Oh Holy Cow!!! I just came across this blurb about the new Sony ebook reader from Engadget and it could possibly be what I would actually want from an ebook reader. From what I can tell in this article you will be able to “check out” ebooks from your local public library. After 14-29 days (set by the library) the book will be deleted off your reader. Basically, the library is just buying rights* to a few digital copies of the books and then it works just like a regular library.
My wife put it best, “When it comes to books, there are some you want to buy and keep on the shelf to re-read or share and there are some books that you just want to get from the library and read and return them.” I see the real evolution of ebooks coming when you get download a book from your library and read it on the go and not have to return it, it’s like Netflix’s Watch Instantly for books!
*Yes, yes I know the books will be DRMed but frankly I think this is finally a really great use of DRM. This isn’t a book you are buying, you’re borrowing it from an institution and they need it back when you are done so they can lend it to someone else. Make this DRM transparent and count me in, just don’t think you can add it back to my mp3s though.
