Ebook readers

[evern]

Many people use ebooks whether as a primary source of (books) reading material or for occasional lighter reading.I myself, being a college student, find them quickly replacing most conventional books that my teachers recommend. It seems highly likely that ebooks will replace most conventional books over the next 5 years (there are already several indicators that this may happen even earlier- ebook sales at Amazon have exceeded their physical book sales).

From what I gather the major detriment to the widespread use to ebooks is the difference between ebook readers and physical books.Many people I have talked to have described ebook readers(ipad (not primarily a reder but used as one),kindle sony,etc) as not being tactile enough.You can fold pages in a book, write notes in the margins(a practice I do not agree with but is non the less widespread (textbooks primarily), etc.Another major detriment is the price of ebook readers. ($120 - ).

 

I intended this thread to discuss these 2 points.

How cheap can we design an ebook reader? To make them widespread their cost would need to be cheaper than paper printing? And how like a paper book (tactile and integrable) can we make it?

furthermore If possible I propose to design our own reader ,cheaper and more comfortable than those commercially available.

 

I am am aware of several existing technologies , for instance flexible screen OLED's, which allow us to design more tactile and integrable ebook readers.perhaps we could begin by discussing the merits of those.

Edited December 8, 2011 by evern

[CaptainPanic]

The poll is flawed. When asking about the frequency of reading ebooks, "Never" should be included in the list. Call me old fashioned, but I don't see the point.

 

Also, are you sure that for a student the major costs are the readers? Because study books are often printed in relatively small numbers, they are expensive. E-readers won't change that... although a search-function (ctrl-f) would be very convenient in a study book.

And can you study with just 1 book open? I remember that, as an engineering student, I often had multiple books open at the same time.

 

I also do not know if I would be happy to leave some large companies in charge of the digital rights of the books that contain all I need to know for my career. It is said that the rights of the books are still with the companies, and that what you buy is more like a license to borrow, rather than complete ownership. I don't like that idea - not for regular books that I enjoy, but especially not for stuff that I am being paid for.

 

As for normal books (novels, etc.), at the price of an ebook-reader, I can purchase 10-20 books (they start at 3.50 euro in the 2nd hand book shops). Also, they require no batteries, can legally be shared with friends at zero cost and require no updates, and have no drm.

 

I know that I will be one of the last people to change to e-readers. but maybe this thread will change my idea of them.

[evern]

Captain panic,

Thank you for pointing out the flaw in the poll...Though i am not sure i know how to amend it.

 

You make several strong points in your post.The 2 primary points being the price difference and drm.Cost is one of the things I had hoped to address through this thread.In your opinion is it possible to design an ebook reader which is cheap enough to overcome this obstacle?(Note most contemporary ebook readers use e-ink which is dirt cheap to manufacture.The bulk of the cost,as seen by end users, lies in its licensing rights).In my post I had intended to first answer whether it was technologically feasible i.e. can it be made? (and sold at 0 profit ), before moving on to whether the existing licenses and patents make that design uneconomical.

 

As for drm ,yes that does continue to be a problem, and many eloquent arguments have been made both for and against it.However there are an increasing number of free ebook (or other electronic text) reasources) availiable.These are maintained by professional organizations or by groups of voluteers (project gutenberg,google books,the ocw from various universities(several offer complete ebook e.g. strang mit ocw), books such as the light an matter series).Despite this ,for the present day, the core of your drm argument still stands.

 

I would also like to point out (to all of this thread's readers) that if you don't like or use ebooks(or other electronic textual matter).Then please do not hesitate to point that out here.In order to design an ebook reader which is better than those of the existing generation it is necessary to understand what about this generation does not sit well and what about good old fashioned books is so endearing to many readers.I however do urge you to articulate the causes for your reluctance to the extent possible.

[CaptainPanic]

In order to design an ebook reader which is better than those of the existing generation it is necessary to understand what about this generation does not sit well and what about good old fashioned books is so endearing to many readers.I however do urge you to articulate the causes for your reluctance to the extent possible.

For me, the core of my love of regular old books is that they are independent, require no support, no battery, and can never really break.

 

The only way to break a book permanently is to set it on fire. Other than that, it can still be read. That's brilliant technology, if you ask me.

Edited December 14, 2011 by CaptainPanic

[evern]

captain,

thank you for pointing that out.

 

 

---------

 

The battery (power) is a great place to start .Does anyone know of a type or have any ideas for a type specifically designed for long term use (e.g.Ni-Mh is great for small bursts like cameras)?or a low power display e.g. e-ink uses very little power but is not self lit.

 

Does anyone know what the power consumption distribution is in any such device ( how much to the screen ;how much for speaker,if there are any,;how much for wifi ;etc)?

[evern]

could we couple a fast charging battery with a wireless charging method?

 

e.g.

 

battery: http://en.wikipedia....osphate_battery

 

with

 

wireless charging: http://www.powermat.com/

 

Note that i'm unsure what sort of battery life we could expect from such an arrangement.but a couple of the more popular portable tablets' lifetimes are shown below.

Could we estimate what sort of battery life such an arrangement may give?

 

 

!And even if you don't reply please do answer the poll!

thank you

Edited December 22, 2011 by evern