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?

If you have children or have not been living underneath a rock for the last year, you know about the small handheld gaming system made by NIntendo. The Nintendo DS Lite, a double screened gagdget that allows you to play on two screen as well as use both screens to draw, text, keep babies, horses, and pets alive or be a cheerleader, chef and the newest addition to this superb contraption, read entire novels. Classic kids stories, and adult favorites. 

This device is taking ebooks to another level. One that will get them into kids hands which is the idea right? The DS works with Wifi so they can use it on the go as well as at home. Think of it as a “Kindle” Jr. only this one allows you to do so much more than read. This is just another way that technology is being used to encourage kids to read. We have said it before, if you can present the task to a child in a forum that is exciting to them, within their understanding and familiar  to what they normally do they will partake in it. I mean, would you seriously pass this thing up? 

Game is avail. in the UK and soon in the USA: Wired: blog

Or get your  Newsweek, Entertainment Weekly, USA Today or a grouping of many other great publications and newspapers. Plastic Logic has launched a Reader that is thin, lightweight and about 8×10″ to satisfy your craving for magazine heaven. 

“We want Plastic Logic Reader users to have all the content that they need and want at their fingertips,” said Plastic Logic CEO Richard Archuleta. “With today’s announcements we are amassing one of the largest collections of content available for an eReader and we’re just getting started. We intend to create a large and dynamic marketplace to support the Plastic Logic Reader.”

What eReader.com and Fictionwise.com are thrilled with the new addition, as they are the forefront for ebook downloads. This will bring the ebook market into the big time. The large, clear and clean screen is most appealing those in business. It is one of those gadgets that you can’t leave the office or the house without. What iPods and MP3 players did for the CD, this will do to journals, newpapers and magazines. If you are like me, when you have a long flight you use that time to catch up on your reading. Carrying on 25 magazines could be the new fines, but the ability to keep all that gossip on one slim gadget. Fantastic. 

John Ridding, Chief Executive of the Financial Times, commented: “We are delighted to be partnering with Plastic Logic to provide our award winning journalism through its innovative new eReader. Digital distribution is integral to the FT’s strategy as we seek to offer our customers the opportunity to consume FT content across any channel that suits them.”

It all about reaching you clients where they are and providing a product that will enhance the service they already get from you. To make a better product that can do more everyday is the key to a successful sale. In every one’s attache case, MacBook Pro, iPhone/Blackberry, Plastic Logic Reader, Kindle, and Wallet. Nothing else needed.