Paperless Books?
There’s nothing quite like curling up with a book and getting carried away in a good story, then passing it on to a friend or family member so they can enjoy the for themselves. But as more and more daily activities become accessible online, it comes as no surprise that new and (sometimes) improved ways of reading a good book are emerging.
Twenty years ago it would have been hard to believe that newsletters, newspapers, magazines and books would be readily available online and on demand. But with websites now dedicated to delivering around the clock news coverage, as it happens and with by-the-minute updates, technology is moving at a roaring pace.
Those with a soft spot for gadgets would probably be aware of a number of devices offering nifty alternatives to printed publications. For example, smartphone technology now allows iPhone owners to read newspapers or entire books via their mobile, flicking a finger over the screen to ‘turn’ the pages. (Keep this in mind the next time you’re on the bus or train and the person across from you can’t take their eyes off their phone – they just might be in the middle of a good story!)
And so sees the swift rise in the popularity of e-Books – publications sold and read completely online – and the products necessary to view them, known as e-Readers.
Amazon.com – one of the largest online book retailers – currently manufactures one of the world’s most popular e-Readers – the Kindle. It’s a hand held device that connects to the company’s website, offering loads of ‘paperless books’ to budding readers around the world.
Just like an iPod stores entire CD collections in pocket-sized hardware, the Kindle can deliver an entire library (up to 1,500 books) in the one handy device. The Kindle’s 15cm screen incorporates special lighting technology to create an appearance similar to paper which is easy on the eye. Its lightweight design (a touch over 300g and just 18mm thick) also means it fits snugly into a handbag or backpack for ease of travel.
Don’t be deceived, the Kindle is not a mobile computer; but it does use similar technology. Free wireless connection with Amazon.com, for instance, means users can browse online shelves, purchase a title at a reasonable price and have it on their Kindle screen in around 60 seconds. While the look and feel of a traditional book is unfortunately sacrificed, other features – such as increasing text size for a squint-free read and super-sharp display – prove winners.
It’s interesting to learn of the alternatives out there for people looking for a complete, on-the-go reading solution. While the convenience of a bookshelf at your fingertips is no doubt behind the success of the Kindle, technology will be hard pressed to beat the feeling of being immersed in a good old-fashioned paperback – a real page-turner.
Posted by josh.nicholson
February 5th, 2010 at 5:40 am
Hello Westnet,
I for one am delighted with the advent of on line books.
In fact I have bought three on line books from different sources within the last week or so.
They are wonderful in that they are , cheaper, easily downloadable,don’t use paper (environmentally sound) & the print can more easily be seen.
Having sung the praises of the E-book, I still love the good old fashioned book.I don’t think that will ever be beaten. Nothing like the smell of a book, freshly printed or old & from the library.
The ideal of course is a laptop/notebook, with a whole library collection which one can peruse at one’s leisure, at any place, any time.
Someone said, I can’t recall the name just now, that heaven must be some kind of library.
February 8th, 2010 at 5:35 pm
Hello Westnet,
I really love my Sony Touch. Bought it on Ebay about five months ago and have now 36 books read on it. The only problem is sourcing those books as I can only get the free ones off Sony’s own bookstore as I don’t have US address or credit card but have found quite a few other websites.
The latest one is an Australian site readwithoutpaper.com and it has a good many titles at a good prices.
I do like that I can increase the print size especially at night and when I travel it is much easier than lugging 36 books around!
No it is not perfect and I’m sure it will be “old hat” pretty soon but it suits me and I guess it is saving a tree or two.
February 10th, 2010 at 7:20 am
I bought a Kindle about 5 months ago now and absolutely love it. No getting in the car to drive to a book store to buy books…..not to mention the trees we will save. The touch of a button and the book is ready to read. Of course there will always be books that you want to read and can’t obtain on the Kindle, but that’s a small inconvenience.
February 13th, 2010 at 12:49 pm
Have been in contact with Oxford and they are looking toward electronic books too. Coming from the such a centre of learning it would have to be good when it emerges. I have an Oxford electronic dictionary/thesaurus/ecyclopedia/you name it and I use for more than I thought I would when I bought it. Got it through Dymocks. The words are from Oxford and electronics are from Seiko the watch people. Cheers!
February 24th, 2010 at 3:53 pm
Between me and my friends we’ve owned more gadgets over the years than I can count, etc. But, the last few years I’ve settled down and focused more on normal types and models of quality gadgets. Thanks for the advice and will take this to task.
March 5th, 2010 at 4:26 am
I own both Amazon Kindle 1 & Kindle 2, so I’m already given to the basic idea: e-ink reading in a lean form factor with splendid connectivity to a large option of books and subscriptions. I have come to rely on my Amazon Kindle experience, and it has seriously elevated my reading.