A Library in your Pocket - Will it Work?
Questia just launched their iPhone/iPod Touch app. The app gives you permanent access to 5,000 books for $0.99 and the option to subscribe to get access to over 76,000 books and 2.7 million articles, according to their website.
Is this the kind of service students will use? Mark Milian, writing for the LA Times, questions if this app really serves a purpose. He bemoans the small screen of the iPhone and the need to pay for access to more content. Below are quotes from his article:
For one, students don't like to buy things. Especially digital things. Many strapped-for-cash college kids aren't buying songs at a dollar a pop. Why would they buy books they can find free in their university library or on Google Books?
But you get the convenience of reading and browsing on your iPod, right?
C'mon, have you ever tried reading anything substantial on that tiny screen? The Kindle app is great, but we can't get through a chapter without our eyes bursting into flames.
I have read some books on my iPhone using the Kindle app and it was okay. It is not something I would want to do often or for long periods of time. I find that students who grew up using Gameboys and other small screen handhelds have less of an issue with the smaller screen sizes than us older folks do. Time will tell if this is the kind of app/service students will use and pay for.
