Intel teams up with Plastic Logic for 'PaperTab'

Dubbed the "PaperTab", the tablet includes a flexible 10.7-inch plastic display developed by Plastic Logic. It is powered by a Core i5 processor, with early prototypes appearing to be based on Plastic Logic's black and white monochrome display.

The PaperTab project was developed at the Human Media Lab at Queen's University and Plastic Logic and includes different use and control schemes based on the flexibility of the display. For example, PaperTab allows users to send a photo simply by tapping one PaperTab showing a draft email with another PaperTab showing a photo. The photo is then automatically attached to the draft email. The email is sent either by placing the PaperTab in an out tray, or by bending the top corner of the display.

Similarly, a larger drawing or display surface is created by placing two or more PaperTabs side by side. PaperTab thus emulates the handling of multiple sheets of paper by combining thin-film display, thin-film input and computing technologies.

Screen icons operate in a manner similar to a computer desktop. When picked up or touched a PaperTab switches back to a full screen page view, just like opening a window on a computer. "Using several PaperTabs makes it much easier to work with multiple documents," said Roel Vertegaal, director of the Human Media Lab at Queen's University.

PaperTab. The tablet includes a flexible 10.7-inch plastic display and is powered by a Core i5 processor.

- Peter Clarke
??EE Times