E-books kicked into high gear (at least in South Korea)

Colin Dunstan · 02-07-2006, 04:50 AM

Whether that's gospel truth or just marketing hype, according to latest forecasts South Korea continues to see a tremendous surge in popularity for e-books. Thanks to big companies such as Amazon.com and SK Telekom tapping the domestic e-book market, and to a national passion (and, some say, obsession) for the Internet and everything digital, sales are expected to expand more than threefold to 140b won ($144m) this year and to surpass 300b won in 2007.

Just as the Koreans embrace cyber-age with a frenzy all their own, it wouldn't surprise me if despite the forthcoming introduction of the Sony Reader and other advanced e-book reading devices, e-books will remain a niche technology in the Western world for a very long time.

Related: In Korea e-books are soaring

Alexander Turcic · 02-09-2006, 07:47 AM

Add-on: According to the Korea Times, e-textbooks will be available at elementary schools in S. Korea starting in March.

The ministry said that it will continue to develop various kinds of electronic textbooks using animation and multi-media. In an effort to boost usage of the digital books, teachers will also be required to learn how to use them. "As one of the information and telecommunications powers, we will step up efforts to develop the e-books to better keep the so-called ubiquitous educational environment in place. It will also improve educational infrastructures by providing personal computers to every student."

http://times.hankooki.com/lpage/nati...8192810510.htm

02-07-2006, 04:50 AM	#1
Colin Dunstan Is papyrophobic! Posts: 1,926 Karma: 1009999 Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: USA Device: Dell Axim	E-books kicked into high gear (at least in South Korea) Whether that's gospel truth or just marketing hype, according to latest forecasts South Korea continues to see a tremendous surge in popularity for e-books. Thanks to big companies such as Amazon.com and SK Telekom tapping the domestic e-book market, and to a national passion (and, some say, obsession) for the Internet and everything digital, sales are expected to expand more than threefold to 140b won ($144m) this year and to surpass 300b won in 2007. Just as the Koreans embrace cyber-age with a frenzy all their own, it wouldn't surprise me if despite the forthcoming introduction of the Sony Reader and other advanced e-book reading devices, e-books will remain a niche technology in the Western world for a very long time. Related: In Korea e-books are soaring

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
I need help in South Korea	Nate the great	Deals and Resources (No Self-Promotion or Affiliate Links)	15	05-17-2010 09:56 AM
South Korea Lifts iPad Ban	Lotus Esprit	Apple Devices	6	05-01-2010 07:48 PM
Will live in South Korea for the next year, will Kindle work???	rzsiftyxoq	Amazon Kindle	6	04-26-2010 09:43 PM
Hello from South Korea	gyuhang419	Introduce Yourself	7	08-10-2009 10:10 AM
Samsung e-book reader announced in South Korea	DonaldL.	News	4	07-27-2009 04:07 PM

02-09-2006, 07:47 AM	#2
Alexander Turcic Fully Converged Posts: 18,171 Karma: 14021202 Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Switzerland Device: Too many to count here.	Add-on: According to the Korea Times, e-textbooks will be available at elementary schools in S. Korea starting in March. The ministry said that it will continue to develop various kinds of electronic textbooks using animation and multi-media. In an effort to boost usage of the digital books, teachers will also be required to learn how to use them. "As one of the information and telecommunications powers, we will step up efforts to develop the e-books to better keep the so-called ubiquitous educational environment in place. It will also improve educational infrastructures by providing personal computers to every student." http://times.hankooki.com/lpage/nati...8192810510.htm

Advert