The Future

            The technology for electronic books and readers is still developing and advancing. The devices are getting thinner and lighter, and several enhancements are being added to make e-readers more appealing to consumers. Display technology is being experimented with to enhance the reader’s ability to see the display in any type of light. Electronic readers are also becoming more multifunctional with internet access, and game availability. More e-books are becoming available every day to download, and even textbooks are available in electronic format. E-books could play a major role in the future of higher education. The 2010 Horizon Report states, “An obvious draw for students is the advantage of having a single handheld reading device that can easily accommodate the entirety of readings involved in one’s study, as well as all the essential reference texts”. Will e-readers become an essential tool for college students? It’s possible that multifunctional tablets with e-reading capabilities might become an integral part of everyone’s daily life in the future. The iPad is a great example of future possibilities. However, paper books will probably never be completely replaced. “Once they own an e-reader, only 15 percent of consumers say they stop purchasing print books altogether”. (Newsweek) Paper books can be destroyed and lost over time. There is the possibility of electronic failure and data corruption with electronic books and readers, but there is a chance that this technology will withstand the test of time better than a book made of paper.