...but don't get too excited. We're still a long way from being able to sit down with an iPad or eReader and watch uninterrupted from takeoff to landing.
As many travelers know, one of the many, many, MANY inconveniences of air travel is the FAA requirement that passengers turn off all electronic devices during takeoff, ascent, descent, and landing. However, there are few rules more nebulous than this one, because no one seems to agree on whether it's effective, or even why it exists. Some say it's to keep passengers from getting distracted during those parts of the flight, while others think that it's part of some airline conspiracy to
Hmmm. Probably not. I don't know if, due to the staggering selection already out there, anyone NEEDS a new type of ereader, but maybe enough people out there want one. What confuses me is that the rumblings are that Microsoft's foray would be a dedicated ereader, which makes me wonder if you really need any type of operating system behind it.
I mean, I know you need an operating system, but if you're just going to negotiate books and the like, do you really need Windows 8? The interface would be called Metro, as a Microsoft exec recently divulged in a keynote speech. This release could come on the heels of the elimination of its Reader product in August of this year. Cool. Maybe we'll get a revolutionary product, or maybe we'll get an ereader that has more muscle and bells and whistles than anyone needs. Or something in between or totally different. We'll know soon enough...
...but don't get too excited. We're still a long way from being able to sit down with an iPad or eReader and watch uninterrupted from takeoff to landing.
As many travelers know, one of the many, many, MANY inconveniences of air travel is the FAA requirement that passengers turn off all electronic devices during takeoff, ascent, descent, and landing. However, there are few rules more nebulous than this one, because no one seems to agree on whether it's effective, or even why it exists. Some say it's to keep passengers from getting distracted during those parts of the flight, while others think that it's part of some airline conspiracy to get you to use their entertainment systems.
The news that the FAA is going to revisit these laws is nice, but it doesn't mean much in and of itself. In order for them to approve any device, they have to test all iterations of that device on separate flights without passengers. That means, a flight for the iPad 1, one for the iPad 2, etc.
If and when this passes, we may see the last of the days when eReader users are actually jealous of people reading regular old books.
As complicated as that Kobo or iPad is, looking at this very Victorian device makes me understand how little I actually know about the eReaders of today. Don't get me wrong, I UNDERSTAND them from technical standpoints, but the nuts and bolts, like creating one, are way beyond me.
Which is why it's so cool and impressive to see someone think up this device in 1935, that appears to be some sort of overhead projector, only instead of projecting, you know, "overhead," it's shining right in your face.
Also, if a light weight and durability is an issue for you, you might want to go with a Nook, cause this thing is as big as your couch.
Thanks for Gizmodo for this one and reminding us how good we have it.
But don't be fooled by that headline. People are still using eReaders, it's just that something is going on known as the "substitution effect" in which people are using tablet PCs instead of dedicated eReaders, causing a drop in demand for eReaders (but not really).
To get too bogged down in this is to miss the big picture. If you're a fan of ebooks, eReaders, and the like, don't worry. This is just a function of technology outpacing demand, and is very likely no more than a tiny blip on the radar.
What can be read by consumers is the fact that people are putting more and more stock in tablets and their versatility than they are in dedicated eReaders. However, I wouldn't worry too much about what the market does and stick with your tastes. Whether you prefer reading on an iPad or a Nook or a Kindle Fire, follow your heart. They'll all be around for the foreseeable future.
Until tablets can offer two types of displays, one with e-ink and one in vivid color, but we're all looking forward to that day.
That was a loaded question. Of course we don't "need" that feature, but do we even want it?
The Kobo Vox allows users to start instant conversations about the books they're reading, via Facebook and other sites, almost instantly. While I have no doubt that this is a dimension to book reading that has a purpose, it is (was?) nice to think of books as a refuge away from all that stuff.
Of course, as ereaders pile on more and more features that essentially make them tablet PCs, it's naive to think that this wasn't the course we have been heading on this entire time, but it's nice to dream of simpler times.
So will this feature catch on, in much the same way Spotify has with music? Perhaps, but I like to think that books, even ebooks, will be capable of existing in a standalone environment for the foreseeable future.
I hope!
It only takes four easy steps, but the steps are wordy, so here's the link to see them in full, courtesy of Lifehacker. The nice thing about this "hack" is that you can use the Nook as a tablet, yes, but if reading is your primary concern, you can still take advantage of the e-ink technology that's much easier on the eyes than the vivid glossy displays that most tablets use.
Of course, the problem is that you won't get video or pics in the brilliant displays that you would from a tablet either, but that's okay with me, considering you only payed for a $99 ereader. If this was a repurposed iPad, that might be a problem, but this hack essentially makes the conversion all upside with a minimal expenditure (pretty much just an SD card).
So take a look, and see if this sounds like something that merges two different worlds better than anything on the market today.
As far as I know, this is the cheapest we've seen one of the "Big 3" ereaders since...ever. I'll be brief, since this deal is only good for about 4 more hours, but $69 for a Nook is a steal. Sure, it's not the fancy one, and it's not in color, but it's as tried and true an ereader as any of the competition out there, and if you're looking for a reason to get a 100% dedicated ereader, I can't imagine any reasons better than knocking $30 off an already-reduced price.
I sound like a salesman here, even though I have nothing at stake. Buy it, don't buy, whatever. It's cheap, and this price won't last long.
***end of "pitch***
Sure, I get tired of talking about eReaders, and people probably get tired of reading about them, but this Huffington Post article suggests that there may be something to the concept of eReader fatigue.
But what?
eReader fatigue has more to do with the act of reading the ebooks. Essentially, people are complaining that the process of staring at a screen all day leaves a little to be desired, when compared to reading a paper book. Some say that they're unable (read: unwilling) to finish ebooks because every story pops up on the same device, meaning that the size, shape, weight, and smell of books may be more important than industry pros and manufacturers originally thought.
Also up in the air, according to the article, is whether people who convert to eBooks are lifelong devotees. Some think that it's not a binary commitment; that people can read ebooks AND paper books.
Let's end with this piece with a familiar refrain. Only time will tell.
In case there are any lingering doubts out there that people aren't throwing their full weight behind the eReader phenomenon, the number of people who own them doubled during the 2011-2012 holiday season.
It seems that the devices are now firmly entrenched in popular culture and are seen as a standard reading tool, rather than a gimmick or novelty. This can be attributed to word of mouth, as well as rock-bottom prices for entry-level models.
Further indicating that people are getting on board with ebooks is the fact that tablet PC sales grew in similar fashion. Ebooks are here to stay, and their popularity is skyrocketing.
The percentage of Americans that own at least one electronic reading device rose from 18% to 29% according to a recent survey.
In case you were wondering if you should hold out longer, the wait is over. Get one.
