E-ink is at the leading edge of technology. It will change the way people view text on screens. E-ink technology mimics actually ink on paper, but on a display of some sort. The Sony e-book reader is a great example that uses e-ink technology. The reader simulates ink on paper and does a pretty good job at it. Even though e-book readers are fairly expensive consumers may able to see e-ink in action soon in the supermarkets.
Sharp has created new pricing tags for items at the supermarket. The tags will display price information and other pieces of data such as place of origin and a sell-by date. The neat thing about the tags is that they will be able to be updated wirelessly from a central computer. They also have an amazing battery, which should last up to FIVE YEARS!
According the article, Sharp starting selling these on January 25th in Japan only. There is no word on when these will come over to the United States. They will charge 2,000 yen ($16.61 US) for a 2-inch version, while the 3-inch display goes for 2,300 yen ($19.11 US); however, there is no word on the cost of the system required to operate and maintain the tags.
This is another great example of the multiple applications of e-ink technology. It has proven great success in the e-book readers and now these tags. We will have to wait and see what other uses they develop.
http://www.engadget.com/2007/01/18/sharp-brings-e-ink-displays-to-the-supermarket/