Amazon have just launched a new e-book reader in the US in a vain and doomed to failure attempt to get people to ditch the paperback. Its never going to happen as the advantages of a book over a gadget are almost too numerous to mention. I mean here's three just to start with.
1) Books are cheap
2) Books are virtually indestructible and even when they fall apart they can still be read
3) Books don't need batteries
The hardiest test for any form of technology is the beach test. Sand is annoying to humans so think of the consequences on delicate circuit boards. The only technology I've seen that had any semblance to being beach proof was the Sports Sony Walkman, and rubber seals aside even this ended up with sand in it. Luckily it was mostly mechanical so that didn't matter. So my requirements for an e-book would be:
1) Sand proof
2) Water resistant (including salt water)
3) Impervious to sunlight
4) Can be used as a pillow/sun shade
5) Suntan cream proof
6) Will be undamaged by dropping.
Though they try, as it stands the paperback book is unbeatable. Perhaps they should be targeting commuters who might like the prospect of automatically downloading a newspaper with the addition of video playback. A paperback sized iphone if you will.
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