E Ink Introduces the World's First Foldable E-Reader

E Ink has unveiled what is being hailed as the world's first foldable e-reader, named Mooink V, in collaboration with Readmoo. This innovative device was showcased at the Touch Taiwan exhibition, demonstrating a novel design that allows it to be folded like a traditional book, akin to the foldable smartphones from brands like Samsung.

The Mooink V features a continuous E Ink display that utilizes the color technology of E Ink Gallery 3. A brief demonstration video provided by E Ink illustrates the functionality of the Mooink V, revealing that the software currently treats the foldable screen similarly to a standard display. Consequently, the video showcases only one page on the entire screen rather than displaying a dual-page view as one would expect from a conventional book. It remains unclear whether this display format can be adjusted as a user setting.

Despite the excitement surrounding its launch, details regarding the Mooink V remain sparse. E Ink's CEO, Johnson Lee, has indicated on LinkedIn that this device is intended for consumers and is slated for market release, although specifics regarding availability, pricing, and distribution channels are still unknown.

According to the demo video shared on social media, the Mooink V is designed to weigh approximately 255 grams, which is only slightly more than the standard Kindle, which typically weighs around 200 grams. The e-reader is equipped with an 8-inch display that incorporates the E Ink Gallery 3 technology, which has been utilized in various color e-readers for several years. Notably, the device has reportedly undergone testing for up to 200,000 folds, indicating its durability.

Readmoo, primarily known for operating an e-book store in Taiwan, has previously developed e-readers. However, these products have not been made available in the German market. E Ink specializes in manufacturing display technology and typically does not produce its own devices, opting instead to license its E-Paper displays to independent manufacturers. This opens the possibility that the foldable display technology may eventually appear in e-readers from other brands that do sell in Germany.