iPad and an electronic book

We discussed about an iPad and learned that iPad is the product between mobile phone (iPhone) and personal computer (Macintosh)  in the class . Today I would like to think about what we can do with a tablet.

First, this is one of the iPad’s CM in Japan. As you see, you can do a lot of things through applications and softs. A iPad can be used for playing game, reading and making documents. An iPhone can fit in your pocket and be carried easily, and is  good for communicating with others like a mobile phone. However, it is not suited for making documents and reading, because the screen is too small. A personal computer is difficult to carry, so it is inconvenient to bring along. On the other hand, a tablet is versatile, because a tablet is thin and light and has big screen. You can use it at home or while away for home.  Also you can customize as you like. In other words, a tablet expresses your personality. For example, If you like cooking, you would download some cooking applications. When someone see your iPad, he/she knows that you like cooking. 

 

  I think a tablet has some attractive qualities. One of them is an electronic book, because a tablet is useful for getting electronic books.  You can enjoy reading anywhere by using tablet, because you don’t need to mind about the weight of the book. In my case, now I'm in US, it is very difficult to get Japanese book in print. However, If I had a tablet, I could read Japanese books. 

Although electronic books are useful, at the same time, they can change the way to connect with others.

At first, If you have a tablet and use an electronic book, you needn’t go to bookstores, because you can can buy your book online. On the other words, the process you get a book was changed. An electronic book doesn’t need printing makers, book designers and bookstore, people work at these company become unnecessary. 

Also, an electronic book is not a " thing"and you cannot share books with others. For example,  If you borrow a book to a friend, you can talk and share your impression about it face-to-face. By sharing a book, you might be a good friend after that. The connections through books were changed and disappear by everyone using an electronic book.

 On the other hand, new connections and communities form between people use by spread electronic books and the Internet. One of the good examples is social reading. If you use social reading sites, like COPIA, you can post and share your ideas of the books and connect with a large number of the general public. Although an electronic book looks like a private thing, it is possible to make new types of communities  and connections if you can use resources on the Internet.

As I said, a tablet can do various things and has great possibility. By finding and using good applications for you,  your life will be more convenient and comfortable.