by Nicholas Rosso

Created on: October 30, 2009   Last Updated: November 03, 2009

Books and computers were born to address different needs at different points in history: while writing was used primarily in a linear fashion to build words from letters and sentences from words, electronic devices are capable of multimedia delivery and are often used for immersive entertainment.

This doesn't mean that computers can't mimic books, but it does pose some questions as to whether a horizontal screen, made to embrace the spectator's field of vision, can effectively convey information traditionally presented vertically, line after line, on a sheet of paper. While shorter pieces aren't much of a problem to read, longer texts and computer screens don't get along well.

Current Leading Technologies

Early monitors relied on cathode ray tubes and were mostly unsuitable for long reading sessions. Today's models employ mainly LCD panels. LCDs are a valid class of screens and they are suitable for most applications. Unfortunately their contrast ratio is not very high (typically in the range of 1'000:1) and backlighting, glare and flickering can induce eyestrain and fatigue after prolonged use.

Two new approaches have recently gained considerable visibility, namely OLED (Organic light-emitting diode) and electronic ink display technologies.

OLEDs are novel electronic components that allow for the construction of very thin, very light, bendable screens that require no backlight to operate. This equates to brighter images with unprecedented contrast ratios (exceeding 1'000'000:1). They represent a step ahead in image quality, but are still prohibitively expensive. They also lack the main advantage of printed paper: it does not emit light.

Electronic Ink

This is were electronic ink jumps in. The latest generations of e-books use materials that modify the amount of light reflected rather than the amount emitted. The end effect feels more paperlike and easier on the eyes than any previously commercialized screens, bringing computers and books closer by combining readability with networking and updating.

Still, the market for digital ink is in its infancy and today's e-book reading devices are little more than experimental, offering a refresh rate of about 1 Hz (much too slow for video) and a limited palette of grey shades.

The Digital Book

Are we one step closer to animated cereal boxes and singing concert tickets? The current trends in miniaturization and ubiquitous computing are promising and are undoubtedly inspiring many ideas, most of which unlikely to ever see the light of day. Why not conceive of a book that's entirely digital yet looks like your everyday paperback? What would that imply?

The Bottom Line

While it's obvious that the digital age will give birth to some fascinating hybrids and forms of smart paper, computers are unlikely to ever replace books. A book is much more than a piece of printed text: it's a gift or an excuse to meet someone, a status symbol, even just a spacer to keep the table from wobbling.

You'll never do that with an e-book. Or will you?

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