In comparison Amazon's highly successful Kindle, the new LG device is around a third thinner and weighs about half as much. One of the key disadvantages of an e-reader lies in the fact that it is susceptible to being easily damaged. But should LG's product prove popular with consumers, this may soon become a thing of the past.
According to Sang Duck Yeo, head of operations for LG Display's mobile/OLED division, the display is "a product we believe will help greatly popularise the ebook market". Owing to their flexibility and long battery life, the epaper could soon emerge as a credible rival for Amazon's Kindle, which has proven to a huge commercial success since it was launched in November 2007.
And thanks to LG's EPD (e-paper display), technology experts have already observed that its screen offers the kind of possibilities that are not there with the old-style ereader. The screens could, for example, be used for advertising or, alternatively, for in-store displays.
"Based on our success in mass-producing plastic EPD, we are excited as we look toward applying concepts from this experience to future developments like plastic OLED and flexible displays," Mr Duck Yeo explained. LG, of course, hopes that the its new device will revolutionise the ereader market, while there are also suggestions that this device could infringe on the popularity of tablets.
What do you think of the epaper, though? Is it really set to revolutionise the consumer electronics market?
