Is the Future of Books in Mobile EBook Reading?

That's a good question. Does the future of books lie in the increasing popularity of mobile eBook reading? eBook readers have certainly advanced a great deal in recent months, partially because they allows people to access a large number of titles without having to travel to libraries and bookstores, and also because they are convenient. There are no heavy books to carry around, and the majority of mobile readers fit comfortably in the pocket. 

One issue that some might have with mobile eBook readers is the text size, which is generally 7 point, though it is easier when the 'full screen' option is used. Like their larger counterparts, mobile readers enable you to bookmark your place and store your favorite links for later use. In many cases the text can be made easier to read by increasing the font size, and with it you can often bold the view to improve the readability. 

Compared to a traditional book, there is a number advantages offered by an eBook reader, and because of these it is assuming increasing popularity among those for whom reading is a serious business as well as with those that read for pleasure. 

Among the benefits for both types of reader is the fact that mobile eBook reading can be enjoyed whenever you want to read, as opposed to whenever you have a book available. Imagine the benefits on long haul flights, when you can save on the weight and inconvenience of carrying a number of books, and you can use one to read on the underground, train or even when standing in a queue!  

You will also save on electricity, since you can read at night without having to put your light on. You can read in bed then switch off the reader - it will remember your place - rather than the light. Researchers find it very convenient, and the e-ink technology even makes it look as though you were reading a book printed with real ink, rather than a pixilated computer or cell phone font. 

The leader in the U.S. mobile eBook reading field is currently Amazon, with its Kindle 2 and DX, which are also offered in the UK or Europe starting October 19. Although you have the pick of the Amazon library of books at around 80% of the standard price, you cannot give them away, sell them or even lend them to a friend. So, some of the benefits of owning a physical book are lost. However, if you buy books only for yourself, you will save money in addition to the aforementioned benefits. 

The most popular portable e-reader in Europe is the Sony PRS, and others include the Cool-er, iRex iLiad, the BeBook and the Hanlin V2. They are all getting into it, so it must be felt that this is a growing technology that is going to catch on more than it already has done. It is also reported that Apple are about to launch a tablet with e-reader capability and a touch screen. According to the article "Apple’s Plan to Enter the E-reader Market" the current buzz is that it will have a 9.6 inch color screen using OLED technology, although others have mentioned a 13 inch tablet with a $500 price tag (Digital Book Readers). 

Apart from the range of books offered by Amazon for its Kindle range, the Sony Reader allows you access to a large library of books in the public domain that are therefore free to download. It also gives you access to Google e-books, which is a very large range of options to have, particularly if you are carrying out technical research. Others offer a smaller range of books, but all are growing. 

The one thing that aficionados of real books will lose is the touch and feel of a book in their hands. That feel and smell of a real leather binding, for example, and the physical sensation of holding it and turning the pages. Those that have never experienced that, however, will wonder what there is to miss, and a day will come when this is the only way of reading books, and the old paper versions will be consigned to the archives. It might take a generation or two, but it will happen, in the same way that steam-driven locomotives are now museum pieces. 

However, there is one aspect of mobile eBook reading that might become more relevant in the future, and that may impact on such as Amazon and the smaller manufacturers. That is the question of flexibility, and this is possibly why Apple has taken so long to enter the market. The day of dedicated e-readers might be numbered because people generally prefer to use one device for as many applications as possible. 

The future likely lies in a portable eBook reader that downloads and plays music, offers internet access, incorporates a digital camera and can be used as a mobile phone. In other words, Apple might come along shortly and set new standards. If that is the case then there are exciting times ahead as we watch the response of Sony and Amazon and the result of a battle that can only be of benefit to us, the customers.