E-paper, or ‘multimedia paper,’ and photonic ink

Posted by Jean Yves Chainon on September 13, 2007 at 11:00 AM

A popular topic these days, WashingtonPost.com opens a discussion about “The Future of The Newspaper.” What type of electronic device will people be using to get their news in the future? And a group of Canadian scientists has found a way to produce 'quality' color e-paper.

Whereas many newspapers are eyeing the evolution in e-paper technology and products, such as the Sony Reader, the medium of choice in the future might be closer to the iPhone, according to the Post’s blog.

“The last 10 years or so of gadget evolution have shown that single-purpose devices too large for a pants pocket don't find a home in the mass market,” says the Post.

The iPhone enables users to see the whole of a front page at once, and zoom in to read the stories.

Regardless of the brand name, the future of e-paper will probably have to include multiple functionalities if it is to reach a mass market. There still remains the question of readability and convenience as these multimedia and ever-smaller devices spread.

A group of Canadian scientists has apparently developed a new technology for e-paper, which would allow better quality in color. The technical aspects are slightly obscure, but the basic innovation is that colors can now be both brighter and more vivid, which was the main disadvantage of colored e-paper until now.

For more details, click the link to the Technology Review.

Source: Washington Post - Technology Review through IFRA Executive News Service

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