We've already seen restaurants with
touch-sensitive tables and
3D menus, so it's just natural for Fujitsu to explore the possibility of installing e-newspapers into popular cafes. The outfit is working with SoftBank and Mainichi Newspapers in order to test the feasibility of placing e-readers in certain eateries, which would allow patrons to check up on the day's latest headlines while waiting for their coffee and eggs. As expected, the companies are closely monitoring whether the idea would promote sales and boost customer satisfaction, and unless they do something horribly wrong, we can't see this
not having those effects. In order to make ends meet, the terminals will flash advertisements if the reader sits for an extended period of time, though they should shy away once a customer starts fiddling. If you're eager to check things out, hop a flight to Japan and have a sit at Termina Kinshicho Fujiya Restaurant before February 13th.
posted Feb 9th 2009 2:14PM
As long as I get to OM NOM NOM NOM NOM faster, I wouldn't mind the idea. Then again, paper works just fine as well.
My dad's subscription to World News & Report just went electronic going from a weekly print edition to a weekly digital edition with 1 monthly print issue. This would be great for my dad to continue reading.
this definately is what the kindle should have been based off of. right now the kindle 1 and 2 are horrible and horribly overpriced.
Well if you think Kindle is horribly overpriced, what do you think this large screen e-ink reader will cost? It's likely over $1000. The Plastic Logic reader is probably going to be around that as well.
The technology that these Fujitsu devices use have even worse refresh rates than eInk. It takes 2 seconds for a four tone refresh, and and over 10 for a full color one.
I was also about to say that this is exactly what the Kindle should have been like.
the kindle is still overpriced for what it is Ian. Sorry.
The Kindle has a too big bezel imo, this thing looks sexier.
Those might be easily get stolen, if is gonna replace menu,
True. How 'bout a good quality retractable cord connected to the bottom of it? Also needs to be durable and spill-proof.
Theft rates in Japan are rather low.
Ever been to a camera shop in Japan? It's just a bunch of DSLRs with expensive lenses connected to a not-so-secure cable. If someone wanted to, they could just yank it off and jog away from the shop.
What's wrong with conventional newspapers, these serve no useful purpose imo
Environmentally friendly.
Same reason you no longer get your gadget news in a monthly magazine and read engadget. You want to know it as soon as it releases - these things can stay up to date quickly. Interesting idea - if it's coffee-spill proof it could be a winner (in Japan's case, ramen soup).
Hmm. I was wondering: Would the flashing of the advertisements be less intrusive on an e-paper display than on a backlit LCD?
Oh, what a pity, and the Kindle 2 has only been hyped onto the market today. How sad that the seeds of its demise should have been sown on the day of its announcement.
Did anyone else immediately think that these would never last once some punk put a sharpie to em.
One awesome application for e-paper would be keyboard keys.
I like the size and will purchase a device like this to read magazine and newspapers on including the ads that are a regular part of the print media experience!!
Ugh, I hate Mainichi Shinbun. If it were Asahi, I would be all over this.
would be a better idea if it was placed in the lavatory ........... :|
Big waste of time.
Everyone knows that the Japanese are too busy texting on their cellphones to read the newspaper--especially at a cafe.
Where's the steel cable that attaches to the ePaper so it doesn't get stolen?