SiPix Imaging said it has developed a keypad for mobile phones that can act as a display, using what's known as electronic paper.


So called e-paper flexible displays that resemble an electronic form of paper
could one day replace everything from newspapers to mobile phone displays. As the name suggests, such displays are flat, flexible, and in some cases even rollable. But it's still unclear how SiPix's latest product will take advantage of the screen's flexibility.

One thing is for sure, Fremont, California-based SiPix must be onto something. SiPix  is backed by over $100 million in funding from Goldman Sachs, ING Barings, Worldview, BASF, Foxconn, Toppan Forms, PTI Ventures, CMC, New Margin Ventures, and Yasuda Ventures.

The display is designed to replace traditional mobile keypads. Co-developed with keypad manufacturer Silitech, the e-paper technology  replaces the keypad on a mobile phone with a second display screen. This means that the number keys on a mobile phone are now able to magically change into letters, symbols, or personalized icons.

In January, SiPix's partner Polymer Vision inked a deal with U.K.-based Innos to manufacture flexible displays (see Flexible Display Rivals Racing to Market).