BookMasters Blog

With everyone waiting expectantly to see if Apple will reveal their new tablet at the end of January, eBooks and the future winners and losers in the eReader market are hot topics in the ongoing digital conversation. After the success of the Kindle throughout 2009, many new eReaders have thrown their hat in the ring to see if they can do it better. One of the most significant contenders against the Kindle has been the Barnes & Noble Nook. This device is similar to the Kindle in size and E-Ink display, but significant differences include a color navigation screen, Wi-Fi connectivity, and ePub support.

The latest crop of eBook readers were all the rage at the recent Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas. A quick summary includes the introduction of the Plastic Logic Que proReader, an 8.5 inch, lightweight reader which reads a multitude of file formats; the Edge dual-screen reader; the Samsung 6- and 10-inch readers; and the HP Slate, a tablet to rival the Apple offering. You can read more at http://www.publishersweekly.com/article/CA6714120.html?q=CES .

With all of these devices suddenly appearing, it is no wonder that the market is getting even more intrigued with the concept of eBooks. In fact, the Book Industry Study Group (BISG) just released a study on eReading which shows the pros and cons of people currently using eReaders. In fact, roughly 20 percent of respondents said they now buy eBooks over print books. See for yourself at http://www.bisg.org .

The next big event on the eBook scene is the Digital Book World Conference to be held January 26 and 27 in New York City. This two-day event will be a who’s who of the players in eBook publishing and technology. Members of the BookMasters team will be there to soak up all information as well as share our experiences. If you are interested in attending, visit http://www.digitalbookworld.com for more info. In fact, you may just learn a little from a quick scout of the Web site.