« Google Book Search | Main | Thomson West offers a Legal Podcast! »
January 07, 2006
Sony's New E-Book
Book lovers are often adamant that books, in their present print form, will always exist. That may be true. After all, I'm quite sure I'll always want a print version of Pride and Prejudice. On the other hand, I'm convinced that someday an ebook will be invented that will convenient and readable enough, that it will rival the printed book in our affections. Just because it hasn't happened yet only means that the right implementation/product hasn't come along.
I don't know if the new Sony Reader, introduced just last week, will do the trick, but it does seem to be an improvement over previous attempts. (If Sony would like to send me a "review" copy, I'd be happy to give it a spin! :-) ) The resolution is improved and the eye-straining flicker common on computer-type displays has been eliminated. It weighs less than 9 ounces, but can hold up to 80 average size books, with the possibility of more with the optional storage.
Librarian in Black, where I first read about the Sony Reader, doesn't think that anyone would buy a device for only one purpose, and points to some limited success with ebooks on PDAs. But I can assure you that I won't read a book on my PDA. The screen is just too small. Of course, you could create an larger ebook that is also a PDA, but then you're stuck hauling a larger PDA around with you when you don't necessarily need it. Sometimes creating a device for a sole purpose ensures that it does one thing, and does it well.
I don't believe the success of the e-book will be based on the fact that it's a one purpose device. The success will depend upon whether it does the job, and does it well. For me the additional critical issue is whether it would reduce the net weight of my train bag. If so, then I'm fine carrying a PDA, an MP3 player and an e-book. I could probably fit all that in my purse, and get rid of the train bag altogether!
For more information, see The plot thickens with a thin eBooks device, USA Today, Jan. 4, 2005. (Spotted on TVC Alert.)
Comments
Post a comment
Thanks for signing in, . Now you can comment. (sign out)
(If you haven't left a comment here before, you may need to be approved by the site owner before your comment will appear. Until then, it won't appear on the entry. Thanks for waiting.)
