International version of Kindle out for Christmas based on the article from Harvey, 2009.
Amazon chief executive Jeff Bezos with the Kindle e-book reader. Source: Reuters
Amazon chief executive Jeff Bezos with the Kindle e-book reader. Source: Reuters
What is Kindle? It is a new product from Amazon that is a book reader device. You can read your books via a 6'' display screen on the device and you can download book through the wireless connection that connects directly to Amazon's Kindle stores. (Thomas, 2007)
Now that this device is out, does this mark the end of printed books?
Let's take a look at the ecosystem.
Will e-book eventually take over printed books?
Firstly, there are a certain generation gap that bridges the younger generation and the older generation on technology. The older generation of course, would prefer reading printed books rather than reading on screen and vice-verse for the younger generation.
It is undeniable that e-book sales is on the rise as the younger generation now spends more time in front of the computer screen would prefer reading e-books however, not all books are available as an e-book. This makes an equal portion of both sides to survive.
Since e-books are on the rise, how well does the audience accept it?
With the current technology advancement, I'm am pretty sure many people prefer doing their work on the computer rather than on a typewriter which means access on the Internet will help them get access to e-book way faster than you walk over to the toilet. Audiences of course would prefer things to be more convenience. The rising cost of traditional text books also encourages people to download books online since it is cheaper.
However, there is are a certain group of people who prefers printed books for these particular reasons; easier to be carried around, can be highlighted literally, easier to read and easier to browse through contents with index. (Mercieca, 2004)
Also, reading process on screen would become 25% to 40 % slower than from the printed books. (Mercieca, 2004)
In conclusion, better technology does not equal better communication (Schriver, 1997), E-book is just a TOOL, not a substitute for human interaction (J. Lannon, 1997) and in order for both the old and the new media to survive, there should be a balance in sales between e-books and printed books since there are audiences who prefers on either one of the genres.
References:
Now that this device is out, does this mark the end of printed books?
Let's take a look at the ecosystem.
- The new media (E-books, webisodes, vlogs)
- The old media (printed newspapers, magazines, book)
Will e-book eventually take over printed books?
Firstly, there are a certain generation gap that bridges the younger generation and the older generation on technology. The older generation of course, would prefer reading printed books rather than reading on screen and vice-verse for the younger generation.
It is undeniable that e-book sales is on the rise as the younger generation now spends more time in front of the computer screen would prefer reading e-books however, not all books are available as an e-book. This makes an equal portion of both sides to survive.
Since e-books are on the rise, how well does the audience accept it?
With the current technology advancement, I'm am pretty sure many people prefer doing their work on the computer rather than on a typewriter which means access on the Internet will help them get access to e-book way faster than you walk over to the toilet. Audiences of course would prefer things to be more convenience. The rising cost of traditional text books also encourages people to download books online since it is cheaper.
However, there is are a certain group of people who prefers printed books for these particular reasons; easier to be carried around, can be highlighted literally, easier to read and easier to browse through contents with index. (Mercieca, 2004)
Also, reading process on screen would become 25% to 40 % slower than from the printed books. (Mercieca, 2004)
In conclusion, better technology does not equal better communication (Schriver, 1997), E-book is just a TOOL, not a substitute for human interaction (J. Lannon, 1997) and in order for both the old and the new media to survive, there should be a balance in sales between e-books and printed books since there are audiences who prefers on either one of the genres.
References:
Harvey, M. 2009, International version of Kindle out for Christmas, The Times, viewed
November 8 2009, on http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/news/international-
version-of-kindle-out-for-christmas/story-e6frg90o-1225784098422
Lannon, J. 1997, The writing process: a concise rhetoric, New York, viewed 9
November 2009, on
http://books.google.com.my/books?id=BOWfgoVOVkoC&q=J.+Lannon,+1997&dq=J.+
Lannon,+1997
Mercieca, P. 2004, E-book acceptance: what will make users read on screen?, viewed on 10
November 2009, on www.vala.org.au/vala2004/2004pdfs/32Merci.PDF
Schriver, KA 1997, ‘Chap 6: The interplay of words and pictures’ in Dynamics in document
design: creating texts for readers, pp. 361-441, Wiley Computer Publishing, New York.
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