This means NBA 2K16 MT that the resolution of a colour electronic ink display is cut by a third compared to an equivalent monochrome display without a filter on it. Schwartz told Wired that E Ink has made up for this by increasing the base resolution, but wouldn't say it had been tripled, only saying that it was "very similar".
Another potential issue with colour electronic ink is that putting a filter over the top will put another layer in between the coloured spheres and your eyes, reducing the contrast of the display. Each barrier, however transparent it seems, has a negative effect on the whiteness of the whites and blackness of the blacks, making everything appear just that bit more grey.
But E Ink reckons it should be able to solve that issue over time, by improving the chemical stack that creates the pigments in each of the spheres, and experimenting with different types of filters. Getting closer to the bright white of real paper is an eternal goal for the company.
The first colour electronic ink gadgets should begin to appear on the market towards the end of 2010, and will no doubt be out in force when the Consumer Electronics Show rolls around in January. We'll bring you reviews of the newest gadgets as they arrive.