Emerging Technologies :Deakin’s experience with mobile devicesRebecca Carruthers
Kindle Pilot
Available at all Campuses
• 6 at Melbourne• 5 at Geelong • 2 at Waterfront• 2 at Warrnambool
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• Each kit contains:• Kindle• List of titles• FAQ sheet• Amazon’s
terms and conditions
• Bag
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All devices have:• 3 non-fiction titles• 3 fiction titles• Kindle user’s guide• Dictionary• Deakin guide to assignment writing and referencing
Each kindle is unique!
Subject guide: http://deakin.libguides.com/content.php?pid=51210&sid=1025688
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What does a kindle look like on the catalogue:
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What have we learnt so far?• Demand for textbooks in ‘e’ format• Loan period – 2 weeks – more or less correct• Kindle itself - varied response
– Not back lit – good and bad– Not colour– Not touch screen– No access to the internet
Other devices currently on trial:
iRex iLiad
ECO reader
Ebook readers
Other devices currently on trial:
Kobo reader
Ebook readersSony reader
Touch screen
Other devices currently on trial:
Also looking at apps on:• iPhone• iPod touch
Handii tablet PC
iPad
Tablet PCs
Interesting devicesEreaders• Spring design’s Alex
Tablets• Toshiba’s Libretto
– Window’s 7 based Operating system • The Kno
– Web based linux Operating system– http://vimeo.com/12223465
Current limitations of e-readers
• Content– Limited availability of electronic textbooks– No downloads from ebook platforms to portable
devices
• Purchasing restrictions– Kindle with Amazon– Kobo with Borders
Future device must haves:
• Not locked down to a single ebook source eg. Amazon• Ability to handle all available ebook formats eg. ePub,
PDF, etc• Multi-function• Run multiple programs at once• Colour and touch screen• Long battery life• Light weight
Rebecca CarruthersCollections SpecialistPh: 5227 8232Email: [email protected]