Probably I am not the best person to discuss the likes of ‘the Kindle’ technology as I have never used them. However, I am quite interested to find out about its potential influence on our reading experience.
Previously I have downloaded an e-book legally available on online to my desktop computer but I have yet to turn to the second page, blaming my general disinterest in the e-books’ lack of mobility and accessibility. Whist, I agree with the BBC blog that there are constraints upon e-book readers to take off in the same way that iPod and MP3 players have. However, for me, because of its light weight, I can imagine myself having an e-book reader permanently in my bag as I normally have to think twice about the weight and volume of the book that I want to carry, together with the amount of walking I have to do on that day.
E-book and the reader technology may not be able to completely transform the publishing industry and enjoy the attention that iPod and MP3 have received from the users, however it is too early to rule it out from its potential business and social implications. One of the merits of the digital technology is the fact that it has infinite potential.
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In my previous blog, I have discussed and expressed some concerns over the News Corp’s decision to move to a subscription model. I have extracted a paragraph from the BBC blog which supports my argument.
“Suddenly I realised why a book worked on the Kindle but a paper did not. For me, reading a book is an analogue experience - I start at page one and continue until I've finished. A newspaper, on the other hand, is more random, more interactive. I scan the sections and leap from one article to another, much as I do on the web. That's what is already available to me - for free - on newspaper websites, so why would I pay for a less satisfactory digital newspaper? Newspapers have woken up rather late to the fact that they've been giving away content online which could be monetised through e-readers.”
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