An application for e-paper technologies is rapidly gaining momentum in the mobile electronics marketplace - the e-reader, which makes it possible to carry entire books with you in a small device. Currently being offered by Amazon.com, the Kindle is the first popular e-reader. But look out, technology improvements may make e-readers the “next big thing.” Lately, discussion has arisen regarding the merits of an e-reader such as the Kindle versus the new multi-functional mobile devices or smart phones such as the I-Phone.
One for All - All for One?
There is no question that e-readers are superior when it comes to reading, including an enhanced ability to read in sunlight; which is very difficult, even for the smartest of the smart phones. What makes an e-reader more comfortable to use for reading is its wide viewing angle, excellent contrast, long battery life, and, of course, readability in sunlight. The latter is possible because the display is not backlit.
So, it would seem obvious, that if reading is your goal, then the e-reader would be your choice. It fits the bill remarkably well for students who use it as a substitute for carrying heavy textbooks, or for professionals such as doctors or pilots, who find it a great way to access reference texts. But, for people who only check a quick fact here and there - or already have smart phone apps for news and financial data, does it make sense? Will people prefer an all-in-one device or gladly carry an e-reader and a smart phone, too? That’s the big question surrounding the development of e-paper - and its adoption by the masses.
Just a Matter of Time
The obvious solution would be a mobile device that does it all, with low power consumption and excellent readability. Ah, if only…. E-paper technologies have challenges to meet before that is possible. One of the primary reasons for the commercialization of e-readers in the first place was the fact that it was achievable, possible, attainable, realistic…whatever term you care to choose.
However, with the recent multiple introductions of color displays, albeit prototypes, e-paper technologies are definitely improving. There is also serious work being done on flexible and rollable e-paper displays. While consumers don’t want a large device, they do want a large screen. A flexible, rollable/foldable display would offer the best of both worlds. And the major e-paper developers are also working on faster switching speeds. This would be critical for video applications - likely to become a feature on stand-alone e-readers in the foreseeable future.
So, while the discussion about e-readers versus smart phones may be interesting today, it may well be a moot discussion in the near future. E-paper is on the road to offering the best of both worlds - readability and functionality - regardless of the device you actually purchase.
By Linda M. Casatelli
This e-reader is indeed another breakthrough. A few more improvements to this application and traditional paper — the one from trees — will become obsolete.
I agree with you there Freya, soon trees will be left alone by paper manufacturers.
eyestrain is such a very valid concern for non e-paper devices. I’ve tried reading the iliad on my Nokia and I gave up after one chapter… it’s just too much strain on my eyes. My kindle doesn’t give me eyestrain.
go e-paper!
seems like the benefits of e-paper are piling up.
I think it’s great that the ebook reader manufacturers are looking into functionality now. I mean with the growing competition, you have to find ways to set your own reader apart.
Well, iPod and iTunes are very popular, but we still have CD’s. I don’t think any physical medium can ever truly become extinct. People want to hold things in the hands, to own and touch the things that they buy. They want a physical object for their money.
Of course, ebook are on the rise- up 70% in sales over last year. But like the music market, it doesn’t make up the difference between the profits lost to physical sales. Eg, even though ebooks are going up, sales of physical copies have fallen enough in the past year that’s it’s still losing millions of dollars more than ebooks are bringing in. Until we bridge that gap ebooks have a long way to go.
Can’t they just replace the iphone’s screen with e-paper?
That would make it much more difficult to surf and watch movie clips, but it’d combine easy text reading with low power consumption, mobile phone, music, possibly limited internet use? Which would be all I need.
At any rate it’d also be great for easy wireless document transfer (i.e. newspapers).
That would make for an interesting product! The battery life on that could be 30days+