Android Beyond the Phone
Google developed Android explicitly to run on cell phones, but it is robust enough to run on other devices. Because Android is open source, and supported by a robust development community, it is a candidate to grow beyond its mobile device roots.
The development of a USB driver brings Android operating system to the E Ink development kit. Now a new world of creative developers can extend the functionality of and write applications for this low-power screen technology.
Android Meets E Ink from MOTO Development on Vimeo.
Why E Ink?
E Ink is an electronic paper display technology with a paper-like, high contrast appearance, ultra low-power consumption, and a thin, light form. It is “bi-stable” - meaning it only uses power when it refreshes the screen. The advantages of this kind of low-power screen device updated via wireless internet access could bring this connected technology to wearable computing or other screen uses that demand long-term deployment before recharging.
Digging Deeper
MOTO labs is working towards customized solutions that employ not only Android but Ubuntu, Linux, and Adobe AIR platforms for custom web-connected application development. We are actively extending our multi-touch and gestural interfaces expertise to these platforms. MOTO is also developing prototypes for better remote management of connected devices with a range of approaches from Mac & PC based device management applications to over-the-air wireless firmware and software updates. Stay tuned to labs.moto.com for more on this thread.
Building a Bridge
Picture below shows how the E Ink broadsheet development kit is connected to Beagle Board via USB. A custom E Ink driver acts as the bridge.
The E Ink screen image shows the signature Android clock-scape.
Components
A diagrammatic view on how the application processor (Beagle Board) connects up to the display co-processor (E Ink Broadsheet) via USB.
Ideas for next generation connected devices? Email collaborate@labs.moto.com or leave a comment here.
February 11th, 2009 at 10:45 pm
Hi Mike,
I saw the video demo shown here. Interesting stuff! I’ve been working on similar things, I run Android on the AM300 kit directly (without needing the beagleboard). By using broadsheetfb (a framebuffer driver that I’ve written that runs directly on the Broadsheet controller and which has been merged into the Linux kernel), I can run mobile apps such as Fennec and standard X apps on the AM300 kit. I have posted some details and video of my work here ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k4WBdagDgSg ) and written a bit about the Android work here http://highlycomposite2.blogspot.com/2009/02/android-on-e-ink.html .I hope my work is of interest and would love to collaborate with you guys.
Thanks,
jaya
February 13th, 2009 at 7:13 am
Nice idea,
I’d love to be able to see a “wall calendar” that displays and syncs with my google calendar
Maybe even display email alerts
February 13th, 2009 at 9:28 am
If you got an ebook reader that understood the EPUB standard format running on that Android processor, it would make $400 for a Kindle look even dumber than it already looks.
February 13th, 2009 at 4:15 pm
Great idea! Making an obvious next step, I would love to see Kindle 2 modded to add a simple cell phone functionality. Tell me or better Igorsk it’s doable, lol.
I wonder how much effort and $$ will it take to mod Kindle into accepting some more decent color E-Ink 6″ screen…
Also, can the driver be a tidbit smarter and show fade-in/fade-out instead of senseless blinking?
Thank you.
February 14th, 2009 at 6:32 am
MOTO connects Android to an e-ink display…
If I were Jeff Bezos, I’d be nervous….
February 15th, 2009 at 10:00 am
Just came across your blog on Google. Interesting post, you bring up a few good things to think about. Good luck with the blog.
February 23rd, 2009 at 2:43 pm
I would spend $$$$ on a double sided 6″ x 8″x <.5″ device with a touch E-Ink screen on one side and a full color OLED touch screen on the other. Either side could be a touch input for the other. Apps would display different media on the most appropriate screen of their choice. With Android behind it, full wireless connectivity, phone, camera, bluetooth, a sleek slab design with no physical buttons, wireless charging, 80g SSD, mmmmmmmmm…….
March 9th, 2009 at 1:51 pm
excellent post, very informative
April 21st, 2009 at 10:56 am
I’m glad I saw this, kudos!
May 27th, 2009 at 12:40 pm
Excellent post, keep it up