iPads vs eReaders

Image via WikipediaIn a past blog post, I was critical of iPad, not knowing how they fit in the marketplace. I have borrowed an iPad and have been trying to decide how it could possibly fit in my work or leisure activities. What I am discovering is that the iPad is a great eReader but I'm not going to be shelling out a minimum of $500 for an iPad and use it as an eReader.  That would be like buying an computer and use it as a paperweight.

I enjoy reading and have considered buying an eReader. As I see it, there are three problems with eReaders. Firstly, they are only black and white. That is not a problem for most people as eReaders are replacements for novels which are usually black text on white paper. But here's my next problem with eReaders - they do not provide a way to read Web pages. I would like a way to be able to read e-stuff (digital journals, e-newpapers, news feeds, my email) as well as novels and eReaders do not have this facility. Lastly, each book seller has it's own version of an eReader. Chapters/Indigo in Canada and Borders in the US  has the Kobo, Amazon has Kindle, Barnes and Noble has the nook. And to complicate things further, there are over two dozen other eReaders with many different file formats. I'm sure they will be standardized soon, just as VHS won over BetaMax.

So here's my message to the eReader developers - standardize your formats, upgrade to colour and Web browsing capabilities, keep it moderately priced, and I'll be first on the list to buy one

Related articles by Zemanta

• E-Readers are Dead. Long Love E-Reading! (technologizer.com)
• Major E-Readers Get Big Price Break (prontotech.com)

Exciting Technology Times Ahead

It used to be said that the only things you can be sure of in life is death and taxes. I think we need to add one more item to that list - technology changes! The next few months are going to prove to be very exciting for technology watcher and users.

On Monday, Apple announces its new iPhone. Even though some of the iPhone's features have been revealed courtesy of the Apple engineer who left a prototype at the bar, Apple will still have a few surprise features. Of course, there will be the long-awaited multi-tasking feature as well as a better and front-facing camera. The new phone will have a smaller screen but a higher resolution. The two new features I'm looking forward to is the longer batter life and the wireless syncing. Critics of the new phone say that it will be very expensive and not well designed. Also, when the iPhone was first released, it was a unique product. Since then, they are some less expensive alternatives available. Critics had some harsh word when Apple announce the iPad. As a matter of fact, Apple's stock dropped just after the announcement. The critics and the drop in stock price have not deterred consumers as apple has sold  over 2 million iPad units to date.

The iPad - What is it?

Computer have been grouped in categories. The categories have obviously evolved with the size of the computer and their technology. First there was the mainframe, followed by the mini-computer, then the desktop. The next set of categories referred to smaller and portable devices like laptops, netbooks, tablets, PDA's, smart phones, gaming devices and mobile gaming devices. I own an iPod Touch and have considered that to be a cross between a PDA and a gaming device.

Then came the iPad. I'm not sure how to categorize this device. I think it's too big to be a PDA and does not have sufficient functionality that could make it a computer or a smart phone. That leads me to think that it is a gaming device, or not. Or maybe it's trying to be everything to all users. It certainly can be versatile depending on the apps loaded. I have tried one and I cannot figure out what is trying to be.

Maybe that the genius of the iPad. It cannot be categorized or maybe it needs to be in its own category. Either way, it is an expensive device and I could not justify its hefty price tag as any kind of productivity tool or gaming device, and therefore, I'm not going to buy one.