For some people, and under some circumstances, reading is not merely a linear activity; we take notes, we compare different books, we scribble in the margins. E-books are excellently suited to such activities, assuming that the reading interface lends itself to them.
The Okude Lab of the Media Design department of Keio University in Tokyo has come up with a device called the Biblioroll that should help us read several ebooks at the same time. Apparently, by twisting segments of a tube you select different e-ooks, so that by lining up different segments you can compare passages from books. But that’s what I think it does; I am not entirely clear on how this is supposed to work, though. Suggestions?
Video at YouTube. See also other proposed reading devices at the Okude Lab. Via Ounae. By the way, I think it is way cool that there is a university where they encourage students to think up new e-book devices.
Looks to me like it’s just a way of looking through imaginary e-book bookshelves in a tactile way, and choosing an e-book. Odd.
BRANKO: I myself can imagine many situations where variants of the device might be useful. You’re seeing more at once than you would with other displays. It’s an expansion of the idea of using dual monitors.
Incidentally, that was a terrific post. And I’d really like to see more items picked up from nonEnglish-language blogs like Ounae-just so the info is indeed new.
BOBR: Hey, let’s see where this technology goes. I love those wild experiments.
Thanks,
David
The info is not new (November 2005, if I guess correctly), and originates from the We make money not art blog. I just mentioned the blog I got it from, not the entire trail. The Okude Lab site has a press page, by the way, which contains links to further articles about this device.
For what I write I don’t think it is necessary the subject be new; as long as it says something about mankind’s current condition when it comes to the electronic library.
Right, Branko. If the info is still relevant and would be new to the TeleBlog readers–well, that’s new enough for me. Thanks. David
I can only check whether Teleread has published something before; after which of course I will refrain from writing about it here, with the exception of updates and new insights.
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