ebooks are catching on, and not just on Amazon or with Sony, but with big name publishers. The Guardian out of the UK stated in a artical regarding the London Book Fair, that ebooks are a booming and rising options for readers. The market is starting to take a second look at what they can expect and gain from this technology. Some also, however, ask the question is it like VHS v. Beta-max? Will the price point and format war be the killer or will the strong survive and flourish?

In south Alabama, Jackson High School has won the Laura Bush Gulf Coast School Library Recovery Initiative Grants Program for $25,000, in order to expand the reference material within the school to ebook format. A big win for the high school and an even bigger win for the ebook market. The fact that schools are catching on and seeing the benefit to their technologically advance and majority technology friendly students want them is major. This way they might actually look up the information instead of buying it from a paper “genius”. 

I have to mention that it has been finals week for me so I apologize for my absence. I have been thinking as I have sat in the library for about a week, if there was a cot I would have slept here, anyway, if universities incorporated ebooks into their format for finals and for studying the use and need would be wonderful for students and also would save tremendously on paper. I asked my professor what we spent on paper (each professor has an account that the university pays but keeps track of) this semester his amount copied and printed was over $400 worth of paper. So my point being that ebooks and etests would be nice, convient not to mention Earth friendly. 

I noticed Oprah is now Twittering, I wonder is the magic gone or growing from Twitter, now that everyone is doing it does it bring growth or new way to fail? I think the same about ebooks, many people ask me the same question in regard to ebooks and elearning for kids, “will it bring growth, or a new way to be lazy?

Let me just say I firmly believe that ebooks will bring a new way to be productive. A new way for kids to learn, and share knowledge across a wider table. eBooks will allow more knowledge to be given and taken and also people who could not get a book deal can write to another audience. I know moms who would love to write for kids, and kids who write for kids and ebook publishing gives them a chance.  

 

So I ask you ebooks, a buzz word or the new great read?

eBook Week has ended but that does not mean the reading has ended.

In fact Erika Smith of the IndyStar.com has called 2009 the “Year of the eBook.” With retailers gearing up for a paper/ebook fight the winners are yet to be determined. Amazon and Sony have been leading the pack with their ebook readers that have come out early and with a fierce support and book download service. However, Barnes and Noble hopes to lap them with the ebook store they are launching later this year. 

By the year 2012 Price Waterhouse Cooper estimates the sales of ebooks to be around $12 Billion, yeah billion. 

So whats the significance of ebook week and the sales of ebooks? It shows that the market is ready for ebooks. The market is ready becuase the people are ready. The cycle of want and need, desire and purchase or simply, supply and demand. With the market and people ready that means that technology and uses will improve. Better school use, better teaching use, more availability in the classroom and most important more opportunity for our children to read and learn in a 3 dimensional world. 

So download an ebook and get reading!

Share your favorite ebook with us!!

Due to the overwhelming response in favor of the Kindle, an e reading device, Amazon recently introduced the Kindle 2. They have kept the same benefits of the orignal Kindle and added some new features to wow you!

So what does this mean? Most producers of electronic devices create updates and new generations of products.   Apple for example introduces a newer version of their computers, iPods, and iPhones about every 8 months to a year.  Why? Because change is good. Better technology, more advanced features and better products enrich a company’s relationship to both the market and the customer.  Most of us have bought at least two iPods, and upgraded our phones every six months. Why? Becuase the market thrives on flux. Those who like the market and take part in it, i.e, consumers have a innate desire to experiment with novelty and value.

The great thing about the launch of the new Kindle is it proves the market for e-literature is growing. The fact that you can get a textbook when you want it for less than buying the book and download it in class because you forgot to get it a week ago, is remarkable. Buying ebooks opens a door to literature that is thought of as boring or old. If a 15 year old boy is asked to read War and Peace, he groans with dread.

But ask him to download the book and it becomes something he can understand. The use of technology encouages younger students to get involved in reading. It creates a bridge from “have to” to “want to” by virtue of its design.

You can read all about the new features on the Kindle 2 on Amazon’s site! Happy Reading!