There are many traditional industries that have undergone the digital revolution, from the the record player to the iPod, from the wireless to the DAB digital radio and everything in between. Another industry that is going through a serious change is the publishing industry. The internet has changed publishing for ever and portable ebook readers such as the Amazon Kindle and the Sony PRS-700 have made it possible for people to carry thousands of books with them, accessible at their fingertips.
The portable ebook reader is redefining the way that we see digital print. The electronic ink (e-ink) displays that are used in these devices make it possible for people to read from them for long periods of time without the side effects of eye strain from the backlit LCD screens used on laptops and desktop monitors. To the human eye, the e-Ink screens look almost the same as real paper and the resolution of the ebook readers has become better too, allowing for intricate images and crisp text to be shown to the reader.
In the same way that iTunes and the iPod have changed the way people buy music, the Amazon Kindle Store and the Sony eBook Store have both enabled the reader to access books almost immediately. No more queuing at the local book store or waiting for a delivery! Just choose a book and download it to the eBook reader. The Kindle also allows you to download the first chapter of each book for free and this can all be done over a wireless connection too – so if you are on the bus and fancy some Stephen King, you can get it straight away.
The physical design of the eBook reader has evolved too. Some of the earlier devices were too heavy, thick and cumbersome, with small backlit screens and poor battery life. The digital book readers of today are lightweight, easy to use and designed to appeal to the paperback reader, not the gadget freak. Amazon have gone a long way to ensure that the latest Kindle is minimal enough that it allows the reader to disappear into the story, rather than be constantly reminded that they are using a digital device.
With the possibility that Apple are going to release a tablet style device that will also display digital content and eBooks, it is likely that these readers will go from strength to strength. They are quick, simple to use, subtle and empower the reader to achieve more than ever before. The age of the portable eBook reader is here, now!