What's Going on After Six Years in Circulation with eReaders, Kindles and iPads?

Image Credit: http://alturl.com/vpzi9

 

Six years ago we began the digital e-Reader journey at the Lake Worth Campus at Palm Beach State College.  Since the inception of our Kindle 1st Generation inventory in Circulation, we have added close to 100 devices including the Kindle Fire, Nook Color, iPad 1st Generation and iPad Air.

Image Credit: http://alturl.com/mxdei

In the two months of September and October alone we have two teachers using the Kindle Fire for three class assignments.

 

Professor Salvatore Manuele teaches Human Resources Management-MAN3301.  He has given the students a deadline of September 26th to read three chapters of  The 2010 Meltdown: Solving the Impending Jobs Crisis by Edward E. Gordon.  Technical Services is quick in processing, purchasing and downloading titles from Amazon.  Teachers and students have exactly what they need when they need it most of the time!

 

Dr. Richard Shepardson teaches Advanced Reading-EAP1620 and has worked closely with the library these past years to enhance student's reading skills using technology and our Kindles. He has a group project Oct. 2nd and requested 6 Kindle Fires to do a Key Word Search project in groups in the classroom using the title The Language of Flowers.

 

The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh, is this year's  winning title for the Read Together Palm Beach County 2014 program.

Image Credit: http://readtogether.palmbeachpost.com/

The book Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot is the next reading Kindle project for

Dr. Shepardson's EAP1620 class.

 

Image Credit: http://alturl.com/j6a7e

Breaking Night by Liz Murray is this year's Common Reader for First Year Experience students at Palm Beach State College. We've added several copies to our Kindle devices to assist students in the Introduction to the College Experience-SLS1501 classes.

The Kindles are 7 day loans with no renewals. After a class project the students are still allowed to borrow a Kindle to continue reading the title introduced in class or the many other titles available.

 

Image Credit: http://readtogether.palmbeachpost.com/

 

In the past we've added the Read Together Palm Beach County winning titles including the runner ups for students, faculty and staff to enjoy on these Kindle devices.

iPad mini 7.9" vs. Kindle Fire HD 7"




Image Credit: http://www.apple.com/ipad/

iPad mini fits in one hand —

Yet it can do everything an iPad can do!

So, how do you decide what's best for your library? 

I'd like to have both:]

Image credit:

http://alturl.com/fv93g

iPad mini                                   Kindle Fire
Anodized aluminum                                   Plastic
Cost $ $329                                                7" $199
Lower pixels 163ppi                                   Higher pixels 216 ppi
Camera front/rear                                        Camera front
Superior apps library                                   Nominal # of apps
Not so crisp text/images                              Extra crisp text/images


So, the questions looms, does the extra iPad mini's 0.9" make a difference for the low pixels and at a higher price? [$329 vs. $199]

Would we pay extra for the best software selection and design of the iPad mini or buy the Kindle Fire for less and get a sharper image and faster processor? One funny comment I've read: "If it doesn't fit in my cargo pants, I'm not buying it....."  This guy is keeping his 7'' Kindle Fire.

Makes us wonder if the clothes designer's will make those cargo pant pockets bigger for the larger 'mini' electronic gadgets in the future or perhaps for the Samsung Galaxy4 and other super-sized smartphones? It's certainly interesting what drives the market these days.

 

 

Another choice might be the new Kindle Fire 8.9"

$269 with 254 ppi.





Image Credit: http://www.amazon.com/Kindle-Fire-HD-9-inch/dp/B008GFRE5A



What do you think is the perfect device for library check out? 

Let us know what you are doing in your library.

 

Stats for iPad mini and Kindle Fire HD

http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html?ie=UTF8&docId=1000846051

 

 

Overview for Kindle Fire HD 7"

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008GFRB9E/ref=fs_j

 

Overview for Kindle Fire HD 8.9"

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008GFRB9E/ref=fs_j

 

 

Overview from Apple

http://www.apple.com/ipad-mini/overview/

 

Image credit: http://alturl.com/j3ffs

What's new this week?
Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0, an iPad mini rival,
to hit stores Thursday
Check out this article today:
http://alturl.com/qy8o2

189ppi, Wi-Fi, front/rear camera, 5 megapixel/1.3
$400

 

New iPad this summer?
http://alturl.com/pwmyy

Quote from USAtoday.com: "Speculation into the launch of a new iPad kicked off last week, after Fortune reported last week retailers such as Best Buy and Walmart were slashing prices on iPads and iPad Minis, suggesting Apple is poised to launch a new model."

The Best iPad Apps of 2012 from Gizmag

http://www.gizmag.com/ipad-mini-review/24855

New Nook HD, Nook Tablet, Glowing Nook, Simple Touch

Eleven Nooks to choose from, including the original Nook Color.


All images this page Image Credit: http://alturl.com/uyket

We have so many remarkable choices now for libraries loaning eReaders and tablets. So many great devices for any size library budget.

 

 We have the Nook Color, the B/W original Nooks and two B/W Sony's. We have iPads, Kindle Fires, original K1's, K2's, K3's and Kindle DX. Students are really fascinated with our collection.

For those libraries just getting started in this ever changing technological arena, it's the training of staff and scheduling maintenance that's important to consider in your purchases, not just the cost of the device.  We have been implementing eReaders since 2008. As the devices get more sophisticated, the more time required updating and cleaning the internal devices.

With Amazon coming out with new Kindle models and Apple announcing a possible 7" iPad Oct. 23rd, it will make the choice even more difficult. I would like to stay within the area of Kindles, Nooks and iPads to help keep some sense of stability with our inventory. Not that we wouldn't try a new company's device, but for now, our inventory is servicing our needs quite well for students, faculty and staff.

 

Next blog:

New Kindles and the New Smaller iPad



Nook HD+ 9" screen
 

Nook Tablet 7" touchscreen
8GB $179
16GB $199

The Glowing Nook
Nook Simple Touch with Glowlight $119
6" Touchscreen 7 oz.

Nook Simple Touch B/W $99

Nook Color 7"
$149
Original price last Fall...$199

 

 

 

New 10" Kindle Fire? Mini iPad? Kindle Announcement Today, Sept. 6th, 2012

Image Credit: http://alturl.com/wtm2s

Amazon online has sold out of their Kindle Fire devices and is in production of their 2nd model. It's rumored to be a 7" replacement with a new 10" Kindle Fire.

There is a major press conference in Santa Monica, California, scheduled today, Thursday Sept. 6th.
They are expected to announce their 'jazzed-up' replacement at this time.

Image Credit: http://alturl.com/gzam3

See exciting information in the USA TODAY tech news, TechCrunch and CNNMoney below.

USA TODAY

http://alturl.com/gzam3

TechCrunch

http://alturl.com/6b5as

iPad mini vs. Kindle Fire 2

CNNMoney

http://alturl.com/uzzvv

Watch the Olympics Live on our iPads

Check out an iPad for 3 hours and watch the Olympics Live!

Image Credit http://www.nbcolympics.com/index.html

Here's the Olympic schedule:  http://alturl.com/9nge6

Stop by the Circulation Desk on the 3rd floor of the library at the Lake Worth campus.

After you check out the iPad, sign into Panther Web, click on the Olympics icon, then the London Live Extra app.

Follow the directions and NBC will give you a temporary 4 hour pass to watch the Olympics Live. 



Image Credit: C. Shaffer



Windows Surface tablet arriving Nov. 2012?

The new Windows Surface looks like a very exciting addition to the growing collection of tablets!

Image Credit http://alturl.com/nv42j

What's in it...
Intel-based processor Surface RT and the Windows 8 Pro Surface tablet to run a full-blown version of Windows 8 Pro  [to come out 3 months later]

32GB and 64GB configs
10.6-inch screen, thickness of 9.3mm, wide enough for a full-size USB
Gorilla Glass 2.0 screen
1.8 lbs.
Kickstand that pulls out when you want to watch a movie
Dual-antenna Wi-Fi
Touch Cover with multi-touch keyboard

Quote from Wilson Rothman, Gadget Box on MSNBC.com Tech June 21, 2012
http://alturl.com/nv42j 

"The Surface tablet has a pen interface as well. The Touch Cover may be quite a cool tool: It's like a rubber keypad, and it knows when you're not using it because of a built-in accelerometer, and it shuts off and doesn't drain the battery. The technology behind the covers is pretty snazzy -- it tracks your finger movements, using logic to determine if you're typing or just resting your hands. There is actually a second cover, as well. The Type Cover has a slightly raised keyboard for more traditional clickety clack."

Image Credit http://alturl.com/nv42j

The ARM-based Surface tabs, [Surface RT] will come in 32GB and 64GB configs, and ship around the Windows availability.  The price is to compete with other ARM tablets probably similar to iPads. The Intel-powered Windows 8 Pro Surface tablets to be released 3 months later will have a 64GB and 128GB configs and be more like ultabooks.  There seems to be a lot of chatter about battery power in both Surface tablets.  The power ratings in the specs they have sent out show the battery power will be a little less than the iPad.

Image Credit http://alturl.com/nv42j

Surface RT Tablet is mostly for people who don’t need the performance of a PC or laptop. "RT" is an abbreviation of Windows Runtime. Continue reading this site below. See "Microsoft Surface Tablet Review" under paragraph two. http://alturl.com/tcgzx

Information to help explain the technology:
ARM=Advanced RISC Machine
ARM is a reduced instruction set computer (RISC) instruction set architecture (ISA) developed by ARM Holdings. It was named the Advanced RISC Machine and, before that, the Acorn RISC Machine. The ARM architecture is the most widely used 32-bit instruction set architecture in numbers produced.[2][3] Originally conceived by Acorn Computers for use in its personal computers, the first ARM-based products were the co-processor modules for the BBC Micro series of computers.

MS Office iPad App to Launch on Nov. 10?

Image Credit: http://alturl.com/3786c

June 11th, 2012

It's rumored that Microsoft has already built the Office iPad app.  They are currently considering how to launch the new application and also decide what the app price will be.

http://www.ipad3-release.com/2012/microsoft-office-ipad-app-ready-launch-date-being-considered/

June 4th, 2012
It sounds like the Office For iPad will hit markets on Nov. 10, 2012. This date was released May 31.

http://www.ipad3-release.com/2012/office-for-ipad-to-reach-markets-by-november%e2%80%8e/

Feb. 23, 2012
If their plan stays on track, the Office App for iPad will have "read-write mode" for Word, Excel and PowerPoint. Will it have other Office applications?  MS replied that the inclusion and proper working of the other Office applications will be announced when the Office App for iPad is launched.

http://www.ipad3-release.com/2012/submission-of-ms-office-for-ipad-soon-to-be-done/

iPads vs. Kindles vs. Nooks-2012





Image Credit: http://alturl.com/6whj8

"With ultra-affordable e-ink readers, mid-priced color tablets like the Kindle Fire and Nook Tablet, and even the more expensive iPads all vying for your e-book dollar, what's the best choice for you? It depends." This quote from CNET's John Falcone

Image Credit:  http://alturl.com/n75j5

Many students, faculty, staff, and neighbors ask me almost every day...."What eReader or tablet do you like most? or "Which one should I buy?"  These are difficult questions to answer if we don't know their lifestyle and budget. My first question is budget, second question is,  "Are you going to read 90% of the time or use the internet, social networking and email most of the time?"  Third question, "Do you want to replace your laptop?"

Now that the market place has a  nice variety of good quality devices under $200, it's time for consumers to do their homework.  No guessing!  Go to the different stores and try each device.  Go to the library or at home and do some internet research.  Go back to the store and look at your top three choices. 

Image Credit: http://alturl.com/dxb3c

 

I have found several good web sites they might help you get started.  Take notes and ask all your friends and neighbors what they like. Make a 'pros and cons' list. You might not find anyone to loan you one, unless you try a library.  You might find that you are a trusted friend indeed if someone loaned you their precious device, because after you have your own, you won't let it go.  Good luck on your adventure into the digital eReader world!

 

Image Credit: http://alturl.com/q5hi6, http://store.apple.com/us

 

"Kindle vs. Nook vs. iPad:

Which e-book reader should you buy?"

Image Credit: http://alturl.com/dxb3c

May 5th, 2012 CNET

by John Falcone

http://alturl.com/6whj8 

 

"I want my kids to read.
They want to play games."
2nd device purchase? 

Quote and Image Credit: http://wearebothright.com/2012/05/ipads-kindles-and-nooks/



 

Readers who don't want to share their eReader/tablet/iPad with their kids or grandkids. What 2nd device to purchase? Can they find a device that could meet both of these requirements?

 

Quote from Tracy from her blog, We Are Both Right.

"The iPad was the first to be eliminated. I deemed it too expensive and too heavy for little hands prone to dropping things. Yes, there are many cool book apps. However, my goal was to get them to read first and then shoot birds across the screen later. Book apps aside, there’s just too many other media offerings on the iPad to distract my children from reading." 

Many of us believe that good readers make great students.

  Good parenting skills Tracy!

See her blog below for more tips!

http://wearebothright.com/2012/05/ipads-kindles-and-nooks/

Kindle Fire is in the LLRC Building!

Image Credit and Quick Tour: http://alturl.com/k72d3

Our library received 10 new Kindle Fire units this month.  We are very excited to implement these into our patron loan program, joining our other Kindle devices, iPads, Nooks and Sony's. 

As we gain experience and a working knowledge of these new devices, we will post again real soon.  Presently the Kindle Fire units are in Tech Services where our Library Tech is adding them to our LINCC catalog system. 

So far these new devices are working flawlessly with our Wi-Fi system here at the college.  By the beginning of our Winter Term, the Kindle Fire should be available for 7 day loan.

Image Credit and: http://alturl.com/k72d3



Steve Jobs-Apple Memorial Today Oct 19-Stores Will Close-Private Memorial Stanford University Oct 16th

Image credit http://alturl.com/8mqc5

Today Apple stores will close for a few hours as employees watch a webcast of a company-wide memorial service to celebrate the life of the co-founder. http://alturl.com/2fi3n

Sunday evening at Stanford University's Memorial Church, a memorial service commemorated Apple's late co-founder Steve Jobs. A small private funeral was held earlier for family and close friends.  In a private ceremony, he was buried at a non-denominational cemetery.   Governor Jerry Brown of California declared Sunday as "Steve Jobs Day". A company memorial is scheduled today, Wednesday Oct. 19.
 
Mr. Jobs struggled for years with pancreatic cancer, has been credited as a visionary. He ushered a string of successful products, including the iPad the iMac, the iPod, the iPhone and Apple's iTunes music store. Steve Jobs masterminded Apple's U-turn from approaching bankruptcy in 1996.   He turned it into the world's most highly treasured technology company.

The innovative iPad is used here at the college for 50% academic and 50% leisure purposes by students, faculty and staff.  We can't keep these devices on the shelf. I'm not quite sure what technology would be like without Mr. Jobs' mix of extreme creativity and technology.  He has truly brought us into the future of not only the iPad technology, but giving others his contagious enthusiasm, energy and drive to excel.

 Even at our state college library we are re-thinking how we can assist students by adding eTextbooks to these exceptional devices.  We can only hope Steve Jobs' insanely different creativity will continue to be cultivated in others.  Mr. Jobs will be a very challenging act to follow.

Steve Jobs Seven Rules of Success

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/44927209

Do what you love

Put a dent in the universe

Make connections

 Say no to 1,000 things

Create insanely different experiences

Master the message

Sell dreams, not products

Quote from this article by Carmine Gallo 10/17/2011 Entrepreneur.com 

"There's one story that I think sums up Jobs' career at Apple. An executive who had the job of reinventing the Disney Store once called up Jobs and asked for advice. His counsel? Dream bigger. I think that's the best advice he could leave us with. See genius in your craziness, believe in yourself, believe in your vision, and be constantly prepared to defend those ideas."



Surprise! Surprise! Apple has a large exhibit at BookExpo America NYC

Image credit: http://alturl.com/qf5bh

BookExpo America is in NYC next week, May 23-24.

BEA is the largest book publishing venue of the year in the USA for those that didn't know. Apple has a prime location on the exhibit floor near Disney, Scholastic and Random House. Media sources say Apple doesn't appear to have any devices or software upgrade announcements this week. What's interesting is, Apple doesn't usually attend these book publishing conferences and they didn't attend last year. What is remarkable is the high volume of eBook and eTextbook sales this past 12 month. [See Wall St. Journal stats near bottom of blog.]

CEO Steve Jobs said Apple has downloaded 100 million eBooks from April 2010 to February 2011. [April 3, 2010 was launch date of original iPad, in case you are new to eReaders and tablets]. Bloomberg cited Goldman Sachs Report in February that states;

Amazon had 58% of the eBook sales

Barnes and Noble 27%

Apple 9%

Border/Kobo 7%

For more information please see the blog below covering The Economics of Digital Content, dated May 17, 2011. http://alturl.com/zpmhr

Image credit: http://alturl.com/rkaey

Also attention-getting is the digital book conference at BEA, The International Digital Publishing Forum (IDPF) and what they are presenting. They had a 1 hour conference on EPUB3, May 12, online. You can still register and view the Webinar until Dec. 12, 2011. [See link below.] "Learn how the standard impacts the major device manufacturers and the larger eBook ecosystem."  Webinar: EPUB 3, an Insider’s Look. How Will Your eBook Operations be Affected? http://alturl.com/ud8dz

This is the abstract from IDPF’s schedule on BEA's conference page: "IDPF Digital Book 2011 will be a one-and-a-half day educational conference that gives attendees the opportunity to network with global leaders in digital publishing business and technology. Learn about the latest trends in the digital publishing industry through expert panels and in-depth demonstrations and case studies. Included are workshops on the EPUB standard including the new EPUB 3 revision, eBook production, workflow, and best practices."

IDPF Announces Speakers for Digital Book 2011, May 23-24th NYC

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/42795908

Another informative blog by the Official BEA Librarian Blogger you should browse:

http://alturl.com/pepce

Image credit: http://alturl.com/vddog

What does all this mean?

Let’s look at these recent stats and I think we will all come to the same conclusion! The eBook and eTextbook market is exploding!

Wall St. Journal, April 11, 2011
The market for digital books was $966 billion last year and is expected to triple by 2015, according to Forrester Research.”

Wall St. Journal- Feb, 25, 2011
“In 2012, e-Textbook sales are expected to more than double to $308 million from $138 million last year according to MBS Service Co.”


Image Credit: http://alturl.com/znha2



We are looking forward to seeing some exiting news from the many blogs and tweets from those attending these conferences next week. This is such an exciting time to be involved in the eReader, tablet, eBook, and eTextbook evolution in a library setting.



Wi-Fi, e-Readers, and Libraries "sometimes" Don't Mix Very Well! What's the problem?

We purchased 15 Kindle3's Wi-Fi only units and sent them all back last month.

Why?

Image Credit http://alturl.com/ajff2

After opening and processing over half of our new K3's in March, I decided to purchase and download a book to one of the new K3's. It took so long to sign into our "peer to peer" network via Wi-Fi using the arrow keys and still had to go to 'Shop the Kindle Store’. I thought I had stepped back in another era.

This was a very frustrating process. Why? You have to use the 5 Way Controller and arrow keys to navigate on the Kindle screen and slowly inch your way around with the ‘little hand’ to sign in and ‘check’ a user agreement for the college. Our iPads have the ‘pinch’ method of enlarging the screen that makes signing into our college Wi-Fi much easier.

This lengthy process finally landed me in the “Shop the Kindle” URL, but certainly not the screen we were accustomed to with the original K1-3G Kindles. Again using the 5 Way Controller and arrow keys to locate a book was just too complicated and time consuming on the non-3G units.

It appears we would have to purchase and load each book this way. Really? If you buy the item on your PC/laptop, after you sign-in and connect to the college Wi-Fi, the item should download automatically. Or you can use the USB cable to download books after purchasing them on your PC/laptop. I would go just batty, quickly if this was the on-going process. We could suggest to our boss that we drive all the Wi-Fi Kindle3's over to Denny's or McDonald's every time we needed to purchase or download an item. Now that would be a fun field trip! [Just kidding!]


After a few calls to Amazon Kindle about this issue, they told us that using ‘peer to peer' computers for staff /student sign-on via Wi-Fi was going to be difficult trying to purchase items. Really? We would have to use the USB cable to download items after purchasing them on our stand alone PC/Laptop. Sounds like the Sony Saga to me.

What a headache! The Amazon rep.  also suggested that IT could add a separate router for Wi-Fi connection for the digital e-readers. But when it comes down to it, it's just makes more sense to pay the $50 one time and use the 3G technology for the life of the unit. What a concept! Really!!!

The Director of LLRC was very understanding and agreed to send these units back and purchase fifteen K3's with 3G. He agreed it was better to have all our Kindles as 3G models for efficient service for our patrons.

When the new K3's with 3G arrived last week, I was almost as elated as when we received our 1st shipment in May 2008 of thirty-four K1's. First thing I did was turn on the wireless and order a book just to be sure we were at last out of the "Time Warp". Needless to say, it’s well worth the extra $50 per unit to have this ease of use. We have been very spoiled with using 3G technology since 2008, we just don’t want to go backwards in technology and we shouldn’t have to.

Students, faculty and staff have certainly enjoyed our K1’s, K2’s and Kindle DX’s, and now our new K3’s. We also have several iPads, Nooks and Sony’s for check-out. Our major loans are with the Kindle units for textbooks and required class reading assignments.

Next blog? Vook! How vook might impact our library in the future and also we will share other research about EBSCO Host, NetLibrary and Overdrive.  How can we utilize this with our present equipment?

May 10th, we are also looking forward to our field trip and presentation at our Regent V CCLA meeting at Broward College in South Florida for CCLA/LINCC covering e-Readers, e-Textbooks and the practical ways we have implemented these new technologies in our library.

July 14th, at the SEFLIN Bridges to Technology Conference 2011, our Palm Beach State Library staff from the Lake Worth campus will sit on a panel to discuss these very issues.  This SEFLIN Conference is to be held at the Kovens Conference Center in Miami. The presenters will focus on technology and the new roles for libraries as librarians become e-brarians, using technology to assist customers.

New iPad2---Available March 11

Everyone has been waiting for it!

The announcement of the new iPad2!

Image credit: http://www.apple.com/ipad/features/

Tech Specs
http://www.apple.com/ipad/specs/

iPads in Classrooms

Apple iPad Learning Labs

http://www.apple.com/education/ipad/

"An Apple iPad Learning Lab streamlines the management of classroom sets of iPad devices. Each lab includes 10 iPad devices and a sturdy and secure mobile cart. The cart can store, charge, and sync up to 30 iPad devices and has room for a MacBook computer. The cart rolls easily around campus, so multiple classes can benefit, and it can be locked to secure the devices when they’re not in use. Purchase a predesigned Apple iPad Learning Lab or let us help you build your own iPad mobile lab."



Some important information from the Apple website:
iPad2's will be available at Apple Retail Stores
or online March 11.  Units start at $499.

Ok, so you might wonder what our library is going to do next....

we just purchased 15 Kindle3's-Wi-Fi only units and sent them all back this week.  Why? Answer in next blog post.

E-reader Boom:

The Palm Beach Post Front Page Article Today

E-reader Boom:

"Best of Times, Worst of Times"



Elegant New Skiff Reader 11.5-inch http://alturl.com/isa9r

The Post Times article linked below covers information about new E-readers showcased in Las Vegas at the Consumer Electronics Show and the closing of Boca Raton's Barnes & Noble store.

http://www.palmbeachpost.com/money/e-reader-boom-might-prove-bookstores-long-term-1168717.html

Media Reviews of the

Consumer

Electronics Show:

http://www.cesweb.org/news/coverage.asp Links to media reviews
http://alturl.com/gt36r Includes Tablets and iPad success
http://alturl.com/8gm85 Covers 8 trends to watch including tablets
http://alturl.com/agadq Includes  e-readers and tablets
http://alturl.com/xpjib   Kindle vs. Nook vs. iPad vs. Galaxy Tab:

This is going to be one exciting year in

technology and libraries-2011!

Digital e-readers as Gifts?

Eeny, Meeny, Miny, Moe

Not a great way to choose your

new digital e-reader!

Digital e-readers can be a very difficult purchase for so many.  I was on the phone with my sister-in law Sunday for an hour or more; plus texting back and forth this past month with questions and answers. 

Her concerns were; buying a unit she hadn't held before, which size, 7" or 9.7" Kindle, iPad or the new color Nook, and cost vs. size. Wow, its really not easy.   Each digital reader has its own pros and cons.

We discussed this purchase

 like buying or car. 

1-What would you use it for? Textbooks, novels, newspapers, magazines, blogs, games, email?

2-Who else might use it?
3-Would you use it for school, pleasure, work? All three?
4-Is 3G important or is Wi-Fi ok?
5-Cost?

Once you answer these questions for yourself; call, email or text your friends that already own a digital

e-reader.  Ask them how they like it and what they use it for.  Make a "Pros and Cons" list on paper and you'll get your answer.

We have archived several posts on this blog with links to other sources on many digital e-readers as they have arrived on the show room floor or online.

Good luck with your new purchase! 

Happy New Year 2011

http://www.multyshades.com/2010/12/30-superb-happy-new-year-2011-wallpapers-feel-the-joy/



E-Textbooks expected to grow by 11% by 2013

E-textbooks:
11% growth by 2013
4% by this end of this year

See link below for new info about e-texbooks and the projection for growth in the near future.
Article from Reuters, US Edition
Sept. 15th, 2010


http://alturl.com/yehuq

Samsung Galaxy Tab-Sneek Preview

http://alturl.com/pcpte

Entering the European markets September and October

[According to the site above, none of these stats are confirmed]

1.0GHz ARM S5PC110 processor 

 Android 2.2 Froyo doing OS duty

 7 inch screen 800 x 480 pixel

  3.2 mega pixel rear camera and tiny front-facing shooter

 Swype keyboard, Flash along with WiFi, Bluetooth and GPS

http://alturl.com/efot6

Both picture-taking and video chat with front and back mounted cameras

 Weight 380 grams (0.8 pounds) is considerably less than the iPad

iPad weighs 680 grams (1.5 pounds) without 3G and 730g (1.6 pounds) with it.

Samsung says the Galaxy Tab will run Adobe Systems' Flash Player 10.1,

[more games available over the Web]

High-definition video for at least 7 hours on a single charge and

 perform less strenuous tasks for much more than 10 hours

 Android 2.2, called Froyo, but will be upgradable to 3.0, called Gingerbread

http://alturl.com/ocgsa

No launch date- No pricing-No network announced yet

 7-inch capacitive touch screen with a 1,024x600 Wide Super VGA (WSVGA) resolution

 Android 2.2 (Froyo), the complete Google apps Market, Flash 10.1, 16GB or 32GB of memory, GPS

Plus integrated sensors, such as a gyroscope, accelerometer, light sensor, and geomagnetic sensor

Promises, Promises!

We'll have to wait to see how this compares to iPad.

It looks like we might see this item in the US near the end of the year. It's going to be crazy for new buyers to make a decision during the holidays for gift giving. If you are interested in e-readers for your library, you might want to browse our older posts.