Amazon.com's handheld reading device, Kindle, started off as a niche product for the site to promote its downloadable content, but the e-reader technology it introduced may well be the future of publishing, with Apple's iPad being released this year and the Kobo eReader available at Borders stores around the globe as of this month.
The difference between e-readers and other gadgets--like the iPhone--which provide e-book applications, is that e-readers are designed primarily for the function of reading digital books. Their specific features usually include a long battery life, portability, readability of the screen in bright sunlight and many now use e-ink and e-paper; special display technology designed to give the appearance of ordinary ink on paper. This technology works through the use of a backlight which allows the screen to reflect natural light, like paper, instead of emitting its own light like a computer monitor, so reading is as natural as on real paper.
There are also many ways or purchasing e-books straight to these devices. The latest generation Kindle boasts a 'books in 60 seconds' feature which allows users to download books straight to the device with no fees, through either the device's 3G or wireless internet. It offers over 1.8 million free out-of-copyright books like Treasure Island and Pride and Prejudice. Prices for bes sellers and new releases also start from $9.99. Prices in Australia may seem a bit hefty for those who still know what a library is, but devices like these are designed for on-the-go people who don't want to be hassled by the thought or finding, or carrying around, the books they're after. For their niche market e-readers are ideal, and with this years surge of such devices, that market seems to be not so niche anymore.
New, immediate forms of publishing like e-readers mean that the good old fashioned forms of print media are becoming less and less relevant today. Tangible aspects like the texture of the paper, typography used and the carefully designed cover art are no longer important aspects of book publishing; these features that used to define the term 'reading' are simply being pushed to one side for the ease of access and on-the-go nature of these wireless devices. Perhaps this is what all documents will become in the future-- not only does it make sense from a 'modern lifestyle' perspective but also from an environmentally friendly one-- however if print media one day does become extinct, chances are a lot of people will miss these aspects.
Image source
No comments:
Post a Comment