e-Paper or e-Reader are red hot nowadays. The manufacturers are doing hardcore promotion on them and you can always find one in Waterstones. Actually, we have already got something with similar function to the e-Reader, for example the Palm and some mobile with wireless connection. So, why do we need e-Reader? In my personal point of view, I don't like reading documents or news from a Palm because the screen is too small. As a human being living in the 21st century, we are used to read from paper i.e. at least A5 size. Palm and mobile phones are nowhere near this size. From sustainability point of view, purchasing a e-Reader can save a hell lot of trees, thus rain forest and reduce carbon emission. Imagine everyone in London has a e-Reader. To buy newspaper or get the free ones you only have to touch a certain device with the reader like what you do with your oyster card. (The Oyster card is a form of electronic ticketing used on public transport services within the Greater London area of the United Kingdom.) There won't be any loose sheets of newspaper lying around on the seats of the tube. No paper needs to be printed, no paper needs to be recycles - save time, save energy and save trees. I do think e-Reader is a good idea, however the technology is not fully developed yet. I will definitely get one when I think everything is ready.
Plastic Logic will be the next major e-Paper. With their most advanced plastic information display technology, they have created a bendable, ultra-thin and ultra-light e-Paper. And most importantly, it is so much aesthetically pleasant than the other ones. It will be available for purchase in 2009.
So, let's look at what is currently available in the market.
To my knowledge, the Amazon Kindle is the most popular one in the market (well, at least it is most frequently-seen). It is black and white and is bulky. So it is not good.
Doesn't look good neither, like a old school radio.
This is probably the best model in the market. However, professionalism means money. It is definitely not an affordable gadget for everyone.
Astak's eBook
Relatively economic model. But it is too small.
Plastic Logic will be the next major e-Paper. With their most advanced plastic information display technology, they have created a bendable, ultra-thin and ultra-light e-Paper. And most importantly, it is so much aesthetically pleasant than the other ones. It will be available for purchase in 2009.
Plastic Logic is a big step forward, however it is still back and white. I will only buy a e-reader when it has color!! But is it achievable in foreseeable future and how long does it take? Well, the answers are yes and 3 years. According to Treehugger, some UK scientists have just started a £12 m 3 years plan, aimming to develop the new generation of e-Reader. I am pretty confident that these people can do it because they are from Cambridge. So, the pressure is on and good luck guys!
That would be the new generation of e-Reader, and I will buy it if it is fast and reality looks like that.
That would be the new generation of e-Reader, and I will buy it if it is fast and reality looks like that.
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