The term eBook can lead to confusion as when using it we can refer to two different things:
1. The term eBook to name thegadget digital used to support and read digital information, such as books, brochures, etc. Ex. Kindle eBook.
2. The term eBook used when refering to the pieces of information and works themselves. Ex. Romeo and Juliet eBook would be Romeo and Juliet play digitalised.
When referring to eBooks we’ll make reference to the first sense of the word. Lots of gadgets can be used as an electronic book (computer, PDA, laptop, mobile phone…) they only have to own a screen and a memory. But eBooks (devices which only function was supporting digital books) first appeared in the XXI century.
Their most eye-catching characteristic is that their design tries to emulate the one of traditional books. As a consecuence of that, eBook screens have to be big enough so as to show traditional documents, an must also have to count on a lot of contrast so as the writings can be seen in the daylight. Apart from the screen features, the whole gadget must be similar in shape to the traditional book so as to hold it comfortably. A long-life battery is important too.
Some examples of eBooks that are being comercialized now: iLiad (made by iRex; its the first gadget comercialized in Spain since 2006), Reader from Sony, HanLin V3, STAReBOOK STK-101, Bookeen Cybook and now Kindle, by Amazon.
There are a lot of different opinions on the utility of this device, compared to the traditional book. Jose Antonio Millán has created a blog article in his page web, where he analizes all the supposed properties of the eBook. In his conclusion, he expresses his disconcert: ‘what exactly do e-books sell? capacity and portability? inmediate access to impulsive buying? saving for people who read a lot? interaction between user groups?…‘
On the contrary, Mike Elgan in computerworld seems to be optimistic about digital books (works) but not so about eBook devices themselves: ‘I believe that cell phones will quickly outpace the dedicated e-book readers, including the Kindle, as the platform of choice for e-book readers. Leading the pack? The iPhone, ironically’.
REFERENCES
- E-book. (2009, October 11). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 14:50, October 13, 2009, from http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=E-book&oldid=319241552
- ‘El polimorfo libro electrónico’ (2008, June 15). By Jose Antonio Millán. Retrieved 20:46, October 8, 2009, from http://jamillan.com/librosybitios/polimorfo.htm#arriba
- ‘Here comes the e-book revolution’ (2009, February 7). By Mike Elgan. Retrieved 21:01, October 8, 2009, from http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9127538/Elgan_Here_comes_the_e_book_revolution
