For fans of e-readers, there could be something to look forward to in the third quarter.
Hanvon Technology Co (漢王科技), China’s largest e-reader maker, is poised to launch models that boast a slew of new technologies: 3G voice communications, color screens, 10-inch panels and support for the Android operating system.
The Chinese maker, which applied for more than 300 patents last year alone, said in a statement last week that it also has plans to introduce unconventional e-readers in the future that could be powered by solar energy and some with panels that are “rollable.”
That means users could just power up their e-readers under the sun or roll up the screen and slide it into their pockets — saving space and offering better mobility.
In addition to supporting Android, another breakthrough the company is claiming is its proprietary touch-screen technology on E-ink electronic paper.
This allows users to swipe through the panel to read a novel without the hassle of picking up a stylus.
Hanvon is aggressive in finding a niche in the e-reader industry.
Debate is rife on e-reader sites that the company has cannibalized tablets such as the iPad.
Hanvon’s financial report last month showed that the company’s revenue last year expanded 112.7 percent to 1.24 billion yuan (US$190 million).
Net income, however, only inched up 2.7 percent to 87.9 million yuan.
Overall gross margins were down to 40.05 percent from 51.12 percent in 2009, the report said.
Gross margins for e-readers were 36.99 percent, a decline of 9.9 percentage points from 2009, while those for handwriting products such as tablet PCs dipped 16.09 percentage points to 34.18 percent.
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