Digital Books: Dedicated Readers or Smartphones?

About 1.7 million people have purchased a dedicated digital book reader. Predictions are that this number could reach 4 million by the end of this year. But, many more people are reading digital books on their smartphones. Presently, one out of every five new iPhone apps is a book.

As people migrate from paper-based to digital books, the big question is whether they will fork over $300 for a single-use book reader or use the smartphone in their pocket. My prediction is that multi-use devices will win out over single-use readers. The Kindles of this world will need to evolve to compete with the new tablet and booklet devices about to be launched by Apple and Microsoft respectively. Single-use digital book readers will also need to keep up with smartphones, where sexier new models appear almost monthly.

Reading digital books on smartphones will likely open the door to a greater acceptance of mobile learning. (RN)

Library in a Pocket | The New York Times | Motoko Richard and Brad Stone | 17 November 2009