Taiwanese company Readmoo is making waves with the announcement of their upcoming MooInk V, a foldable e-reader co-developed with E Ink.
Featuring an 8" E Ink Gallery 3 screen that bends in the middle for ultimate portability, this device aims to revolutionize the e-reader landscape.
According to Readmoo, the MooInk V is the result of 9 years of development and has endured over 200,000 bending tests.
The MooInk V boasts a Gallery 3 screen for richer color representation compared to traditional Kaleido 3 screens. The device features an aluminum-magnesium alloy casing with a matte finish, and weighs in at 255 grams.
However, the MooInk V reportedly lacks a frontlight. There is also no word on pricing or availability yet, and initial distribution is expected to be limited to China.
Foldable E-Reader Hype: We've Been Here Before
The promise of a foldable e-reader isn't entirely new. Several years ago, this brand made similar pronouncements about releasing their own bendable device. Yet, years went by and the product never materialized.
Picture: the first folding e-reader from Readmoo/MooInk
This raises a critical question: is the MooInk V a genuine innovation, or a carefully crafted mirage?
In a market dominated by larger screens, the focus on portability has waned. Major players aren't exactly rushing to shrink their devices. The fact that this e-reader brand never released it's foldable e-reader, raises the question: Is there really a demand for foldable screens, especially considering the likely premium price tag?
A Ploy for Investors?
Picture: this picture is a fake and is only here to illustrate this article. All other pictures have been provided by Readmoo
Could the announcement of the MooInk V be more about securing investment than delivering a revolutionary product? The e-reader market is competitive, and a splashy announcement of a novel product could entice investors to pour capital into Readmoo, allowing them to continue their e-reader production.
Or it could also be for E Ink to get new patents on electronic ink and e-paper (see here for an insider view on this).
The lack of concrete details surrounding pricing, availability, and even the presence of a frontlight, raises concerns. Could the MooInk V be a showcase piece designed to impress, rather than a commercially viable product ready for mass production?
Only time will tell if the MooInk V lives up to the hype or fades into the realm of vaporware.
For now, potential consumers and investors should approach this announcement with cautious optimism, remembering the broken promises of foldable e-readers past.
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