Pew: E-readers have surpassed tablets, ownership doubles in 6 months

Posted: June 28th, 2011 | Author: | Filed under: Notes | Tags: , , , , , | No Comments »

With Amazon reporting that ebooks are the top selling books on Amazon, this doesn’t surprise me:

The percent of U.S. adults with an e-book reader doubled from 6% to 12% between November 2010 and May 2011. Hispanic adults, adults younger than age 65, college graduates and those living in households with incomes of at least $75,000 are most likely to own e-book readers. Parents are also more likely than non-parents to own these devices.

I find myself reading more books now that I have ebooks. The ability to take all of my books with me on my iPad, wherever I go, lends it self much better to spontaneous reading. I also really like how my iPhone syncs with my iPad, and I can read a book for a few minutes if I get bored (when my wife is shopping or when I’m waiting for a drink order).

I believe that physical books — particularly well-done hardcovers (higher end than a standard one) — will become collectors items for people really interested in a particular book. A display item of sorts. For most other reading, ebooks will be the way to go.

That’s my new model.