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New low cost 3G smartphone uses e-ink to keep the price down

New low cost 3G smartphone uses e-ink to keep the price down

Posted: 27 Feb 2013, 15:43, by Alan F.

Categories: Android Android MWC2013 MWC2013

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New low cost 3G smartphone uses e-ink to keep the price down

A Chinese company called Fndroid is working with Eink to develop a 3G smartphone that would priced as cheaply as a featurephone. Some of the advantages of such a device would be longer battery life, Sunlight viewability and the display would be easy on the eyes. Fndroid has produced two prototypes that have been displayed at MWC 2013. One model (in white) is equipped with a 1GHz processor and a 3G chip, while the other model (in black) offers EDGE connectivity. And while the phone does run on Android, it has a rather limited UI that concentrates on features that work well with Eink's display such as email, a reader app and a dialer. Obviously, video is not supported, but text from web sites can be read.

One of the prototypes has a backlight to help view the screen in the dark, but the screen's refresh rate is a lot slower than what you are accustomed to. If ghosting is a problem, a quick shake of the phone removes it from the screen. According to Eink's Giovanni Mancini, director of the screen producer's product management, Fndroid is currently in the process of talking with carriers about releasing the phone sometime later this year.

source: Fndroid, Eink via TechCrunch

Fndroid's Eink smartphone Fullscreen

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1. _PHug_ posted on 27 Feb 2013, 16:52 2 0

In the title are you saying this project is a 'Lost Cause' or that it will be 'Low Cost'?

2. inertiatic posted on 27 Feb 2013, 16:58 0 0

Is this pronounced "effindroid"?

3. blackice214 posted on 27 Feb 2013, 17:29 0 0

*Low Cost

4. ocilfa posted on 27 Feb 2013, 17:33 0 0

I'd like to see someone use a photo editing app on this. You could do some pro color balance.

5. vincent95 posted on 27 Feb 2013, 19:40 0 2

Seriously? Do we really need this? You can get 4G smartphones on contract for FREE nowadays. If this comes to the U.S. which I hope it doesn't, it would have to NOT require a data plan.

10. SavageLucy42 posted on 28 Feb 2013, 09:37 0 0

Would probably good for older people or people with poor eyesight. As well as people who do only want to use the phone for keeping track of appointments, emails, and looking up information.

6. lilg29 posted on 27 Feb 2013, 19:52 0 0

Im unsure what to think of this, this is more of a non camera/video/game phone that would only be ok to text, call,and listen to music on.

7. pixelado posted on 27 Feb 2013, 20:24 0 3

Can anyone tell me what's the point of running Android on this?

8. B3BLW29 posted on 27 Feb 2013, 22:57 2 0

Because its a great OS for mobile phone. now shhhh

11. pixelado posted on 28 Feb 2013, 09:50 0 0

Using an outdated version of the OS with more limitations than benefits? Yeah, seems worth it, doesn't it?

Thumb me down if that makes you feel better, I'm not bashing the platform, I'm just questioning the purpose of it.

9. jsdechavez posted on 28 Feb 2013, 01:08 0 0

Wow! YES PLEASE!!! This is the end for Android's poor batt life.!

12. GeekMovement posted on 01 Mar 2013, 00:52 0 0

Looks like the Galaxy S III those rounded phones.

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New low cost 3G smartphone uses e-ink to keep the price down

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Fndroid's Eink smartphone Fullscreen

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12 Comments Follow Following

1. _PHug_ posted on 27 Feb 2013, 16:52 2 0

2. inertiatic posted on 27 Feb 2013, 16:58 0 0

3. blackice214 posted on 27 Feb 2013, 17:29 0 0

4. ocilfa posted on 27 Feb 2013, 17:33 0 0

5. vincent95 posted on 27 Feb 2013, 19:40 0 2

10. SavageLucy42 posted on 28 Feb 2013, 09:37 0 0

6. lilg29 posted on 27 Feb 2013, 19:52 0 0

7. pixelado posted on 27 Feb 2013, 20:24 0 3

8. B3BLW29 posted on 27 Feb 2013, 22:57 2 0

11. pixelado posted on 28 Feb 2013, 09:50 0 0

9. jsdechavez posted on 28 Feb 2013, 01:08 0 0

12. GeekMovement posted on 01 Mar 2013, 00:52 0 0

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