Electronic Books: The Next Chapter
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 09. 7.07
MP3 players have been around for a while; it took a visionary like Steve Jobs to design both the hardware and a delivery system that was elegant and simple to transform digitally stored music from geekdom to everyday use. Words are even more easily transmitted electronically than music; one would have thought that it would have been figured out first. Perhaps it is not the technology (the Sony Reader is supposed to be easy on the eyes) but the lack of a co-ordinated hardware and delivery system like iPod/iTunes.
Amazon is evidently trying to fix that with its new Kindle, being launched this October. Engadget got a sneak peek last year when Amazon filed an application to the FCC; when it comes to elegant design it ain't no iPod, more like a Trash 80/100 from 1985.
However what is interesting about this is that it downloads directly through a high speed EVDO network without a computer as an intermediary, from Amazon's Kindle Store. According to the New York Times:
"Several people who have seen the Kindle say this is where the device’s central innovation lies — in its ability to download books and periodicals, and browse the Web, without connecting to a computer. They also say Amazon will pack some free offerings onto the device, like reference books, and offer customers a choice of subscriptions to feeds from major newspapers like The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal and the French newspaper Le Monde.
The device also has a keyboard, so its users can take notes when reading or navigate the Web to look something up. A scroll wheel and a progress indicator next to the main screen, will help users navigate Web pages and texts on the device."
The Times continues with a list of its flaws- lousy browser, monochrome E-ink screen, and proprietary Mobipocket software, but concludes:
Nevertheless, many publishing executives see Amazon’s entrance into the e-book world as a major test for the long-held notion that books and newspapers may one day be consumed on a digital device.
“This is not your grandfather’s e-book,” said one publishing executive who did not want to be named because Amazon makes its partners sign nondisclosure agreements. “If these guys can’t make it work, I see no hope.” ::New York Times
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How is the E-Ink display supposed to be a "flaw"? Isn't that one of the boons to these new readers? That it looks like normal text on paper? Granted that photo above has lousy lighting (the colors look really off, like it was taken under fluorescent lighting without a filter) but I look forward to the day when even my computer display is E-ink or something akin to it. I'm guessing this is the reaction of those that are used to a backlit display for everything and just can't wrap their brains around electronic-ink and a "paper" display...
As long as it CAN connect to a computer, it may work. That thing is going to have limited storage, and for someone who has hundreds of books (and if books were nearly as cheap as songs on iTunes could easily amass thousands) that storage limit could be reached quickly. While some might argue for the idea of having an online backup through Amazon, I'd rather have the files locally stores on my iMac. However, what I'd prefer is for Apple to come out with a tablet Mac using the same multi-touch interface as found on iPhone and iPod touch. Then the whole digital library could be implemented in software form, and one devise would serve many purposes. I know there are eBook readers for computers, but without the tablet form and the touch screen function they leave a bit to be desired.
I've wanted an E-Ink reader for a very long time. The Sony one is pretty slick, but Sony's DRM is usually draconian. I don't want to be locked into any one company's eBook store. I think E-Ink is brilliant and I don't understand why one would want their "book" to be backlit.
The only thin that holds back E-books is this:
How do you make money with it?
Anyone with a PDA or internet enabled phone can download thousands of books now, for free. - The catch is that they are all public domain.
Check out Project Gutenberg at
http://www.gutenberg.org/wiki/Main_Page
I have been downloading books for over 10 years!
I've been holding out for iRex Technologies' next version of iLiad reader:
http://www.irextechnologies.com/products
I'm hoping it will make use of E-Ink's more current, faster refreshing technology:
http://www.e-ink.com/products/matrix/High_Res.html
I know it's practically sacrilegious to admit it, but I don't own a PDA or any other gadget (unless you count my 4-year-old rarely used cellphone or my analog pocket watch) so having an E-Reader for casual reading is a great idea, still ;) I would also love one for some of the engineering and drafting manuals I have to look at throughout the day or even when not at work. How many engineering (and current) reference manuals are available at Gutenberg?
There will always be ways to make a profit off of e-Books. And then there the concept of writers wanting to self-publish without losing a big chunk of their potential profits from publishers and printing costs.
I own a reb1100 (~$135) and a sony reader (on sale for about $120) and both are able to read non-drm content. I actually prefer the older backlit lcd of the reb to the new e-ink sony. It has lower contrast but the back lighting makes it easy to read in any environment. I'd say either one is in no danger compared to this thing with its price tag of $300-400. For that much you could have a cheap laptop or an Asus Eeepc micro laptop.
As someone involved in conservation I have a concern over any electronic book. What about the sustainability of format. I have 3.5 floppy disks from an outdated Apple OS that I can never access the files again, and it was my diary from when I was younger (it was an Apple IIe if that gives you a hint).
However, actual printed books have survived centuries and libraries, the physical place are inspirational places of learning.
What about cotton fiber. Some books already use this naturally acid-free very renuable resource for their books. Many artist pads and papers are made from cotton as is the standard mating used in conservation picture framing.
Instead of adding another electronic device to out already over-powered world, (that will all wind up in landfill eventually) why not stick with a natural renewable resource and keep printing actual books you can enjoy?