OT:techology

[Eric Smith]

Mark wrote:
> I'm waiting for someone to invent a display that can be used in direct
> sunlight, so I don't have to work in what is affectionately called the
> 'coffin' aka 'caravan by the sea with windows blacked out'.
>
> When will that be...?

Done.  It's called digital paper.  It contains zillions of little spheres
that have a white side and a black side, and it uses electrical charge
to rotate them.

There are a lot of companies doing research, but only a few commercial
products right now.  For instance, the latest Sony electronic book reader
uses a Philips display.  It's only available in Japan (AFAIK), and Sony
encumbered the thing with ridiculous DRM, so it's not selling well.  It's
Linux-based, so I'd still like to get one, but they are fairly pricy.

Eric