Correct me if I'm wrong, but this is the first consumer level product involving an e-paper technology. It's the first one that I've seen.
The cost is a little steep for what it is ($375 for a paperback sized device that has the display quality of news paper). But not _that_ steep. Not for a first gen device of this kind, and one that uses pretty basic technologies, none of this organic polymer printable circuit stuff that other e-paper solutions are offering. In fact, I'm amused by the relative simplicity of this solution- it's the sort of thing that anyone should be able to build. Minus that pesky, and in this case, justfied patent laws.
Hey, speaking of patent laws, something's been nagging at me for years. Years ago, my mom saw that "Pony Flip" thing on TV- a hair styling tool thing. She wanted one, but thought the price was a bit steep. I replied, "Don't buy one, that's stupid," and took a twist of wire, and made one.
Now, assuming that device was patented, did I violate its patent? Moreover, if you replicate a patented device for your own personal use, and do not sell, profit from, or distribute your copies, have you violated the patent?
The cost is a little steep for what it is ($375 for a paperback sized device that has the display quality of news paper). But not _that_ steep. Not for a first gen device of this kind, and one that uses pretty basic technologies, none of this organic polymer printable circuit stuff that other e-paper solutions are offering. In fact, I'm amused by the relative simplicity of this solution- it's the sort of thing that anyone should be able to build. Minus that pesky, and in this case, justfied patent laws.
Hey, speaking of patent laws, something's been nagging at me for years. Years ago, my mom saw that "Pony Flip" thing on TV- a hair styling tool thing. She wanted one, but thought the price was a bit steep. I replied, "Don't buy one, that's stupid," and took a twist of wire, and made one.
Now, assuming that device was patented, did I violate its patent? Moreover, if you replicate a patented device for your own personal use, and do not sell, profit from, or distribute your copies, have you violated the patent?
I want it to be solar powered with a long-life battery back-up. Really really energy efficient. I want it to have a very long lifespan. It should be upgradeable and reconditionable and recyclable, and not use lots of environmentally dangerous and unethically mined/produced materials.
In short, I want all the functionality of a book and then some, with none of the paper-and-space-using-up issues. Give me that, and don't twist intellectual property and contract law all out of shape to do it, and I'll ditch the paper (except for a few treasures.)