I’m in Las Vegas this week at the International Consumer Electronics Show, aka CES, and if there’s one hot device out there this year it’s the tablet. Tablet tablet tablet.
People have been joking that it’s raining tablets in the desert. Seemingly every company even tangentially related to creating consumer electronics is debuting their own tablet, and that’s on top of the iPad, which some people think could sell as many as 65 million units worldwide this year. (Disclosure: links are to CNET, I work at CNET, and the views expressed herein are solely my own).
What does this tablet explosion mean for books? Well, more and more and more people out there in the coming year are going to own devices that they can read e-books on. All of that competition will inevitably drive down prices. And even if someone buys a tablet for gaming or to watch movies, they still will own an e-reader and will easily be able to download and read books should one strike their fancy.
It’s funny to look back on my original Kindle post way back in November 2007, when the e-book future was still very murky. Here’s an excerpt:
In my opinion there will never be a widely used iPod of books, a device that people buy specifically for books — e-books will take off when they can be easily downloaded and easily read on a device like a larger iPhone-of-the-future, something people already have, which evens out the economics since you don’t have to plop down a significant chunk of money before you even buy a book. This would give e-books the decisive edge in economics, which might just tip the world of books toward e-books. Until then? Printed page for most of us.
Those larger-iPhones-of-the-future are here, and the economics are a-changing. The future is still unknown, but looking around at all these tablets at CES, I have to say, the future is coming very very quickly. And with e-ink readers starting to hover around $100, it’s not as significant an investment for a device that does one thing very well.
Do you think the tipping point has arrived? Are you planning on getting a tablet this year?
If you’re interested in the latest from CES be sure and follow CNET on Twitter and Facebook! I’ll be back here on Monday with Last Week in Books.
@ Otherlisa
Thanks! And I've heard great things about the Mac Air. My sister-in-law is looking to get one, so maybe I'll sneak off to a closet and give it a test run when nobody's looking.
I read books on my iPad, my iPhone, my e-ink nook, my laptop computer (all using the nook app), and of course p-books. My favorite medium for reading, hands-down, is the iPad. I would love it for reading even if it didn't do everything else I could possibly want.
I want one. I was just in Hawaii and did my own little survey of e-reader v. paper books. My sister had her Kindle, I had my paper books and it was divided about that way on the pool deck 50/50. I want the iPad, but waiting for the second generation. "Patience, Grasshopper," Mr. Miyagi says, "Patience."
I absolutely love my iPad. Studying English in college killed reading for me, and the iPad brought it back. It's that revolutionary.
Two of my coworkers received iPads as thank-you gifts from our company this year; when I asked them what they thought of iBooks, they told me they'd never abandon paper. Although one admits to reading children books to her nephew with the iPad to get him used to the technology.
So I think it's a mix. There are those that are going to love e-readers forever, but there's still so many that won't abandon paper. I think the change will come gradual, with the introduction [and loss] of generations.
I purchased an iPad the first day they came out and it rocks. It does 'almost' everything a netbook does and more.
Read an article last week that stated 'readers-only' would be phased out in favor of tablets. I say smart move!
I have an iPod, and iPad, and a Kindle. Love them all for different reasons. And I still buy and read BOOKS. In fact, I'm reading more than ever. I have to believe all this availability has something to do with it.
🙂
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I'm not normally an early adopter but I bought an iPad before they even came out in my home country. I'd been hanging out for an e-reader, but I wanted one with a choice of stores. So when the iPad came out, I took the plunge, even though it was an extravagant purchase. It helps that my laptop is supplied by work, so I'm not paying for a computer and a tablet.
The backlit screen doesn't bother me, and in fact it's great when I'm reading in bed and my husband wants to switch out the light. I downloaded a lot of games and other apps when I first bought it, but the novelty of playing games on it has worn off, so I mostly use it now for its intended purpose – reading books – as well as browsing the internet. I bought it on holiday in the States, and was able to download several books for the rest of the trip. I was also stuck lugging around a p-book I'd borrowed from my sister. She wanted it back so once I'd finished it, the book became an annoying extra weight. I'm stoked that next time I go on holidays, I can take as many books as I like on one device.
Oh and I should add that I got 15 paper books for Christmas, so I'm not reading exclusively on the iPad yet! Part of the problem is I live in Australia, and publishers here have been slower to jump on the e-book wagon. There's a lot of books I'd love to buy electronically, but if I want them any time soon I'm going to have to buy in paper form.
Definitely getting an iPad when the new ones come out later this year. I plan to use it as a replacement for my laptop. I'm also considering the purchase of a Kindle for a dedicated reader. I have myasthenia gravis so lighter is just easier for me.
I love writing with my iPad and wireless keyboard in Peet's and Starbucks (not at the same time of course).
But I'm jealous you get to go to CES for work. I used to, many jobs ago, and it was a fun time. I'd have to work the booth, but I'd also get plenty of free time to browse.
The worst year was when we exhibited across from some hard disk company that had a looped video game running nonstop. This was in the days of 8-bit sound, and I think their volume control went to eleven.
The stupidest self-promotion I ever saw at CES was a guy who sold floppy disks. He was handing out business card fridge magnets. Hello? Floppy disks don't really like magnets much.
My "world has gone crazy" moment was when I walked past the WordPerfect booth (this may have been COMDEX, not CES), and forty people were barking like dogs so the presenter might throw the free WordPerfect tee shirt at them.
I wish I could go again. I miss CES.
The market will continue to grow, at least for now. No clue how long it'll be before market starts to get saturated, but as long as the tech keeps advancing and prices keep coming down? I may actually end up buying one by next xmas. I suspect we'll see ipad knock-offs for $199 by next xmas. Ereaders will likely be going for about $89.
Sadly, I suspect the growing ebook market is going to bring the demise of Borders, because they seem to have failed on this transition. This is going to suck if it happens, at least for authors, of which I am one. I'll keep my fingers crossed for them.
Won't be buying a tablet this year but I'll certainly be working on an idea specifically for e-book publication such as a travel guide.
Like you, I sort of had a vision of these tablets for reading books, long before they were a sparkle in the etechno eye.
These tablets are not quite what I saw in my dream, but I did see the potential of my memoir displayed on these screens. And it looked really good!
I almost purchased a Nextbook3 on HSN Dec 22. Or was it a Coby, or a Samsung Galaxy, I don't remember, so you can see that I have not purchased a tablet YET. I did not buy one after reading discouraging reviews on at least four brands. I had decided to wait a few more months until the overriding problems of batteries not charging, slow access and inability of uploading apps from various sources had my head spinning like the Disneyland Wild Mouse ride. Maybe I'll give myself the gift of one on Valentine's Day.
Would love to be an early adopter, but I'll buy an iPad (we are an Apple household) when it is more internationally compatible – UK, US – both from a physical electrical pov and the software / bookstore / access side. We may be moving Stateside in the coming 2-5 years – I can wait that long, then get the next (plus a few) generation down the line. So any estimation when publishing rights will become global by language and not by physical territory? Music is still limited (on iTunes for example, can't buy certain items from international i-Stores) and it is very frustrating as a consumer.
I have been waiting for the prices to come down and the competition to heat up. I travel a LOT and, like Bron, got a large valise of books this Xmas, which I then had to lug back to one of three residences. I only brought "select" titles on with me to residence #2 due to weight considerations. My lifestyle is begging for a reader, but I've been dragging my technologically ignorant heels. This year is the year. (hear that family? You can buy me even MORE books next year!! and I won't even have to come home to freezing Canada to get them – huzzah!!)
I – think – this – is – all – too much! Too much tech stuff too fast.
Anyone agree?
I'll wait for next year's model–or maybe the several new models that will come out the following year.
No, I won't be buying one. I enjoy reading an actual book way too much. Reading onscreen for too long is distracting and gives me a headache. Plus there's just something so tactile about a real book for me.
This is very cool – I'm writing a short piece on difference between selling and marketing for writers (okay, poets, I admit), and I think I'm going to quote your blog post here…or at least link to it.
Very cool to be quoting "The NB" in something I'm writing.
If it whirls or whistles, I want it and I don't even know why. I'm a marketers dream (or so my husband tells me). But, even I don't want an iPad or a tablet – not yet anyway.
I'm perfectly content with my laptop, phone and ofcourse my favorite Nook Color…LOVE IT.
Yes,yes, yes, I will get a tablet this year!
Curious though … it seems like e-readers are selling best in the 20+ age group … any sign that e-readers will catch fire with the teen crowd?
Well, with yesterday's (interesting and challenging) post still fresh in my mind, I'm just going to say – without resort to acrobatic or hilarious hyperbole, too tired – that this really could be a tipping point towards ebooks for many. The new tablet with colour and wider screens (and touch screens?) at a more economical price and with ebooks pricer being cheaper than print books is, indeed, very enticing. And as your wife, Allison, pointed out in her blog, the space-saving benefits are huge. That's something I hadn't thought of but can relate to with my walls covered by a multitude of book shelves.
Thanks for this info, Nathan. Appreciate being kept update.
I love new technology as much as the next person, but this is my big objection to e-books and why I have not bought an e-reader yet. After I read a book, I like to either keep it on my shelf to lend or give to someone else, or else take it to the used book store. With an e-reader, it just sits there taking up space, and I probably won't reread it. The ability to share e-books is very limited. And the books are still expensive enough that I think they are too much for a one-time read. I read a lot. I averaged more than a book a week in the past year, and only one was an e-book, which I read on Kindle for PC.
I want one so bad. I couldn’t tell you which one. I want one that fits all my needs – something beyond the Kindle, I believe. I’ll definitely check out CNET. Thanks. Will I buy one this year? God, I hope so.
As for the tipping point, for me, it was nearly two years ago after I purchased my iPhone and downloaded all those book apps. Now, I won’t tell you how many books I own or how many apps I have. It’s pretty alarming. As for those that are reluctant to the technology, my only thought is they probably haven’t found a need/use for it yet.
As for e-books vs. paper books…I personally don’t care. I’ll take books new, used, paperback, hardcover, e-format – whatever – it doesn’t matter to me. E-readers are just more convenient giving an avid reader instant gratification.
I have no plans to buy an e-reader or a tablet. However, I would choose a tablet over the reader. A tablet is multi-purposed, has a long battery life, it's large enough that I can actually see the print, and it's lightweight. If someone wanted to give me one, I would gladly accept, but for the cost of the tablet, I can buy a lot of real books that I can actually touch while I read. I just can't afford or want to make that leap to a virtual life. Not yet.
I bought my husband, a constant business traveler, an iPad and he loves it. It's a lot easier to schlep in the briefcase than, say, "Under the Dome."
On the other hand, I wonder what these gadgets mean for my beloved beach read? Sand + iPad= $ down the drain. It will always be paper by the sea for me, I think.
Does anyone actually read the terms of service for those devices and the ebooks? Here is some news: you don't buy the device or the ebooks, just a license to use them. The provider can cut you off and doe snot have to compensate you for the loss of your ebooks. Hello, is anyone awake?
I'm interested, but I still have no plans to get one. I'm too old-school, I want a physical book in my hand.
If I didn't already have a Nook, a Droid X (which has a kindle and nook app), and a laptop that I take everywhere with me, I can definitely see myself owning an iPad. But as is, I don't need anymore gadgets on the go.
Interesting piece in Publishers Weekly about lack of publishers in Vegas right now.
https://blogs.publishersweekly.com/blogs/PWxyz/?p=4028
I LOVE reading a book – with hard cover and pages I can physically turn. I have been resisting going the e-book route as I don't imagine I can read in the loo very well, or stretched out on the sofa on a Sunday afternoon, or at the beach! Also because my friend owns an independent bookstore that is truly magnificent in selections, service and ambience, but is seriously struggling to make any profit, never mind a good living.
If she goes under, along with so many others like her, I guess I'll have no choice but to go the e-books route. That's if the book industry survives?