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eREADINg MAKETh PERfECT

The first digital book reader, Franklin eBookman, was released in 1999, but the concept didnt catch up until recently when a wide variety of eReaders flooded the market. The convenient, cost-effective eReaders has now become a rage among book lovers. With the smartphones allowing installation of book reader applications, the eReader market has widened significantly.

A BRIEF HISTORY

Bibliophiles are increasingly trudging the digital path, thanks to the limited number of bookshops and libraries, and the unavailability of popular titles in Oman. T A Ameerudheen catches up with the members of eReading community to find out their experience

here was a time, not so long ago, when people longed to possess a best selling book, flip through the pages, touch the letters and savour its distinctive smell. Bookstores used to flood with inquiries about the availability of a new release from a best selling author, while libraries used to witness huge rush to grab the first copy. But it has almost become a thing of the past, thanks to the advent of an electronic device that weighs less than 300 grams. New-age bibliophiles consider it as a treasure trove that cannot be measured physically, as its virtual memory contains millions of invaluable books. For them, electronic book reader (eReader) is the best thing happened in their lives. It gives them better reading experience as it allows them choose their books from the e-store, save it in their eReader and read it. Avaricious readers in Oman consider it as a blessing as the country has a scarcity of bookshops and libraries. Little surprise, then, that some of the electronics stores in Muscat sold more than 100 eReaders last month alone. Amazon Kindle is the hot favourite, followed by Kobo, Sony Reader, Barnes & Noble Nook and BeBook Neo. Many others use Tablets (Apple iPad, Samsung Galaxy, HP Touchpad), Mobile Devices (Apple iPhone, Android, Windows) and Desktop Applications (Adobe Digital Edition, Microsoft Reader) to experience digital reading. Easy availability Availability of titles, which are otherwise difficult to get in Oman, forced Hosam Jamali buy Kobo eReader. I use Kobo on my phone, and it allows to synchronize with multiple devices. Now I

can read many books simultaneously, said Hosam. Brian McCormack, principal, Muscat International School, said easy availability of books made him an eReader fan. eReader has revolutionized the reading culture. I carry the device where ever I go, he said. Abdul Kareem, head of OmanTrada Net, an e-commerce company, has plenty of reasons to get hooked to the device. Instant availability, portability, and numerous other features are the advantages of eReader. Those who love to read printed books have their own reasons to stick to their hobby, and they may even find some eReader advantages as disadvantages. If it is to choose between the two based on reasons, I think the deciding factor is whether those dis/ advantages are really important to you or not, said Kareem, who reads most of the books in his iPad these days. Portability Many find portability as the hallmark of the device. Majority of the students from the Muscat International School, who took part in our survey, found the feature quite fascinating. It is more convenient as I am able to carry thousands of books in a single device, said Sami Robart, a Class 11 student. It is easier to get latest books. It also helps me multi-task and read books whenever I get time, said Noor of Class 12. But her class-mate Amal Al Balushi has a different perspective. It is an ecofriendly device. It doesnt need paper, so it minimizes tree felling. It is good for our environment. For Darren Melsom, who teaches English at MIS, the availability of cheaper books makes the device more attractive. Books from estore are available at competitive prices

and customers can get discounts on all sort of titles. Death of printed books? The emergence of eReaders has triggered a world-wide debate about the future of the printed books too. Even bigger publishing houses are now eyeing major share in the digital market. The planned merger of Penguin and Random House, worlds top two trade publishers, should be seen in this perspective. After the merger announcement, a Penguin official had said the merged company would have greater resources to invest in digital publishing which could include the development of a web platform selling books direct to consumers. However, booklovers in Oman feel that the advent of e-books will not pose any threat to printed books. Of course, E-reader has a bright future. It will put printed books into some sort of deep sleep. But I wish printed books will remain forever, said Darren. Even Hosam thinks eReaders do not give the happiness of handling a printed book. Having physically touched every page in between the two covers, reading printed books is altogether a different experience. But Abdul Kareem believes printed books and eReaders can co-exist peacefully in a non-linear world. As an object, books will live many lives, as is evidenced by its life before the advent of printing. It has to do with the production side than reading. Some great works are not possible without royalty advances as it call for research and travel. Thus the whole question needs to be looked from many vantage points - that of reader, author and book sellers, said Abdul Kareem. ameerudheen@hioman.com

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PHOTOS: O K MOHAMMED ALI

We keep our passion

Abdul Kareem Head Oman TradaNet I take my reading along with my passion in technology, enjoying the growth of both the domains. But it doesnt mean I have given up reading printed books, but I read most books now in digital format.

Zain Ali Burney Class IX Student Muscat International School I store plenty of books in my eReader (Kindle Touch). The best thing about the device is that I can carry it where ever I go and read my favourite titles whenever I get time. Obviously, I read more books these days.

Dania Farooq Class XI Muscat International School The compact eReader makes reading more enjoyable. I am sure the device is going to be the future. It is a blessing for students like me, who dont have to bother about the weight of the printed books.

Ayesha Class XI Muscat International School Before the advent of eReader, it was very difficult to find favourite titles in the bookstores. Now, I can access whatever books I want from the e-book store. I love to carry the portable device wherever I go.

Darren Melsom Teacher Muscat International School I find eReader useful as I can access any book that I would like to read. I used to tell my students about its virtues. It is convenient, comfortable and easy to use. Moreover, e-books are available at competitive prices.

Different types of E-Readers

DEDICATED E-READERS Amazon Kindle
It is the leaders in e-book readers. Its success lies in its long battery life, e-ink screen (claimed to cause less eye strain) and its ability to read MOBI, PRC files as well as PDF and TXT documents. but also enables the reader to download Nook and Kobo apps through Android market.

HP Touchpad Tablet
Its Kindle app gives readers access to millions of low-priced books in the Kindle store.

Barnes & Noble Nook

Running on the Android sysytem, Barnes & Nobles e-book readers offers easy downloading via the Barnes & Noble Store. But it doesnt support Word or PDF files.

MOBILE DEVICES Apple iPhone

Comes with free downloadable Stanza reader software available from the Apple App Store that can be accessed through iTunes. It also supports the Kindle and Barnes & Noble app in PRC and MOBI formats.

BeBook Neo
The BeBook Neo e-book reader comes with an open-market technology, comfortable design and long battery life to make reading enjoyable. The Neo also offers up to 16GB storage and Wacom touch screen technology.

Android
Users of Android OS phones can download Aldiko, a functional book reader application. Other Android-tailored apps are FBReader, Word-player and Kindle for Android which can be downloaded from the Android market.

Kobo e-reader
The Kobo e-reader supports EPUB, PDF and Adobe DRM formats and comes with 100 free books to start with.

Windows
Windows Mobile smartphones have the choice of downloading a wide variety of book readers including Microsoft Reader, Mobipocket eBook Reader, eReader, Kobo, Txtr, Iceberg, etc.

Sony Reader
Sonys Reader Wi- Fi allows direct download from public libraries that support wireless technology. It supports a wide range of formats including EPUB (with or without Adobe DRM), PDF (with or without Adobe DRM), TXT, RTF, DOC, JPG, PNG, GIF, BMP, MP3 and AAC.

DESKTOP APPLICATIONS Adobe Digital Editions

The most commonly used desktop book reader, Adobe Digital Editions, is still the only reader that fully supports the ePUB table of contents. Digital Editions also supports PDF and is perfect for downloading free reads from Project Gutenberg.

TABLET DEVICES The Apple iPad

The iPad works very well as a reading device. The free iBook application allows eBooks to be downloaded from the iBookstore. Kindle and Kobo apps can also be downloaded.

Microsoft Reader
This free, downloadable application allows you to read e-books on any Windows -running laptop.

Samsung Galaxy Tab

The Samsung Galaxy Tab comes with a preinstalled Kindle app

Before enrolling on a programme of study you are advised to check with the Ministry of Higher Education.