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 iLiadECO 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: rebecca.carruthers@deakin.edu.au