E Ink

• An E Ink display consists of a sheet of tiny plastic bubbles, each of which contains electrically charged black-and-white particles. When an electric current flows through the display, it affects the charge on these particles, causing them to rise or sink within the cell. When more black particles rise to the surface, it creates a black pixel, while more white particles will "erase" the pixel, returning it to the background color. By moving the black particles around inside the screen, the display can produce pictures and text.
  
  

Using the Kindle

• Whenever you press the "next page" button, whether inside a book or in a menu, the Kindle sends a signal to refresh the entire screen. This causes the display to flash black for a moment before filling with the requested page. The Kindle can also partially refresh a page when you activate a pop-up menu or highlight text on the screen. The Kindle also switches the display to a static screen saver when placed in sleep mode, locking the keyboard and controls.
  
  

Advantages

• The primary advantage of E Ink over LCD is power consumption. LCD screens are backlit, requiring a steady stream of power when the device is on. E Ink, on the other hand, consumes power only when the display changes, greatly extending the battery life of the Kindle. A Kindle's screen can hold a static image for an extended period without draining the battery, allowing the device to function for weeks between charges as long as the wireless modem remains off. The lack of a backlight also reduces eyestrain and glare, allowing you to read the Kindle in daylight without difficulty.
  
  

Disadvantages

• The chief disadvantage of an E Ink display is its slow refresh time, making this type of screen unsuitable for any application involving fast animation. In addition, most displays of this type currently on the market contain only two colors of pigment, allowing monochrome graphics and text only. Also, since the Kindle's display features no internal light, you will need to employ a book light if you wish to read in a darkened room.