Combined expertise provides innovative and flexible human interface solutions to mobile computing platforms TOKYO, VANCOUVER, Wash., and CAMBRIDGE, Mass., May 19
TOKYO, VANCOUVER, Wash., and CAMBRIDGE, Mass., May 19 /PRNewswire/ --
Wacom and E Ink Corporation announced today a partnership that will integrate
Wacom's Penabled(R) digital pen input solution with E Ink's Vizplex(TM)
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.
(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080519/AQM059)
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.
Wacom (Booth 1129) and E Ink (Booth 913) will be showcasing their
technologies at the International Society for Information Display exhibition,
May 20 to 22, 2008 in Los Angeles, California.
Electronic paper with pen input is ideal for reviewing documents on a
portable device. E Ink Vizplex displays enable slimmer devices to have bigger
screens that are easy on the eyes, even in ambient light. The intuitive
nature of pen input makes it easy to navigate, write down ideas, highlight
points of interest, as well as sketch or draw. Together the technologies
achieve the ultimate vision of an interactive piece of paper.
"e-Paper is opening up a number of new products for displays, including
eBooks, Mobile Internet Devices, Smart Labels and Digital Signage," said Barry
Young, Senior Advisor for DisplaySearch. He added that "the partnership
between E Ink and Wacom in the application of pen input should increase the
breadth of ePaper capabilities and accelerate the growth rate."
"The marriage of Wacom's input technology with E Ink's Vizplex electronic
paper displays offer manufacturers unmatched flexibility and creativity when
it comes to the design of
e-paper based products," said Stephen Sedaker, Director of Component Sales for
Wacom. "Whether giving the user a way to digitally jot notes in the column of
a book, or circle an interesting entry in the daily newspaper, people now have
the option to interact freely with electronic paper."
Partnership Promotes Innovation
As electronic paper displays enter mainstream applications, the ability to
support writing and drawing has become important. In emerging applications
like eTextbooks, this feature is vital. Students are used to highlighting
selected text, making annotations and simply scribbling notes and until now
that was only possible via a keyboard connected to an electronic paper
display. Pen input allows a level of flexibility and freedom that is not
easily duplicated by other input means.
Wacom and E Ink are both leaders in their respective fields. Wacom's
electro-magnetic resonance (EMR(R)) technology, bolstered by its patented
battery-free and cordless digital pen, dubbed Penabled, has played a
significant role in the development and success of the mobile computing
industry. Wacom's OEM customers include, Lenovo, HP, Toshiba and Gateway.
E Ink's Vizplex electronic paper displays have become the display of
choice for applications like eBook, eNotepad, eNewspaper, and ePlanner. With
key attributes such as ultra low power, sunlight readability, thin form
factor, low weight and EMI, E Ink's Vizplex displays offer benefits unmatched
by any other display technology or manufacturer. E Ink's customers include
Lexar, Motorola, Sony, Amazon, Citizen, Casio-Hitachi, iRex, Polymer Vision
and Plastic Logic among others.
"E Ink Vizplex displays are replacing paper documents as people look for
faster and more convenient ways to receive and absorb written information. One
of the key benefits of ordinary paper is that you can write on it," said
Sriram Peruvemba, Vice President of Marketing for E Ink Corp. "Now with
Wacom's help, people can write and draw on electronic paper for a natural and
collaborative experience."
The Broadsheet AM300 prototype kit being offered by E Ink is the fastest
way to start working with E Ink technology which now includes the Wacom Pen
input feature. The Broadsheet kit will enable engineers to rapidly prototype
and develop next generation ePaper products. The AM300 will be shipping in
June and is available online at http://www.eink.com for
pre-order.
About Wacom
Wacom Company Ltd., (Tokyo Stock Exchange 6727), is a global company based
in Japan with subsidiaries around the globe. Founded in 1983, Wacom's vision
to bring people and technology closer together through natural interface
technologies has made it the world's leading manufacturer of pen tablets,
interactive pen displays and digital interface solutions. Wacom's patented
Penabled technology and its patent-pending RRFC touch technology are also
offered as an OEM solution to manufacturers of PC and Macintosh computers.
Many of today's Tablet PCs count on the advanced features and reliability of
Wacom's input technology.
Additionally, Wacom's pen and touch technology is playing a leading role
in the development of such mobile devices as smart phones and PDAs. Wacom is
committed to expanding the components brand and will continue to roll out new
input technologies that provide a natural and intuitive computing experience.
For more information go to: http://www.wacom.com.
About E Ink Corporation
E Ink Corporation is the world's leading supplier of electronic paper
display (EPD) technologies. E Ink's technology is ideal for many consumer and
industrial applications spanning handheld devices, eBooks, PC-accessories,
watches, clocks, and public information displays and promotional signs. E Ink
is a private corporation that includes among its investors and strategic
partners TOPPAN Printing Company, The Hearst Corporation, Intel Capital, Air
Products and Chemicals, Inc., and Motorola, Inc. E Ink news can be found at:
http://www.eink.com.
Product and company names herein may be trademarks of their registered
owners.
For media inquiries and more information, please contact:
Douglas A. Little
Public Relations Manager
Wacom Technology Corp.
360-896-9833 x174
douglas.little@wacom.com
E Ink Corporation / US
Doug Russell or Bill Donlan
Schwartz Communications
781-684-0770
eink@schwartz-pr.com
SOURCE Wacom Company Ltd.
