Blog Topic #3: Apple’s iPad or Sony’s Reader Digital Book?

The innovation of an iPad can help us through our lives, but the concept of an e-book reader had already been developed by other companies such as Sony. From Sony's website, the Reader Digital Book displays downloaded and purchased e-books on a 6 inch black and white screen. Apple's iPad is not as "portable" as the Sony's e-book reader since Sony's reader is slimmer, and lighter.

The iPad serves as a multipurpose "portable" electronic device. Many consumers would like a device that has all the basic accessories such as: a music and video player, a photo gallery, wireless internet (WIFI), and even gaming software. Well the iPad can do all that and more! As technology enhances each year, it is hard to keep up with it. Almost every day you hear about new innovations on the television that are more sleek and aerodynamic. But can you actually keep up with it? For one, the iPad is not that different from the iPod touch. The iPod touch has all of the same functional applications as the iPad, except for the e-book reader. As many of us consumers already have purchased iPod touches, I do not feel the need of buying a product which has all the same functions and application that the iPod touch, which I have already owned. Buying a device with just an e-book function is not worth another $600. So why not just keep using my iPod touch and buy an e-book reader from Sony which costs less and is more portable?

For now, I find Apple's iPad is more of a way for the corporation to gain money from consumers. I really do not believe people would find it convenient to carry a massive 9 inch e-book reader just to listen to music. Why don't they just buy an iPod touch which functions the exact same way that an iPad would? (Minus the ability of reading electronic books of course…)

However, I do find e-book readers useful. They are eco-friendly as they provide relief for the poor trees that gets chopped down. With fewer books printed, forests will have time to rejuvenate and our carbon footprint will shrink. Textbook printing companies, like Pearson, should provide an option for consumers to purchase an electronic version instead of the hardcover book. Prices for the electronic version should be less expensive than the hardcover books to promote putting a stop to destroying natural forests. Buying e-books can be beneficial to students because we would not have to lug those massive thousand paged books on our backs! In fact, by purchasing an e-book reader, we can reduce the percentage of people getting back pain from the less weight that we carry around each and every day.

It may take time for North America to adapt to this leap in technology but it will be very useful indeed. The world is constantly changing and by using these new gadgets we can improve our standard of living. New technologies which help to make our lives simpler sprout each and every day. So as of right now, I think I am going to stick with my 16GB iPod touch and listen to some good old music.