E-readers are portable, low-power, high-resolution devices that display digital versions of written material from books, magazines, newspapers, and other printed sources. They typically use e-ink, a display technology designed to simulate printed paper that offers similar resolution as newsprint and, relative to an LCD screen, eliminates glare and reduces eyestrain. Digital texts can be updated easily and often include advanced features such as annotation, hyperlinking, cross-linking, saved views, interactive quizzes for individual study, analyses, and shared commentary. E-readers are changing the economics of text-based intellectual property, including educational materials, and a move to digital texts would have broad implications both for the traditional campus bookstore and for an institution’s library.

» via EDUCAUSE

jacquesofalltrades:

This report provides an informative, in-depth look at the pilot program undergone by Reed College in Oregon (as one of seven higher ed institutions), to bring e-readers (specifically in this case) the Kindle DX into the classroom experience.

The study contains some interesting points both in terms of the strengths of the e-readers, including legibility, battery life and durability.  The study also highlights some benefits of the single-functionality of e-reader devices (e.g., no email checking such as that from students who use laptops).

Some of the shortcomings include the loss of functionality that comes with handling and distributing pdf files (including a discussion of how fair use policies may interact with Amazon’s servers), and the inability to access multiple documents simultaneously.

This excerpt from the study’s “Looking Ahead” section provides some more thoughts on areas that need to be addressed.

Establishing eBook file standards and resolving digital rights issues are apt to be more difficult and time-consuming to achieve than addressing the technical problems discussed above. While it won’t be surprising to see rapid improvements in eReader technologies during the next two years, it will be extremely surprising to see comparable progress in the development of the file standards, content cost models, and rights policies needed to propel eReader technology to the forefront in higher education. Hopefully, pressure from colleges and universities will keep these efforts moving forward.

In closing, we may note that while students and faculty in Reed’s Kindle study were unanimous in reporting that the Kindle DX –– in its current incarnation –– was unable to meet their academic needs, many felt that once technical and other issues have been addressed, eReaders will play a significant, possibly a transformative, role in higher education.

All in all, I’m interested now to read the similar reports from the other six schools who piloted the kindle project, and I think this study is a worthwhile read for anyone interested in how new media will continue to change the academic landscape, as well as what some of the current and evolving obstacles to that change will be.

On Jan. 27, Steven P. Jobs was still standing on a stage in San Francisco, presenting Apple’s new iPad, when the phones started ringing. Senior managers from Amazon.com were calling newspaper, magazine and book publishers trying to glean any information possible about the deals Apple was offering them to supply content for its new reading device.

Amazon, which pioneered the e-reader category with its Kindle devices, is determined not to be out-priced by Apple or any other rival.

» via The New York Times

The study has involved 127 universities over 15 months, with questionnaires at the beginning and end. Nicholas and his colleagues have been studying logs of user behaviour over time, and users were asked in focus groups why they used the e-books in the ways that they did.

In the first 14 months there were seven million page views and half a million sessions. Typical sessions included eight to nine pages and lasted 17 minutes. ‘Users consume the contents of e-textbooks in small chunks but then I don’t think readers ever read whole books of this sort in one session,’ said Nicholas. A quarter of usage is outside the hours of 8am to 6pm. Students access e-books at 3am or 4am just like they do with e-journals. However, Nicholas cautioned against assuming that usage of e-books would have exactly the same pattern as for journals.

» via Research Information » via TeleRead

Doctors and researchers note that in most instances, paper can offer more visual sophistication than a screen. But certain types of paper, including inexpensive newsprint and the paper in softcover books, can actually provide an inferior reading experience for our eyes than the electronic alternatives.

» via The New York Times

In January Amazon offered select customers a free Kindle of sorts – they had to pay for it, but if they didn’t like it they could get a full refund and keep the device. It turns out that was just a test run for a much more ambitious program. A reliable source tells us Amazon wants to give a free Kindle to every Amazon Prime subscriber.

Just as soon as they can work out how to do it without losing money.

» via TechCrunch

A press release from market research company NPD claims that according to a new report it has issued, 93% of e-book reader owners claim to be “very” or “somewhat satisfied” with their devices, and only 2% of owners expressed dissatisfaction at all.

The release goes on to discuss the features e-reader owners enjoy and want, and also mentions that about 30% of e-reader owners also read e-books on other devices, such as PCs or smartphones, as well.

» via TeleRead

With few exceptions, makers of e-readers are still failing to address the bigger problem, which remains the creation, distribution, and monetization of content. When it arrived, the iPod was more than a music player; it revolutionized music sales. Similarly, a successful e-reader will need to be more than a compelling interface (which the Kindle severely lacks); it will need to introduce a whole new way of thinking about what’s onscreen and how it will get there. The questions haven’t changed: Who will pay for content? How much are people willing to pay for it? Will advertising continue to be the core of content business models? Will some sort of pay wall work? How will content be shared or restricted?

» via GOOD

“Millions of people now own Kindles,” said Jeff Bezos, founder and CEO of Amazon.com. “And Kindle owners read, a lot. When we have both editions, we sell 6 Kindle books for every 10 physical books. This is year-to-date and includes only paid books — free Kindle books would make the number even higher. It’s been an exciting 27 months.”

» via TeleRead

In its announcement Thursday, Amazon will say that it is letting programmers create what it calls active content — similar to applications — for the Kindle and keep 70 percent of the revenue from each sale after paying for wireless delivery costs.

Amazon will release a set of programming guidelines that other companies — including publishers of books and periodicals — can use to create and sell applications for the Kindle.

» via The New York Times

Authors worldwide can now self-publish Kindle versions of their books, Amazon.com said Friday.

Amazon also said that its Digital Text Platform will now support books written in German and French.

The self-publishing platform, which allows writers to upload electronic versions of their books to Amazon’s e-book reader store, was previously limited to English and to authors based in the United States.

» via CNET news