"Kindle skips ahead 9 models to bring the biggest, highest powered e-reader ever conceived"Here's a little gem from LandlineTV , a hysterical one minute spoof on where the Kindle might be headed.It was done in May 2009, soon after the Kindle DX was announced.Thanks to TeleRead for the lead
The Electronic Home Library: 1950’s Style
click to enlarge and enjoyThe year is 1959.The place is the Chicago Tribune.The image is from Arthur Radebaugh's syndicated futurist cartoonist strip, Closer Than We Think!The text accompanying the image (emphasis mine): Some unusual inventions for home entertainment and education will be yours in the future, such as the "television recorder" that RCA's David Sarnoff described recently. With this device, when a worthwhile program comes over the air while you are away from home, or even while you're watching it, you'll be able to preserve both the picture and sound on tape for replaying at any time. Westinghouse's Gwilym Price...
Fingerprints as the new library card
Image viaAn elementary school library in Manchester, England has begun using a new system developed by Microsoft where kids use their thumbprints to check-out and return books.The head of the school, Lesley Isherwood, praises the system for its efficiency and notes that no image of the fingerprints are ever stored. The system is also entirely voluntary. Phil Booth, national coordinator of NO2ID, a privacy campaign group is highly skeptical of the program. “For such a trivial issue as taking out of library books the taking of fingerprints is way over the top and wrong...It conditions children to hand over sensitive personal...
Waterstone’s and Barnes & Noble Tilt Toward the Screen
"In the clash between the conventions of the book and the protocols of the screen, the screen will prevail" -Kevin Kelly, Scan This Book!, and duly noted in David Shields Reality Manifesto (76)Waterstone's, the UK's largest bookseller, has just completed an extreme brand makeover. The centerpiece is a complete reworking of their logo; out with the caps and serifs, in with lowercase and sans. The slogan for the campaign announcing the visual shift is 'feel every word.' While, clearly a cooler, hipper look I would agree with Mark Sinclair's assessment over at the Creative Review blog:"While these inventive takes on the...
Fridge Poetry Moves Online
We've all seen those cute little magnets that turn our refrigerator into a blank page. Well, now there is an online version thanks to Seattle-based isnoop.net.Magnetic Words 3.0 allows you to virtually recreate your fridge poetry experience while in the presence of kindred fridge poets from around the world.Thanks to harriet, the blog from the Poetry Foundation for the lead