Quote:
Originally Posted by bbusybookworm
I think the preference For a dedicated or multifunctional device is a little difficult to generalize.
As a comparative young person (25) I usually prefer multifunctional devices as that usually means having to carry less and less logistic issues ( having to travel with apowerstrip and a bag of chargers is not fun).
However when it comes to readers I've usually preferred having a dedicated device, as it means that I've not got to worry about whether my 3hr Reading session means I'm not able to take an important call or vice versa.
Having said that, there are times when I don't want to carry a dedicated device with me, and prefer the convinence offers by a multifunctional device. I'm quiet lucky that I'm able to afford to do both, have a dedicated Reader for longer Reading sessions (and holidays) while my multifunctional device can and does serve me well for those quick 10 to 15 minutes of Reading I'm able to grab throughout the day.
So what I'm saying is that it's not really an either or preposition for everyone, with a hibrid solution often suiting many peoples needs.
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I agree this is the point we're at now, but I can't see it lasting. Years ago I had an Amstrad Word-Processer (green screen) and alll I could do was type on the thing. It had a singular purpose, and for that purpose it served me very well (exceedingly well, actually). But I would no longer buy such a machine when I can own a computer that does word-processing and a whole lot more.
As it stands the computer isn't the best solution for long form reading, but I don't think we're too far off from an evolution of the e-ink screen that serves a multi-function purpose. A tablet that will, paired with a more traditional standalone computer as a main hub, be used for all the entertainment in a household. Fully portable, this machine will serve as e-book reader, news aggregator, movie watcher, web-surfer, TV remote and scheduler, video conferencer, phone and the whole kaboodle. It might even go one step further and require only a docking keyboard of some sort to make it into a fully fledged computer. Each person in the household will have one, their lives synced to the device through internet, in a cloud-like configuration. In this future I can't see the point of a dedicated anything.