CES 2013: Qualcomm Demos Next-Gen Mirasol eBook Reader Technology Amid Business Shift
Dead men tell no tales, or so the story goes for Qualcomm’s Mirasol display technology. Initially introduced in 2010 with high optimism, the years that followed saw a series of delays that quietly dimmed its debut. Eventually, the time came for Qualcomm to enter various Asian markets with its reference device based on Android.
This venture, however, didn’t quite hit the mark. The initial enthusiasm quickly waned as it became apparent that this reference device had several design flaws that made it nearly unusable for reading. Chief among these issues was the glass surface, followed by a very dark display and considerable weight.
The Beginning of the End?
As it turns out, what was bound to happen did happen: Kyobo, Qualcomm’s first partner, ceased sales of the Mirasol eReader in July 2012. A mere two weeks later, Qualcomm announced it would also wind down its Mirasol business. Instead of producing its own reading devices, the goal was to continue licensing the technology. So far, it appears there have been no takers…
But now for the main headline: At CES 2013, Qualcomm was not only showcasing new processors for smartphones and tablets but also a Mirasol technology demo (see featured image). Not much has been revealed, but Qualcomm CEO Paul Jacobs has disclosed that this is a next-generation version that promises to be brighter, more cost-efficient, and feature other improvements. The CEO is confident that this new generation will find its way into some eBook readers.
Power consumption is also expected to be reduced through different display modes. There’ll be an especially bright, colorful mode and two levels of dimming, which will consume less power during reading sessions. This isn’t the first time we’ve heard of such an idea: Back in November 2012, LCD Japan introduced two new displays that consume very little energy when displaying static images, yet can also handle dynamic content with relatively rapid refresh rates (though using more power in the process).
Sadly, Qualcomm hasn’t provided much more detail. It’s unknown when this new generation of Mirasol will be ready for mass production. Considering how long it took for the first generation of Mirasol to reach market readiness, one shouldn’t hold their breath.
Qualcomm Exits Mirasol Display Business; Is This the End?
Original Report: Qualcomm’s Mirasol display technology may indeed be reaching its final chapter. About two weeks ago, we reported that the South Korean book retailer Kyobo would cease selling the Mirasol eReader, and it seems that was only the first step.
On Wednesday, during its quarterly meeting with investors, Qualcomm announced that it will no longer produce its own devices with Mirasol technology, opting instead to sell the displays under a licensing model.
“With respect to QMT, we’re now focusing on licensing our next-generation mirasol display technology and will directly commercialize only certain mirasol products. We believe that this strategy will better align our updated roadmap with the addressable opportunities,” said Paul E. Jacobs, CEO of Qualcomm.
This strategic shift is surprising for three reasons:
- Qualcomm built its own factory in Taiwan for Mirasol displays, intended for mass production.
- So far, it seems no other electronics manufacturers have shown interest in the technology.
- During the production of the Kyobo eReader, Qualcomm benefitted from having both the chipset and displays sourced internally, providing a significant cost advantage over competitors, who mostly manufacture externally.
It remains to be seen whether this marks the death knell for the oft-delayed Mirasol technology, or the breakthrough that finally brings the displays to the mass market.
Image source: Pocket-lint
