The idea of a solar-powered e-book reader has been around for some time, but now there is a workable prototype that looks like it could actually make a dent in the e-book market, even going up against the likes of Amazon Kindle and the upcoming Indigo Shortcovers Smartphone reader.
Holly Gates ran across an article that raised the possibility of solar cell covers to help power E-Ink machines. That, in turn, suggested the idea for an e-book reader that would rely on solar energy and other light sources.
Holly developed Snippy and built a working prototype that was both portable, green friendly, and offered high-quality display capabilities along with bluetooth technology for transparently linking to other Snippys for sharing content.
It’s been suggested the Snippy, if actually mass produced, could retail for as low as $50.
Eco-Friendly Digital Books
Snippy the Solar-Powered E-Book Reader Is A Truly Novel Concept
Trend Themes
1. Solar-powered E-book Readers - Solar power as a sustainable energy source for e-book readers presents a disruptive innovation opportunity in the e-book market.
2. Eco-friendly Technology - The development of eco-friendly digital books and devices demonstrates a trend toward sustainable technology and presents disruptive innovation opportunities in various industries.
3. Portable and Green-friendly Devices - The demand for portable and eco-friendly devices, like Snippy the solar-powered e-book reader, indicates a trend toward more sustainable and efficient technology.
Industry Implications
1. Publishing - The introduction of eco-friendly digital books creates disruptive innovation opportunities in the publishing industry as companies can capitalize on the growing demand for sustainable reading options.
2. Renewable Energy - The use of solar power in e-book readers presents disruptive innovation opportunities in the renewable energy industry, as developers can explore new applications for solar technology.
3. Consumer Electronics - The development of eco-friendly devices like Snippy the solar-powered e-book reader presents disruptive innovation opportunities in the consumer electronics industry as companies can tap into the growing market of environmentally-conscious consumers.