Oh boy. Can't wait.
Wired News: E-Paper's Killer App: Packaging
The cereal aisle at your local supermarket may soon resemble the Las Vegas strip. Electronics maker Siemens is readying a paper-thin electronic-display technology so cheap it could replace conventional labels on disposable packaging, from milk cartons to boxes of Cheerios.
In less than two years, Siemens says, the technology could transform consumer-goods packaging from the fixed, ink-printed images of today to a digital medium of flashing graphics and text that displays prices, special offers or alluring photos, all blinking on miniature flat screens.Siemens' paper-thin display -- composed of a polymer-based photochromic material -- is capable of displaying digital text and images when prodded by an electrochemical reaction powered by a low-voltage charge. When the electric charge is no longer applied, the chemical reaction is reversed, and the electronic ink is no longer visible -- which is how a flashing effect is created. The power source is based on commercially available, ultra-thin batteries. Electronic memory strips store the images.
Over the years, we've encountered all sorts of 'new and innovative' in-store marketing mediums, from stickers on fruit, coupons in a carton of eggs, 2 foot high video holograms (now, that was a story - former military contractor looking for civilian use of patented technology), talking floor ads, urinal advertising, plasma screen bar advertising, etc. etc. plus all the things already in the store, video on the checkout monitors, in-store radio, yadda yadda. I hope for everyone's sake that the cereal boxes don't start undulating soon. There is enough visual stimulation in our environment, thank you very much.
Tags: Advertising
