A two-page e-book reader has been prototyped by researchers at Maryland and Berkeley Universities. The basic idea is that users will be able to move to the next set of pages with a flipping motion that comes naturally to regular dead tree book readers.
This two-page e-book reader video has more information; those who are interested in interface design will love this video. Paper books may be commonplace, but they are a remarkable interface for information acquisition; there are very good reasons why they were universally adopted.
(Two page ebook reader video)
The two leaves can be opened and closed to simulate turning pages, or even separated to pass round or compare documents. When the two leaves are folded back, the device shows one display on each side. Simply turning it over reveals a new page.
Technovelgy readers will recall that a two-page e-book reader has already been tried - four years ago. Take a look at the Toshiba SD-Book: An E-Book With Two Pages. Also, see this interesting concept design for a cookbook - the Kitchen Sync.
The logical sf precursor to this development is from the 1985 novel The Diamond Age. See the discussion for runcible to see the advantages of having an e-book with hundred's of paper-thin panels. And don't forget the opton, from Stanislaw Lem's 1961 novel Return from the Stars, one of the earliest descriptions of an e-book. For pure manic pleasure, you can't beat the battery powered 3D comic book from Philip K. Dick's 1965 novel The Zap Gun.
Technovelgy (that's tech-novel-gee!)
is devoted to the creative science inventions and ideas of sf authors. Look for
the Invention Category that interests
you, the Glossary, the Invention
Timeline, or see what's New.
Prairie Madness - And Space Sickness
'Space-sickness is one of the most unpleasant sensations that a human being can experience. Not all are subject to it...'
'Old People Began to Cross The Continent In Their Own Cars'
'It was a relief to enter one of the comfortable autos, whisper a direction down the tube, and just know that you would be taken to your destination in the quickest, safest, and cheapest manner.'
Starfall Manufacturing Drugs In Space
'The vast spinning sphere of Factory in the Sky loomed above and ahead of us, gleaming white against the unfathomable jet depths of surrounding space.'
The Solar Oberth Slingshot
'And if it doesn’t work,' inquired Lazarus, 'what does that make us? Sunspots?'
'If Anyone Is Watching Earth...'
'Our study of your race has convinced us that you are not fitted to leave your planet in the present state of your civilization.'