Week 3: Hardware

Instead of talking this week about the hardware of a traditional computer or laptop, I wanted to discuss the hardware associated with the latest models of ebooks, ranging from the Amazon Kindle, Barnes & Noble's Nook and Apple's iPad.

First, let's start with the latest version of the Amazon Kindle, known as the Kindle DX (or the third generation of the Kindle). It has a 9.7" diagonal E Ink Pearl display that measures 10.4" x 7.2" x 0.38" and weighs 18.9 oz.. It has the battery life of 7 days (wireless on) or up to 2-3 weeks (wireless off) and can store up to 3,500 books! The only downside to the newest version of the Kindle is that it doesn't have Wi-Fi like the previous versions did. In terms of additional hardware, the Kindle DX has
a HSDPA modem (3G) with a fallback to EDGE/GPRS and utilizes Amazon Whispernet to provide wireless coverage via AT&T's 3G high-speed data network in the U.S. and partner networks outside of the U.S.. It also has a USB 2.0 (micro-USB connector) port for connection to the Kindle DX power adapter or optionally to connect to a PC or Macintosh computer. Finally, it has a 3.5mm stereo audio jack and built-in stereo speakers for great audio capability. The Kindle has just enough techie specs to satisfy the average reader looking for just a few more perks, like Internet capability and built in audio.
Here are a few of its hardware specs:
Operating system - Linux 2.6.26
Power - 3.7 V, 1750 mAH lithium polymer, BA1001 model
CPU - Freescale 532 MHz, ARM-11
Storage capacity - 4 GB/3.3 GB internal flash memory
Memory - 256 MB

Next up is the latest version of Barnes & Noble's Nook, the Nook Color. It has a 7-inch 1024x600 resolution multi-touch touchscreen LCD display, as opposed to the original Nook's 3.5-inch secondary touchscreen. It doesn't have an e-ink display like the Kindle, making it a tablet computer as well as an e-reader. It has a customizable display with color options, six font sizes, and internet browsing over Wi-Fi (which the Kindle DX lacks) and it also has a built-in media player that supports audio and video.
Here are its hardware specs:
Operating system - Android 2.2
Power - Installed battery 3.7v 4000mAh (8 hours with Wi-Fi off)
CPU - 800 Mhz ARM Cortex-A8-based TI OMAP3621
Storage capacity - 8GB internal storage, MicroSD expansion up to 32GB
Memory - 512MB
Display - 7-inch 1024 x 600 px WSVGA IPS LCD at 170 ppi
Graphics - PowerVR SGX 530
Input - Capacitive multi-touch screen with side volume, Nook Home, and Power buttons

Last is Apple's iPad 2, their second generation tablet computer. Of the three ebook readers, the iPad 2 is by far the most advanced and has more tablet computer capabilities than the others.
Here are some of its hardware specs (based on the version with Wi-Fi + 3G):
Size - 9.5" x 7.31" x .34"
Weight - 1.35lbs (much heavier than the other ebook readers)
Storage - 16GB, 32GB, 64GB
Processor - 1GHz dual-core Apple A5 custom-designed, high-performance, low-power system-on-a-chip
Audio and Video - Has a back and front camera, built-in speaker, microphone, 3.5mm stereo headphone minijack
Power - Built-in 25-watt hour rechargeable lithium-polymer battery, up to 10 hrs of surfing the web on Wi-Fi, watching video or listening to music, charging via power adapter or USB to computer system

So there you have it! With so many great ebook options, it's hard to choose. If you want something for strictly reading books, I would go for the Kindle DX. For those who want some tablet specs and some reading specs with more enhanced imagery and color, I would go for the Nook. And lastly, for those who want the absolute full package, you've got to get the iPad 2.

Until next time -

Week 2: Excel and the E-book

As all business types know, Microsoft Excel can be a very useful, if not one of the most useful, tools in a business setting. It is known for its' seemingly never-ending spreadsheets featuring calculation, graphing tools, pivot tables and a macro programming language. While many business use Excel to crunch numbers and check figures, it can also be used to create trending graphs and schedules - which are also very useful in the business and non-business worlds alike. Basically, if you have Excel and know how to use it properly and completely, then you will be on your way to success.

When it comes to the e-book, Microsoft Excel has plenty of applications. First, concerning popularity, Microsoft Excel can be used to create trend graphs, which can help e-book companies figure out what types of books are most popular and more likely to make further profit. Excel can also organize lists; when applied the the electronic publishing industry, lists on excel can be create to keep track of all factual information concerning a company's novels alongside their base costs, distribution costs, advertising costs and so on. Excel can organize all of those little bits of information involved with running a company, and help them make more sense to the reader. In addition to all of that, Excel can also be a huge help when trying to calculate appropriate prices for products. In the case of the e-book, you could punch in data to Excel that would analyze the price for creating the e-book compared to the price of distribution and selling it. Once those figures are in place on Excel, financial terms can be spelled out that tell the manufacturer how much they can pay to create a book and make a profit at the same time.
Excel is such a common application and very simple to use. By using Excel to organize and calculate the finances of an e-book publishing company, the company will run more efficiently, quicker, and also more accurately than ever before. The days of crunching numbers in your head and imagining a trend graph are over, and have been replaced by Excel and its' simple and easy to use tools.Excel can and will be able to crunch numbers for the company, make sure it doesn't overextend its funds, let it know when it's time (financially speaking) to back down on a book offer or keep going at it. Overall, Excel is a pivotal tool for any company to use in order to stay organized, accurate and efficient. So in order for my book publishing company to survive, thrive and succeed, it must take full advantage of Excel and its' wide array of tool options.

What are your thoughts on Excel? Is it overrated or a necessity in the workplace?

Until next time -

Week One: Social Media

This week's topic is about Social Media and Entrepreneurship, and as many businesses and even non-businesses know, social media can be a huge way to promote and enhance your product. As a means of promoting and enhancing the image, usage and overall look of the e-book, social media can become a big plus.

In terms of promotion, social media like Facebook and Twitter can help popularize the e-book more than in the past. First, social media is free so there is no expense when it comes to promoting and advertising on the various social networking sites. Also, with social media, you'll be able to stress the fact that e-books are much cheaper than paperback and hardback books. Each time a new set of books becomes available for the e-book, social media can instantly promote them to businesses and non-businesses alike and in effect gain more sales.

In terms of usage, social media can be applied to the actual e-book itself. Say, for example, that an e-book for the iPad comes with various note taking tools like highlighting, a dictionary, a magnifying glass and sticky tabs (bookmarks) at the bottom of the electronic page. Well, what if social media were added to that toolbar on the bottom? Add an icon for twitter, facebook, tumblr and foursquare to the toolbar so that if a reader comes across a memorable quote, picture or video on the page they can immediately tweet about it, Facebook or tumble a graphic or even foursquare their literal or fictional location in the book. So if you were reading Harry Potter for the first or more likely, the third time, you could check in at either your sofa reading the book or you could take the more fun option, and check in at Hogwarts. Readers would love to interact more with their books, and by adding social media to the picture, a whole new level of reading enjoyment will arise.

The uses for social media are endless, especially when it comes to e-books. Whether you just want to popularize your product or provide a more interactive approach for your customers, social media is quite a handy tool to have in your back pocket.

How do you feel about social media and the e-book? Share your thoughts!

Until next time -

My Entrepreneurial Idea: E-books

For this nine week project, I've decided to focus on the idea of the electronic book, or the e-book. In recent years, the success of the e-book has proven itself to be useful but the idea that it will someday surpass the traditional bound book still seems to be a major mystery.

I hope that with the use of this blog and the technological ideas we learn about in class, I'll be able to improve the image of the e-book and possibly find ways for it to someday surpass traditional books.

That's all for now, until next time -

Welcome!

Just a little introduction, my name is Christina Fieni and this is a semester long project for my IST 195 class where I'll be blogging about all sorts of technology related topics. So if you're a techie, stick around and share some adventures with me.

Until next time -