Ebook Update
October 27, 2010
If you haven’t been paying attention, the whole ebook world is about to become very interesting. Here’s a quick summary of the most recent developments.
Amazon Kindle - A few months ago, Amazon introduced their newest Kindle book reader. The 3.0 version is physically smaller, but with the same screen size as the previous version. The version with 3G internet built in costs $189. The entry-level Kindle costs $139…and dangerously close to that all important $100 mark. Once an ebook reader costs under $100, watch out! On a personal note…I purchased one of these. I read the Kansas City Star every morning using it, and can’t imagine going back.
Galaxy Tab – Sprint announced that they were entering the tablet computer contest with the Samsung Galaxy Tab. This new device is meant to compete directly with the iPad and runs on the Android operating system. The Galaxy Tab will cost $399 (plus $200 for an optional data plan). A similar iPad costs $629, and does not include a data plan. For ebook readers, this likely means that you’ll be able to read Amazon and Barnes & Noble content on this device.
Barnes & Noble Nook Color – Barnes & Noble broke a significant barrier when they announced that they will introduce a color screen on their newest Nook. The new version also resembles the iPad in other ways. It has a touch screen, an internet browser built-in, and costs $249. This is significant for ebook readers that want to read graphic novels and youth material since color and illustrations really matter for this type of content. The Nook Color is treading on the iPad’s tablet computer environment. It isn’t as fully featured as the iPad, but may be able to do most things the average ebook reader would want to do with an internet connection.
Amazon FINALLY got it! - When publishers allow them to do so, Amazon will start letting Kindle users share their content with other Kindle-owning friends. This is a critical step for libraries as the previous licensing agreements didn’t allow this, and all but prohibited libraries from buying Amazon content to loan to people. Since this is just a preliminary announcement, it is hard to see how this will play out for libraries and for people who like to share books. But, as my friend David King says, when it comes to technology openness is always better.
Stay tuned…
Steven V. Potter
Director of Libraries
Comments
Ebooks, Ereaders, Nook, Kindle, etc
It would be helpful to spell out exactly how these will work with the library, if they eventually will work that way. I would hate to purchase one type and find out that it is not going to work for loaning materials.
Thanks
Reply to "Good Info!"
I just wanted to take a second to rely to the post. Since 2006, MCPL has been on the leading edge when it comes to downloadable and online content. We hadn't moved into downloadable ebook content for several reasons.
First, the main provider of content before 2009 had a model that relied on users reading the content from a computer screen. We determined that NetLibrary's model (reading novels on a computer screen) is NOT what most people meant when they said they wanted "ebooks."
Second, when considering the most recent wave of ebook technology, the Amazon Kindle was the only really functional ebook reader until this year. This year has seen the Apple iPad and the Barnes & Nobel Nook join the Kindle and Sony Reader. The Kindle held market share and was at the right price point. The only problem was the license agreement doesn't allow you to loan content. This is still a major issue with the licensing agreements that Amazon has with their publishers and one of the reasons that I was so excited about the last point on the "ebook update" posting.
Finally, we wanted to see if there was any chance of determination of standards. The classic version of this was VHS vs Beta. Recently BluRay just won a standard shake out. With ebooks, it is now down to two standards, Ebub and PDF. Having content in two formats is much better than what we were dealing with a few months ago.
Most importantly, recent developments and format stabilization has helped MCPL move forward with a plan for content licensing. I expect that MCPL will be able to offer a new ebook service in the near future.
Steven Potter
Library Director
Good info!
Thanks for the in-depth comparison of those e-readers! The only problem lies within the fact that MCPL does not offer ANY e-reader material at this time. By the time MCPL DOES support e-readers....all this info may be very well out of date.
ebooks at MCPL
It looks to be two months today since we've had an update. What is our status now?
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