05.25.10
The e-book tipping point
I’ve been looking at e-book readers a lot lately and I like what I see. We are still a ways away from a tipping point where people switch heavily to e-book readers. It is probably safe to say we are in the second generation of readers, and it will probably be in the third generation that it really starts to take hold. Once more readers are in the used market, color becomes available, and the price comes down. The third generation of e-book readers might fracture a little too, with really inexpensive readers, and high priced-color readers that are super-thin, or have other features like multiple folding screens or can play music while you read.
For my part, I think I will know the tipping point has been reached when magazines and newspapers with high circulations - perhaps the AARP Magazine, Reader’s Digest or Wall Street Journal, begin to offer a free e-book reader with a subscription because the economics of electronic distribution will make it reasonable to do so. Inexpensive e-book readers combined with ever-present wi-fi and rising shipping or postage costs.
I’ll probably get an e-book reader soon. When will be the right time for you, how much would you pay for an e-book reader?