First roll-up display device to debut next week
updated 02:50 pm EST, Mon February 5, 2007
Cellular-Book
Polymer Vision and Telecom Italia on Monday unveiled what they said is the world's first handheld to have a rollable display. Called the CELLULAR-BOOK, the device will use a polymer 5-inch screen that completely folds into the main body when not in use. As opposed to e-book readers and other devices most likely to use the technology, however, the CB is built for live information as well as static text: news, real-time maps, and weather will be available through EDGE or UMTS mobile broadband as well as data broadcasts over Europe's DVB-H towers. Books and other text can even be purchased directly through Telecom Italia's broadband network, the two companies add. Music playback will also be an option.
The entire device is controled through a unique, touch-sensitive strip an should last for a long ten days between battery charges courtesy of the display's low power draw, Polymer Vision says. A model with 4GB of built-in flash will make its first appearance at next week's 3GSM conference in Barcelona. Telecom Italia will be the sole carrier of the communicator in its home country, though Polymer Vision has not ruled out launches in other territories. [via Mobile Mag]
