The Rise of eBooks & the eReader

eBook and eReaders have been around for some time now.  I had used a Cybook for some time, but always found it to be poorly constructed (plastic) and not easy to get books from my Mac to the unit.  It was also sluggish at times, which detracted from the experience.

Still, I very much liked the ability to carry multiple books with me when I wanted.  I never wrote a post about my experience as I felt I didn't have much to say beyond my personal opinion, which was, that the eReader was something I liked, but not entirely practical or ready for prime time.

A short while I go, I started using the Sony eReader.  It was the Touch edition that allowed me to literally "flip" pages.  The device is incredibly solid; very well built.  I have very much enjoyed using it and like the fact that it is more open than other units, like the Kindle (for a comparison of the features, click here).  I particularly like being able to download books from the Toronto library. As with my original eReader, I like the immediacy of buying a book and downloading it.  It is akin to the way I buy music and movies. 

The question for today's post is whether this device will replace the physical book?  Will students, for example, carry an electronic reader rather than house dozens of textbooks in their lockers and school bags?  Blyth Academy here in Toronto has begun to utilize the Sony eReader.  The video announcing this historic move is below.  Will this be something that catches on? 

I believe, inevitably, that it will.  The eBook is here to stay and will continue to gain a foothold.  A few things, however, have to happen in order for people to become truly comfortable with the eBook. 

Firstly, the hardware needs to become cheaper.  I think that the device costs are too high for the limited functionality they provide.  The cost to buy books, while somewhat cheaper, is hard to justify the initial cost of the device.

Secondly, books need to be transferable.  When I buy a physical book, I am easily able to lend it to someone else when I'm done.  I do this often.  I enjoy and find value in being able to lend a physical book to someone.  I can't do this with an eBook.  I'm not about to lend someone my eReader.  It is too costly a device to lend and once lent, it means I can't read any other titles.  Being able to share a book I've bought is important.  Of course, it should be the case that once I've shared the book, I should be able to read it until I get it back.  That is only fair to the content providers.  Not being able to share though is unfair to me, the buyer.

Lastly, I believe the devices need to be a lot richer in their functionality.  It is wonderful the Kindle and the newest Sony eReader can connect via the cellular networks, but the devices need to become more robust.  Allow me to send a quote from a book to Twiiter.  Allow me to subscribe to a magazine or my favourite newspaper and have those publications become far richer.  I believe that the long-term viability of newspapers and magazines will be tied to the success of future eReaders. 

I don't think though that ebooks will replace the physical book in the near-term.  What book sellers should begin to do is sell books that, for an added incremental cost, gives me access to the ebook as well.  For example, I might be the latest business book for $30.00 or I could buy the same book for $40 and that would include a digital copy.  This will give people that comfort as they make the move to eBooks, while still retaining a physical copy as well.  BluRay movies, for example, are doing this.  The latest movie I bought for my children (UP), came with a BluRay disc, a DVD disc and an electronic copy for our iPods and iPhones.  eBooks will undoubtedly go this route as well.

If you are using an eReader of some sort, I would love to hear what your experience has been to date.

Comments

[Braice]

Gadgets like ebook readers will never replace the printed word. They are a passing fade for a niche market.

[Sam]

I'd love to see a video review of your Touch ereader. Any chance you might be able to provide one? I'm interested in the touchscreen capabilities/responsiveness.

[Sofia Ianni-Palarchio]

These electronic readers need to get cheaper if we're going to give them to the kids.
Can't have them losing or breaking at $200-300 device.
I enjoy mine though!