E Ink has unveiled the Kaleido 4, an upgrade to its color e-paper screen technology, set to debut in a new note-taking tablet in China. This generation improves upon its predecessor with a 50% boost in contrast, faster refresh rates, and a doubled color gamut, making color images appear more vibrant. However, users should still expect a lower resolution and only 4,096 colors, a far cry from the millions offered by modern LCD and OLED displays.
The faster refresh rates mean that Kaleido 4 screens can now handle video playback, addressing one of the long-standing limitations of E Ink's displays. Although the Gallery 3 technology, which uses colored pigments to form full-color images, has been available, it has not been widely adopted due to its slow refresh rate. The new Kaleido 4, with its faster performance and improved visuals, could make a significant impact on devices like note-taking tablets.
Despite the improvements, the M10C II, the first device to adopt Kaleido 4, will be exclusively available in China. The tablet features a micro-etched tempered-glass surface to reduce glare and enhance the paper-like feel when taking notes with its battery-free pen. For now, the question remains: will this technology finally bring color e-readers into the modern age?
