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Post by Ted on Dec 13, 2012 7:56:55 GMT -8
(Copied from my blog.) A report by iSuppli on December 10th, 2012, states “Shipments of ebook readers by year-end will fall to 14.9 million units, down a steep 36 percent from the 23.2 million units in 2011 that now appears to have been the peak of the ebook reader market. Another drastic 27 percent contraction will occur next year when ebook reader shipments decline to 10.9 million units. By 2016, the ebook reader space will amount to just 7.1 million units—equivalent to a loss of more than two-thirds of its peak volume in 2011.” Which digital device has growing sales? iSuppli says “In contrast, tablets are enjoying unstoppable growth, mostly thanks to the Apple iPad, which made its appearance in 2010. Tablet shipments will hit 120 million units in 2012 only after two short years of the device being on the market, and 340 million systems are expected by 2016—a magnitude of sales exceeded just by mobile handsets.” Read the full article by iSuppli here. |
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lastade
Junior Member
LaStade Designs and Patterns
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Post by lastade on Dec 13, 2012 16:12:10 GMT -8
Interesting article. I must say that this old dinosaur has a hard time keeping up with all this new technology.
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Post by Ted on Dec 13, 2012 20:27:34 GMT -8
Interesting article. I must say that this old dinosaur has a hard time keeping up with all this new technology. I know what you mean. By the time you buy something digital it is already old.  |
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jenniferp
SWF Writers
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Post by jenniferp on Dec 14, 2012 8:26:52 GMT -8
Obsolence (n) An event that occurs some time between a device being invented and a device being purchased.
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jilljames
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Post by jilljames on Dec 14, 2012 9:54:42 GMT -8
See, I've never understood why people complained that an ereader only let you read books. Umm, what does a book do?! When I go to read I want to read. I don't want to be able to go online, surf the net, or get emails. Just read! This goes back to the short attention span generation. They must be constantly entertained. Sorry, when I was a kid that was called reading.
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Post by Julie Harris on Dec 14, 2012 11:34:07 GMT -8
I still go to bed with an ebook on a smallish ereader. I tried my ipad - too big, clunky and bright. ebooks on ereaders don't smell, take up much space or gather dust like old books do.
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ahpellett
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Read "Sleeping in Snow with Bears"
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Post by ahpellett on Dec 14, 2012 12:38:49 GMT -8
This news is not surprising and should have been expected. It's sort of following the trajectory of the typewriter. Typewriter technology got better and better, until it was surpassed by something that did what it did and more.
That said, I think the (name your)pad's replacement of the ereader can be a good thing for ebooks.
To begin with, ereaders are self-limiting (not always a good thing). With a pad, your reader can now click on a link from your current book and buy your next book without much further delay (almost an impulse purchase). Pad readers can view additional content you include in your ebook that you might have had to keep out before (suggested music tracks, photos, video, etc.).
I don't think many non-readers bought ereaders in the first place, but they might get an ereading application if they have a pad, if for no other reason than their teachers make them have it or it comes with the unit.
In sum, I think there is value in the direction the technology is going and we should embrace it. To not do so is not so different from people who won't even consider an ereader because they like the feel, smell, etc of books.
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lastade
Junior Member
LaStade Designs and Patterns
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Post by lastade on Dec 14, 2012 15:16:58 GMT -8
For what I write, pattern instructions, all of these types of devices are good.
I don't like them in my students hands during class. They are developing bad habits with them. They don't read a question and think about how they should answer it. They type in a question and presto, it gives them an instant answer. The info never gets stored in their brains long enough to retain it. I once read a Dean Koontz book where the people of a small town were tethered to their computers. These kids are tethered to their devices. Try to take one away and they pitch a fit like you are taking away their bottle. It shocks me that mothers will give their babies their device and let babies play games on them. See I am an old dinosaur. I just used to let the babies play with my keys.
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painmike
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Post by painmike on Dec 15, 2012 11:42:11 GMT -8
See, I've never understood why people complained that an ereader only let you read books. Umm, what does a book do?! When I go to read I want to read. I don't want to be able to go online, surf the net, or get emails. Just read! This goes back to the short attention span generation. They must be constantly entertained. Sorry, when I was a kid that was called reading. This is a good lead to my first worry, is it all the symptom towards growing common uninterest for books, especially with fresh gadget generations? Second scenario would be more positive; the constant growing market for say, cell phones is partly due people replacing them in fast pace, whereas eReader users are not that eager with newer gadgets. Third one would be to compare the situation with mobile TV history, initially I was sceptical due low bandwidths and screen sizes; it was dropped for a while(at least here) until time was ripe with speed and larger displays. There may be something similar with eReaders, not bandwidth, not display but something else still missing, putting the section to wait for new renaissance. I don't want to believe that eReader user needs full computer around the purpose, it's something else IMHO. |
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Post by Ted on Dec 15, 2012 21:05:11 GMT -8
You raise some interesting points, painmike. I know retired people who love gadgets for they (the gadgets) are the new toys for boys. We live in an age of moving images, from growing up watching TV to playing games on fancy consoles and smartphones, and whatever the future brings. (We humans did draw on cave walls as a form of communication)
Humans are a visual animal nowadays. Heck, even war is digital. Will this lead to a disinterest/uninterest in books? I don't know, but I can imagine some ebooks becoming more visual as animation companies like Disney and video game developers spread their brand to more animated/interactive ebooks.
I'm not sure I would agree completely with your second scenario. The person who bought that ereader bought a newer gadget, a new way of reading, and so there was some acceptance to try something new and different.
Thirdly, the 'tipping point' may be something as simple as broader acceptance of ereaders, perhaps as/if they become as common as cell-phone or a pen.
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painmike
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Post by painmike on Dec 16, 2012 0:06:29 GMT -8
I'm not sure I would agree completely with your second scenario. The person who bought that ereader bought a newer gadget, a new way of reading, and so there was some acceptance to try something new and different. Sorry...My overuse of term 'gadget'(per ole Snuffy Smith) may cause a bit distortion: Let's say that people won't update their eReaders in the same pace as cell phone enthusiasts. Erm...Was this correction even needed, or just my understanding of English failed?  |
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Post by Ted on Dec 17, 2012 6:47:09 GMT -8
...Let's say that people won't update their eReaders in the same pace as cell phone enthusiasts.... I agree 100% |
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