Dennis D. McDonald (ddmcd@ddmcd.com)consults from Alexandria Virginia. His services include writing & research, proposal development, and project management.
I don’t know if this is another sign of the “death of the PC” or if it’s evidence that the PC just needs to morph into something more specialized. But I do know that I really enjoy being able to carry hundreds of books and articles around in my pocket that I can then read just about anytime or anywhere.
It’s common on the social media aiwaves these days to hear Apple pegged as declining due to a “lack of innovation.” Let’s assume that’s true. The question can then be asked, “If that’s the case, what difference does it make and to whom?”
I know I know — the Orwell titles deleted from customer Kindles by Amazon were unauthorized copies. I’m still concerned. Why? Because it demonstrates how this technology can be applied and managed remotely without the owner’s involvement.
It will be interesting to see if Amazon can succeed with the expensive ($489) new Kindle DX without negotiating exclusive licensing and distribution deals that lock in and control distribution of different ebooks in selected vertical markets.
According to Wade Roush in Negroponte Unveils 2nd Generation OLPC Laptop: It’s an E-Book, OLPC founder Nicholas Negroponte said recently that “… The next generation laptop should be a book.” With two screens, Negroponte says, the device he revealed at a recent conference will cost $75 each.
So you’re still reluctant to curl up with a nice, cute, cuddly electronic book? Does the Kindle leave you cold? Are your kids developing backaches while laboring under 50+ pounds of graphics-intensive textbooks in their school backpacks?