In recent years, the blurring line between print and electronic publishing has become a frequent discussion topic among editorial types.
Just how will people receive and consume “the written” word in the future? At some point does print on paper become obsolete?
Champions of the digital world may be quick to proclaim, yes! Others can’t imagine the complete disappearance of traditional publishing (I am one of those). As with many debates, it likely will not end up a question of either or both, but perhaps the evolution of a medium somewhere in between. And as with most future high-tech gadgetry, wireless will have its role.
An announcement last week offers a glimpse at information media in the years ahead.
Philips announced plans to mass-produce a thin, book-sized display panel for viewing downloaded news content. The company said users would be able to roll the 5-inch display into a pen-sized folder when not in use. If connected to a mobile phone, the panel would also become an Internet viewer and e-mail reader.
Philips said the display “combines active-matrix polymer driving electronics with a reflective electronic ink front plane on an extremely thin sheet of plastic.
“The availability of such displays would greatly stimulate the advance of electronic books, newspapers and magazines, and also new services offered by mobile network operators. These applications currently depend on fragile, heavy and bulky laptops or small, low-resolution displays of mobile phones, which both have clear drawbacks,” said the company.
Philips said by 2005, it expects to have the production capability for 1 million displays a year. A platform that is basically familiar, such as books, will go further toward fostering widespread adoption than something “new” to the masses, such as trying to read cnn.com on a phone-sized display. And Joe Consumer is still more likely to grab a copy of the Wall Street Journal than lug a laptop in search of a Wi-Fi port.
The picture might change though when the device becomes one that is portable and functional. According to a new report from Deloitte Research, wireless subscriber numbers will continue to grow during 2004, mainly due to traditional voice applications. However, Deloitte said that 3G is not yet ready for the masses and that the mobile Internet “remains an aspiration.” Comfort with the device is a big piece of the equation.
