Telecommunications

PaperLater lets you create your own internet-based newspaper

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A PaperLater newspaper, consisting solely of web articles chosen by the user
A PaperLater newspaper, consisting solely of web articles chosen by the user
When web-surfing users come across an article that looks like it will interest them, they use their device's PaperLater function to tag it
Each newspaper should arrive within three to five working days
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Tablets and e-readers may indeed have plenty of advantages over old-fashioned newspapers, but for many people, a touchscreen will just never measure up to the user-friendly simplicity of newsprint. That's why the UK-based Newspaper Club is launching its PaperLater service – it allows users to set aside web articles of their choice, which will be incorporated into a print newspaper that's delivered to their door.

The idea is that when web-surfing users come across an article that looks like it will interest them (presumably a fairly lengthy article, otherwise what's the point?), they use their device's PaperLater function to tag it. Those articles should be of the text-heavy print-media-like variety, as opposed to things like photo galleries.

Once users have set aside enough content to fill at least eight pages (or a maximum of 24), they instruct PaperLater to make them a physical newspaper. That paper will be printed up at Newspaper Club's facility on newsprint that's said to "look and feel like a proper newspaper," although it's a little thicker. It's made from a mix of recycled paper and sustainably-sourced wood fiber.

Each newspaper should arrive within three to five working days

The one-of-a-kind newspaper should arrive within three to five working days. Each paper costs £4.99 (US$8.50) including delivery within the UK – that's the only region in which the service is available, for now.

And yes, users could just print up those same articles themselves, although then they'd simply end up with a stack of papers instead of an issue of their own li'l newspaper. You can see how one of the newspapers "flips" in the video below.

Source: PaperLater via Laughing Squid

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5 comments
Bob Flint
OMG, you are trying to sell old news for $8.50 and have it hand delivered.
This is 2014 right, or did I just miss a century somewhere?
Slowburn
Or you could use your own printer.
BigGoofyGuy
While $8.50 seems like a lot for a newspaper, one would only be payng for articles that one wants to read.
Perhaps one could get it in .pdf file format and print it on ones own printer? It might be a way to cut costs and make it deliverable all over the world without having to actually deliver it all over the world.
Perhaps one could use it to print 'family news' and have it delivered to family and friends? One could claim 'we are in the newspaper'. :)
michael_dowling
What ever happened to E-ink paper that was supposed to give the user a flexible flat paper like surface that was to replace actual paper? The articles you want to read would be delivered and displayed electronically.
yrag
What is the point of this other than to justify the Newspaper Club's existence? I hated the awkward form factor of traditional newspapers. A 7" tablet works great for me—even with my aging eyes!