Print magazines go digital

(c) MAKE: Blog

Esquire magazine celebrated it's 75 anniversary in an unusual way: for the first time in history a print magazine was issued with an animated cover utilizing e-paper.

The electronic cover was used in only 100,000 copies of the October issue that go to newsstands — its overall circulation is about 720,000. Actually, there are two e-paper screens inside the magazine: one on the front cover and one on the inside cover - containing an advertisement promoting Ford's new minivan-sport utility vehicle, the Flex.


(c) Dastardly Report

A thin plate with pre-recorded images and six button cell batteries is hidden inside the cover. The batteries should last for at least 90 days thanks to E-ink, today's most energy-saving technology.


(c) MAKE: Blog

Esquire's cover marks the beginning of time when print media starts merging with digital media.

“The possibilities of print have just begun. In two years, I hope this looks like cellphones did in 1982, or car phones.” says David Granger, Esquire’s editor in chief.

E-paper has only one drawback: in ten years all magazines may become filled with flashing animated advertisements. Who knows, maybe we'll even need Adblock for newspapers :)