There has been a rapid development in the e-reader world where many have just recognized the power of e-books, although rumors abound regarding Apple’s plans for this field in which are as yet uninvolved. Apple are due a new product shortly and there has been a great deal of activity, both in development and verbally. All that remains to be seen is the form that the expected new product will take.

It is almost a given that e-reader capability will be incorporated but whether or not this will be the main focus of the product is unknown. It is highly unlikely, however, since Apple have not professed a great desire to enter the eBook reader market in recent months. Whether or not this is a subterfuge however, will be established only when the new product is unveiled. Will be it be a tablet with e-reader functionality, or an e-reader that can also do other things? The consensus is the former.

In a January 2008 media interview, founder Steve Jobs stated that the Amazon Kindle was not finding significant use by Americans and that Apple intended to enter the market with a new e-book reader that would serve their needs. He recently told the New York Times that Apple aren’t interested in a single-purpose eBook reader, so there is a wealth of predictions of what Apples’ new product will be.

While we are still waiting, it would make sense for Apple’s planned new tablet to be released before Christmas, and even more likely that it will incorporate an eBook reader as part of a multi-purpose application platform. It has been heard that this will incorporate the iPhone operating system, either as currently or in a modified form. Some, however, are quoting the first quarter of 2010 for the main launch, with details of the hardware being released in advance of that to allow manufacturers to develop applications, as Apple did in 2007 with the iPhone.

The current buzz is that it will have a 9.6 inch color screen using OLED technology, although others have mentioned a 13 inch tablet. The rumors possibly arose from a leak earlier this year that LG were working on a 10 inch OLED touch-screen for a new Apple tablet. As it was described in article “How to Choose the Most Suitable e-Reader” (Digital Book Readers), the Kindle DX offers a 9.7 inch grayscale screen, and it has also been reported that 9.6 inch color touch-screens are being assembled in Taiwan for Apple.

This might or might not figure with the belief that Apple will focus on its e-reader capability with a $500 price tag, but others expect a launch at $800 with a more complex product offering e-book readability as only one of many of the capabilities that the reputed OLED product could also provide.

As discussed earlier, the Apple screen is said to be using OLED (organic light-emitting diode) technology in the screen, similar to that used with TVs, and incorporating new touch software that allows the user to turn pages easily, and enlarge them with the use of two fingers, and also that it will be suitable for both books and newspapers. It is conceivable that the technology can enable press advertising to contain links that will enable the reader to directly access advertisers’ websites. It has also been rumored that a low-cost subscription will be applied for access to newspapers and books, although the problems of price for downloaded products that has beset the music world might also intervene.

It is likely that the hardware prices being quoted are too high for a dedicated e-reader, and it is highly unlikely that Apple would fail to incorporate music and games technology into any new product. Whether this is fact or fancy remains to be seen, but what is fact is that the competition is not sitting around waiting. There will be a few new products in the stores this Christmas, and Apple’s competition will be different to what it was when they began their development.

What is also true is that many people are awaiting the new product with a great deal of anticipation. Will it be a burst bubble, or will it blow the competition away? Naturally, Apple is saying little, but the iTunes store has just introduced a comic book called “Mayhem” which is currently available with one song from the store.

Is this an indication of the future?

Marco Gustafsson is author of articles on eBook Readers, e-inc technology and electronic books. Visit Digital Book Readers to find more information and discover new dimension of reading.

Hercules in New-York (1970)

Photo Jobs Database for Mac,Win $99.95 Photo Jobs Database is a powerful “umbrella” software for managing job contacts, marketing, and scheduling. 1,000 contacts are included, giving uesrs an instant list of art directors, art buyers and photo editors at ad agencies, magazines, catalogs, entertainment companies, and more. Contacts are updated frequently and available for download. Whether users are photographers, agents, producers, illustrators, other industry professionals, experienced or just getting started, this easy to use software will save time while keeping contacts and schedules organized. Organize Organize contacts with 6 pre set categories such as Ad/Design/PR firms and Retailers/Catalogs. Stay in one category or access the entire database. View & Print Display and print contacts in the main view or several others for quick and easy management. Instantly print mailing labels. Schedule Photo Jobs Database has an integrated calendar system, divided into events such as jobs, holds, promos, etc. Key features include the ability to schedule, track and set reminders for events related to a contact. Email Email direct from the database to single or multiple contacts and visit a contact’s website with one click. Contact Information The 1,000 records included contain contact info and Company Profiles, plus current Clients for most advertising and design agencies. Easily add on at a contact by contact basis and use the Personal/Professional category to input everyday contacts such as studios, labs, and friends. Download Updates Easily download and import updated contacts from the Photographic Commerce website direct to the Photo Jobs Database. Photographic Commerce’s data matching system lets users decide whether to use provided or personal information on a field by field basis. Classify & Search Classify contacts according to the work they do, with dozens of pre set classifications such as Apparel, Finance, Health, Hi Tech, Real Estate, Restaurants, etc. Conduct searches to find only those contacts that are best suited to personal specialities. Export Schedule Quickly export schedule data into a variety of formats that can then be imported into a PDA. Create Histories Create contact histories with detailed notes. Features include automatic date and user i.d., and a Shipping window for tracking if a portfolio is out or in. Support Photographic Commerce software comes with a User’s Guide, Help file, and support. System Requirements Macintosh Macintosh with PowerPC G3 G4 or G5 processor 256MB of RAM CD ROM drive and hard disk drive Mac OSX 10.3.9 or Mac OSX 10.4 Windows Pentium III 500MHz processor or higher 256MB of RAM CD ROM drive and hard disk drive Windows 2000 (Service Pack 4) or Windows XP (Service Pack 2)

Food Jobs $13.56 Food Jobs

Part-Time Lover $4.99 “By Stevie Wonder. For piano, voice, and guitar (chords only). Soul. 6 pages. Published by Hal Leonard – Digital Sheet Music”

String Time In New York $15.99 Bell Records:0984015

2br – Actually in Time Square on Broadway,Spectacular! $1250 This 23rd floor penthouse places you right in the middle of New Yorks hottest action. Inside, youll enjoy privacy and luxury and outside, you are a part of the hustle and bustle that earned New York the title: The city that never sleeps….

New York Yankees All-Time Greats $42.94 New York Yankees All-Time Greats New York Yankees All-Time Greats A photo of Mickey Mantle, Roger Maris and Yogi Berra along with six of the greatest New York Yankees stars are featured on this 16″ X 20″ cherry wood plaque. The players are presented on genuine licensed trading cards from different manufacturers making this a perfect piece to display in an office, recreation room, or any spot for a fan to enjoy. The cards are protected by superior high-clarity acrylic lens covers and firmly affixed to the plaque with brass-type screws for a polished look. All cards are easily replaceable with ones from your own collection. This long-lasting piece is proudly produced in the USA.

York Chair $289 York Chair. Manufacturer: Eagle One. Brand: Eagle One. Part Number: C360

Trudy’s Time and Place House (25-User Site License) (While Supplies Last) $450 Early Learners Explore And Discover Essential Social Science Concepts Your student’s will love the new activities found in Trudy, expanding their knowledge of the world around them through new modules that allows students to visit and compare cities, towns and the countryside and a new jobs module in which students learn about people in the community and what they do. This is in addition to the already well loved time, cardinal and relative direction, map symbols and Landmark activities – all part of understanding traveling with confidence. Learning Opportunities: Provides practice in telling time on analog and digital clocks Develops mapping and direction skills Explores relationships between the Earth, a globe, and a world map

Comments are closed