• ebooks have been around wince 1971! that’s when the gutenberg project started!
• 1998 – first ebook readers appeared

how many different models are there?

• at least 20 different manufacturers

over 2 million free ebooks

• 15 different file formats!
• kindle, txt, epub, html, pdf, etc
• epub
  • open free format – not proprietary
  • css, xml styling
  • default standard, not everyone (ie., kindle) uses it

Operating Systems on ebook readers:

• linux
• android
• windows mobile/win ce
• iphone OS

size

• most are 6-8 inches or so
• mobile version – iphone is an ebook reader, other phones

e-ink or LCD

• e-ink – imitates the look and ease of readability of print while consuming little power

memory

• most are in gigabytes
• holds hundreds of books

connectivity

• wifi
• cellular networks
• price – 150 to 750

• Mac – changed the computer industry – mouse and GUI were pretty obscure untilt hat first mac came along in 1984
• ipod – changed the music industry – pricing, formats, size, etc., mp3 players
• iphone – changed the cell phone industry
  • touch screen
  • more than just a cell phone – games, internet, browsers, ipod, movies, calendar, email, twitter, facebook, etc, etc, etc
  • many copycats

iPad will do the same thing  – but to what industry?

• gaming and movies
• will probably change the ebook industry
  • better ebook reader
  • more like a book – flip the pages by touch
  • color
  • great screen
  • turn the thing to flip the screen
  • accessibility built in
  • and 5 of the 6 largest publishers are already on-board.

why?

• money – they’ve seen itunes and the app store and want in

What might we have by end of 2010?

• The iPad ships on April 3
• iPad will be on version 2-3 by the end of 2010
• will have made millions of publishers millions of dollars, Apple even more
• price will have probably dropped
• more publishers will be using the epub format (and wanting into itunes store)
• copycats will start to appear

Issues for libraries to consider:

our patrons will start buying iPads soon.

• does it work with Overdrive?
• does it work with our catalogs?
• can patrons plug them into your PCs?

staff issues

• can your staff use them to help patrons who own one?

library stuff

• can patrons check them out?
• can your library buy them for patrons to use/check out?
• battery life -do you charge the battery before handing them out to patrons? Do you have a place for multiple devices to be charged behind the circ desk (or wherever you might keep them)?