[DigitalToday reporter Jinju Hong (홍진주)] Modos Flow, a 13.3-inch PC monitor using an e-ink display, is drawing interest after reaching 274 percent of its crowdfunding target. Modos Flow has raised about $480,000 in crowdfunding.

On June 22, local time, online outlet Gigazine reported that Modos Flow expands e-ink technology, mainly used in e-book readers, into a PC secondary display. It aims to provide an environment suited to long hours of reading, writing and document work by delivering a paper-like visual texture.

Developer Modos said in a product introduction video, "It is designed so tasks that require focus can be done in a calmer and less burdensome environment."

The biggest feature of the product is improved response speed, long seen as a chronic weakness of e-ink. Typical e-ink displays can feel slow in page turns and input response because they refresh the entire screen. In particular, global refresh requires waiting about 100 milliseconds before showing a new screen, creating a problem of accumulating delays in continuous work.

Modos Flow uses a partial refresh method that selectively refreshes only changed areas to reduce those limits. It can redraw only areas where changes occur, such as cursor movement or document editing, and supports up to 60 fps and 300 ppi despite being an e-ink-based product, the company said. Its resolution is 3200x2400.

Another feature is that users can switch modes with a button to balance responsiveness and image quality. It offers a reading mode that prioritises clarity and stability, a browsing mode that balances detail and responsiveness, a viewing mode that prioritises faster refresh, and a writing mode that reduces typing lag.

The product connects via USB Type-C using DisplayPort Alt mode and also supports touch input. The device measures 31.5x25.4x1.6 cm and weighs 690 g. It weighs 1.19 kg including the cover and stand. Models are split into the black-and-white Modos Flow Mono and the colour Modos Flow Color. The colour model also includes front lighting and stylus pen support.

Modos also sought differentiation in how it develops the product. The company is developing it in an open-source form that discloses component documents, schematics and source files. Modos said, "We make tools for people who read, write and think for several hours every day," and "In such work, reliability and long-term stability are more important than anything." It added, "Users should be able to understand how the product works, and if a problem occurs, they should be able to fix it themselves or adjust it to their workflow," stressing its open-source development philosophy.

Modos Flow Mono costs $619 and Modos Flow Color costs $719. Both models offer free worldwide shipping. The crowdfunding ends at 9 a.m. on July 10 Japan time, with deliveries expected to start from Dec. 10.

Attempts to apply e-ink to PC work environments have existed before, but cases combining high resolution, 60 fps and partial refresh technology to improve responsiveness are rare. The industry is watching whether Modos Flow can create new demand in the productivity market centred on document writing and reading.