The new Sony Librie is what is called an e-book reader that makes use of the new e-ink, digital paper or electronic paper (choose the label that suits). The technology seems brilliant. It looks like it could be an iPod for text in terms of functionality. Here is the Sony Librie product page (Japanese, sorry) and here’s a US product page. The screen has a resolution some who have seen it compare it to that of newsprint, thin, flexible, and using little power. This is the first commercial product based on the e-ink technology. Here’s a good blog entry from Jason Kottke who played with the device.
Now fit this device with wireless, plenty of battery power and a couple of extra screen features and we have the portable device magazine and newspaper readers like without the need for a daily trip to the store to purchase new product.
The supply chain just got shorter.