A picture can replace a thousand words, but what is even more “frightening” is when that picture can… speak a few words?
The Italian company Zanetti Studio is working on creating a color printer that allows printed photos or paper to speak for a short duration.
Zanetti Studio has introduced its color printer named Speekysmart. During the printing process, Speekysmart prints a special sound strip along one edge of the photo or paper, which has the capability to produce sound. According to Zanetti Studio, this sound strip is a technology referred to as “Speakpaper.” Currently, this Speakpaper can emit sound for a few seconds immediately after the photo is printed.
For many years, Zanetti Studio has focused on researching Speakpaper. Giancarlo Zanetti, the director of Zanetti Studio, stated that his company needs another three years to perfect and launch this unique product into the market.
Zanetti has not disclosed many details about this Speakpaper but mentioned that the printed photo can “speak” through the printer’s speaker. The company is also developing a device the size of a computer mouse, designed to record sounds onto the paper, which will also serve as a playback device when used with the Speakpaper. In the future, Zanetti plans to integrate this technology into mobile phones, allowing users to simply scan their mobile devices over the Speakpaper, prompting the phone to automatically play back all recorded sounds on the paper.
Currently, Zanetti’s recording and reading device, along with the Speakpaper, can produce a sound clip lasting about 5 seconds. The latest version being tested may extend this to 15 seconds. Zanetti’s goal is to successfully develop the paper and recording device capable of playing sounds for up to 3 minutes.
Zanetti mentions that this technology is undoubtedly very appealing to all users, but it is particularly beneficial for visually impaired individuals.
At present, Zanetti has partnered with seven major global printing technology companies. Notably, the leading printing giant HP is also researching a project similar to Zanetti’s Speakpaper.
THIÊN TRANG
