Esquire has set the publishing world alight with the announcement that the September issue will feature e-ink on the cover and in a two page ad for Ford. A screen and battery will be inserted into the cover. Moves like this demand that we in the print supply chain take notice e-ink and similar innovation even if it is a bit of a gimmick. The real challenge will come when we have a foldable rechargable paper thin device which receives newspaper and or magazine content without the need to visit a shop to purchase content.
A thought on this … in the future, publishers (via newsagencies) could sell downloads or ‘news recharge’ to customers who have this technology.