[LINK] Competition begins

[Scott Howard]

On Mon, Jun 21, 2010 at 8:08 PM, Craig Sanders <cas at taz.net.au> wrote:

> for an ebook reader (especially one with an e-ink screen), why does
> either 3g or wifi matter?
>
> i really can't see why i'd want internet access on an ebook reader, any
>

It depends what you see an e-book reader as.

If you see it as a computer accessory, then your right - you don't need Wifi
or wireless access - you just need a computer.  Whenever you want to
download a new book you just hook it up to your computer (now where did I
put that cable?), download the book you want (hmm.. I could have sworn I
installed that software before?), and you're good to go!  Of course, if
you're not doing this at home/work, then you're first going to need to
somehow get Internet connectivity ($8 to buy and download the book, $9.95
for the airport wifi)

But if you see an e-book reader as a replacement to a normal book - and not
an extension of your home computer - then things are different.

To some extent I suspect you're right in that most people don't want
"Internet access" on their e-book ready.  What I'm guessing many (most?) of
them do want is a mechanism that allows them to buy and/or download books
wherever they are, without the need for cords, separate access
accounts/charges, and without the need to do anything more than select what
you want to read.  About to board your plane and realise that you've almost
finished your last book?  No problem - hit a few buttons and you've got a
new one ready to go.  On may flights in the US and other parts of the world
you're even OK if you finish your book whilst at 38,000 feet - just use the
on-board Wifi to download a new one.  It's not about "having Internet
access", it's about having the flexibility and freedom to get a new book (or
even accessing one you already own) when you need it - without having to
worry about computers or cables or software or ....

The advantage that the paperback has always has is that they are globally
available (I still have my copy of Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy that I
bought in Nepal!), and easy to use. No matter where you are - especially if
you're traveling - you can always get a new book and start using it
immediately.  E-book readers have existed for years, but at least in the US
they didn't become mainstream until Amazon released the Kindle - ie, until
adding wireless gave roughly the same level of convenience for buying a new
book as the paperback had done for years beforehand.

Of course there are negatives to that (Amazon deleting books people had
already paid for being a prime example), but given the relative popularity
between 3G, Wifi, and non-Internet devices, I think the verdict is already
in that most people DO want the features that Internet access gives.

  Scott.