Describe the various devices, past and present, the e-books are read on
The technology behind the design and creation of e-book devices is always undergoing change. Brands such as Nook and Kindle have established themselves as market leaders. Despite their impressive garnering of market share, the market is relatively nascent as the idea of e-book devices if gradually catching on. E-book devices are not competing against conventional PCs and laptops, for the e-books usually read through them are seldom read on computer screens. A prime example are novels and other fiction, which people show little inclination to read off a computer screen. Here, the e-book reading device fills an existing void in the reading preferences of users. Though at this point, it is difficult to predict how indispensible e-books and the devices would become, a few recent research studies point the direction. They suggest that once the general public accepts e-book devices as the norm, then libraries will have to radically alter their infrastructure and operating modes. Yet,
“beyond that there is not much they can do since the future is not susceptible to empirical probing. But the path to such a state of affairs is not direct. Not only are such devices owned by a minority of the population, but in all likelihood e-books would have to be made compatible with a gamut of devices, in other words be rendered independent of particular platforms, before they would present libraries with a feasible channel for provisioning materials.” (Staiger)
Discuss how e-book, newspaper, and magazine reading may become more of an interactive or group activity
Many major newspapers and magazines have also started offering their electronic versions adapted to e-book devices. These electronic versions offer many interactive features that are not possible in traditional publishing. In a clear sign of acknowledgement of the popularity and demand for e-books, Amazon has opened up its Kindle device to library e-books. To elaborate,
“The introduction of the Kindle, the biggest-selling e-reader, opens up library e-books to a wider audience, heightening the fears of publishers that many customers will turn to libraries for reading material. If that happens, e-book buyers could become e-book borrowers – reflecting a profound shift in consumer reading habits…Library e-books are already available on Barnes & Noble’s Nook, the Sony Reader, smartphones, laptops, and other devices, but never on the Kindle, whose users had long complained they were left out.” (Randolph 22)