JANUARY 1 2009
AMERICANWAY 57
AMAZONKINDLE
Price:
$359
Pro:
Availability of Amazon’s
extensive library
Con:
Bulky and unattractive
The world’s largest book retailer may soon re-
lease an updatedKindle (every tech enthusiast
believes they will). Until then, Amazon’s year-old device is the ugliest reader
on themarket, thanks to itsbulkyconstructionandcheap-feelingbuttons. But
what it lacks in looks itmakes up forwith its cellularmodem, which connects
toAmazon’smassivestore toaccessbooks, newspapers, andmagazines,with-
out charging for a data plan. Audio-book compatibility and free (though iffy)
webbrowsing round out this ugly duckling.
FlippingOut
The latest crop of e-book readers is giving ink andpaper
a run for itsmoney. BySamMachkovech
So youhaven’t given in to the e-book-reader phenomenon yet because
youconsideryourselfmoreof a traditionalist.Nothingwill ever replace
the feeling of a book in your hands, you say. But rememberwhen you
declared your loyalty forever and always to vinyl records? (How’s that
iPodworking out for you, anyway?)
With the advent of electronic paper displays— nonbacklit screens
thatmore closely resemble paper and don’t strain the eyes— e-book
readers have become a viable alternative to harsh laptop screens and
bundles of books in a briefcase. But like iPods are, e-book technology
is constantly improving, with new devices released every fewmonths.
We take a look at some of the latest and greatest e-book readers to
help you decidewhether it’s time to turn the page to the digital age.
A century of American comedy is a pretty big topic
to tackle. Howdid youhandle it?
KANTOR:
What we realized is that comedy is all
about surprise. Ifwe told this storychronologically in
thedocumentary, wewould lose a lot of the surprise.
MASLON:
Or the first hour would have been black-
and-whiteand silent, andgood luckgettingpeople to
tune in to episode two. So one afternoon, wewrote
out major figures [of comedy] on an index card—
and a couple of favoriteswho hadn’t achievedmass-
marketubiquity.We foundoutveryquicklyyoucould
put them into six different categories. Thatmade us
realize Larry David andW.C. Fields aren’t so far off,
and that what Jon Stewart is trying to do is in the
same vein ofwhatWill Rogerswas trying to do.
You interviewedmany big names in comedy for the
project.Whatwas that like?
KANTOR:
Comedianscanbeveryseriouswhenthey’re
thinking about their career or talking about other
people’swork. There’sdefinitelyadichotomybetween
somebody onstage, who might use vulgar language
and say outrageous things, and the kind of shy and
considerateperson youmeet ina living room.
MASLON:
I think one of the things that was fasci-
nating tome …was how generous these comedians
were. Iwas justamazedathowcomedians really felt
they were standing on the shoulders of giants. Bob
Newhart was in awe of Richard Pryor. Joan Rivers
was in awe of LucilleBall.
KANTOR:
SteveMartinwas in awe of Jerry Lewis.
Overall, howwould you characterize comedians?
KANTOR:
Chris Rock said that all comedians are
nerds and geeks, and if you can take your shirt off
on camera…
MASLON:
Without people laughing…
KANTOR:
Then you’re not a comedian.
SONYPRS-700
Price:
$400, includes
a voucher for 100 free
Sony eBookClassics
Pro:
Allows forwriting
on the page
Con:
PC-compatible only
Sony’s latest reader requires aWindows PC to transfer books and other files,
rendering it useless forMac fans. However, thePRS-700has a sleeker design
than theKindleandan integratedLED light fordim reading. Touch technology
is another added bonus: Flip your finger on the screen to turn the page, or
use a stylus to highlight passages and handwrite notes. Those features, along
withMP3 andPDF compatibility, make this reader great for college students
looking to lighten their backpacks.
PLASTICLOGICREADER
Price:
TBD, product
due out early this year
Pro:
Professional look
Con:
Its standardpaper
sizemakes it not as
easy to throw in a purse
Poshandpaper-thin, this yet-to-be-released readerwill be the
perfect companion for road warriors. The 8.5-by-11-inch screen, the largest
of any e-reader’s to date, will legibly display PDFs andMicrosoft Office files
in addition to books, magazines, and newspapers. The touch-screen interface
allows users to flip through files—which are stored in a logical binderlike
fashion—with ease.
Michael Kantor
andLaurenceMaslon
