May 20, 2008 — Qualcomm MEMS Technologies Inc. says it has demonstrated “the first reflective Interferometric Modulation (IMOD) color mirasol display.” According to the MEMS developer, which is a wholly owned subsidiary of Qualcomm Incorporated (Nasdaq: QCOM), the new display brings unrivaled capabilities to the industry and to mobile end users. The demo represents another step Qualcomm MEMS Technologies’ effort to bring its mirasol displays to mainstream mobile devices.
Freestyle Audio, which claims to offer the world’s first and only “waterproof, shockproof, and virtually indestructible” MP3 player, will feature the first 0.9-inch IMOD color display in next-generation MP3 product line.
IMOD technology requires no backlighting and reflects light so that wavelengths interfere with each other to create pure, vivid colors. And, because mirasol displays require comparatively little power, they are a good match for mobile electronics. They harness ambient light sources to automatically scale for easy viewing in virtually any lighting condition. Qualcomm MEMS introduced initially introduced its mirasol display last year — in a bichrome version — in time for the holiday season.
Qualcomm MEMS Technologies made the demonstration at the SID 2008 Conference
“The delivery of Qualcomm’s color reflective display constitutes a major milestone for Qualcomm MEMS Technologies and the industry,” said Jim Cathey, vice president of business development for Qualcomm MEMS Technologies, Inc.
“We’re taking our award-winning Sport MP3 players to the next level,” said Lance Fried, founder and chairman of Freestyle Audio. “Like Freestyle Audio, Qualcomm places a premium on innovation, and we’re confident that the inclusion of color mirasol displays will further enhance our customers’ experiences and let them take their music anywhere.”
The news of Qualcomm’s latest development in color mirasol displays comes on the heels of its agreement with Foxlink, a leading developer of consumer electronics components, to create a Taiwan-based fabrication plant. Dedicated to the manufacturing of next generation mirasol displays, the new plant will be constructed after the parties have satisfied certain administrative and contractual requirements. The plant is expected to be fully operational in 2009.