papyrus
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Scanning technique reads hidden writing in mummy boxes
Historians can use scanning to peek inside mummies without risking damage, but that hasn't been true for the papyrus boxes those mummies were placed in before entering the tomb. If you've wanted to read the discarded everyday writing on that papyrus, you've typically had to destroy the boxes. That won't be necessary from now on, though: researchers at University College London have developed a scanning technique that lets you read a mummy case's writing while leaving it intact.
Samsung Papyrus e-book reader on track for Korean launch this summer
Samsung had an early version of its Papyrus e-book reader on hand at CES, but it looks like a spruced up version of the device is now making the rounds in Europe, and the company has taken advantage of the opportunity to dish out a few new details. The biggest of those is word that the device will launch in Korea this June, after which Samsung will reportedly "aim" to see it released "eventually" in the US and the UK. As for the handheld itself, it's an A5-sized device, and packs a touchscreen that makes use of an included aluminum stylus, along with 512MB of internal memory (with no memory card option) and, of course, a stylish leatherette case. You won't get any Kindle-style cellular connectivity though, or apparently any WiFi either for that matter. On the upside, Samsung is apparently looking to keep this one under the $300 mark, although it's not quite ready to get official with a price just yet. Of course, all of that assumes it doesn't get into a tangle with Sharp over the name, which seems like a distinct possibility.[Via TechRadar]
Papyrus e-book concept takes aim at students
You don't have to look very far to find e-book concepts these days, but this so-called Papyrus device from the folks at Greener Grass aims a bit higher than most, with it promising to be nothing short of an inexpensive replacement for students' textbooks. If the designers have their way, the device would cost less than $100, while still packing an E Ink-based touchscreen (with handwriting recognition, it seems), and a battery that lasts for a full 30 hours -- not to mention some sort of networking functionality, as the device is apparently also designed to let teachers and students interact with one another. Not exactly something you can expect to pick up anytime soon, to be sure, but the designers don't appear to have any presumptions about it actually getting made, with them saying instead that they simply want it to be a "catalyst for discussion about improving the classroom experience," and that's certainly hard to argue with.
Sharp Papyrus PW-TC920 defines words, tunes TV
While it's not like we expect e-dictionaries to hop on the fast track of upgrades or anything, it's been way too long since Sharp's flagship Papyrus received any attention, but the day has finally come for a successor to take over. The PW-TC920 picks right up with a 4.3-inch 480 x 272 resolution touchscreen, QWERTY keyboard, handwriting recognition pad, SD flash card slot, internal handwriting translation ability, and is offered in both red and black color schemes. The real kicker, however, is the 1Seg TV tuner that allows you to kick back and enjoy a television show in between study sessions, and the headphone out jack ensures that the crowd around you won't become annoyed with your antics. Unfortunately, there's no word yet surrounding a future price or release date, but hey, school's out for the most of us anyway, right?[Via Electronista]
Sharp intros dual-screen Papyrus electronic dictionaries
Sharp's so-called "electronic dictionaries" have never exactly just been dictionaries, bolstering the usual array of definitions and language translations with everything from e-books to mobile TV to MP3s. Which all makes the company's latest bit of dictionary innovation slightly less surprising but no less notable. Taking a cue from the DS, the company's new Papyrus PW-GT550 device packs a second LCD touchscreen below the keypad designed to let you write a Chinese character you're unfamiliar with and get an instant translation, with the unit's text-to-speech feature also telling you how to pronounce it. As with some of Sharp's other units, you'll also be able to load up the dictionary with MP3s, though you'll need to supply your own SD card for storage. Look for this one to be available in Japan later this month in both pink and white versions for 56,700 Yen ($467), with a touchscreen-less version also available for 44,100 Yen ($364).[Via I4U News]
Sharp Papyrus PW-TC900 electronic dictionary, and mobile TV
Hey, no one can blame you for thinking that's the latest UMPC, ultra-portable XP thingamabob, or PMP. After all, Sharp's Papyrus PW-TC900 does feature a QWERTY keyboard, 20-hour battery (5-hours for TV), SD slot for expansion, and 4.3-inch, 480×272 resolution display which rotates 180-degrees for folding into a tasty, TV sandwich. Unfortunately (for us), this is Sharp's latest electronic dictionary set for release in Japan. Although its primary purpose might be for Japanese-English translation and learning, with features like an integrated Japanese OneSeg digital TV tuner and MP3 player, no parent should be too surprised when their Papyrus-equipped kids return from school with attention deficit issues. But hey, nothing a little Ritalin can't fix, eh 70s? On sale in Japan starting December 8th for ¥50,000 or about $425. A couple of those in-the-wild snaps after the break.[Via Impress]
