E-book (device)

Electric book (reader, coll. "e-reader"; An e-book reader is a group of highly specialized compact tablet computer devices designed to display text in electronic form, such as e-books^.

The main difference between this group of computer devices and PDAs, smartphones, tablet PCs or subnotebooks is limited functionality, as well as significantly longer battery life. The latter is achieved through the use of "electronic paper" technology. A display made using this technology displays only a few shades of gray, but at the same time reflects light (it does not glow itself) and consumes energy only to form an image (turn the page).

E-readers are a type of tablet computer. Their appearance is due to the development and specialization of tablet computers in general. Some modern devices are equipped with a touch screen and have an extended set of functions, and allow not only reading, but also editing text.

History

In 1971, Michael Hart gained unlimited access to the computer time of the large Xerox Sigma V computer at the University of Illinois. In an effort to make good use of this resource, he created the first e-book, the U.S. Declaration of Independence, when he typed its text into a computer. Thus, by creating electronic copies of more books, Project Gutenberg was ^born.

The first highly specialized device for reading electronic documents was developed by DEC. In 1996, DEC introduced the hardware-based DEC Lectrice. The Lectrice (reader) is a tablet computer with a monochrome touchscreen and pen input capability, which is the prototype for all modern e-books^. Despite the initial task of developing a highly specialized device for reading electronic documents, it turned out to be too expensive and did not go into mass production.

The first mass-produced e-readers were devices with monochrome LCD screens, released almost simultaneously in 1998 by NuvoMedia and Softbook Press. Despite the very successful technical performance of the first models (analogues continued to be produced until 2006), the devices did not become widespread. The same can be said for products from other companies, ranging from "pure" e-readers to PDA-like Hiebooks and Franklin eBookMans.

E-books based on cholesteric liquid crystal screens (ChLCD), which appeared later, despite a significant increase in resolution and battery life, turned out to be in little demand due to the long drawing of the screen and the lack of backlight.

Since 2007, the e-book market has been booming due to the advent of screens with e-paper technology. This is noticeable both in the increase in the number of manufacturers and in the increase in the list of models. At present, an "e-book" is most often understood as a device with a screen made using e-ink technology.

Hardware architecture

Typically, modern e-readers are built on energy-efficient ARM processors. For this category of devices, processors are used that were specifically designed for smartphones and mobile Internet devices (MIDs). Processors for e-books are produced by the following companies: Qualcomm, Broadcom, Freescale, Samsung, TI, Marvell, VIA, Nvidia.

Software

The devices typically use variants of the Linux family of operating systems, with a redesigned user interface that limits the ability to use the device specifically to read e-books.

In modern devices, the functions available to the user are gradually expanding and, in addition to reading books, the software allows: to view photo albums, listen to music and even play the simplest computer games.

Some Sony Readers are listed as using MontaVista Linux Professional Edition as their internal operating system. Many modern models of brands such as Sony, ONYX, use Google Android OS, which allows you to use third-party programs on the device.

Comparison with paper books

Advantages

Compact and portable. Hundreds and thousands of books can be stored in a single device. In addition, the device is usually smaller and lighter than a paper book.
Image settings. At the user's request, you can change the font style, font size, and output format (in one column or in two, in portrait or landscape orientation). The ability to change the font size allows books to be read by people who are unable to read paper books whose font is too small for them.
More features. The device can be used for text search, hyperlink clicks, timestamps and notes, electronic bookmarks, and dictionaries. Built-in programs — speech synthesizers allow you to read texts aloud. An e-reader can display not only text, but also animated pictures, multimedia clips, and also play audiobooks.
Cost of the text. Many texts in electronic form are free or cheaper than in paper form.
Accessibility. If you have an Internet connection, the texts are available for download at any time from the relevant sites (electronic libraries).
Ecological compatibility. To read the texts in the e-book, you don't need paper, for the production of which forests are cut down.
Safe for asthmatics, allergy sufferers, sensitive to house and paper dust.

Disadvantages

Slower read speed (10% on average.
Like any electronic device, e-book readers are much more sensitive to physical damage than paper books.
E-book readers require periodic recharging of built-in accumulators (batteries).
Some publishers release the electronic version of the book with a delay. Some of the books are not officially published in the form of an electronic version at all.
High initial cost (although this figure is falling rapidly).
In some models, DRM is used, which imposes restrictions, including on fair use. For example, the use of DRM leads to a situation where any book cannot be read on any device. One notable example was the remote deletion of legally purchased books from users^{' devices.}

Educational applications

Modern reading devices are also used in education. Many countries are engaged in the creation of electronic content for schools. In Australia, for example, an electronic learning system is in its infancy, and in South Korea, teachers are being trained to use e-textbooks. In Russia, for the first time, electronic textbooks were introduced in schools as an experiment of the Ministry of Education and Science of the Russian Federation in 2011. Devices from different manufacturers were tested in 38 schools in 9 regions of Russia. As a result of the experiment, some media outlets wrote about the readiness of the relevant institute of the ministry to continue work on the introduction of electronic textbooks. Also in the spring of 2013, a 60-day experiment was conducted in 75 schools, on the basis of which teachers were able to conclude about the positive dynamics of the use of electronic textbooks in the educational process.

However, it was noted that the draft needed to be finalized. Until 2015, several more stages of testing were carried out, according to the results of which, according to the adopted law, from January 1, 2015, all Russian schools are obliged to switch to those textbooks for which an electronic version will be issued.

Benefits of Using E-Books in Education

Managing the learning process through the interaction of students' and teachers' mobile devices
organization of individual support for each student based on information about the results of his/her progress in the educational material
organization of network interaction of participants for the formation of skills of educational cooperation, communicative competence

Disadvantages of Using E-Books in Education

E-textbook readers are much more sensitive to physical damage than paper textbooks
E-textbook readers require periodic recharging of built-in accumulators (batteries)
High initial cost (compared to paper)