Amazon.com is getting ready to launch the Kindle DX with the first pre-orders being sent out June 10th, followed by new orders being processed on a first come, first serve basis. As a student at Columbus State, majoring in Electronics Engineering Technology, I was excited about the prospects of owning a Kindle DX. As I looked over the technical details, my mind and lower back were delighted with the notion that I could soon be carrying around an 18.9 ounce portable device filled with all my textbooks.
I had heard of the Amazon Kindle before, but never really paid any attention to all the hype. I was once the proud owner of a Nuvomedia Rocket eBook, one of the first eBook readers that could hold approximately 10 novels. The Rocket eBook was eventually bought out and is not currently being manufactured. I guess my previous eBook experience did not go over so well and I disregarded anything that mentioned “eBooks” for fear it was just an over-hyped fad that was going to slowly fizzle out along with any money I spent with it.
This time around however, I feel the Kindle is going to be the fuel that propels the eBook world to whole new levels. Amazon has sparked my interest to once again evaluate the possibilities of a digital resource. One of the best things I quickly noticed with the Kindle was being able to purchase newspaper subscriptions. This feature alone is a big selling point to me. There are several papers to which I would like to subscribe, but have been reluctant to because I don’t want to deal with all the papers piling up and needing to haul them off to be recycled. I have also disliked the size of newspapers. Images of my father sipping on some coffee with the newspaper spread out across the table and falling onto the floor quickly come to mind. I would prefer a much more organized, cleaner and paperless method of getting my news.
With newspapers all across the country declining in circulation and profitability, I would think they would be one of the first in line to transform over to this new media and help push it forward. In the article, “Should newspapers shut down their presses?” James Moore states “It is argued that papers still make money and that many people still don’t have computers. There was once a time when a lot of people didn’t have telephones or televisions either. Those devices are now ubiquitous, and computers can also be publicly accessed just as easily.”(289)
I could easily subscribe to any of these online newspapers and read them on my desktop or on the go through my laptop… but I want a platform the size of the Kindle DX (9.7″ diagonal E Ink® electronic paper display, 1200 x 824 pixel resolution at 150 ppi, Size: 10.4″ x 7.2″ x 0.38″) which is easier to carry around and more convenient for reading than with my Apple iTouch. The auto rotating screen, built in 3G wireless, ability to hold up to 3,500 books and PDF reader are all bonuses that help to make this a much more attractive reader to me than my past experience with the Rocket eBook.
While reading through some blog posts, I discovered that others may not be as excited as I am with the possibilities that the Kindle brings. One of the biggest arguments was on whether or not eBooks would replace traditional printed books. I feel there were always be a need for printed books to reach certain markets, but for publishers to be able to grow profits they need to seriously consider the upside of eBooks and new markets of readers. ePublishing can be a huge factor in cost savings. Former Random House Editorial Director Jason Epstein states in the article “The Future of Books” by Sarah Glazer that the publishing model of the last 500 years is headed for extinction. “Today you go directly from the digital file to the end user with nothing in between. That means you can store in theory every book ever written in whatever language at practically no cost. And deliver that file practically anywhere on Earth at no cost.” (476)
I for one would think that journalist and authors would also embrace this media. I have read countless articles mentioning the freezing of manuscripts and layoffs in editorial staffs during these economic times. Whether or not Amazon saw this coming or not, leaves me to believe they are going to be the leader in this industry through the Kindle and future versions. With over 300,000 books, magazines and newspapers ready to download they are strategically placed in the position to help bring to light a new paradigm shift into the publishing world.
Another recurring buzz in the blogging world seems to be focusing on the cost of the Kindle DX. At $489.00 at first glance does seem like a steep price to pay, especially as a college student on a limited budget. If you factor in the ability to use the free 3G wireless in order to purchase and download new books, the ability to obtain college text books for less money as well as the ability to not lug around several heavy books throughout the day, these factors represent a great money saving and eco friendly option. Alex Neal, Founder and President of CampusBooks.com in a recent PR Newswire stated “Students who are both sensitive to both price and global issues are looking to technology to help them find the best deals and consume fewer natural resources.”(NP)
I can see where some students would be concerned about not being able to sell back their textbooks. The reality though is that we purchase these textbooks sometimes for $100 or more and wind up selling them back for pocket change, only to have them resold as “Used” for yet another ridiculous price. However, if there is a way to have the savings up front by purchasing a digital version at a lower cost than the print counterpart, I am all for it. Bring on the digital revolution.
About the Author: Shawn Augustson is a student at Columbus State. Having spent time in the US Army and being injured while serving in Iraq he is now pursuing a new career in the Electronics Engineering Technology field through the help of the VA Vocational Rehabilitation Program. He currently maintains a blog at www.ArduinoFun.com where he gets to spend creative time with his children working on projects ranging from robots to blinking LED’s.
Bibliography
Bedord, Jean. “Ebooks HIT CRITICAL MASS.” Online 33.3 (May 2009): 14-18. Academic Search Complete. EBSCO. Columbus State Community College, Columbus, OH. 8 June 2009 < http://search.ebscohost.com >.
Glazer, Sarah. “Future of Books.” CQ Researcher 19.20 (2009): 473-500. CQ Researcher Online. CQ Press. Columbus State Community College Library, Columbus, OH. 8 June 2009 <http://library.cqpress.com >.
McClure, Marji. “Turning a New Page in Ebooks.” Information Today 26.4 (Apr. 2009): 1-19. Academic Search Complete. EBSCO. Columbus State Community College, Columbus, OH. 8 June 2009 < http://search.ebscohost.com >.
McKenzie, Deborah. “Ebooks and 21st-Century Learning.” MultiMedia & Internet@Schools 16.1 (Jan. 2009): 27-28. Academic Search Complete. EBSCO. Columbus State Community College, Columbus, OH. 8 June 2009 < http://search.ebscohost.com >.
McLean, C.D. “To Kindle or Just Burst into Flame?” Young Adult Library Services 2008: 9. Academic Search Complete. EBSCO. Columbus State Community College, Columbus, OH. 8 June 2009 < http://search.ebscohost.com >.
Moore, James. “Should newspapers shut down their presses? Yes.” CQ Researcher. 27 March 2009: 289. Columbus State Community College Library, Columbus, OH. 20 April 2009. <http://library.cqpress.com/cqresearcher>.
Mullan, Eileen. “Ebooks Rewrite the Rules of Education.” EContent 32.4 (May 2009): 12-13. Academic Search Complete. EBSCO. Columbus State Community College, Columbus, OH. 8 June 2009 < http://search.ebscohost.com >.
Neal, Alex. “Students Send a Loud-and Clear Message: We Want Used Books!” PR Newswire (March 2009): 42 of 44. Lexis/Nexis Academic. Columbus State Community College, Columbus, OH. 8 June 2009 < http://web.lexis.nexis/universe >.
Price, Tom. “Future of Journalism.” CQ Researcher 19.12 (2009): 273-296. CQ Researcher Online. CQ Press. Columbus State Community College, Columbus, OH. 8 June 2009 <http://library.cqpress.com >.
Works Cited
Glazer, Sarah. “Future of Books.” CQ Researcher 19.20 (2009): 473-500. CQ Researcher Online. CQ Press. Columbus State Community College Library, Columbus, OH. 8 June 2009 <http://library.cqpress.com >.
Moore, James. “Should newspapers shut down their presses? Yes.” CQ Researcher. 27 March 2009: 289. Columbus State Community College Library, Columbus, OH. 20 April 2009. <http://library.cqpress.com/cqresearcher>.
Neal, Alex. “Students Send a Loud-and Clear Message: We Want Used Books!” PR Newswire (March 2009): 42 of 44. Lexis/Nexis Academic. Columbus State Community College, Columbus, OH. 8 June 2009 < http://web.lexis.nexis/universe >.
Tags: Amazon Kindle, College Textbooks, eBooks
