Summary
Quite recently, I was assigned to report in Trivandrum, which is a stunning beach town located in the state of Kerala, which is the most southern state in India. I observed that a Dutch lady was looking at my tablet when I was lying on a deckchair reading some comics on a day when the temperature was really high. In the hopes of making a new acquaintance who is passionate about comics and comes from a different world, I inquired as to whether or not she liked the work of Mark Millar.
“What I am more interested in is the screen protector that you have on your tablet. “What is it?” she said in a voice that was easily recognizable. She was informed that there was no screen protector installed in the device. The display itself has a paper-like appearance and texture, and there is very little to no glare. The tablet in question was the Onyx Tab Ultra C, which is equipped with a display that is shown using Kaleido 3 E Ink.
My new acquaintance and I spent hours reading novels and surfing the web while drinking fresh coconut juice over the course of the next several days. I kept the slate with me throughout the whole process. I was completely unaware that such a gadget existed. There is no strain on my eyes, and I am able to read it even when it is dark without experiencing any weariness,” she said.
A reduction in the negative effects of screen time
It’s not only regular people who are struggling with screen-related issues. As the typical amount of time spent in front of a screen continues to rise, scientific studies have already identified the hazards. It is unfortunate that we are unable to avoid displays. Does this imply that we are unable to protect ourselves against the dangers of digital technology? Yes, we are able to do so, at least to some degree, via interventions.
Undoubtedly, if you browse through TikTok until the early hours of the morning, your sleep pattern will be interrupted, and your body will not get the rest it requires in order to recharge for the following day. A hormone known as melatonin, which has an effect on our circadian cycle, is thought to be responsible for this phenomenon, according to scientific research.
The fact that the treatments themselves have caused a rift among the scientific community is an interesting fact. Is it true that blue-light glasses are beneficial to our eyes? Their usefulness is still up for discussion. In addition, the strategy of taking a break and looking away is not always viable. However, screens, whether they are huge or small, are unavoidable.
What would happen if we completely rethought display technology in order to make it more comfortable for our eyes? E-ink, electronic paper, and NXTPAPER are some examples of companies that come into play at this point of development. When it comes to NXTPAPER, it is an invention that was developed by TCL. It is based on a Circularly Polarized Luminescence (CPL) screen that simulates the way natural light operates.
On a typical LCD panel, the screen itself emits light. While solutions such as NXTPAPER do not, the paper-like displays used by E Ink depend on the reflection of light from the outside world, exactly as a paper book can be read and seen when it is exposed to sunlight.
Using the most recent version of TCL’s technology, version 3.0, the company claims to be able to filter up to 61% of blue light without compromising picture quality while still providing the sensation of reading paper in natural light. Additionally, TCL’s technology makes use of an RGB sensor that functions to automatically alter the temperature of the screen. That’s an important addition to make.
During the course of iPad-centric research that investigated the effectiveness of Apple’s Night Shift feature, it was discovered that a single intervention does not always prove to be effective. However, when performed collectively, such as by adjusting the temperature of the screen and the brightness levels, it has the potential to provide favorable outcomes with regard to the influence of short wavelengths (blue light) on the production of melatonin.
In an interview with Digital Trends, TCL said that the enhanced technology includes a variety of new features that have been fine-tuned for the sensations of sight and touch in order to encourage better digital watching habits. In parallel with the work that TCL is doing, E Ink, which started its journey in 1997 at the MIT Media Lab, is also working.
The Boox Tab Ultra C and the HiSense A7 CC smartphone are two examples of the products that include coloured variants of E Ink’s display technology, which are currently available for purchase. However, there are a few issues that are intrinsic to e-ink displays that may either make or break the experience for anybody who is interested in purchasing a tablet for the purpose of reading and surfing.
As a result of the low refresh rate, viewing movies is not the most enjoyable experience, and even simple reading might result in ghosting artifacts. To give you an example, the most sophisticated Kaleido 3 technology developed by E Ink is only capable of producing 4,096 colors, which is a negligible amount in comparison to the millions of hues that a phone can throw at your eyes.
The next innovation in display technology
In spite of the fact that the technology itself is remarkable—one that employs a system of ink contained inside tiny microcapsules that move in response to the application of an electric charge—the actual experience leaves huge functional voids. Daylight Computing is attempting to establish itself as a game-changer in this particular area.
The tablet that Daylight offers “has the fluidity of an iPad but looks like e-ink,” according to the company. Anjan Katta, the creator of the company, defines it as a “fast refresh rate, reflective, paper-like” system that is based on a display technology that has been abandoned for a long time and uses something that is known as microreflective structures of some kind.
The business claims to resolve the issues of ghosting and sluggish scrolling, which are the two most significant problems associated with the e-ink and e-paper solutions that are now available. “To begin with, it is the first one that you may utilize throughout the day. During the day, when it is exposed to direct sunlight, and by the use of a hardware backlight that is pure amber at night,” the newcomer asserts.
In addition to monitors and gadgets that are similar to phones, Daylight has not yet disclosed any other information on the technology that will be used to power its forthcoming tablets. A one-of-a-kind use of amber illumination is utilized by these tablets. They have a distinctive appearance, and when combined with the performance promises made by the manufacturer, they have the potential to completely change the landscape.
On the other hand, altering the game comes at a price for a hardware startup like Daylight. The next tablet from Daylight, which will have technology that emits an amber light, will be priced at $899. For that money, you can have a tablet slate from Apple that is of the highest quality and has far more functionality. Moreover, they provide a number of interventions that are both significant and pleasant to the eyes, some of which come highly recommended by professionals in the medical field.
In this context, businesses such as SuperUs Systems enter the picture with the objective of addressing accessibility difficulties by reducing costs and increasing scalability among their offerings. “Localization of device manufacturing and software development will not only enable a price advantage, but it will also extend reach,” says the Indian firm, which just signed a contract with E Ink to manufacture a broad variety of devices. As a result of this agreement, the company will be able to extend its reach.
A placebo, or a precautionary measure to take?
Now, the issue is, do they really assist in any way? The retinal cells in human eyes demonstrated oxidative stress two to three times slower when exposed to an e-paper display compared to an ordinary LCD-based screen, according to a study conducted at Harvard University. Instead of using actual people, the experiment was carried out on cells in a laboratory setting.
Dr. Jennifer Tsai, an optometrist who practices in Manhattan and is also a brand ambassador for TCL, has said that there is a lack of information about the long-term health repercussions of display-triggered damage to the retina and stress sustained at the cellular level. However, the light that a typical LCD panel emits stresses the retinal cells, and when this stress is persistent for a long time, it causes photo-oxidative retinal damage.
In addition, she states that there is now no recognized treatment or cure for photo-oxidative retinal injury. Although it is not a very optimistic view, she gives the impression that she is confident about specific measures. “Preventive measures such as reducing exposure to harmful light with improved digital technology, wearing glasses that filter blue light, and consuming a diet that is rich in antioxidants may help mitigate the risk of damage,” the author writes.
Making adjustments to the color temperature may be helpful, but the most effective way to go ahead is to alter the spectrum of light that is emitted by displays. In a report published in Scientific Reports, it is said that the intensity and spectrum of light are very significant indicators, and that the exposure impact of these factors is seen to varying degrees on users of all ages, including young and elderly.
E-ink panels are much superior to LCD displays, according to the findings of another study that was published in the journal Displays. This study examined the reading behavior of an individual based on eye movements and came to the conclusion that e-ink panels are more similar to genuine paper.
Tests have also shown that the ComfortGaze technology developed by E Ink has the ability to lower the Blue Light Ratio (BLR) and the Blue Light Toxicity Factor (BLTF) by as much as sixty percent and twenty-four percent, respectively, in comparison to the more traditional front-lit display technology.
The question is, should we be more concerned with the scientific aspect or the behavioral aspect of how we engage with screens? Experts are split on this particular issue. Odalys Mendoza, an expert in ophthalmology, points out that the kind of laboratory tests that were mentioned before do not accurately portray the real situations and circumstances under which human eyes are exposed to blue light.
Although she does not believe that the little quantity of blue light that is generated by the gadgets that are all about us can do lasting harm to the eyes, she does remark that “staring at them for a long time can cause temporary discomfort.” This discomfort can present itself in the form of dry or tearful eyes, fuzzy vision, and headaches.
Intervening interventions are being proposed once again. Mendoza suggests taking pauses in accordance with the 20-20-20 rule, which states that every 20 minutes, for 20 seconds, stare at an item that is 20 feet away. Additionally, one should use eye-lubricating fluid to reduce the brightness and glare of the environment. Having said that, not all eye drops are risk-free.
Following reports of incidents of vision loss, infection, and even death, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a warning to customers about the dangers of using lubricating eye drops that are available without a prescription. According to Gary D. Novak, a professor at the UC Davis Health Eye Center, in order to be on the safe side, it is recommended that individuals only choose well-known brands such as Bausch and Lomb, Alcon, and Johnson & Johnson.
On the other hand, what about circumstances in which the 20-20-20 rule cannot be applied? According to Dr. Tsai, it is recommended that regular breaks be taken whenever it is feasible, such as taking a five-minute break every hour instead. In addition to that, she suggests the following additional suggestions:
- To alleviate the irritation and dryness of your eyes, blink often.
- Maintain a spacing of around arm’s length between the displays at all times.
- Boost the size of the typeface.
- Reduce the amount of time spent in front of electronic screens, particularly before going to bed.
In addition, research that was published in the journal Ophthalmology and Therapy offers a total of four therapies for digital eye strain. These interventions include improving digital ergonomics, taking breaks, lowering the amount of time spent in front of a computer on a daily basis, and participating in outdoor recreational activities.
The act of moving forward in the appropriate path
Additionally, consumer electronics manufacturers like as TCL are inclined to focus on behavioral interventions. An integrated eye-care assistant that flashes timely alerts and assists users in cultivating healthy digital viewing habits is included in the TCL NXTPAPER stack, according to the manufacturer.
Numerous variations of electronic paper and electronic ink technology have been developed throughout the course of time. With the advancements that have been made, even monochrome e-ink panels are now capable of playing videos from YouTube. On my Onyx Boox Palma, which is a phone-like e-ink reader that also runs the complete Google Play experience—except the color—I even play games like Angry Birds and Chess.
On the other hand, it is important to bear in mind that the experience of these revolutionary devices—including the positive, negative, and ugly aspects—is not the only thing that counts. For the time being, the scientific community is still unsure about the precise effects of screen time. Moreover, unless clinical research demonstrates otherwise, the best approach to go ahead is to make behavioral adjustments, such as adopting healthy screen habits.
