Plastic Logic to introduce its version of an electronic newspaper reader

Steven Lyle Jordan · 09-08-2008, 10:35 AM

The New York Times article describes an e-ink device, "the size of copier paper," designed for daily delivery of newspapers, and suggests the Hearst Corporation, owner of newspapers nationwide, is eyeing the device.

Interestingly, the article hints at another business advantage to the newspaper readers: They may allow newspapers to track which articles and ads people read and respond to, allowing them to better target their audiences. This, however, will open up the inevitable privacy questions that the news organizations had better be ready to address, for fear of alienating their public...

Steven Lyle Jordan · 09-08-2008, 12:38 PM

The demo has happened at DEMOfall08. Further info is available at PlasticLogic's website.

Though the NYT article led me to believe PlasticLogic's screen was based on e-ink (but just larger than the Sony and Kindle readers), PlasticLogic's press release describes a different kind of display technology:

Quote:

Plastic Logic’s display technology, first developed at Cambridge University, uses highresolution transistor arrays on flexible plastic substrates, manufactured at a low temperature. The promise of plastic electronics is to disintermediate the traditional silicon based semiconductor industry with components and products that are lighter, less expensive, and more environmentally friendly.

Mycropht · 09-08-2008, 01:08 PM

Has anyone found the display specifications? Exact screen size, dot pitch,...

Steven Lyle Jordan · 09-08-2008, 02:08 PM

Display size is supposed to be 8.5 x 11" (with a body slightly larger than that). A graphic available at Gizmag suggests "up to" a 150ppi display.

pilotbob · 09-08-2008, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve Jordan

Display size is supposed to be 8.5 x 11" (with a body slightly larger than that). A graphic available at Gizmag suggests "up to" a 150ppi display.

Is it going to be encased in a full plastic frame? I think a nice "device" would be like a sheet of plastic (sort of like laminated card stock) with a small little box at the bottom corner with the battery and buttons on it. What would be even nicer is if the display sheet of plastic could be inverted so the that control box could be at the bottom left corner or bottom right corner depending on which the users prefers.

BOb

pilotbob · 09-08-2008, 02:45 PM

Hmm.. I read the press release. Sounds pretty cool. Anyone want to guess what this sucker is going to cost? I'm guessing $599.

BOb

BTW: I want one for all my technical programming books. I generally only buy PDFs of those now, but having this would make them oh so much more enjoyable to read and use.

Steven Lyle Jordan · 09-08-2008, 04:29 PM

Well, maybe a newspaper that decided to offer subscriptions would consider subsidizing or "rebating" one. Frankly I'm afraid to guess what it might cost on its own... I don't know enough about the economy of the tech, or the size of Plastic Logic, and those would both be factors. I'd hope that with the Sony and Kindle out there, they wouldn't price it above $400... but if my hopes came true, I'd be a rich author already!

nekokami · 09-08-2008, 05:36 PM

Wasn't Plastic Logic the company that was trying to implement a "roll to roll" manufacturing process for their screens, to dramatically lower the cost? Maybe that was someone else....

ThomasMc · 09-08-2008, 07:08 PM

I read in one article that the device will be about 1/4 inch thick, and cost around $350.

Dylrob · 09-08-2008, 08:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve Jordan

Display size is supposed to be 8.5 x 11" (with a body slightly larger than that). A graphic available at Gizmag suggests "up to" a 150ppi display.

Sweet macaroons on chocolate coated icicles! I hope they meant the size of the device itself, since otherwise this would be a bit too clunky to fit in my bag.

PS I think I've played Sam and Max one too many times.

power100 · 09-09-2008, 12:31 AM

it is great to have one more choise than pvi.

and if it is like a scroll, it will too good to be true.

The only problem is , when it will be ready for sale?

pilotbob · 09-09-2008, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by power100

it is great to have one more choise than pvi.

and if it is like a scroll, it will too good to be true.

The only problem is , when it will be ready for sale?

They are saying first half of 2009.

BOb

igorsk · 09-09-2008, 11:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pilotbob

They are saying first half of 2009.

Which probably means no earlier than July or August

HarryT · 09-09-2008, 11:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by igorsk

Which probably means no earlier than July or August

... 2010

Gogolo · 09-09-2008, 12:07 PM

look the second picture here

Contrast and brightness and pixel density are looking really really nice and the thin it is, they really managed to build some hardware in. Seems to be more than a proof of concept.

Gogolo

09-08-2008, 10:35 AM	#1
Steven Lyle Jordan Grand Sorcerer Posts: 8,478 Karma: 5171130 Join Date: Jan 2006 Device: none	Plastic Logic to introduce its version of an electronic newspaper reader The New York Times article describes an e-ink device, "the size of copier paper," designed for daily delivery of newspapers, and suggests the Hearst Corporation, owner of newspapers nationwide, is eyeing the device. Interestingly, the article hints at another business advantage to the newspaper readers: They may allow newspapers to track which articles and ads people read and respond to, allowing them to better target their audiences. This, however, will open up the inevitable privacy questions that the news organizations had better be ready to address, for fear of alienating their public...

09-08-2008, 01:08 PM	#3
Mycropht Optimist Posts: 77 Karma: 378 Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Zagreb, Croatia Device: Kindle Paperwhite	Display Specifications Has anyone found the display specifications? Exact screen size, dot pitch,...

09-09-2008, 12:07 PM	#15
Gogolo Addict Posts: 353 Karma: 92 Join Date: Sep 2007 Device: DR1000S, Nook ST (rooted), Kobo Aura one (ksm)	look the second picture here Contrast and brightness and pixel density are looking really really nice and the thin it is, they really managed to build some hardware in. Seems to be more than a proof of concept. Gogolo Last edited by Gogolo; 09-09-2008 at 12:10 PM.

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09-08-2008, 02:08 PM	#4
Steven Lyle Jordan Grand Sorcerer Posts: 8,478 Karma: 5171130 Join Date: Jan 2006 Device: none	Display size is supposed to be 8.5 x 11" (with a body slightly larger than that). A graphic available at Gizmag suggests "up to" a 150ppi display.

09-08-2008, 02:45 PM	#6
pilotbob Grand Sorcerer Posts: 19,832 Karma: 11844413 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Tampa, FL USA Device: Kindle Touch	Hmm.. I read the press release. Sounds pretty cool. Anyone want to guess what this sucker is going to cost? I'm guessing $599. BOb BTW: I want one for all my technical programming books. I generally only buy PDFs of those now, but having this would make them oh so much more enjoyable to read and use.

09-08-2008, 04:29 PM	#7
Steven Lyle Jordan Grand Sorcerer Posts: 8,478 Karma: 5171130 Join Date: Jan 2006 Device: none	Well, maybe a newspaper that decided to offer subscriptions would consider subsidizing or "rebating" one. Frankly I'm afraid to guess what it might cost on its own... I don't know enough about the economy of the tech, or the size of Plastic Logic, and those would both be factors. I'd hope that with the Sony and Kindle out there, they wouldn't price it above $400... but if my hopes came true, I'd be a rich author already!

09-08-2008, 05:36 PM	#8
nekokami fruminous edugeek Posts: 6,745 Karma: 551260 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Northeast US Device: iPad, eBw 1150	Wasn't Plastic Logic the company that was trying to implement a "roll to roll" manufacturing process for their screens, to dramatically lower the cost? Maybe that was someone else....

09-08-2008, 07:08 PM	#9
ThomasMc Disgusted with LDBoblo Posts: 84 Karma: 166 Join Date: Aug 2008 Device: nook	I read in one article that the device will be about 1/4 inch thick, and cost around $350.

09-09-2008, 12:31 AM	#11
power100 Member Posts: 16 Karma: 12 Join Date: Jan 2008 Device: no	it is great to have one more choise than pvi. and if it is like a scroll, it will too good to be true. The only problem is , when it will be ready for sale?