OK, just in case you're wondering about the title, this thread has been created after a heated debate between myself and Vlad about whether the eReader could ever replace a book.
From my side, until there's a waterproof one with an eternal battery and access to second hand ebooks, the answer's No! but I have to say he's talking me round to the idea that such things might have a place in my life. After all, we used to think nothing of lugging CDs and cassettes around with us and our walkman systems and now you'd think someone was crazy to do that.
He has pointed out that books aren't waterproof either – which is a good point. I've not often dropped a book in the bath (though I came close when I got to the twist in the tail at the end of 'Londonstani')
So what do you think? Will you be an early adopter or will you be hanging on until the cost comes down? What would persuade you and what would stop you going electronic?
22:34 Wed 10 Mar 10
Vladimir
2
I am coming from a) IT world b) men's world - so not so difficult to get excited about gadgets.
I expect that price war and glut of new models this year will make it almost a mainstream gadget.
Features range from dog-earing (literally) pages, turning pages by your finger move as usual, making notes, to worldwide mobile web access included in the price of the device. Apparently e-ink screens are easy on the eye, you can read your newspapers as well, you can listen to the music at the same time and it is much lighter and can hold many many books in 200g of weight. I am sure they will come up with the bath proof one very soon just for the sake of that argument (that's not rocket science really). I see that Sony is doing a deal with libraries so you can get ebooks from some UK libraries directly to your reader. Battery usually lasts around 7-8000 page turns. I also have impression that people read more when they have a reader as it is compact and easy to take to various places. Price is a bit high for most people (both reader and the ebook) but that will change soon (I hope).
I know it is difficult to accept change but I think it is for good and we shouldn't be too nostalgic and conservative about that.
I would like to hear more from people who use ereaders and what are their opinions and experiences. Any ereaders that finished their life in bath?
8:24 Thu 11 Mar 10
koshkha
3
I think that as I get older and more forgetful, it might be good to have a book that 'remembers' where I got to.
9:56 Thu 11 Mar 10
Vladimir
4
Some models have an option to read the book to you through headphones. You can even adjust the speed of the reading… Useful if you forget your glasses.
It looks like you are becoming a fan of eReaders. Now you should search for water free bathing methods Or use see-through plastic bag for reading in the bath…
The guy next to me on the plane had an ereader yesterday. I was very tempted to ask him what he thought of it but my fear of stating a conversation that might go on beyond the point of boredom stopped me. Interestingly he had his ereader PLUS a 'real' book – problem is you have to turn the electronic ones off for take off and landing!
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Or use see-through plastic bag for reading in the bath…
