Yesterday I wrote a post about the rumour that Qualcomm’ Mirasol screen technology would be launched some time in 2012.  And I expressed doubts about whether it would ever actually happen.

Well, I was as wrong as you can be!  Shortly after posting that article, I was inundated with press releases telling me that Korean book sellers Kyobo have launched an ereader using the Mirasol screen.

So, with a very red face, sack-cloth and ashes, I have to tell you that it has actually happened, and there is now a fully fledged ereader out there with all the advantages of the standard e-Ink type of screen (long battery life, easy to read in bright light, easy on the eyes for long periods of reading), but also full colour.

It seems the refresh rate is fast enough to also show videos on this device, so whilst it is a dedicated ereader, and not simply a small tablet, it can perform several other tasks.

They haven’t yet given out too much information about this ereader, but it will only be on sale in South Korea, that is obvious at least.   But equally obvious, if it takes off, then it wont be long before other ereader companies come on board and start to use the Mirasol screen instead of the e-Ink or LCD ones they currently use.    So watch out for the first non-LCD colour Nook or Kobo ereader…  Must happen.

So, until then, here are a few extracts from their press release which give an idea of what this gadget is.  Also, if you follow this link, you will be able to see a couple of videos showing the ereader in action, rather impressive I find.

The Kyobo e-Reader includes access to Kyobo’s 90,000 ebook library, notably including early rights from Korean publisher Minumsa for the much-anticipated Steve Jobs’ exclusive biography, a full one-month before any other Korean digital outlet.  Additionally, the device features: video lecture content exclusive to EBS, a leading Korea-based provider of educational material; content sharing through Korean social networking services; English language text-to-speech capabilities; and searchable content through the popular Diotek dictionary application.

“The Kyobo e-Reader brings the user a true book reading experience,” said Mr. Seong-Ryong Kim, chief executive officer of Kyobo Book Centre. “With our diverse content and leading edge technology from Qualcomm, Kyobo Book Centre will provide a premium reading experience to our customers.”

The Kyobo e-Reader features a 5.7” XGA format (1024 x 768 pixels) mirasol display (screen resolution of 223 ppi) and Qualcomm’s 1.0 GHz Snapdragon™ S2 class processor.  Kyobo’s custom application interface sits atop an Android 2.3 base.

Kyobo’s e-Reader is now available for purchase at the full retail price of KRW349,000 (US$310). 

Kyobo Platinum Book Club members can purchase the e-reader at a discounted price of KRW 299,000 (US$265). Kyobo’s e-readers are available at bookstore locations across South Korea, including Kyobo’s flagship Gwanghwamun-jum location in Seoul. 

Link to previous post on this topic: qualcomm-promise-ereaders-with-full-colour-and-long-battery-life-by-mid-2012/

Link to Kyobo videos:  http://www.mirasoldisplays.com/kyobo

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Having looked at their videos, what do you think of it?   Is this the solution to coloured ereader screens we have been hoping for?