes to remove ghosts.]]
Several companies are simultaneously developing electronic paper and ink. While the technologies used by each company provide many of the same features, each has its own distinct technological advantages. All electronic paper technologies face the following general challenges:
* A method for encapsulation
* An ink or active material to fill the encapsulation
* Electronics to activate the ink

Electronic ink can be applied to flexible or rigid materials. For flexible displays, the base requires a thin, flexible material tough enough to withstand considerable wear, such as extremely thin plastic. The method of how the inks are encapsulated and then applied to the substrate is what distinguishes each company from others. These processes are complex and are carefully guarded industry secrets. Nevertheless, making electronic paper is less complex and costly than LCDs.

There are many approaches to electronic paper, with many companies developing technology in this area. Other technologies being applied to electronic paper include modifications of [[liquid-crystal display]]s, [[electrochromic]] displays, and the electronic equivalent of an [[Etch A Sketch]] at Kyushu University. Advantages of electronic paper include low power usage (power is only drawn when the display is updated), flexibility and better readability than most displays. Electronic ink can be printed on any surface, including walls, billboards, product labels and T-shirts. The ink's flexibility would also make it possible to develop [[rollable display]]s for electronic devices.

[[File:Motorola F3.JPG|thumb|right|150px|The [[Motorola FONE F3|Motorola F3]] uses an e-paper display instead of an LCD.]]

===Wristwatches===
In December 2005, [[Seiko]] released the first electronic ink based watch called the Spectrum SVRD001 wristwatch, which has a [[rollable display|flexible]] electrophoretic display<ref>{{cite web |author=Daimaou |date=2005-12-01 |website=Akihabara News |url=http://www.akihabaranews.com//en/news-10749-The+first+watch+that+uses+flexible+e-paper+hits+the+stores.html |title=The first watch that uses flexible e-paper hits the stores |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090812060102/http://www.akihabaranews.com/en/news-10749-The+first+watch+that+uses+flexible+e-paper+hits+the+stores.html |archive-date=2009-08-12}}</ref> and in March 2010 Seiko released a second generation of this famous electronic ink watch with an active matrix display.<ref>{{cite web |date=2010-04-01 |url=http://www.seikowatches.com/baselworld/2010/precon/0402-epd.html |website=Seiko |department=Baselworld 2010 - Seiko Press Conference |title=Future Now, EPD Watch |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100325033542/http://www.seikowatches.com/baselworld/2010/precon/0402-epd.html |archive-date=2010-03-25}}</ref> The [[Pebble (watch)|Pebble]] smart watch (2013) uses a low-power memory [[liquid-crystal display|LCD]] manufactured by [[Sharp Corporation|Sharp]] for its e-paper display.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/Pebble%20Teardown/13319/1|title=Pebble Teardown |first= Walter |last=Galan |display-authors=et al |website=iFixit|date=12 March 2013|access-date=27 March 2025|archive-date=17 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160917063917/https://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/Pebble%20Teardown/13319/1|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2019, [[Fossil Group|Fossil]] launched a hybrid smartwatch called the Hybrid HR, integrating an always on electronic ink display with physical hands and dial to simulate the look of a traditional analog watch.<ref>{{cite web |first=Scott |last=Stein |date=November 6, 2019 |website=CNET | url = https://www.cnet.com/news/fossils-new-always-on-smartwatch-looks-like-a-smarter-pebble/| title = Fossil's new always-on smartwatch looks like a smarter Pebble| access-date = 2025-03-27| archive-date = 2020-03-29| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200329014650/https://www.cnet.com/news/fossils-new-always-on-smartwatch-looks-like-a-smarter-pebble/| url-status = live}}</ref>

===E-book readers===
[[File:Bouquin électronique iLiad en plein soleil.jpg|thumb|[[iLiad]] e-book reader equipped with an e-paper display visible in the sunlight]]
{{Main|Comparison of e-readers}}
In 2004, [[Sony]] released the [[Sony Librie|Librié]] in Japan, the first e-book reader with an electronic paper [[E Ink]] display.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Owen |first=Lynette |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3IXZBAAAQBAJ&dq=In+2004+Sony+released+the+Libri%C3%A9+in+Japan&pg=PT508 |title=Selling Rights |date=2014-10-17 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1-317-61180-6 |language=en}}{{page needed|date=March 2025}}</ref> In September 2006, Sony released the PRS-500 [[Sony Reader]] e-book reader in the USA. On October 2, 2007, Sony announced the PRS-505, an updated version of the Reader. In November 2008, Sony released the PRS-700BC, which incorporated a backlight and a touchscreen.

===Mobile phones===
Motorola's low-cost mobile phone, the [[Motorola FONE F3|Motorola F3]], uses an alphanumeric black-and-white electrophoretic display.

The [[Samsung SCH-U750|Samsung Alias 2]] mobile phone incorporates electronic ink from E Ink into the keypad, which allows the keypad to change character sets and orientation while in different display modes.

===Smartphones===
On December 12, 2012, [[Yota|Yota Devices]] announced the first "YotaPhone" prototype and was later released in December 2013, a unique double-display smartphone. It has a 4.3-inch, HD LCD on the front and an electronic ink display on the back.

On May and June 2020, Hisense released the Hisense A5c and A5 pro cc, the first color electronic ink smartphones. With a single color display, with a togglable front light running android 9 and Android 10.

===Computer monitors===
Electronic paper is used on [[computer monitors]] like the 13.3 inch Dasung Paperlike 3 HD and 25.3 inch Paperlike 253.<ref>{{cite web |first=Michael |last=Kozlowski |website=Good E Reader|title=Dasung Paperlike 3 HD Review|date=4 April 2020|url=https://goodereader.com/blog/reviews/dasung-paperlike-3-hd-review|access-date=27 March 2025|archive-date=24 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201024170707/https://goodereader.com/blog/reviews/dasung-paperlike-3-hd-review|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Laptop===
Some [[laptops]] like Lenovo ThinkBook Plus use e-paper as a secondary screen.<ref>{{cite web |first=Sandra |last=Vogel |date=30 July 2020 |title=Lenovo ThinkBook Plus review: Second E-Ink screen adds an extra dimension |website=[[ZDNet]] |url=https://www.zdnet.com/product/lenovo-thinkbook-plus/ |access-date=2020-09-07 |archive-date=2020-08-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200813064944/https://www.zdnet.com/product/lenovo-thinkbook-plus/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
Other common laptops use reflective LCD panels with no backlight.
Furthermore, some [[operating system]]s e.g. [[Xubuntu]], [[Kali Linux]] provide a control to dim backlight LCD brightness to 0% in internal monitors, while crystals keep working so that the display is lighted by ambient light as it was paper.

In late 2007, Amazon began producing and marketing the [[Amazon Kindle]], an e-book reader with an e-paper display. In February 2009, Amazon released the [[Kindle 2]] and in May 2009 the larger [[Kindle DX]] was announced. In July 2010 the third-generation Kindle was announced, with notable design changes.<ref>{{cite press release|url=http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=176060&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=1453463&highlight=|title=Announcing a New Generation of Kindle: The All-New Kindle is Smaller, Lighter, and Faster, with 50 Percent Better Contrast |website=Amazon Media Room |access-date=2010-09-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141004081234/http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=176060&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=1453463&highlight=|archive-date=2014-10-04|url-status=dead}}</ref> The fourth generation of Kindle, called Touch, was announced in September 2011 that was the Kindle's first departure from keyboards and page turn buttons in favor of touchscreens. In September 2012, Amazon announced the fifth generation of the Kindle called the Paperwhite, which incorporates a LED frontlight and a higher contrast display.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theverge.com/2012/9/6/3296627/amazon-new-kindle-paperwhite-announcement |first=Sam |last=Byford |title=Kindle Paperwhite e-reader announced, $119 Wi-Fi and $179 3G models ship October 1st |date=6 September 2012 |access-date=7 September 2012 |archive-date=29 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121129123524/http://www.theverge.com/2012/9/6/3296627/amazon-new-kindle-paperwhite-announcement |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2009, Barnes and Noble launched the [[Barnes & Noble Nook]], running an [[Android (operating system)|Android]] operating system.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Rollins |first=Mark |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XMCoDRVzR-kC&dq=In+November+2009,+Barnes+and+Noble+launched+the+Barnes+&pg=PA2 |title=Taking Your Kindle Fire to the Max |date=2012-06-11 |publisher=Apress |isbn=978-1-4302-4264-2 |language=en |page=2}}</ref> It differs from other e-readers in having a replaceable battery, and a separate touch-screen color LCD below the main electronic paper reading screen.

In 2017, Sony and [[reMarkable]] offered e-books tailored for writing with a smart [[stylus]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://techcrunch.com/2017/10/05/sony-and-remarkables-dueling-e-paper-tablets-are-strange-but-impressive-beasts/|title=Sony and reMarkable's dueling e-paper tablets are strange but impressive beasts|last=Coldewey|first=Devin |date=5 October 2017|work=TechCrunch|access-date=2017-12-23|language=en|archive-date=2017-12-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171223220356/https://techcrunch.com/2017/10/05/sony-and-remarkables-dueling-e-paper-tablets-are-strange-but-impressive-beasts/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2020, Onyx released the first frontlit 13.3 inch electronic paper Android tablet, the Boox Max Lumi. At the end of the same year, Bigme released the first 10.3 inch color electronic paper Android tablet, the Bigme B1 Pro. This was also the first large electronic paper tablet to support 4g cellular data.

===Newspapers===
In February 2006, the [[Flanders|Flemish]] daily ''[[De Tijd]]'' distributed an electronic version of the paper to select subscribers in a limited marketing study, using a pre-release version of the [[iRex iLiad]]. This was the first recorded application of electronic ink to newspaper publishing.

The [[French language|French]] daily ''[[Les Échos (France)|Les Échos]]'' announced the official launch of an electronic version of the paper on a subscription basis in September 2007. Two offers were available, combining a one-year subscription and a reading device. The offer included either a light (176g) reading device (adapted for Les Echos by Ganaxa) or the [[iRex iLiad]]. Two different processing platforms were used to deliver readable information of the daily, one based on the newly developed GPP electronic ink platform from ''Ganaxa'', and the other one developed internally by Les Echos.

===Displays embedded in smart cards===
Flexible display cards enable financial payment cardholders to generate a [[one-time password]] to reduce [[online banking]] and transaction fraud. Electronic paper offers a flat and thin alternative to existing [[key fob]] tokens for data security. The world's first ISO compliant [[smart card]] with an embedded display was developed by Innovative Card Technologies and nCryptone in 2005. The cards were manufactured by Nagra ID.

===Status displays===
[[File:Lexar Jumpdrive Secure II Plus.jpg|thumb|USB flash drive with E Ink-implemented capacity meter of available flash memory]]
Some devices, like [[USB flash drive]]s, have used electronic paper to display status information, such as available storage space.<ref>{{cite press release |title=Lexar adds innovative storage capacity meter with electronic paper display from E Ink |url=http://www.eink.com/press_releases/lexar_usb_drive_using_e_ink_010306.html |website=E Ink |date=3 January 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131014111900/http://www.eink.com/press_releases/lexar_usb_drive_using_e_ink_010306.html |archive-date=14 October 2013 }}</ref> Once the image on the electronic paper has been set, it requires no power to maintain, so the readout can be seen even when the flash drive is not plugged in.

===Electronic shelf labels===
{{Main|Electronic shelf label}}
E-paper based electronic shelf labels (ESL) are used to digitally display the prices of goods at retail stores. Electronic-paper-based labels are updated via two-way infrared or radio technology and powered by a rechargeable coin cell.
Some variants use ZBD (zenithal bistable display) which is more similar to LCD but does not need power to retain an image.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.shu.ac.uk/research/specialisms/materials-and-engineering-research-institute/what-we-do/expertise/materials-modelling-and-complex-flows/characterisation-and-optimisation-of-the-zenithal-bistable-device | title=Characterisation and optimisation of the zenithal bistable device |website=Sheffield Hallam University | access-date=2025-03-27 | archive-date=2023-01-28 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230128084805/https://www.shu.ac.uk/research/specialisms/materials-and-engineering-research-institute/what-we-do/expertise/materials-modelling-and-complex-flows/characterisation-and-optimisation-of-the-zenithal-bistable-device | url-status=live }}</ref>

===Public transport timetables===
[[File:Nádraží Vysočany, zastávkový sloupek s e-papírem, jízdní řády.jpg|thumb|upright|Tram timetables on e-paper. Prague, prototype from May 2019.]]

E-paper displays at bus or trams stops can be remotely updated. Compared to LED or liquid-crystal displays (LCDs), they consume lower energy and the text or graphics stays visible during a power failure. Compared to LCDs, it is easily visible under full sunshine.

===Digital signage===
{{Main|Digital signage}}
Because of its energy-saving properties, electronic paper has proved a technology suited to digital signage applications.

===Electronic tags===
Typically, e-paper electronic tags integrate e-ink technology with wireless interfaces like [[Near-field communication|NFC]] or [[UHF]]. They are most commonly used as employees' ID cards or as production labels to track manufacturing changes and status. E-paper tags are also increasingly being used as shipping labels, especially in the case of reusable boxes. 
An interesting feature provided by some e-paper Tags manufacturers is batteryless design. This means that the power needed for a display's content update is provided wirelessly and the module itself doesn't contain any battery.

===Other===
Other proposed applications include clothes, digital photo frames, information boards, and keyboards. Keyboards with dynamically changeable keys are useful for less represented languages, non-standard keyboard layouts such as [[Dvorak Simplified Keyboard|Dvorak]], or for special non-alphabetical applications such as video editing or games.
The [[reMarkable]] is a writer tablet for reading and taking notes.