However, it is interesting to note that both HP and Xerox have e-paper development projects under way in their research labs. These are second-generation e-paper displays supporting full colour and video speed refresh. This indicates that these companies at least are taking the emergence of e–paper seriously and will be ready to jump into the market when they start to see it impacting on the market for their traditional paper based print products.
The one group of businesses who do not seem to be taking this technological development seriously are the publishers. Although a few publishers, primarily newspaper companies, have looked at the technology it would seem that even fewer are actively developing strategies for using a technology that could well overtake paper as the primary 'print' medium within the next two decades.
A prediction that is backed by Lynne Brindley, the British Library's chief executive, is that the switch from print to digital will be mainly complete by 2020, with only 10 percent of new material remaining as traditional print only.
Of course people will continue using paper for a long time, just as people still use velum, but increasingly paper documents, whether books, magazines, newspapers or the myriad other pieces of paper that we print out or photocopy will be replaced by e-paper displays that will offer a reading experience that is virtually indistinguishable from using paper. E-paper will, however, have environmental benefits and above all will be seamlessly integrated into the digital world.
But just how practical is the technology behind e-paper? Read on for a more detailed look at how this new technology actually works.
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Talkback
Nice one!
15 Jul 05 21:20 ReplyIn the words of my girlfriend "get it out as soon as poss"
Very interesting....
28 Jul 05 17:50 ReplyHoever, I would say that if we are waiting on colour and full speed video we may be looking at the wrong target. For a paper replacement I would be looking at high contract ratios, very low power use and durability - all of which are almost here now.
As long as the display can refresh in less time than it takes to turn a page, and can display clear black at normal font sizes, it could repace traditional printed books and newspapers immediately.
They could even be discounted as the ability to sell highly targeted advertising based on articles being read or on personal information gathered as part of a free or subsciption registration would be of considerable value.
Any chance of one for Christmas?