With all the new technologies booming here and there, some things that are considered cultural and traditional are forced to transform to keep up with this fast paced world. A case in point is books. Books have been around for a very long time since the Egyptians came out with the papyrus roll (Britannica Online, 2010).
An ABC (2010) broadcast reports on the how the market for virtual books is seen an upturn in the past year caused by the recent launch of Amazon’s Kindle Book and to top it off, Apple’s Ipad. The report included various figures in publishing world and technology: Steve Jobs (Apple Computers), Stephen Page (Faber and Faber) and Michael Tamblyn (Kobo e-Books). Among some of the things discussed in the report was the advantages of e-books has over traditional books. In addition, the discussion included how book publishers who opposed e-books are now looking into making their books digital and also the how the current book catalogues only satisfy the American market.
What exactly is an E-book? Larson (2010) describes it as ‘a digital reading device stores hundreds of books, newspapers, magazines, and blogs; allows for quick look-up of information through its built-in diction- ary, Wikipedia, or internal search capabilities; and offers customizable settings to suit each unique reader.’ Examples of e-book devices include Amazon Kindle, Sony Reader and just recently, Apple’s iPad.
An ABC (2010) broadcast reports on the how the market for virtual books is seen an upturn in the past year caused by the recent launch of Amazon’s Kindle Book and to top it off, Apple’s Ipad. The report included various figures in publishing world and technology: Steve Jobs (Apple Computers), Stephen Page (Faber and Faber) and Michael Tamblyn (Kobo e-Books). Among some of the things discussed in the report was the advantages of e-books has over traditional books. In addition, the discussion included how book publishers who opposed e-books are now looking into making their books digital and also the how the current book catalogues only satisfy the American market.
What exactly is an E-book? Larson (2010) describes it as ‘a digital reading device stores hundreds of books, newspapers, magazines, and blogs; allows for quick look-up of information through its built-in diction- ary, Wikipedia, or internal search capabilities; and offers customizable settings to suit each unique reader.’ Examples of e-book devices include Amazon Kindle, Sony Reader and just recently, Apple’s iPad.
Sony Reader. Source: www.engadget.com
Amazon Rekindle. Source: www.sync-blog.com
I believe that e-books will slowly replace our books. Like how music tapes players like Sony’s WALKMAN was superseded by Apple’s revolutionary music player, the iPod that can hold thousands of music in MP3 format. So it would not be a surprise if that trend occurs with books. Considering the younger generation brought up in a world whereby communication is no more linear but a combination of many; texts, graphics, images, sounds and videos. Thus, not only will e-book replace the physicality of reading a book but the essence of the content. Armstrong (2008) talks about how e-books can allow the incorporation video clips and text and simple communication with the author.
Moreover, e-books saves space as you only need one device to contain collections of books purchased and e-book eliminates the hassle to go out and buy books when it one can browse through hundreds of book without having to go anywhere and purchase it immediately. As one of the satisfied owner of e-book in the report by ABC (2010) stated, ‘It's like having a book shop in the palm of your hands.’
Moreover, e-books saves space as you only need one device to contain collections of books purchased and e-book eliminates the hassle to go out and buy books when it one can browse through hundreds of book without having to go anywhere and purchase it immediately. As one of the satisfied owner of e-book in the report by ABC (2010) stated, ‘It's like having a book shop in the palm of your hands.’
Apple's iPad and preview of its e-book function. Source: www.topmediatool.com
REFERENCES:
Armstrong, C 2008, ‘Books in a virtual world : The evolution of the e-book and its lexicon’, Journal of Librarianship and Information Science, vol. 40, no. 3, pp. 193-206.
Books 2010, Encyclopædia Britannica Online, viewed 11 November 2010, <http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/73295/book>.
Cornwall, D 2010, ‘E-books popularity on the rise’, The 7.30 Report, Australian Broadcasting Corporation, viewed 11 November 2010, <http://www.abc.net.au/7.30/content/2010/s2849989.htm>.
Larson, LC 2010, ‘Digital Readers: The Next Chapter in E-Book Reading and Response’, Reading Teacher, vol. 64 no. 1, pp 15-22.
No comments:
Post a Comment