Plastic Logic Electronic Reading Device (eReader)
On October 19th, 2005 I wrote an short article that caused a surprising stir amongst my contemporaries in the Newspaper industry (5,000 hits in one day), the article titled: Print is Dead, was meant to eschew the coming changes within the print media, delve into the role of blogging and how it challenges the news gathering role, and take a practical look at the coming eReader revolution, leaving traditional newsprint to die slowly as ad revenues fell.
I reanimate this horse because there is movement on all fronts. Firstly, there is new information regarding negative momentum, as newspapers ad revenues decrease at downhill speed; secondly, the greater role that blogging is playing and often overshadowing the role of print media in traditional news gathering, and lastly, the device quotient that would seal the fall of traditional print media.
The device I reference above is stunningly cool, and to be truthful, I am giddy at the prospects... and what device released has made me prattle on like a school girl... Plastic Logic's Electronic Reading Device (I know what you're thinking: not a very retail friendly name!).
So what has Plastic Logic done differently then the Amazon Kindle or the Sony eReader? Firstly, they have made me a soothsayer by releasing a product that I foretold of in 2006, a device that would woo the average Joe from his newsprint sullied hands! But kidding aside, they have released an Electronic Reading Device that Joe Q. Public will buy handily, a device with the optimum form factor for mass adoption, battery life in terms of days instead of hours, versatility at reading multiple eBook formats, and wireless connectivity options to boot. A device such as this is what the market has dreamed of, and should be the tipping point that encourages eReaders to become mainstream.
We are at a crossroads, though minor, it's nice to recognize the point of origin.
*Ed Note: Engadget has a write up and better photos of Plastic Logic's Electronic Reading Device [via Engadget]