'Electronic paper' is coming close to consumers

' Electronic paper ' has long been considered the future of paper and books, but over time, products like e-books have not met consumers' expectations. This fact may soon change, according to the world's leading experts on electronic paper technology.

While Internet companies are racing to put books online and open online libraries, America's E Ink Group, which was separated from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) a decade ago, is eating out with the screen Portable foldable display, simulating ordinary white paper to contain thick books. ' Last year, 9 companies launched products based on electronic paper technology. Over the past nine months, our sales have increased from tens of thousands to t

Watches - Seiko's bracelet is the first wristwatch in the world to use a color electronic paper screen, capable of displaying 4 colors.(Photo: Technology News)

The product is very clear , 'said Russell Wilcox, president of E Ink. E Ink's annual sales in the past 3 years increased by an average of 200 to 300%.

Among the 2006 launches were Sony's Reader tablet with a white-black display that could be read in the sunlight or in dimly lit rooms, almost from every angle - just like plain paper . Although increasingly more flexible and energy efficient, the display still has some limitations such as creating only monochrome images and unable to display video images - the features needed to appeal to consumers, especially advertising companies. Wilcox said E Ink is currently testing color screens that can be used for e-journals and e-newspaper. Products will be available in the market next year.

Currently E Ink owns more than 100 patents on electrophoretic printing technology (electromechanical transfer) for electronic paper processing. Motorola's cheap Motofone mobile phones are using this unique technology because of its low energy consumption and special reflections regardless of the harsh sunlight. Seiko Epson wrist watches, flash memory cards and many other electronic devices also apply electrophoretic technology.

However, industry experts say that E Ink needs to make a technological leap towards the ability to display color images and videos before bringing products to a large number of consumers . Once this is achieved, E Ink's electronic paper product can replace a liquid crystal display (LCD) and revolutionize the habit of reading books and newspapers. Electronic billboards, for example, will no longer be cumbersome and costly to build. With electric paper technology, they can be hung on any flat surface and can be folded easily.

A challenge for products like e-books is the relatively small number of books online that allow downloads in the US and Europe. However, Sony believes that this situation will change as readers realize the convenience of using a device to store hundreds of titles, and when Internet access speed is constantly improving. "More and more things are being put on the Internet," commented David Seperson, Sony's product manager for Reader. 'We see real growth in digital writing. 'Upcoming, readers will not need to be glued to the computer screen. Thanks to e-paper, you can 'catch' your favorite content out of the Internet, and bring it to anywhere to read '.

Fujitsu's new product is considered to be the world's first curved color electronic paper with image memory function.(Photo: Reuters, AP)

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