Breakthrough could lead to disposable e-readers

Whipet · 11-22-2010, 07:32 PM

Quote:

A breakthrough in a University of Cincinnati engineering lab that could clear the way for a low-cost, even disposable, e-reader is gaining considerable attention.

http://www.physorg.com/news/2010-11-...e-readers.html

GA Russell · 11-22-2010, 07:46 PM

My reaction is the same as the commenters. Inexpensive is great, but what is the point of disposing the device after a week?

sabredog · 11-22-2010, 08:06 PM

More landfill to deal with. As if we do not have enough as is!

kevinp · 11-22-2010, 08:27 PM

If it's disposable, why not just print it on paper and spend the research money on something else?

MikeFromHC · 11-22-2010, 08:38 PM

There is nothing that say you have to throw it away or that it could not be used just like a book which you might not throw away.

But even if you did ONE piece of paper could replace an entire newspaper and might last a week. So instead of tossing 200 or more large pieces or paper you toss one.

Here is the sciencedaily.com release. It says about the same but has links to other related items of interest.

The upside is that it could be wall paper... The down side is that it could be on billboards and in store windows.

Russell Brooks · 11-22-2010, 09:50 PM

I wouldn't buy purchase a disposable reader. I'd rather pay more for something that will last a long time. Imagine if we all had disposable computers?

HamsterRage · 11-22-2010, 10:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Russell Brooks

Imagine if we all had disposable computers?

Don't we?

J. Strnad · 11-23-2010, 12:16 AM

I don't have any interest in a disposable device, but if it's cheap enough to dispose of every week, almost anyone could buy one and then use it, conceivably, for years.

On the other hand, if it were edible, that would be amazing! It would give us a real retort to people who talk about the smell of a "real" book. "Yes, but I prefer the taste of ebooks," we could say. "Have you eaten Stephen King's latest?"

jhempel24 · 11-23-2010, 01:01 AM

That's right, my hometown works on the stuff that matters!!

Whipet · 11-23-2010, 04:36 AM

A lot will depend on the cost, say if it comes in at twice that of paper then 'electronic' printing may replace the inkjet fairly quickly.

beachwanderer · 11-23-2010, 05:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GA Russell

My reaction is the same as the commenters. Inexpensive is great, but what is the point of disposing the device after a week?

+1

An idea that should be dropped. Useless like the idea of single-use-DVD's or the like. If there is something we do have already enough of on this earth it's trash ...

Steven Lyle Jordan · 11-23-2010, 09:21 AM

No "disposable" technology or product should be encouraged. If it can be made so cheaply that it can be considered "disposable," spend a little more money on it so it will last a decade or two.

idle · 11-23-2010, 09:24 AM

Let's ignore the disposable bit, I like the possibility to roll the sheet up, that sounds good.

Lady Fitzgerald · 11-23-2010, 10:41 AM

I also say forget the disposable aspect. Instead, take advantage of this technology to make inexpensive, break resistant readers. Just put the "paper" behind a plastic screen to protect it from physical damage and put the whole affair in a sturdy case (aluminum?) that won't shatter when dropped.

Sil_liS · 11-23-2010, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steven Lyle Jordan

No "disposable" technology or product should be encouraged. If it can be made so cheaply that it can be considered "disposable," spend a little more money on it so it will last a decade or two.

But we don't have any device that we are going to be using for at least a decade. If you would use a reader for only a year before you get a new one with better features, why would it matter that the screen could work forever?

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11-22-2010, 07:46 PM	#2
GA Russell Ticats/Als, Riders/Lions Posts: 7,717 Karma: 31487351 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Raleigh, NC Device: Paperwhite, Kindles 10 & 4 and jetBook Lite	My reaction is the same as the commenters. Inexpensive is great, but what is the point of disposing the device after a week?

11-22-2010, 08:06 PM	#3
sabredog Geographically Restricted Posts: 2,630 Karma: 14933353 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Perth, Australia Device: Sony PRS-T3, Kindle Voyage, iPad Air2, Nexus7v2	More landfill to deal with. As if we do not have enough as is!

11-22-2010, 08:27 PM	#4
kevinp Fanatic Posts: 583 Karma: 3549018 Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Michigan Device: Kindle Scribe, Kindle PW (10th & 11th gen); Fire HD 10	If it's disposable, why not just print it on paper and spend the research money on something else?

11-22-2010, 08:38 PM	#5
MikeFromHC Zealot Posts: 143 Karma: 880 Join Date: Jun 2010 Device: Pandigital Novel	There is nothing that say you have to throw it away or that it could not be used just like a book which you might not throw away. But even if you did ONE piece of paper could replace an entire newspaper and might last a week. So instead of tossing 200 or more large pieces or paper you toss one. Here is the sciencedaily.com release. It says about the same but has links to other related items of interest. The upside is that it could be wall paper... The down side is that it could be on billboards and in store windows.

11-22-2010, 09:50 PM	#6
Russell Brooks Fanatic Posts: 538 Karma: 569642 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Montreal, Quebec Device: none	I wouldn't buy purchase a disposable reader. I'd rather pay more for something that will last a long time. Imagine if we all had disposable computers?

11-23-2010, 12:16 AM	#8
J. Strnad Guru Posts: 915 Karma: 3537194 Join Date: Feb 2009 Device: Kobo, Kindle 3, Paperwhite	I don't have any interest in a disposable device, but if it's cheap enough to dispose of every week, almost anyone could buy one and then use it, conceivably, for years. On the other hand, if it were edible, that would be amazing! It would give us a real retort to people who talk about the smell of a "real" book. "Yes, but I prefer the taste of ebooks," we could say. "Have you eaten Stephen King's latest?"

11-23-2010, 01:01 AM	#9
jhempel24 Wizard Posts: 2,157 Karma: 7068605 Join Date: Dec 2007 Device: Amazon Kindle Paperwhite, B&N Nook Colro	That's right, my hometown works on the stuff that matters!!

11-23-2010, 04:36 AM	#10
Whipet Enthusiast Posts: 28 Karma: 78 Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: UK Device: Bebook 1, Onyx Boox M90	A lot will depend on the cost, say if it comes in at twice that of paper then 'electronic' printing may replace the inkjet fairly quickly.

11-23-2010, 09:21 AM	#12
Steven Lyle Jordan Grand Sorcerer Posts: 8,478 Karma: 5171130 Join Date: Jan 2006 Device: none	No "disposable" technology or product should be encouraged. If it can be made so cheaply that it can be considered "disposable," spend a little more money on it so it will last a decade or two.

11-23-2010, 09:24 AM	#13
idle I Do Like Ebooks Posts: 145 Karma: 1006 Join Date: May 2009 Location: Prague, Czech rep. Device: Pocketbook Ultra 650	Let's ignore the disposable bit, I like the possibility to roll the sheet up, that sounds good.

11-23-2010, 10:41 AM	#14
Lady Fitzgerald Wizard Posts: 2,013 Karma: 251649 Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Tempe, AZ, USA, Earth Device: JetBook Lite (away from home) + 1 spare, 32" TV (at home)	I also say forget the disposable aspect. Instead, take advantage of this technology to make inexpensive, break resistant readers. Just put the "paper" behind a plastic screen to protect it from physical damage and put the whole affair in a sturdy case (aluminum?) that won't shatter when dropped.