E-BOOKS GO ON HOLIDAY
Vacationers
ditch conventional books for e-readers, say they are easier to carry around
There was a time when a holiday felt
incomplete without the latest John Grisham thriller or a Mills and Boon
paperback in our carry-on bags. However, a recent survey conducted in the UK
claims that people are actually putting aside the traditional book and opting
for e-books instead. The poll by a travel agency found that of those who used
an ereader, 44 per cent said it was easier to hold while 29 per cent said it
was easier to see in the sun. Interestingly, this new-age technology seemed
more popular among those aged 40 or more, with only 11 per cent of
18-25-year-olds using them.
In India too, travellers are making
the change from conventional reading to a high-tech one quite easily. Says
Vinod Karnik, 32, stock broker, “There are several advantages of carrying an
e-book reader. Paperbacks are heavy and you cannot carry dozens along, whereas
you can carry as many e-books as your reader supports.”
Also, these days, there are several
websites that offer free e-books and if you don’t wish to download and use your
memory space, you have the option of getting extracts emailed to you on your
tablet and smartphone. You could also read e-books online. The government’s
National Telecom Policy 2012, that aims to abolish roaming charges, helps if
you want to catch up on your reading on the iPhone or BlackBerry.
Also, travellers are choosing to
invest in a tablet rather than an exclusive ebook reader, which can then be
lugged along on holidays. “That way you can read books, take pictures, use apps
to locate restaurants and motels and use Facebook and Twitter to stay
connected,” says Aneesha Tripathi, 26, a lawyer, who adds that while a tablet
is more expensive, it is worth the investment due to the utilities it offers.
However, a few do feel that the
traditional way suits them the best. “There is something to be said for the
feeling of actually turning a page, bookmarking it or finding a favourite at
the bottom of your bookshelf and taking it along on a holiday to reread it,”
says Sonia Khan, 23, an MBA student.
Point taken. So whose side are you
on?
Sneha Mahale HT120805
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