The idea of using an electronic paper displays for e-books has been around for many years but using it in conjunction with Microsoft Vista Sideshow technology could pop up some interesting devices. This isn't a new idea, we saw already the E-reader prototype presented at WINHEC by the Ricavision a vista sideshow enabled device that has a reflective e-ink type display. We also saw the Intel Metro Notebook concept with a secondary 'e-ink' screen that make use of vista sideshow to access the email, read documents, appointment calendar, and much more.

But what is so interesting about this type of screens? First of all, the purpose of paper is to create an electronic book, that uses very little or no power but is easily read under any lighting condition including direct sunlight. The image on E Ink displays looks the same from all viewing angles and will not distort when touched or flexed. All of these are making the electronic ink the ideal display for portable devices or small handheld portable that use the Vista Sideshow technology to read documents, access the online newspapers, display and share documents, pictures with others and much more. Using Windows Vista SideShow the pages will be rendered for display by the host PC, eleviating the receiver from complicated rendering tasks.

Digitime is reporting that Prime View International PVI is intending to join efforts with other IT companies to make use of Microsoft Vista Sideshow and e-paper technology. This news took me with minds some moths ago at WinHEC conference this year in Taipei when PVI presented the e-reader device with vista sideshow technology and e-ink electronic display. The company says that the e-paper display showed at the event was provided by US-based Ricavision.

Honestly, I am very excited about the potential of this lower-power display technology and I'm sure this will start to turn up in a suit of commercial vista sideshow enabled devices, from e-book reading devices to laptops. There don't appear to be any other information or features concepts devices, but we hope to see a concrete product coming soon.

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