So Amazon's big mistake was making a book-reading device that's easy to read?
Yeah, it's a shame they didn't ask for your advice before they went ahead with that plan.
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CourseSmart Looks Ahead at eTextbooks on Apple's Tablet
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So Amazon's big mistake was making a book-reading device that's easy to read?
Yeah, it's a shame they didn't ask for your advice before they went ahead with that plan.
The problem that needs to be addressed is the price of electronic downloads. For example, that biology book is $93.33 through Coursesmart. At this price, it is good for 365 days after which it will expire.
Through my bookstore it is $113 new without taxes. The $20 difference doesn't make it worth it. This way I get a physical book that I can have open and type notes on my laptop. But honestly, who buys all the books brand new? I don't know how many times I've bought an older version or bought it used cheaper from another student.
They need to be more competitive on the price especially since the downloads are only good for a year. If they want to charge that much, hopefully someone will crack them so we can rip off the publishing companies for a change. I'm sick of seeing updated version that are 99% word for word identical and then if i am lucky, include only new problems. Sorry, someone had to say it.
Through my bookstore it is $113 new without taxes. The $20 difference doesn't make it worth it. This way I get a physical book that I can have open and type notes on my laptop. But honestly, who buys all the books brand new? I don't know how many times I've bought an older version or bought it used cheaper from another student.
They need to be more competitive on the price especially since the downloads are only good for a year. If they want to charge that much, hopefully someone will crack them so we can rip off the publishing companies for a change. I'm sick of seeing updated version that are 99% word for word identical and then if i am lucky, include only new problems. Sorry, someone had to say it.
Kindle made a device that makes it easy to read books. Unfortunately they made a device so ugly and boring that you don't want to read books any longer.
Your mileage may vary.
"...so you can look at your comments even after your book expires..."
Boooo! I hope this fails very spectacularly.
Yes, that's when I stopped watching the video.
This is hilarious! So all the college students who are tens of thousands of dollars in debt & living off of Ramen noodles are going to buy an e-reading media player that will cost a year's worth of textbooks and are going to purchase this as well as a laptop? Give me a break.
iSlate meet the real world. Real world…meet iSlate.
iSlate meet the real world. Real world…meet iSlate.
Ok, after seeing that concept design it makes me want to go back to school. Oh to be that organized way back when!
I will.
and people who want it badly enough will.
just because you can't afford it doesn't mean others can't.
and I'm in college.
Cool stuff. Makes me want to go get another degree. Ha. Not really. But it would make studying easier and save a lot of backs. I especially love the ability to highlight with a finger. I just don't know if the screen is good enough for long-term reading.
conceptual video about how things may look on a tablet
The way the text and images are used still look a bit conventional.
This video however really wets my appetite: http://vimeo.com/8217311?hd=1
It's a conceptual video about how things may look on a tablet in the near future.
The way the text and images are used still look a bit conventional.
This video however really wets my appetite: http://vimeo.com/8217311?hd=1
It's a conceptual video about how things may look on a tablet in the near future.
Not sure what dystopia you are living in. Students don't feel the debt until they graduate. Honestly, it's been a few years since my last graduation, but for the times I was in school no one lived like they were impoverished. Most had student loans and/or student aid. There was plenty of money for books, tech toys, and, of course, alky-hall.
I suspect the tablet will either be in lieu of a laptop or inexpensive enough to complement. My guess is the former, and that you can hook up an external mouse/keyboard via B/T or USB.
I've been out of college for awhile now and can more than afford it. I'm a grown-up who's no longer interested in toys. Well, at least toys that serve no function in my life. If you can afford it while in college, you must really be grateful for your parents.
As to the second part, that's the problem that you don't get. If anyone badly wants it and can't stop themselves, then they have no self-control. If you want to have stuff in this world you don't go buying everything that you want. You have to have some sense of reasoning. You don't stay wealthy by wasting your money on things that don't replace anything or don't save you money.
Well, I can't say they "regret" their purchase but I've seen more than one of those Kindles be relegated to a paper weight.
So let me get this straight. There are two types of students that would buy this, students that are grateful for their parents (aka parent buys everything) or those that have money with no self control. If that is the case, what about all the laptops sold to students? I've come to the conclusion in college that everyone spends money on different things. Judging someone by an item they have bought is pointless. If there is a reason to get this, people will buy it no matter how much money their parents give them or not. You're prejudging college students about buying a product that isn't even released???? I hope i'm missing something with this logic.
I don't know exactly what world you were living in but college is expensive and yes debts are a part of it. There are far more to the expenses then what you owe to financial aid. I graduated in '99 and, yeah, I knew people who were living off Ramen as many have across not only my campus but across the country. That helps create motivation to do well. Yeah we had toys but the toys were useful in laptops, desktops and cars. Getting laid and drunk was more important than an e-readert. Knowing your notes rather than what existed in a textbook was always more important anyway.
Anyone thought about eye strain on a color tablet?
The beauty of the e-ink (black/gray) technology is that you can read for long periods of time without eye strain. When you try to read on a color monitor, my eyes hurt after a few minutes. Apple will need to address this if the tablet is to be a success. Any thoughts?
The beauty of the e-ink (black/gray) technology is that you can read for long periods of time without eye strain. When you try to read on a color monitor, my eyes hurt after a few minutes. Apple will need to address this if the tablet is to be a success. Any thoughts?
You're basing this on the idea that it can replace a laptop which every single rumor says right now that it's not. You have no reason to believe right it is a laptop replacement. If it is then go buy it.
You can't judge the whole person simply by the products they buy, but unless your parents are paying for everything, I suggest students exercise some proper judgement. If I know a kid is working to pay his bills and he may be spending money on potentially a $700 device, yes, I will think he needs to learn self-control. I'm not being mean about it but you're talking to someone who had lousy parents and had to pay most of his own way through school. If you got extra cash lying aroung get a car or a girl (the latter will surely empty your wallet in a hurry).
I've got a kid sister at Cornell who's 13 years younger than me. She's got a Macbook and a Blackberry. This is all the things she needs.
Yeah, libraries don't have a set amount of time to keep the book out or student don't ever rent text books.... oh wait."...so you can look at your comments even after your book expires..."
Boooo! I hope this fails very spectacularly.
Time for a link:
http://www.gnu.org/philosophy/right-to-read.html
I'm sure that books will be available for purchase as well as rental but rental will probably be more attractive for students wanting text books since you are not likely to need to go back to a previous year's books students who currently rent physical text books do return them at the end of the course.
Sure. You can reduce eye strain by reading in a well lit environment. This applies to paper, e-ink or any other technology.
What actually causes eye strain more than anything is poor lighting where a lot of people use their computers in darkly lit rooms where the main source of light is the monitor.
People who work in sufficiently lit offices have no problems working 8 hours in front of an LCD monitor if they have sufficient lighting from overhead or through windows. I'm lucky enough to have a desk in a top floor corner office with a several windows as well as good overhead lighting. I also take breaks away from my desk. You can also reduce eye strain by adjusting the contrast and brightness on the display.
You should also take a break regardless of what you are reading text on.
The point i was trying to make with the laptop was that not everyone NEEDS a laptop in school. Yet, they still buy it. This possible tablet might be a middle solution like the ipod touch/iphone is. I know several people that purchased the ipod touch at my school just because of the wifi abilities/app store. All of them had previous ipods, but they still spent the money on the ipod touch. I see your point too that some people become excessive in their habits, but a $700 devise isn't much when that is your one splurge purchase for the year. Heck, some tax returns might pay for most of it. All I'm trying to say is it will be the features that determine the success. It doesn't have much to do with parents giving kids money or students irresponsibly spending money.
