Ditigal Revolution in Books

It has been hyped up before, most memorably by Bill Gates, who said that he hoped to have 75% of books purchased digitally by the year 2005, but the results thus far has been generally disappointing. The main problem is that digital devices haven't been able to produce the clarity that is required for extended reading, particularly due to what many consider excessive glare in the display. Of course, there is the huge sentimental attachment that people have to books as they are - the look, feel and smell of a book, and the comfort that people derive from it.

However, Sony have just announced the launch of a new device called the Sony Reader which claims to be a massive advance in display technology, doing away with the backlighting of traditional digital screens and promising "clarity and resolution to rival paper itself". The device is also tremendously portable with the screen about the size of a paperback novel page, and with a battery life boasting the ability to last for 7,500 page turns. It's memory is also large enough to hold up to 80 novels, besides other common document files like pdf and word files. Adding a thumb drive would mean being able to add to the storage space significantly

All in all, this device looks remarkably versatile, and if the display is everything it is made out to be, that it could mark the beginnings of a significant inroads in digital viewing technology. It has certainly piqued my interest, though I find it hard to imagine myself abandoning my habit of lugging a paperback along with me everywhere I go. The Sony Reader does offer immense practicality and efficiency - imagine the content of 80 books at the equivalent weight of just one. Not to mention the fact that it makes it very convenient for long plane trips when you want to be spoiled for choice and see what piques your interest during the journey.

I am definitely tempted and may just spoil myself when it hits the stores in Spring 2006.

Information about the Sony Reader can be found here.