Amazon buys Samsung’s Liquavista display subsidiary, hints of possible new Kindle tech

By Les Shu Published May 14, 2013

Samsung Flexible Screen — Image used with permission by copyright holder

After Samsung acquired Liquavista in 2011, there were talks that the electronics giant would unveil new smartphones with flexible screens in 2012. Well, 2012 came and went, and we have yet to see Galaxy devices with displays that bend. In fact, a report suggests that rival LG would beat Samsung to the punch in unveiling a flexible display by end of the year. The latest news (via PCMag) from Samsung may point to why there has been no movement: Sammy has struck a deal to sell Liquavista to Amazon. Amazon confirmed what had been rumors that such a deal was in the works.

The acquisition could foreshadow what’s to come in future Kindle devices. Liquavista, a Dutch firm that spun off from Philips in 2006, specializes in a display technology called “electrowetting.” The benefits of an electrowetting display could be big for Amazon Kindle e-readers and tablets: they can be viewed in various lighting scenarios yet offer low-power video playback, far more efficient than traditional LCD. (Before Samsung took over Liquavista, the company had planned to release e-readers with electrowetting displays, but pulled out when they found they could not sell premium display products at below cost.) There are other plusses, as well, including the aforementioned flexible display concept, however it’s uncertain at the moment if Amazon will incorporate bendable screens in a Kindle.

Recommended Videos

“We are always looking for new technologies we may be able to incorporate into our products over the long term. The Liquavista team shares our passion for invention and is creating exciting new technologies with a lot of potential. It’s still early days, but we’re excited about the possibilities and we look forward to working with Liquavista to develop these displays,” Amazon told PCMag.

Samsung hasn’t yet announced what its plans would be for flexible displays in relation to this deal, but judging from history we can bet the company will not stand by while its rival rolls out bendy smartphones, something Samsung has been working for the past couple years.

Topics

Former Digital Trends Contributor

I am formerly a senior editor at Digital Trends. I bring with me more than a decade of tech and lifestyle journalism…

Mobile

Which Amazon Kindle should you buy on Prime Day?

A person holding the Kindle Oasis with one hand.

Prime Day deals mean the best time to buy a new Kindle e-reader is on Prime Day. The Amazon products are almost always offered at a lower price, so if you’ve been thinking about getting one, then Prime Day is the time to buy. Except there’s no longer one Kindle to choose from, there are three (plus one made especially for children), so which one is best? And what about those “special offers”?

Here’s our guide to demystifying the Kindle, and the best way to spend your money on Prime Day.
The basic Amazon Kindle is best for newcomers
The basic Amazon Kindle e-reader costs $90 but has dropped to around $60 in the past, so if it turns up at that price on Prime Day, it’s an excellent deal. Why choose this one? If the plan is to read ebooks at home, it does everything you need. It has a 6-inch screen with a 167 pixel-per-inch (PPI) resolution, and a front light so you can read in a dark room. The screen is designed to make reading comfortable, without any of the glare or blue light issues that come from a glass-covered LCD or AMOLED screen on a tablet.

Deals

There has never been a better time to buy an Amazon Kindle

The Amazon Kindle placed against a wall while displaying a book.

Amazon Prime Day deals are going fast, especially for Amazon exclusives. If you've been in the market for a Kindle, you're in luck today. The Amazon Kindle
, now with a built in front light, has hit a new low price of $59. Normally selling for $89, you'll save yourself $30 on one of the best e-readers out there. Whether for you or a loved one, there's a lot to admire with this Kindle.

For starters, the 167 ppi glare-free display reads like actual paper, even in direct sunlight. You'll also never have to worry about a high-demand battery, for a single charge will power the Kindle for a whole week. Not hours, a week. The built in reading light makes it possible to read anywhere, whether you're lounging on the couch at midnight or chilling at the beach. The lamp itself is also adjustable, so you'll always be able to re-position based on your reading situation. Speaking of reading, the Kindle is your open door to Amazon's massive reader marketplace, featuring millions of books, newspapers, and other publications. Boasting 4GB of storage, you can also download all your Kindle content for reading on the go.

Deals

These Amazon and Samsung kids tablets are on sale for less than $100

A child sits outdoors reading from a Kindle Kids in a pink cover.

Being stuck at home with kids can be quite the challenge -- if they’re bored. If you’re going to survive being around children for an extended period of time, you need a tried-and-tested way to keep them entertained and out of your hair. And if there’s anything living in the digital age has taught us, it’s that technology holds all the answers. That’s why we’ve rounded up three great cheap kids tablet deals for your tiny tots.
7-inch HighQ Learning Tab Jr.
-- $50, was $100

If your kids can’t go to school, bring the school to them with Epik Learning’s HighQ Learning Tab Jr. Designed with applications like Kidomi in mind, the HighQ Learning Tab Jr. offers kids from ages three to 11 with an immense collection of games and books that’ll keep them entertained for hours. From classic cartoon characters like the Looney Tunes to new friends like Talking Tom and Dr. Bubble, your child will have an absolute blast and learn while doing it. It’s a simple lineup, but you can be sure that you’ve got all the essentials at hand. The tablet is KidSafe-approved and has a wide variety of guardian tools to give the Learning Tab Jr. that extra layer of parental protection. You can keep an eye on everything your kids are doing with the tablet, so you can regulate screen time and watch them get achievements on all their favorite games.