Qualcomm To License Mirasol Screens?

I used to be quite optimistic about the future of Mirasol e-readers. But the technology has been a difficult one to pull off for Qualcomm. It is not surprising that the company is now getting out of the business of manufacturing these screens. Instead, it will license the technology to any brave company that thinks it can do it better.

We are now focusing on licensing our next-generation Mirasol display technology and will directly commercialize only certain Mirasol products … We believe this strategy will better align our updated road map with the addressable opportunities.

explained Paul E. Jacobs, the CEO of Qualcomm. The Mirasol technology has not become mainstream mainly due to the costs associated with pulling it off. Considering that some companies have already getting out of the Mirasol business, this move by Qualcomm is not surprising at all. The technology is still being used in China. But we highly doubt any popular e-reader will go with Mirasol in the future.