the future of reading(?)

yesterday, amazon got a lot of press for its release of an ebook reader that they've manufactured and area calling the "kindle." it's a pretty cool device. it utilizes a new technology dubbed "E-Ink" that is reportedly much better at rendering a book-like image that previous readers.

amazon is rolling out a service where you can download from a choice of thousands of books, and download them wirelessly. the service doesn't require a service fee, it's free of charge as amazon handles all the costs w/ sprint for letting them use their high-speed wireless network as part of their back-end costs. you can also subscribe to newspaper downloads, as well as select blogs.

newsweek covered the story, and the author entertains all the implications of the book "going digital." the ceo of amazon admits that the book itself is almost impossible to improve upon, but he tried to anyways. he states that one of the best aspects of the book is that "it disappears," meaning that the reader is lost in the experience and transported to another world. i don't think that's necessarily true. the weight and feel of the book provide a sense of intimacy that the literate will likely not rush to give up. also, it's entirely against the whole idea of used books. when a reader purchases a used book, they can have a feeling of ancestry, of history, in that the book they now own once belonged to someone else, who had their own thoughts and feelings and emotions about it--and maybe jotted some brilliant notes in the margin, too.

nonetheless, i can see the upside of it...mainly in buying books for class that i don't exactly want cluttering my already-bursting bookshelves. and why even use the kindle for that when i can find the book i need in a used bookstore, mint condition, for 66% off the retail price?

still, the gadget-lover in me would like to take it for a spin. maybe i'd become a believer. it's a shame that amazon doesn't have a storefront where i could go try it out w/o having to pay a hefty $400.

okay. this entry was just typing practice. now on to finish a paper. this'll be my last post prior to the thanksgiving holiday; i hope you all have a safe and wonderful day with your loved ones.

that is all.