Okay peoples...what is your opinion about the the future of the book?
Click add a comment and volunteer your opinion about the future of Kindle and the Sony Electronic Reader.
I think it will be 20 years before electronic books change the nature of reading and printing and publishing and books, but the change is inevitable. It will happen.
What do you think?
6 comments:
I'm not sure about the "new" electronic readers like Kindle... why would I want another electronic device that is bigger than a cell phone... although smaller than a laptop, it does not do all a laptop can do. I do think more and more people will be downloading books, but I would think downloading to a laptop would be used more often than "Kindle". The kindle is priced at about 1/2 of what a low end laptop is, but unable to read pdfs, which many libraries now offer.
Good comment Larry. It never occurred to me that the Laptop is a better alternative to Kindle and the Sony Reader. Thanks.
Keep in mind that the price of the Kindle, like all new electronics, will drop considerably over time. The Kindle does do something unique, it allows the owner to access blogs without having to pay for internet access as the connection is free through Amazon. Also, it allows for lighter travel than having a stack of books with you, or a laptop.
The bottom line is that people are indeed reading and the format will be changing over time. I heard a reprt that most Japanese read off their cell phones. The printed word, always my favorite, will have its place, but the future is electronics I think. Look what happened to photography. I never thought that digital would prevail over silver hailide, but I won't go back now.
Hey Chris:
Excellent point. The price of Kindle will drop...probably precipitously after it fails to sell well at $400 a pop. In one review of Kindle, it has been reported that, while the Internet connection is free, Amazon actually charges for some, or maybe even most, blog reading which, in most cases, is free if you're using a computer.
The Japanese are reading off their phones is a strong indicator of future trends. I personally wouldn't attempt a novel length read on a phone these days, but who knows what kind of technology and price structure will be available in the future.
Google, with their plan to scan and post all the information in the world, the solar system...nay, the galaxy, will probably have the most to "say" about the future cost and accessability of content.
Hi Chris and Mike,
The Kindle price will drop, but I still can't see having another piece of reduntant equipment that does not cover all of my needs. When/if I want to read a book digitally, I already have a laptop available to me. If I am leaving home and want to read...well frankly if I have time to read while not at home, then my laptop will be coming anyway... so the Kindle will be an extra cost AND and extra piece to carry.
But hey, I'm cheap. I won't pay for cable tv either.
Hey Mike and Larry,
Look at the Kindle from an economic and environmental perspective. Environmentally it will save on paper, ink and fuel for deliveries.
Economically it will reduce expenses for publishers. No more warehouses full of unsold books. No more remainders and returns. Faster payment of royalties and payments to publishers. Quicker pace of idea to consumer.
Kindle may not be the answer, but the origional Texas Instruments calclator wasn't the answer either. Perhaps a future generation will meet all of our needs.
I think this is the beginning of a new era, whether we accept it or not.
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