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 QUICK PRINT PRODUCTS By Noel Ward About three years ago I had the pleasure of a long lunch with the late Mark Weiser, then Chief Scientist at Xerox PARC. A wonderfully wide-ranging discussion covered many aspects of technology, some related to printing, some way more esoteric. One technology, reusable electronic paper, is now becoming a commercial reality. Back in March, Gyricon Media (gyriconmedia.com), a Xerox spin off, announced that a form of the electronic paper would be marketed as SmartPaper technology in conjunction with a software solution called MaestroSign Systems. The primary application is wireless, battery-operated signage for retail stores. SmartPaper lets retailers change point-of-sale signage electronically, while instantaneously synchronizing prices with those at cash registers. Retail experts say Gyricon's solution will reduce paper costs, help eliminate pricing inconsistencies, and improve staff utilization. Environmental benefits come in eliminating millions of cardboard signs discarded daily by retailers. With electronic, reusable paper signs, store shelves can be as dynamic as an Internet page. Retailers can create new promotions on the fly--changing prices and advertising content to capitalize on inventory levels, competitive situations, weather, or other market dynamics. How does it work? A sheet of SmartPaper is embedded with millions of tiny bichromal balls, each smaller than a grain of sand. When addressed with electronic charge, the balls turn their white or black face forward and create display graphics, text, or numbers that can be used for point-of-sale displays. Bichromal balls containing green, red, and blue pigments on one side, and white on the other, may be available later this year. Much larger options, such as billboards and trade-show signage, are possible applications. But more compelling are those--still down the road a piece--that hit you right in your home or office. He described the "paper" as being the weight and flexibility of a cloth dinner napkin. Imagine several pages bound together by a spine containing some circuitry and a port for connecting to a computer network or phone line. The information on the pages could be changed simply by connecting to the computer network. The document could be a daily newspaper, a technical manual, or just about anything else. Lightweight, highly portable and readable in varying light conditions, such SmartPaper may be the substrate of the e-book [or e-ringbinder-Ed.] of the future. Stay tuned. |