e books and readers

E-books!E-books!

Will readers use Readers?Will readers use Readers?

What’s an e-book?What’s an e-book?

Electronic book - can be read:Electronic book - can be read:– Online (not going to talk about these)Online (not going to talk about these)– Downloaded to a deviceDownloaded to a device

ComputerComputer PDAPDA Mobile phoneMobile phone E-book ReaderE-book Reader

Formats (Tower of eBabel)Formats (Tower of eBabel)

.epub – open format based on XML, .epub – open format based on XML, published by the International Digital published by the International Digital Publishing ForumPublishing Forum

.pdf – new version released last week .pdf – new version released last week by Adobe resizes pdfs to smaller by Adobe resizes pdfs to smaller screensscreens

.doc, .txt – basic word processing .doc, .txt – basic word processing formatsformats

.xml, html – basic web formats.xml, html – basic web formats

Big GunsBig Guns

.azw – Amazon’s proprietary format, .azw – Amazon’s proprietary format, can only be read on a Kindlecan only be read on a Kindle

.bbeb, or .lrf – Sony’s proprietary .bbeb, or .lrf – Sony’s proprietary format, can only be read on the Sony format, can only be read on the Sony ReaderReader

.mobi – format from MobiPocket, can be .mobi – format from MobiPocket, can be read on multiple devicesread on multiple devices

PNPd – Palm ereader formatPNPd – Palm ereader format

……and many more…and many more…

Sony ReaderSony Reader

First model introduced in 2006First model introduced in 2006 3 models to date3 models to date Opened to epub formats in Summer Opened to epub formats in Summer

20082008

Sony, continuedSony, continued

Can only buy books from Sony eBook Can only buy books from Sony eBook Library (Windows only)Library (Windows only)

Download content to computer, then Download content to computer, then sync Readersync Reader

Only supports Sony format, and non-Only supports Sony format, and non-DRMed formatsDRMed formats

New version has touch screen for New version has touch screen for note taking and annotations.note taking and annotations.

Amazon KindleAmazon Kindle

Debuted in November 2007Debuted in November 2007 Uses same e-ink display as SonyUses same e-ink display as Sony Wireless connectivity over Wireless connectivity over

“Whispernet” provided by Sprint“Whispernet” provided by Sprint

More on the KindleMore on the Kindle

Can only buy books from Amazon’s Can only buy books from Amazon’s Kindle StoreKindle Store

Proprietary Amazon formatProprietary Amazon format Can subscribe to RSS feeds and Can subscribe to RSS feeds and

Newspapers for a feeNewspapers for a fee You can add your own content, but You can add your own content, but

only after going through a conversion only after going through a conversion processprocess

Kindle 2!Kindle 2!

Releases today!Releases today! Sleek new design, more memory, Sleek new design, more memory,

more battery life, and text-to-voice more battery life, and text-to-voice capabilitycapability

CyBook by BookeenCyBook by Bookeen

Lesser knownLesser known No proprietary format, can’t support No proprietary format, can’t support

epub or any DRM other than .mobiepub or any DRM other than .mobi Comparable technical specificationsComparable technical specifications

to Sony & Kindleto Sony & Kindle

iRex iLiadiRex iLiad

3 different models ranging from 3 different models ranging from small and basic to large and very small and basic to large and very sophisticatedsophisticated

More iRexMore iRex

Most expensive modelsMost expensive models Has the largest screenHas the largest screen Wacom tablet technology, touch Wacom tablet technology, touch

screen, wirelessscreen, wireless No proprietary formatsNo proprietary formats Uses LinuxUses Linux

Plastic LogicPlastic Logic

Scheduled for release early 2010Scheduled for release early 2010 Full paper size (8 1/2x11)Full paper size (8 1/2x11) Touch screen controlsTouch screen controls Sleek design, may add colorSleek design, may add color May be flexibleMay be flexible

ComparisonsComparisons

Great comprehensive table from the Great comprehensive table from the MobileRead Wiki:MobileRead Wiki:

http://wiki.mobileread.com/wiki/E-bookhttp://wiki.mobileread.com/wiki/E-book_Reader_Matrix_Reader_Matrix

Barriers for readersBarriers for readers

Price Price – Cheapest Readers are around $300Cheapest Readers are around $300– Each book ranges from $5-$10Each book ranges from $5-$10– Plus other feesPlus other fees

Book Availability (which leads to…)Book Availability (which leads to…) DRM DRM DRM DRM DRMDRM

E-book availabilityE-book availability

List of free e-book sites: List of free e-book sites: http://wiki.mobileread.com/wiki/free_http://wiki.mobileread.com/wiki/free_ebooksebooks

E-book Stores: E-book Stores: http://wiki.mobileread.com/wiki/e-boohttp://wiki.mobileread.com/wiki/e-book_storesk_stores

From (Arizona) libraries: From (Arizona) libraries: http://overdrive.phoenixpubliclibrary.http://overdrive.phoenixpubliclibrary.orgorg

DRMDRM

Proprietary formats make it difficult Proprietary formats make it difficult to “own” e-booksto “own” e-books– Can’t read on every deviceCan’t read on every device– No guarantee of perpetual ownershipNo guarantee of perpetual ownership

Must be aware of which formats are Must be aware of which formats are supported by which Readerssupported by which Readers– This is complicatedThis is complicated

Final ThoughtsFinal Thoughts

Very personal decision – have to find Very personal decision – have to find the right balance of price, the right balance of price, convenience (dedicated Reader vs. convenience (dedicated Reader vs. other mobile devices), content other mobile devices), content accessibility and availability, and accessibility and availability, and individual feelings on DRM.individual feelings on DRM.

BibliographyBibliography

Ebook Presentation Bibliography on Ebook Presentation Bibliography on Google Docs:Google Docs:

http://http://docs.google.com/Doc?iddocs.google.com/Doc?id=dds3f5t9_37d87772gc=dds3f5t9_37d87772gc