the readius e-reader lives

A specialized electronic reader once presumed to be a dead project is officially making a comeback. Originally introduced in 2008 by Philips spin-off Polymer Vision, the Readius was a groundbreaking device featuring a 5-inch expandable E-ink display. However, the company’s trajectory was halted in 2009 when it lost its financial backing after a primary investor became embroiled in a Ponzi scheme.

Before its collapse, the Readius had made high-profile appearances at industry events like Mobile World Congress 2008. Following the company’s bankruptcy, Wistron acquired Polymer Vision and continued refining its proprietary screen technology. Because the original hardware had become dated during the transition, the engineering team pivoted toward a modernized design utilizing improved display panels.

While small updates regarding the project’s survival have circulated for over a year, a new conceptual rendering of the redesigned Readius has finally been made public. Although a specific commercial launch date has not been announced, the new design confirms that the project remains active. The updated concept showcases a versatile form factor that can fold into a compact size similar to a mobile phone or expand to offer two different viewing configurations. This development marks a significant resurrection for a device that was a pioneer in the foldable display market.