The company behind Amazon’s greyscale e-Ink Kindle display has unveiled their next generation screen film, dubbed Triton. But, given the headline in relation to your attention to detail, you already knew its primary selling point is color.
In addition to 16 levels of monochrome, Triton is capable of displaying thousands of colors. And just like E Ink’s monochrome ePaper products, Triton’s crisp text and detailed color graphics are fully viewable in direct sunlight. Both E Ink Triton as well as E Ink Pearl, are both 20% faster than previous generations of E Ink Imaging Film. Whether turning a page, selecting a menu, taking notes, or viewing an animation, Triton’s update performance will satisfy today’s user-interface product needs.
Amazon’s new revenue split, favorable to publishers of periodicals, possibly foreshadows a move into color. As the current implementation leaves something to be desired. Although, color is only one existing shortcoming. The UI is also in need of work. I’d like to see a Color Kindle follow in Sony’s footsteps in bringing a touchscreen to the experience — it’s more natural to directly poke and prod the item you’d like to manipulate, versus mechanical representations on the perimeter.
Speaking of UI… Despite E Ink corporate claims, I still find the screen refresh rate too slow. (It appears Triton is on par with Pearl, the display used in the Kindle 3.) So Amazon could alternatively and conceivably choose head towards a full-on Kindle 4 tablet device, using a LCD-based color capacitive touchscreen as Barnes & Noble has done with their Android-based Nook Color. After all, in addition to being a purveyor of digital books, Amazon also hawks digital video and MP3s.