Nope. I did not misspell my headline, nor am I writing with an Italian accent. One day, in the not-too-distant future, tree-derived paper may be replaced by the electronic variety, otherwise known as e-paper.

If you think this is preposterous, then let me remind you that in 1990 the idea of reading the news on a PC, let alone a cell phone or PDA, seemed equally laughable.

Electronics firms, paper companies and even a few newspapers are currently researching the potential of e-paper. So as soon as your newspaper figures out how to enable RSS feeds and has mastered the art of podcasting, it may be time to investigate what effects e-paper will have on delivering the news.

The basics of e-paper

E-paper is a flexible film-like material. It looks similar to the film we used to put in cameras, only less brittle and colorless.

It is not limited by size; it can be small enough to serve as the face of your wristwatch or large enough to be a billboard. It can be printed on in offset or gravure.

E-paper display by Fujitsu

But what makes it extraordinary is that it can receive and display data from an outside communications source. It can also access WiFi hotspots to get data from the Internet.

It automatically adjusts to ambient light. And it does all of the above without requiring a constant electrical charge. Potentially, it will also be able to transcribe handwriting and respond to voice commands, so external keyboards will be unnecessary.

Citizen's bendable clock, using electronic ink.
Photo: Citizen


A portable display by iRex

Fueling e-paper’s development are such famous names as the MIT Media Lab and Xerox’s Palo Alto Research Center - places that originated many of the 20th century’s technological breakthroughs.

Based on all of these facts, e-paper appears unstoppable.

The implications of e-paper

Let’s start with the idea that e-paper could leapfrog all current communications technologies, from printing to podcasting, to deliver an entirely new communications medium. Imagine, for example, going for a test drive in that cool little Crossfire convertible you’ve been thinking about.

Smitten, you return from the drive ready to make a deal. But your spouse says, “You know, this sure is tempting, but after this winter, I’d really prefer that we think about a car with four-wheel drive.”

As you leave the showroom, the salesperson hands you a beautiful Crossfire brochure. You get home, open the brochure and sigh over the breathtaking centerfold.

A few weeks later, your brochure sounds an alarm. You open it to find the centerfold image replaced with a new four-wheel drive model of the Crossfire.

Now consider the news e-paper. Just like a newspaper, you can roll it up and take it anywhere. But this one will let you respond to surveys, blog, download podcasts and track stock prices as they change.

Ads will change dynamically and links will let you redeem advertisers’ offers. No, this isn’t your Web site. This is your hard-copy news e-paper delivering content directly to the reader.

When e-paper will arrive

It is already here. Seiko has introduced a watch with an e-paper face. A newspaper in Belgium is test marketing the iRex iLiad e-paper news reader, and according to market research firm Strategies for Management Inc., some American newspapers have expressed interest in news e-papers as well.

In May, SMI completed a study called “E-Paper Technology, Opportunities and its Impact on Graphic Communications.” The report examines the potential impact of e-paper on the graphic communications industry.

Once a new technology is put on the market, it normally takes about 10 years for it to take hold. So unless you’re planning to retire well before then, I would venture to say this study is a must-have. You can purchase a copy at http://drjoe.stores.yahoo.net/epaper.html.
 Or email: epaper@sfminc.com for more information.