Color e-book Readers on the Horizon

What's the future of the e-book reader? In a word color.
While the kindle and nook are cool in there own quaint way. I don't think e-reading is going to catch on until we get color screens. Certainly not for YA and kids.

Why? First, no online magazines. Second, you can't really utilize the promise of a multi-media reading experience. If you think reading on a black and white screen is fine, you were probably born before the internet.

The iPad is a step in the right direction, but eye strain might be a big issue for serious reading. Not to mention you'll need a really big pocket.

Dell's mini 5 is coming out soon. With it's 5 inch screen it will fit in the pocket, but eye stain is still going to be a problem. Plus, they'll have to price it low enough to compete with the iPad's $500 price point.

Color e-ink technology is on it's way; it's already arrived in Japan. But it really looks like it will be a couple years or so before any of these companies get it right and offer a truly portable, truly readable e-reader.

In the coming years I'm sure we'll see a convergence of these devices. After all even if they do fit in your pocket, how many pockets are you going to need for your cell, e-reader, camera, GPS, etc.

B&N to Place Third Party Rating on All Children's Books

Publisher's weekly recently ran this story about B&N placing ratings on all Children's titles.

I've used Common Sense Media. I think it's a good tool for parents. However, I am strongly opposed to putting condensed info (by condensed I mean negative) about books on a book store's website.

Especially, since Common Sense Media provides no guidelines for media producers on how they rate books (at least that I could find). So, how are we suppose to be able to avoid a negative rating? I also couldn't find a process to appeal a rating (if they don't like your book you appear to be SOL).


Someone asked me, ins't this no different from video game ratings? There's a huge difference. First, ratings on video games are done to specified standards (publishers know, mostly, what they need to do get keep from getting a mature rating). Second, the rating is assigned before the book is published (so there's time to make changes). Third, game publishers can challenge a given rating. Last, the rating are generally accurate, whereas some of the rating by Common Sense Media are factually wrong.

I believe these types of tools are great for parents, but listing on negative information next to a book title in a shopping environment is the first step to eventual censorship.


You just spent 3 years of your life writing and polishing your novel. But wait, there's an elf smoking a pipe and drinking a mug of something that seems to be alcoholic. We're sorry, that's not acceptable for children.
Oh well, too bad for you!