Hanvon color e-ink reader to debut at FPD International 2010 in Tokyo

The Nook Color is on its way, but maybe there will be some more competition in the color e-book reader market soon.

Hanvon Technology is all set to debut a 10-inch e-reader with a colorized electronic ink display at the FPD International 2010 trade show in Tokyo on Tuesday.

According to The New York Times, the Hanvon e-reader is "not intended to be a multifunction competitor to the iPad, but rather a dedicated reading device, like the Kindle." The article cites a lot of the pros and cons when it comes to e-ink versus and LCD. The biggest hindrance with color LCD panels is glare, making the devices less versatile when it comes to location.

But I have to agree that color is just where this market is headed. It will be costly at first (as evident by the initial $249 price tag attached to the Nook Color), but eventually that will drop. So if we can get color e-ink technology rolling faster, I can't wait to see what might come out in the next year.

Sporting both Wi-Fi and 3G support, the color e-ink device is expected to first launch in Hanvon's native China next year for $440. According to the company's founder and chairman, Liu Yingjian, it is "possible" that we'll see this one sold in the United States. But it's going to need a serious price slashing for any chance of success.