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All the examples in the photos are clearly lit, so the idea that these won't use power or will be unlit doesn't seem plausible. Just think of how many paper ads
by crazygringo 2y ago
All the examples in the photos are clearly lit, so the idea that these won't use power or will be unlit doesn't seem plausible. Just think of how many paper ads are lit from behind, when you're walking around a mall or airport.
Second, the contrast is bad. Most colors wind up looking washed out. It can be nice for reading, but advertisers want their ads to pop.
I don't see this taking off for advertising at all, because advertisers won't like it. What it does seem more useful for is informational signage. Building directories, maps, etc. Because those don't need to be lit, and the e-ink can be a lot higher resolution than a lot of jumbo LED displays.
- navi0 2y agoThe Innovator’s Dilemma supports your last paragraph but will likely make your first two paragraphs age poorly. The tech will continue to improve if it finds its niche. Dynamic, low power, color informational signage displays are a big enough market by themselves to adopt and support enough product cycles to address shortcomings that advertisers have. The potential for no mains power (e.g., small solar panel or a vibration energy harvesting power source) means virtually any flat wall could be turned into advertising inventory. Do accident lawyers need their ads to pop or just be displayed over and over again?
- SXX 2y agoWhat you say could be correct for a lot of technologies, but not this one. E Ink tech do not have much traction because of "E Ink" the company and their patents. Basically it's highly proprietary and they dont want to give away control over know-how and production. Until major patents expire no one will it touch with a ten-foot pole.
- catlikesshrimp 2y agoabout energy efficiency of lighting, maybe they can move the lights depending on the time of the day. For some ads at least (like roadside) Unfortunately, advertisers prefer the most distracting light intensity they manage. Only regulation can solve that.
- mystified5016 2y agoHave you never seen those highway billboards that rotate between three displays? Advertisers will buy it because the seller can make the physical ad spot N times cheaper by showing N different ads during the day.
- mrguyorama 2y agoBillboards are already digitized all over so I would expect any "We can make it N cheaper for N clients" pricing to already be done.
- crazygringo 2y agoThe question here isn't between static paper and e-ink. It's between glowing LCD panels and e-ink. Advertisers are already cycling their ads on LCD panels at bus stops, on the subway, etc. Going to e-ink just makes the advertisement much dimmer, it can't handle video, and it becomes washed out. Why would avertisers ever prefer that?
- sharlos201068 2y agoProbably because they'd be cheaper and easier to see in direct sunlight.
- turtlebits 2y agoNowhere in the article does it say they won't use power? Being able to use a solar panel and a small (5000mAh) battery is pretty great. At least they'll still show an image even without power.