To add to our discussion

I found this interesting story while looking at the NY Times on the iPad.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/02/technology/02couples.html?ref=technology

initiation

So since I've come back home for the summer I've come into contact with two of the e-readers: the Kindle and the Ipad. My best friends dad had the Kindle and took me on a walkthrough on the cool features and even showed me how to download a book. It literally took like twenty seconds which is so amazing. He loves it; he even bought a little cover so it looks like a real book. My friend remarked when he saw this that he could bring it to church and just read because it looked so much like a song book. I was very impressed by the Kindle; easy to read on, doesn't hurt your eyes at all like computers sometimes do and just the speed of downloading a book and the organization of it was impressive.

But, the second I started playing around with the Ipad at the Apple Store the Kindle looked like ancient technology, just as one of the previous posts talked about the gameboys looking older and older. The Kindle had no color; the Ipad was vibrant inviting and extremely user friendly. I saw a commercial on the Ipad earlier and it said "you already know how to use it." It's true. With the technology of touch screen all around us, we all already know how to use the Ipad. It's just so simple, Apple's trademark. The Apple Genius taught me how to download a book and highlight and bookmark and all the things I love about reading a book.

The Kindle was a great start to the e-reader craze, but I think the Ipad and possibly others that I haven't encountered yet have surpassed it. Kindle is popular for it's originality, but these other types are taking that success and running away with it. After finally using the Ipad, I cannot wait till next year to explore the ins and outs with all of you.

Microsoft's prototype ipad competitor

Microsoft has an interesting video here on engadget showing a conceptual touchscreen device that seems geared toward productivity. It is not exactly an e-reader, or perhaps I should say not simply an e-reader, but watch the video it has some interesting features.

Also here is a good slideshow of the pros and cons of six e-readers that aren't the ipad.

Alex, I'll take e-readers for $500.

Another e-reader that’s more than an e-reader. Made by Spring Design, the Alex has an e-ink display and an LCD display. On the smaller screen, you can surf the web, while reading Thomas Pynchon on the e-ink display (Oh wait. No Thomas Pynchon for the e-readers! Why not? If we’re gonna talk about techo-paranoia, let’s get Pynchon into the mix. Good thing we have DeLillo in e-ink.). Hell, you can even read and watch a movie at the same time. It’s just like studying for finals, except now you can do it anywhere.

This e-reader can do things that the Kindle and Nook can’t, but that iPad is looming on the horizon.