This is pretty damn cool. Although I can't wait for the full-color, magazine quality version (hehe), this will do fine for browsing the news or reading a novel. Hopefully, it will have wi-fi internet capability.
In many of he 'e-ink' style displays I've seen (including this one), when the display changes (i.e. change page), it flips all the balls to black before the new image/text is displayed. I hope you can optionally choose to flip to white as the black flash make me feel ill....
Or maybe they chose black as the white _actually_ makes you ill....
See one in use 3 months ago (not sure if its the one due for release)
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=v226DYqlbHQ
A bit big to carry around as a book but very very nice looking. You can see the way ebook readers are going.
Take a look at the soon to be realeased Readius too http://www.readius.com/
In a few short years e-ink devices will be small, flexible, powerful and will become very popular - imagine walking around with a small, foldable reader in your pocket that has internet connectivity - unroll/fold it and it becomes a book/magazine/newspaper/map/browser etc
So I'll hold off for now and wait a couple of years I think.
Dylan
PS - Anyone see that interactive map used in Babylon AD ?
Yes, it is welcome news to have another player in this field, but I wonder why they
have chosen a non-standard format. A4, being metric is a global standard whereas the size mentioned is (believe) used only in America - a niche market these days.
Oh, lordy... Lets just hope this works okay and isn't another PITA like WM5/6's half-assed gesture interface.
And how long before we can write to them (not sure how... I guess you'd just use a special electrically charged pen to turn it black and have the control electronics "read" each bit at every page-turn... practical?)? E-ink notepad sounds like a good idea- especially if the page keeps its contents when unplugged from the electronics; you could use it just like a normal piece of paper- except that when it became of no use (or was about to go in the recycler) it could just be blanked and re-used.
Also, is this a foldable/rollable 10" display as promised in your previous article? And, stop sniggering at the back, how rigid is this 10"? Will it stand proud just because of its own layout, or would it fall flacid to the ground and need laying on a table to be readable?
That's obvious. It is so that *after* you've rendered a page of text with a "root 2" aspect ratio there is still some space left along one side for some touchable UI.
Good to get another developement into this feild. But does it solve on of the big issues: can you "flip" the pages? E-ink has a 0.5 sec delay between pages - and no to-black flicker either: just change what needs to be changed.
Ok, I know this maybe a bit off the wall and (to some) pointless, but what I really want is a book of e-ink pages that I can load pages from a book on to. Ideally, you could have differing sizes and pages for each model released. I hear there is something along the lines in development, but I'm as of yet unable to find it (albeit not trying very hard...). This would mean that for those that wish to 'turn pages' can.
Getting quite excited about this (EASY!) and find this a much better way of reading an e-doc.
How long before you can buy a car covered with this? Hmm, which colour would I like this morning? (Or how long before the display mimics what is on the other side of the car - a la Bonds disappearing Vanquish?)
How long before I can cover my walls with this? Hmm, bored of this room after 2 days, think I'll decorate again - done.
This shirt looks a bit summery for this weather - ah yes, a darker colour, and do away with that logo for now as well - done.
Instead of the ubiquitous plug in charger faff, it would be excellent if they could put a flexible solar cell on the back of the book. There's nothing more annoying that picking a gadget up only to find the battery's gone flat while it's not been in use. Not having to take yet another charger with you on holiday would also be nice.
Now that is cool! I would love an e-ink device to store technical texts on.
I bet it will cost a fortune though. Look at the price of an iRex Illiad at the moment - in fact most of the devices available in europe are expensive. Bookeen's Cybook G3 is €350.
As much as I want one it will be a few years before e-ink devices drop in price methinks.
Logitech Harmony ONE Advanced Universal Remote
Logitech Harmony 1100 Remote Control
Logitech Harmony 700 Universal Remote (LCD, 6 Devices)
Logitech Harmony 900 Universal Remote (LCD Touch Screen, Macro Control, 15 Devices)
Panasonic DMW-BCG10 Replacement Battery
Big and bendy e-ink displays on way
Pyros
Inquring minds... #
Posted Tuesday 9th September 2008 08:45 GMT
...want to know is it waterproof?
(As an aside, I'd buy one once it can do a proper RGB/CYMK color display.)
Louis Savain
Awesome #
Posted Tuesday 9th September 2008 08:45 GMT
This is pretty damn cool. Although I can't wait for the full-color, magazine quality version (hehe), this will do fine for browsing the news or reading a novel. Hopefully, it will have wi-fi internet capability.
Anonymous Coward
Get it out for $200 #
Posted Tuesday 9th September 2008 08:45 GMT
and they'll have a winner, but I'm sure it'll be near $600 with DRMed to hell files.
Paris cos she knows what it's like to be screwed.
Efros
Anonymous from Mars
It's about time. #
Posted Tuesday 9th September 2008 08:45 GMT
It's about time we got this. Please don't screw it up, guys.
Antidisestablishmentarianist
Black flash #
Posted Tuesday 9th September 2008 08:45 GMT
In many of he 'e-ink' style displays I've seen (including this one), when the display changes (i.e. change page), it flips all the balls to black before the new image/text is displayed. I hope you can optionally choose to flip to white as the black flash make me feel ill....
Or maybe they chose black as the white _actually_ makes you ill....
Matt Caldwell
Well....? #
Posted Tuesday 9th September 2008 08:45 GMT
Is it compatible with office suite files, or does it only support .pdf and .doc? Or worse, only .pdf and .docx?
Guess I'll have to convert things to .pdf, I love this idea, and want one about 5 years ago.
Dylan
A pointer to the future #
Posted Tuesday 9th September 2008 08:45 GMT
See one in use 3 months ago (not sure if its the one due for release)
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=v226DYqlbHQ
A bit big to carry around as a book but very very nice looking. You can see the way ebook readers are going.
Take a look at the soon to be realeased Readius too http://www.readius.com/
In a few short years e-ink devices will be small, flexible, powerful and will become very popular - imagine walking around with a small, foldable reader in your pocket that has internet connectivity - unroll/fold it and it becomes a book/magazine/newspaper/map/browser etc
So I'll hold off for now and wait a couple of years I think.
Dylan
PS - Anyone see that interactive map used in Babylon AD ?
Michael Admans
Excellent news - but why not A4? #
Posted Tuesday 9th September 2008 08:45 GMT
Yes, it is welcome news to have another player in this field, but I wonder why they
have chosen a non-standard format. A4, being metric is a global standard whereas the size mentioned is (believe) used only in America - a niche market these days.
Narlaquin
Nerd-gasm! #
Posted Tuesday 9th September 2008 08:45 GMT
Oh gosh, that's cute. It looks like a 1980's chopping board, doesn't have a price, but by 'eck, I want one.
Anonymous Coward
Easy gesture based interface? #
Posted Tuesday 9th September 2008 08:45 GMT
Oh, lordy... Lets just hope this works okay and isn't another PITA like WM5/6's half-assed gesture interface.
And how long before we can write to them (not sure how... I guess you'd just use a special electrically charged pen to turn it black and have the control electronics "read" each bit at every page-turn... practical?)? E-ink notepad sounds like a good idea- especially if the page keeps its contents when unplugged from the electronics; you could use it just like a normal piece of paper- except that when it became of no use (or was about to go in the recycler) it could just be blanked and re-used.
Also, is this a foldable/rollable 10" display as promised in your previous article? And, stop sniggering at the back, how rigid is this 10"? Will it stand proud just because of its own layout, or would it fall flacid to the ground and need laying on a table to be readable?
Dr Patrick J R Harkin
Why about environmental issues? #
Posted Tuesday 9th September 2008 08:45 GMT
Can you roll it up to swat wasps?
Ken Hagan
Re: Excellent news - but why not A4? #
Posted Tuesday 9th September 2008 09:59 GMT
That's obvious. It is so that *after* you've rendered a page of text with a "root 2" aspect ratio there is still some space left along one side for some touchable UI.
John Chadwick
Can I read it in the bath..... #
Posted Tuesday 9th September 2008 09:59 GMT
Great, if it weighs less than a mass market paperback, and I can drop it in the bath and still read it after drying it out on the radiator.
That's two reasons I'm not buying a Sony.
Oh yes, it's a Murcan size coz Murcans will buy it first in quantity.
Anonymous Coward
New technology same old problems.. #
Posted Tuesday 9th September 2008 09:59 GMT
I notice that the size is equivalent to the American letter format - will it be available in A4?
Mine's the one with MASSIVE pockets to accomodate the novel I'm reading on the plane which is now 8.5 x 11 inches instead of, well novel sized.
Nic
Wipe clean Jazz Mags? #
Posted Tuesday 9th September 2008 09:59 GMT
I can see a full colour whipe clean version of this being a useful cross over between certain web sites and certain top shelf publications.
Mines the full length dirty mac
Whitter
Flipping heck! #
Posted Tuesday 9th September 2008 09:59 GMT
Good to get another developement into this feild. But does it solve on of the big issues: can you "flip" the pages? E-ink has a 0.5 sec delay between pages - and no to-black flicker either: just change what needs to be changed.
Anonymous Coward
hmm.. #
Posted Tuesday 9th September 2008 09:59 GMT
Maybe if its A4 with Binder holes already punched, and is tipex and staple proof.. I might consider using them...
Im not buying one if some daft bint will try to punch holes in it...
Alex
ok ...this is what I want... #
Posted Tuesday 9th September 2008 09:59 GMT
Ok, I know this maybe a bit off the wall and (to some) pointless, but what I really want is a book of e-ink pages that I can load pages from a book on to. Ideally, you could have differing sizes and pages for each model released. I hear there is something along the lines in development, but I'm as of yet unable to find it (albeit not trying very hard...). This would mean that for those that wish to 'turn pages' can.
Getting quite excited about this (EASY!) and find this a much better way of reading an e-doc.
Good good, carry sir!
Robert Grant
Re: Easy gesture based interface? #
Posted Tuesday 9th September 2008 09:59 GMT
"Oh, lordy... Lets just hope this works okay and isn't another PITA like WM5/6's half-assed gesture interface."
Probably will be better, because WM5/6 don't have a gesture-based interface.
Bad Beaver
wow! #
Posted Tuesday 9th September 2008 11:12 GMT
Did you see the flip-speed in the video Dylan linked to? Now we're talking!
Dan
Get on with the exciting stuff #
Posted Tuesday 9th September 2008 12:37 GMT
How long before you can buy a car covered with this? Hmm, which colour would I like this morning? (Or how long before the display mimics what is on the other side of the car - a la Bonds disappearing Vanquish?)
How long before I can cover my walls with this? Hmm, bored of this room after 2 days, think I'll decorate again - done.
This shirt looks a bit summery for this weather - ah yes, a darker colour, and do away with that logo for now as well - done.
Duncan Lees
Charging? #
Posted Tuesday 9th September 2008 12:37 GMT
Instead of the ubiquitous plug in charger faff, it would be excellent if they could put a flexible solar cell on the back of the book. There's nothing more annoying that picking a gadget up only to find the battery's gone flat while it's not been in use. Not having to take yet another charger with you on holiday would also be nice.
Alex
@Duncan #
Posted Tuesday 9th September 2008 13:50 GMT
Why not build it into the margins of the pages? That way, whenever you are reading the book in daylight, you are charging it?
Hell, I suppose you could inlay the solar cells into the very pages themselves!
Anonymous Coward
Cool but... #
Posted Tuesday 9th September 2008 14:49 GMT
Now that is cool! I would love an e-ink device to store technical texts on.
I bet it will cost a fortune though. Look at the price of an iRex Illiad at the moment - in fact most of the devices available in europe are expensive. Bookeen's Cybook G3 is €350.
As much as I want one it will be a few years before e-ink devices drop in price methinks.
Bob
And it is called 'Dossier' #
Posted Wednesday 17th September 2008 15:45 GMT
Or so it seems if you read the sample text on the PR pic...
http://www.plasticlogic.com/PRPlasticLogicPreviewsElectronicReadingDevice.html