Re: The Apple iPad and the future of e-ink ebook readers

Summarizing a bit from the various posts on this topic, I would say that there's little agreement on the relative merits of the Apple iPad and the e-ink reading devices, of which the Amazon Kindle is an example.  As Joseph points out, individual readers vary considerably in their preferences.  I personally much prefer reading on my Kindle to reading on my HP iPaq or my ancient PowerBook Titanium with its lovely 15" color screen and I do find that fluorescent backlit displays seem harder on my eyes.  Possibly I would find an LCD backlit display more comfortable.  However, it's clear from this discussion that many people strongly prefer a color display, and Bill has made the interesting point that Amazon may move in this direction as the Kindle evolves, especially with the iPad as competitio
 n.

What stands out to me from the comments here is not the technical comparison of the two types of devices and their features but the difference in their size and weight.  If the Forrester analyst is right, what the Kindle and its kin have going for them is not any sort of technical superiority or even the Kindle's free wireless Internet access, but simply that they're easier to bring along in a purse or coat pocket and to hold in one hand while riding the subway or waiting in line.  

As an aside, I like to read over a meal and the Kindle takes up less space on the table than most paperbacks, let alone a hardcover, which opened and laid flat is probably about as big as an iPad.  I don't have to worry about pages flopping back like I do with a print book, either--I just wish I could turn pages with a voice command to have both hands free for eating!  Still, with a print book, it's sometimes hard to hold it open and turn pages with one hand, which is all I need for the Kindle.  

What the Forrester analyst may be thinking is that the iPad and the iBookstore will boost the visibility of ebooks and expand the overall market for reading devices.  Because of their size and weight the e-ink devices will continue to appeal to many purchasers, although the iPad will almost certainly sell very strongly.

John

--- In [email protected], "joseph harris" <smilepoet@...> wrote:
<snip>
> I find in a lot of arguments about publishing as a business that people tend to extrapolate their own experience, rather than consider how much variation there is. ...
</snip>
> 
> Joseph
> 
> Joseph Harris - Debt Control Man
> http://www.controlyourdebtcrisis.co.uk
> Author: Control Your Debt Crisis on Your Own Terms
> http://twitter.com/debtcontrolman 
> SAQ - SAve the cheQue
>



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