Qualcomm ups spending on mirasol display plant by $1 billion
updated 08:40 am EST, Mon January 3, 2011
Displays offer advantages for tablets, e-readers
Qualcomm will invest an additional $1 billion in a Taiwanese computer display plant to produce its mirasol displays, according to a posting on Taiwan's Ministry of Economic Affairs website. A spokesman from the ministry clarified that the newest investment will be in addition to the joint venture Qualcomm formed with Taiwan's Cheng Uei Precision Industry Co. in 2009 to produce the displays. The very low power screens don't require backlighting, are responsive enough for animation, and should dramatically extend battery life in e-readers, smartphones and tablets.
Qualcomm's manufacturing process makes the displays cost-competitive with current LCD models.
Qualcomm said the first mirasol devices were already in production in late 2010, and would be available as early as the first quarter of 2011. The company is expected to introduce one or more mirasol devices at this January's CES, most likely e-readers with tablet-level functionality. [via BusinessWeek]
