There are a lot of e-readers out on the market, but I am still not satisfied with the reading experience. I feel like the goal of e-readers now, is to get as many into the hands of people as possible, to get readers used to skimming through page after page in that particular format. Then, we’ll eventually see the format wars. As a friend of mine aptly pointed out, it’s just like what happened back in the days of Beta versus VHS.
The problem for me is not the format of the book, but the device itself. I feel there’s a huge component missing — the cover. Now, word of mouth advertising relies on interfacing with other readers online, but not in person. It’s easy to show someone a physical copy of a book when someone says “Hey, what are you reading?” Doesn’t work like that when you’re out in the wild. In fact, I’m less inclined to strike up that conversation now that the answer requires the person to stop reading and tell me what the book is. Since I spot books by their cover, it’s hard for me to remember names all the time — unless I specifically go out looking for one.
What I want, is an eReader that has a screen on the opposite side to display the book cover you’re reading by default. I picture this as a flexible image where you can add your own “book paper” when you’re not reading something. Imagine what that one image could do. No, I don’t want it to be full of advertising (ew!) but a picture can really add something to help boost a book’s visibility and facilitate conversation, too.
I feel that covers are very important and will become increasingly moreso as time goes on. Yes, this is one cover that is (usually) judged. So why not highlight all the great ones that are out there? Certainly, it would make the digital experience all that sweeter for me.
- Mood: I’m a cliche.
Caffeinated Beverages Consumed: Going to drink my way through a barrel of coffee and then pass out into sweet oblivion.
Work-Out Minutes Logged Yesterday: None due to a stupid, clutzy move.
In My Ears: Star Wars
Game Last Played: Star Wars Battlefront
Movie Last Viewed: Drive
Latest Artistic Project: Cross-stitch
Latest Release: “Don’t Ignore Your Dead” included in Don’t Read This Book for the Don’t Rest Your Head RPG
Greg Stolze May 9, 2012
Yeah, that would be nice, but are you willing to bump the price up by another… what, 50%? The expensive part of the reader is the screen, I reckon, and putting on a second screen is a lot of extra component expense for something that can look inessential. Even if it’s not a touch screen, it would need to be color, right?
-G.
Jess Hartley May 9, 2012
Interesting idea! My first thought was “oh, and then, for books that contain bookplates and illustrations, that image could be the default, but when you’re in certain passages, it could change to reflect the appropriate illustration!” And you could toggle “Cover only” or “Cover and Illustrations”.
Monica Valentinelli May 9, 2012
Greg: Once e-readers are more mainstream, then they’ll have to evolve in order for more people to continue buying/replacing them. I think we’ll see cheap and premium models eventually. And yes, I would be willing to pay more for a premium model that won’t be replaced by a newer one in six months. I want the VCR business model for these — not the cell phone.
Preston May 9, 2012
According to teleread.org, erotica has greatly benefited from expansion of e-books precisely because one can read it on the go without the knowledge of strangers. I can imagine a world in where a lot of people show off their “The Collected Works of William Shakespeare” while reading “Bondage in Apt. 7.” 🙂
Monica Valentinelli May 9, 2012
Yes, this is certainly true, but that isn’t true of everyone. 🙂
Steven Saus May 9, 2012
Excellent idea! As it is, I’m frustrated with so many eBooks having the title page be the “cover” instead of the actual, you know, COVER.
Jayson May 10, 2012
There are a few issues here. Cost is one. The screen is the biggest cost involved, accounting for up to 80% of the price. Adding a second screen would turn an affordable $129 reader into a $300 model… and at that price, people will want a full tablet instead.
The other issue is that on expensive electronics, a screen is seen as something to PROTECT. Everyone I see with an ereader has it in a case or cover of some sort. So if there was a second screen… it would get put in a case and hidden away, defeating the purpose.
A better solution, honestly, would be designing cases with a clear insert pocket on the back, and providing hi-res print-ready images of the covers. Those who want to advertise their reading can print out the pretty cover and slip it into clear pocket on the case, for all to see.