Lapbook? Booktop? A novel solution to reading e-books on the go
I’m not quite sure how to see this one? Is it a book that works like a laptop or a laptop that looks like a book?
Kyle Bean’s design is certainly very appealing aesthetically and its function as a computer hidden in hardback is clear enough but at which market is it aimed?
Thinking about it though, I’m not sure if that really matters. I can see myself sitting on the tube with it held like a book, reading whatever novel I’ve just downloaded on the screen, and I can see myself using it as a discreet personal computer to surf the infoblob wherever I can pick up a WiFi signal.
I’m still not sure I’d chose this lap-book over a traditional paper back though. Firstly, it’s going to be heavier. Secondly, I’m not sure if I want to read from the same page all the time. There’s a certain pleasure in the real, physical journey one takes through the pages of a story, and lastly, I’m still not mad about the idea of staring at screens longer than I have to.
I don’t normally associated reading with drying out my eyeballs and I don’t think I want to. The literary publishing industry seems to be one of the safest from the clutches of internet age. People just like reading books the way they’re used to – always have, always will. Besides, I wouldn’t fancy accidentally leaving this one on the train.
Kyle Bean (via the design blog)
Related posts: Readius rollable e-book | Opinion: Amazon’s Kindle won’t make E-Books popular | Booksnap: turn novels into e-books
