Sony plans to begin selling the world's first consumer electronic paper unit in Japan in April. LIBRIe will be about the size of a paperback book and cost $375. The screen's 6-inch display has a resolution of 800 pixels by 600 pixels, but most importantly, it promises to offer a "truly paper-like reading experience with contrast that is the same as newsprint." This sounds like a major step forward in what could be the end of the newsPAPER as we know it.

"The Electronic Paper Display is reflective and can be easily read in bright sunlight or dimly lit environments while being able to be seen at virtually any angle - just like paper," Sony says. "Its black and white ink-on-paper look, combined with a resolution in excess of most portable devices at approximately 170 pixels per inch (PPI), gives an appearance similar to that of the most widely read material on the planet - newspaper. Because the display uses power only when an image is changed, a user can read more than 10,000 pages before the four AAA Alkaline batteries need to be replaced. The unique technology also results in a compact and lightweight form factor allowing it to be ideal for highly portable applications."

Via Cyberjournalist.net.

Science [14:11]