I imagine a lot of folks are playing with new iPads, Kindles and other e-readers this week, getting familiar with a world of digital books, magazines and newspapers. I'm one of them.
A bright, shiny iPad was one of my presents this year, and I've enjoyed it as both a computer and reading device. Last week, while waiting for a relative at a doctor's office, I knocked off several P.G. Wodehouse stories as well as Poe's "Gold Bug." (I've also spent a few minutes here and there playing Angry Birds, but that's another story.)
As a journalist, much of my time is spent checking out newspapers and magazines, and I have to say that the iPad versions seem very first-generation. They're designed to be cleaner than the standard web versions, but are a little too bland for my taste. No doubt that will change quickly, as designers adapt to the technology.
The amount of free literature is truly stunning, and my digital bookshelf already include lots of Poe, Twain and Austen. (This could be the year I finally tackle "Pride and Prejudice"!) And the ease of downloading the text is remarkable. Still, the older works don't take advantage of the iPad's technology, unless you count being able to look at line drawings. To get the full effect, I'll need to actually BUY some books. I've resisted that because I get so many review copies. But maybe in 2011 ...