Various Japan-based display companies have been developing electronic paper technology, claiming that the technology offers an alternative to TFT LCD displays, as the technology features high brightness and contrast ratios, has strong color reproduction and consumes less power.

At a private show at the Tokyo International Forum (July 20-21), Hitachi presented a 13.1-inch monochrome e-paper display that also featured WLAN support and a secondary battery pack. The company is planning to bring it to market at a price lower than LCD panels next April, with the focus being on applications such as signboards at public buildings, according to Nikkei Electronics.

Fujitsu also introduced a colorful and bendable e-paper prototype and said commercialization will commence before the first quarter of 2007.