Electronic Paper Is "On A Roll"

[Janak Parekh]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.msnbc.com/news/910466.asp?0na=x23016H05' target='_blank'>http://www.msnbc.com/news/910466.asp?0na=x23016H05</a><br /><br /></div>I've been reading about the promise of electronic paper for some time now, and it looks like it's inching closer and closer to market.<br /><br />"In a step toward electronic newspapers and wearable computer screens, scientists have created an ultra-thin screen that can be bent, twisted and even rolled up and still display crisp text. The material, only as thick as three human hairs, displays black text on a whitish-gray background with a resolution similar to that of a typical laptop computer screen. The screen is so flexible it can be rolled into a cylinder about a half-inch (1 centimeter) wide without losing its image quality."<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/parekh/news/20030507-EInk-DigitalPaper.jpg" /><br />(image copyright MSNBC)<br /><br />The only problem is, it's "inching". ;) I want it now, darn it! Tools like this could finally stop one from having to carry printouts, papers, or even magazines around. Current PDAs are a good first step (I'm a big fan of <a href="http://www.repligo.com">RepliGo</a> and ebooks), but there's a long way to go.

[Abba Zabba]

definately this will be a next step to reducing the amount of paper we use (look at me i have a green thumb!). At my office we go through atleast 12 reems of LEGAL paper a day and 4 regular. Keep in mind this office is only for 6 people. :evil:

[Pony99CA]

I've been reading about the promise of electronic paper for some time now, and it looks like it's inching closer and closer to market.
We're getting closer and closer to my "PlastiComputer" -- a computer on a piece of plastic like an overhead transparency. It would typically have the top 2/3 be the screen and the bottom 1/3 be a virtual keyboard.

Of course, we still need color. :-)

Steve

[Abba Zabba]

What would be really interesting to see is if something like Minority report. I was watching 2 days ago on Techtv (no comment :wink: ) and someone is developing that idea now as we speak. Gees what's next... all I have to say is bring on the tech :twisted:

[rlobrecht]

Is this the paper MS will use in the iLoo? :D

[alex22]

Hope I can get one of these once it is commercially available to read eBooks, no longer need to carry a brick-like PDA :)

[nobody]

Wow!

[JonnoB]

Is this the paper MS will use in the iLoo? :D

ewwwww

[xoiph]

I'd think it would be a little too rough for the iLoo.

[brent_anderson]

I have been following E-Ink's work on this for a while now.

My perfect e-Book will be the size of a paperback, have a nice leather outside, (must look just like a book), 24 hour battery life, 5 or more of these "thin" double sided pages so I can "turn" the pages when I read, (much more natural feeling to me), some type of hi density storage, (can you say 30 GB ipod!), a "pop-up" led light, (out of the spine?), for night reading, and the ability to play Audible files and music files.

You could have a LCD screen on the inside front cover with a touchpad for library/content/index/play management and battery/storage card access on the inside back cover.

Keep the outside nice and clean and smooth! (Maybe a headphone jack, sync jack, power jack, LED light, all "hidden" on the spine)

You would need some sort of large "button", (just one?), on the upper corners of the inside covers for "forward" and "backward" page turning commands maybe even incorporating a page bookmark feature here?. When you get to the end of the set of pages, you press the button on the inside back cover and the E-book draws the next 10 pages for you to read.

If I could carry around the hundreds of Audible books, the hundreds of E-books, the thousands of songs, AND replace, (buy purchasing E-book formats), my THOUSANDS of hardback and paperback books that I’ve collect during my lifetime, with this one device...

And had a way to save all the web content you find interesting, articles and information…

Combine them all together with a library management system...

Hook that up with a text search engine...

I would pay $500+ EASY for it!

My whole library with me at all times!

Just my $.02 worth … :)

Brent

[Pony99CA]

My perfect e-Book will be the size of a paperback, have a nice leather outside, (must look just like a book), 24 hour battery life, 5 or more of these "thin" double sided pages so I can "turn" the pages when I read, (much more natural feeling to me), some type of hi density storage, (can you say 30 GB ipod!), a "pop-up" led light, (out of the spine?), for night reading, and the ability to play Audible files and music files.

[...]

You would need some sort of large "button", (just one?), on the upper corners of the inside covers for "forward" and "backward" page turning commands maybe even incorporating a page bookmark feature here?. When you get to the end of the set of pages, you press the button on the inside back cover and the E-book draws the next 10 pages for you to read.
First, five of these double-sided things would probably increase the cost by a factor of 5 or so. They won't be cheap at first.

Second, what a horrible UI. Turning pages and having to redraw every 10 pages. Just make the top right corner (where people turn the pages) touch-sensitive to draw the next page. The top left corner could turn back a page. Perhaps make the inside of the cover another display to keep the Table of Contents and a search function visible at all times (although, to save money, easy access on the only page would be acceptable).

Steve

[malcolmsharp]

The only problem is, it's "inching". ;) I want it now, darn it! Tools like this could finally stop one from having to carry printouts, papers, or even magazines around. Current PDAs are a good first step (I'm a big fan of RepliGo (http://www.repligo.com) and ebooks), but there's a long way to go.

Yahhh! Got a story listed!

I'm with you, man. I want this stuff NOW! I want to have a reading surface anywhere I want!

Also think of how this will be used in other places. A VCR that can display a TV Guide for you to select what you want to record. Or a microwave that can show you the best heating times. Even a cook book that is just one page, and can adjust amounts and even cooking times (I live in a high alt. area, and it effects such things at times) for you.

Students could just carry around one book that has ALL the texts, and they don't have to get new ones, just get the low cost (as compared to buying whole new sets) subscriptions for the updates.

[brent_anderson]

First, five of these double-sided things would probably increase the cost by a factor of 5 or so. They won't be cheap at first.

The screens are almost there! I want paper thin, (OK, thick paper :) ), sheets to turn. I just pulled 5 out of the air, heck, if it has cheap enough, meets the $500 price, and fits in the form factor, (paperback size), give it 20, 50, or 100!

One thing about the E-Ink display, it requires no power to hold the page once it has been drawn. I can close the book and open it right back where I left off....

Second, what a horrible UI. Turning pages and having to redraw every 10 pages. Just make the top right corner (where people turn the pages) touch-sensitive to draw the next page. The top left corner could turn back a page. Perhaps make the inside of the cover another display to keep the Table of Contents and a search function visible at all times (although, to save money, easy access on the only page would be acceptable).

Nope, I WANT the "feel" of a real book, having read thousands, and I like being able to flip back and forth couple of pages while reading without having to wait for a screen redraw, SO, the more pages the better :) (see above).

As a matter of fact, it would be cool to be able to dedicate the first few pages to an interesting chapter you could reference while reading the rest of the book, possibly an index, instruction, formula, or verse....

In other words , I WANT A BOOK WITH UNLIMITED CONTENT! It MUST look and feel like a book while I am reading it! WAY more enjoyable IMHO.

Brent

[Pony99CA]

Second, what a horrible UI. Turning pages and having to redraw every 10 pages. Just make the top right corner (where people turn the pages) touch-sensitive to draw the next page. The top left corner could turn back a page. Perhaps make the inside of the cover another display to keep the Table of Contents and a search function visible at all times (although, to save money, easy access on the only page would be acceptable).
Nope, I WANT the "feel" of a real book, having read thousands, and I like being able to flip back and forth couple of pages while reading without having to wait for a screen redraw, SO, the more pages the better :) (see above).
What if the processor and display were fast enough that screen redraws were virtually instantaneous?

Another problem with your user interface is constantly having to flip back to the beginning of the book. If you want the feel of a real book, that means you shouldn't have to go back to the start every 10 (or whatever) pages.

I've read a lot of books, too, but I'm not mired in the "experience". Just give me one or two pages (the second for TOC and searching maybe) with a fast redraw.

Steve

[brent_anderson]

What if the processor and display were fast enough that screen redraws were virtually instantaneous?

I have been using MS Reader and Peanut press on my ipaq 3650 for a long time. Even had the memory upgraded to 256MB and use a Toshiba 2GB PCMCIA drive in the sleeve for storage. The screen refresh is fast with it, I just don't like the format as well as a normal book.

Another problem with your user interface is constantly having to flip back to the beginning of the book. If you want the feel of a real book, that means you shouldn't have to go back to the start every 10 (or whatever) pages.

Having to flip to the front of 10 (or whatever) pages would be even better if the screen redraw was faster! 'read last page, press, flip, keep going.'

perfect :)

I've read a lot of books, too, but I'm not mired in the "experience". Just give me one or two pages (the second for TOC and searching maybe) with a fast redraw.

Well, I guess I am "mired in the experience" ! I like nothing better than the feel of a book in my hands when I want to relax. I like "turning" pages with my fingers and the anticipation of the next "flip". I have been this way since I started reading at 5.

While I am all for the E-book, what you a describing is close to the Gemstar reader that I have tried and was still not happy with.

http://www.gemstar-ebook.com/ebcontent/devices/1150_tour.asp


Brent

[Abba Zabba]

I guess this would be a great innovation for people who subscribe to any for of periodical. Now instead of carrying around magazines or newspapers you can just unroll and viola start reading what you want 8)

[Kirkaiya]

I think that, if the display that was pictured in the photo, was integrated into a "pocketPC" that was only marginally thicker throught the most part, with perhaps a slight bulge at the top/bottom (think thickness = 2 sticks of Wrigelys gum)...

well, that would be a compelling device to me. So think that i wouldn't even know I had it, unless I wanted to use it. I could roll up the screen (roll around the bulge) and slip into a jacket pocket , or leave it flat in my jeans pocket, without worrying about breaking the screen (I broke my V35 screen in December).

I mean - for my Ipaq 1910, I have the new Proporta aluminum case to prevent just that (breaking the screen).

So... for the advantage of having the near-paper-thin device (granted, this means miniaturizing other components), I would even give up color.

In the end - for ME - it's about having my info with me. Color is way better than B&W, but... I also think the biggest advantage of my 1910 over my 3650 (and others) is how small, thin and light it is.

IMHO :-)