The Future of the Paperback Book

rjmccray

With the latest development of eReaders and tablets many people believe it could spell the end of the paperback book. The most popular “ePaper” technology used today is called electrophoretic – an electric charge is used to arrange titanium dioxide particles – and the Sony Reader, Barnes & Noble’s Nook, and the Kindle all use this version. From what I’ve read online there are more than a dozen other technologies available, but the most popular eBooks I’ve looked at all use this technology.

Some popular facts that about eReaders:

The Apple Newton, which came out in 1993 came was envisioned as a device for reading books.
Waterstone’s sells an ebook every 90 seconds; and its fastest selling ebook is Dan Brown’s The Lost Symbol
One crucial part of the e-book library is Project Gutenberg, started by Michael S Hart in 1971 to make uncopyrighted texts available to as wide an audience as possible: the first document he digitised for that was the United States Declaration of Independence.
One unexpected side-effect of the eReader is a rise in the sales of erotic fiction, because it gives anonymity by doing away with the shaming, give-away dust-jackets.
The e-book is not limited to specific devices: Kindle for iPhone allows users to read Kindle e-books on their iPhones, too.
The Sony Reader Pocket Edition weighs 220g, and will hold about 350 books. The average novel, however, weighs 340g. That means that an eReader can be the equivalent of 119kg worth of books, which is roughly two sets of the Encyclopaedia Britannica.
Google’s controversial Books project – digitising 1.5 million texts and making them freely available – is available online and as an iPhone App. Visit books.google.com/m.
On Christmas Day 2009, more e-books were sold on Amazon than print editions.

Although it is still a relatively small market a recent Pew Research Center survey found eReaders in 12% of American households in May 2011 (up from 6% in November 2010) with tablets in 8% of homes. This may seem like a small percentage compared to mobile phones and ipods; it is worth noting that both the eReader and tablet markets are still relatively new; the 2nd generation iPad is less than a year old.

While digital will never be suitable for all books, if the “enhanced” bestsellers find success in digital app stores rather than on the shelves of high street booksellers then the repercussions on the publishing world will likely be widespread. With retail print sales being lost to Amazon, and print sales being lost to eBooks, the impact of virtual books could have a lasting financial effect on the local bookstore.

If you find this post interesting please read a previous post written by PJ during the last blog contest titled College Textbooks Going Digital.

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Technology in Construction & Manufacturing: Why It’s More Than Just Device Management

January 20, 2026

Modern construction and manufacturing sites are no longer just about heavy machinery; they’re digital ecosystems. Tablets, laptops, IoT sensors, and mobile apps are now essential for everything from blueprint access to production monitoring. These tools enable real-time collaboration, safety compliance, and operational efficiency. But when your workforce is spread across remote job sites or large facilities, keeping these systems connected and secure becomes a challenge. Construction Blueprint & Plan Access: Crews use tablets to view updated plans on-site, reducing errors and rework. Safety & Compliance Reporting: Mobile apps allow instant incident reporting and safety checks. Equipment Tracking: IoT sensors monitor heavy machinery usage and maintenance needs. Manufacturing Production Line Monitoring: Tablets and IoT devices track throughput and detect anomalies. Quality Control: Mobile devices capture and share inspection data in real time. Inventory Management: Connected devices streamline material tracking and reduce downtime. These tools keep projects moving, but only if they’re secure, updated, and accessible anywhere. Why Remote Access Is Critical Construction sites and manufacturing plants often operate in remote or rugged environments. Workers need secure, reliable access to company systems, whether they’re in the field, on the shop floor, or traveling between sites. Without proper management, connectivity issues and security gaps can lead to delays, data breaches, and compliance failures. How a Managed IT Services Partner Helps You Win Partnering with a Managed IT Services provider lik e Eberly Systems ensures: Centralized Device Management: Configure, update, and secure all devices remotely using Microsoft Intune. Enterprise-Grade Security: Microsoft Defender protects against threats across IT and OT environments. Identity & Access Control: Microsoft Entra ID enables MFA and conditional access for subcontractors and BYOD scenarios. 24/7 Monitoring & Support: Proactive threat detection and performance monitoring keep operations running smoothly. Scalable Solutions: Whether you have 50 devices or 500, policies and updates roll out automatically. This means your teams can access critical tools and data securely anytime, anywhere, without worrying about downtime or cyber risks. Construction and manufacturing thrive on precision and speed. Technology makes that possible, but only when it’s managed effectively. A trusted Managed IT Services partner doesn’t just keep devices secure, it keeps your business moving, your workforce connected, and your data protected. Ready to empower your teams and safeguard your operations? Contact Eberly Systems today for a free consultation.