Sony wants to replace paper texts and materials by introducing ‘Digital Paper,’ in a bid to increase the learning effectiveness in universities. The device which is set to launch in March 2014, is being tested at some of Japan’s largest universities. The idea of the digital pad is not meant to replace iPad or any other pad, its main function are for reading textbooks and taking notes. The device will be sold in bulk along with cloud hosting and other support because Sony intends to market it as a solution and not a consumer product.
Digital Paper is capable of handling PDF format, but also supports file creation. Users can highlight and take notes within documents, and potentially share notes with classmates via Wi-Fi. The device also comes with a stylus that attaches on the side. Oh, and the good news is this Digital Paper prototype touts three weeks of battery life, which could be extremely useful for students in developing countries who don’t have access to electricity at all times. It has 4GB of internal memory, a microSD card slot, and a 1,200 x 1,600 pixel display.
For schools that can’t afford to buy the newest editions of every textbook each year the Sony Digital paper seems to be a winner.
