Polymer Vision Folds — Not Just the eInk Device, But the Company, Too

readiusThe economy has claimed another mobile technology victim, and I’m disappointed to see this particular company gone. Polymer Vision, which developed the Readuis eInk device that rolls up into a compact size, has folded due to financial difficulties. Earlier this year, the company said it needed cash to keep going. Sadly, it appears that investment never arrived. Original plans for a fall 2008 release in a few European markets never happened either, so the innovative device never saw the light of day in the retail space.

I saw the Readius device in the flesh and it impressed me. I felt that QGVA resolution was good enough for text on the 5-inch display and it amazed me at how small the folded device was. Unfortunately, the company took on too much with the initial device, in my opinion. Phone features like Blueooth 2.0, 3G for data and tri-band GSM for voice could turn the device into a phone and book reader. And those connectivity options would rival Amazon’s Whispernet technology that uses Sprint’s EVDO for book purchases. But perhaps a basic reader might have been a saleable first version, which would have allowed to company to earn some needed revenue. Version two could have added phone features and more. Unfortunately, without version one, there is no version two. I’m sorry to see it go.

(via Engadget)

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