書籍からまたメディアが旅立ち、書籍は新時代へ 
文字情報の歴史は数千年にも及ぶ。言うまでもなく、当初、文字の目的は記録のためであった。そして現代まで、ほとんど全ての場面で、文字情報は「口述・記述・ロジックを人間が認知できる形で表現する手段」として長く使用され続けてきた。その他の情報手段としては音声レコードがあるが、これの歴史はせいぜい130年しかないし、聴力より視力に優れた人間への「情報伝達手段」として使われる場面はそう多くない。
文字情報の多くは「紙」という媒介を通して「書籍」というメディアを形成している。しかし書籍から巣立っていったメディアも少なくない。文字情報は紙の縛りを超え、演劇、オペラやドラマなどに分岐・マージされ独自の進化を遂げている。Webだってペーパーレスの文字情報ベースの媒体である。
さて、ここでiPadとKindle端末を比べてみよう。iPadは古い言い方をすればマルチメディア端末でもあり、画像はもちろん動画も音楽も3Dも自由に操ることができる。問題は本としては重すぎること（ちょっとした辞書なんかよりも重い）、液晶ディスプレイなので長時間の凝視に耐えられないことだ。
他方Kindleはe-inkを採用しており、軽量（Amazonの言を借りると文庫本並み）でかつ2週間という驚異的なバッテリー容量があり、紙にそっくりな読書感でとても文字が読みやすい。しかし、文字情報以外ではモノクロ4階調の画像しか表示できない。また原理的に書き換えに時間が掛かるため、動画再生は不可能だ。
さて、iPadの日本語電子書籍アプリをいくつかダウンロードしてみたが、表紙や広告が動画になっていたり関連する音声が再生できたりと、一昔流行ったCD-ROM＋マルチメディアを彷彿とさせる造りになっている。これは偏にiBookへの日本の出版社の対応の遅れが原因だと筆者は踏んでいる。iBookのフォーマットではアプリに比べて自由度が低いからだ。しかし、電子書籍「アプリ」は我々に、「書籍」の枠を超えた新しいメディアの形を示してくれた。RPGゲームのように進行するライトノベル、あちこちにタグ付けがされた動画、もちろんこうしたものは現在でもあるが、まだ形成途上である。今後は「iPad」というプラットフォームにより、オフィスチェアやテレビの前に座らなくても、ベッドやリビングでゆっくりとこうしたものが楽しめる。これからはそういう時代になっていくだろう。
他方のKindleは日本語の書籍がまだまだ少ない。しかしPDFが読めるようになっているので、青空文庫の本であれば日本語で読むことができる。iPadと違ってハードドライブが開放されているので、データさえあれば好きな本を好きなように入れることができる。この利点は大きい。つまりKindleが普及すれば、Webサイトをちょっと構えるだけで誰でも安価、または無料で自費出版ができてしまうのだ。YouTubeが動画メディアに影響を及ぼしたように、これはこれで世界を変えていくだろう。
筆者は文字情報だけのiPad用書籍がヒットするとは思えない。それはCPUパワーとバッテリーの消耗に比べて得られる報酬が少ないからだ。出版社がアプリ造りに打ち込んでいるところが放映されたが、やたらと動きを求めていた。もちろん動けばいいというものではないが、古来の書籍にはない、新しい形のメディアを目指そうとしているのが分かる。
ここで私は勝者はKindleでもiPadでもないと予測する。Kindleは以前と変わらず文字情報を発信し続けるだろう。今でも文字情報の価値は失われていない。私が今こうして文字だけで情報を発信しているように。そしてiPadは電子書籍の枠を超えた新しいメディアとして書籍から巣立って行くだろう。
ちなみにAmazonとAppleはというと、これはAmazonの勝利であろう。何しろKindleの書籍はiPadでも読めるのだ。AmazonはAppleと違って本屋さんなので、自分のところの本が売れればKindleだろがiPadだろうがNOOKだろうが構わないのである。そして現在4万冊という手駒がある(この間まで3万冊であった)。一方、iPad用の新しいメディアが洗練され、出揃うのはずっと先のことであろう。
余談になるが、現在多くのiPad用雑誌の出来はまったく噴飯モノである。ピンチで画面を拡大していくと、フォントにJPEG特有のブロックノイズが載っている。文字情報が画像で取り込まれているのだ。こんな文字情報すら入っていないものは電子書籍と呼びたくないものである。
まだまとまっていないのだが、周りで話が着々と進んでいるようなので、未稿のまま公表する。読みにくい点は容赦頂きたい。
2011/12/09 - 17:40:15 -
Check this out
[…] that is the end of this article. Here you’ll find some sites that we think you’ll appreciate, just click the links over[…]…
2011/12/09 - 19:55:07 -
Related…
[…]just beneath, are numerous totally not related sites to ours, however, they are surely worth going over[…]…
2011/12/10 - 01:15:39 -
Sites we Like…
[…] Every once in a while we choose blogs that we read. Listed below are the latest sites that we choose […]…
2011/12/10 - 03:23:53 -
[…]check below, are some totally unrelated websites to ours, however, they are most trustworthy sources that we use[…]…
[…]one of our visitors recently recommended the following website[…]…
2011/12/10 - 05:40:30 -
Links
[…]Sites of interest we have a link to[…]…
2011/12/10 - 06:21:14 -
Visitor recommendations
[…]one of our visitors recently recommended the following website[…]…
2011/12/10 - 06:53:00 -
Cool sites
[…]we came across a cool site that you might enjoy. Take a look if you want[…]…
2011/12/10 - 07:16:09 -
Awesome website
[…]the time to read or visit the content or sites we have linked to below the[…]…
2011/12/10 - 07:52:48 -
Read was interesting, stay in touch…
[…]please visit the sites we follow, including this one, as it represents our picks from the web[…]…
2011/12/10 - 08:38:26 -
Sites we Like…
[…] Every once in a while we choose blogs that we read. Listed below are the latest sites that we choose […]…
2011/12/10 - 10:09:32 -
Great website
[…]we like to honor many other internet sites on the web, even if they aren’t linked to us, by linking to them. Under are some webpages worth checking out[…]…
2011/12/10 - 10:43:55 -
Websites we think you should visit
[…]although websites we backlink to below are considerably not related to ours, we feel they are actually worth a go through, so have a look[…]…
2011/12/10 - 11:15:14 -
Online Article…
[…]The information mentioned in the article are some of the best available […]…
2011/12/10 - 13:27:56 -
Great website
[…]we like to honor many other internet sites on the web, even if they aren’t linked to us, by linking to them. Under are some webpages worth checking out[…]…
2011/12/11 - 00:57:45 -
Websites worth visiting
[…]here are some links to sites that we link to because we think they are worth visiting[…]…
2011/12/11 - 04:25:59 -
Websites you should visit
[…]below you’ll find the link to some sites that we think you should visit[…]…
2011/12/11 - 21:34:08 -
abet
A really usefull article A big thank you I hope you will not mind me writting about this article on my blog I will also link back to this post Thank youSo before we see whether you require internet marketing software you have to develop and understand…
2011/12/11 - 22:05:41 -
Superb website
[…]always a big fan of linking to bloggers that I love but don’t get a lot of link love from[…]…
2011/12/11 - 23:20:08 -
Websites you should visit
[…]below you’ll find the link to some sites that we think you should visit[…]…
2011/12/12 - 02:00:51 -
Awesome website
[…]the time to read or visit the content or sites we have linked to below the[…]…
2011/12/12 - 02:44:25 -
Check this out
[…] that is the end of this article. Here you’ll find some sites that we think you’ll appreciate, just click the links over[…]…
2011/12/12 - 04:02:24 -
Check this out
[…] that is the end of this article. Here you’ll find some sites that we think you’ll appreciate, just click the links over[…]…
2011/12/12 - 06:44:11 -
Sources
[…]check below, are some totally unrelated websites to ours, however, they are most trustworthy sources that we use[…]…
2011/12/12 - 06:47:16 -
Gems form the internet
[…]very few websites that happen to be detailed below, from our point of view are undoubtedly well worth checking out[…]…
2011/12/12 - 11:38:05 -
Blogs ou should be reading
[…]Here is a Great Blog You Might Find Interesting that we Encourage You[…]…
2011/12/12 - 12:24:26 -
Interesting….
A very neat post.
2011/12/12 - 17:15:14 -
Websites you should visit
[…]below you’ll find the link to some sites that we think you should visit[…]…
2011/12/12 - 17:20:09 -
You should check this out
[…] Wonderful story, reckoned we could combine a few unrelated data, nevertheless really worth taking a look, whoa did one learn about Mid East has got more problerms as well […]…
2011/12/12 - 18:24:02 -
Recommeneded websites
[…]Here are some of the sites we recommend for our visitors[…]…
2011/12/12 - 18:44:28 -
Visitor recommendations
[…]one of our visitors recently recommended the following website[…]…
2011/12/12 - 19:27:35 -
Check this out
[…] that is the end of this article. Here you’ll find some sites that we think you’ll appreciate, just click the links over[…]…
2011/12/12 - 19:54:19 -
Recent Blogroll Additions…
[…]usually posts some very interesting stuff like this. If you’re new to this site[…]…
2011/12/12 - 21:14:12 -
Read was interesting, stay in touch…
[…]please visit the sites we follow, including this one, as it represents our picks from the web[…]…
2011/12/12 - 21:43:53 -
Websites we think you should visit
[…]although websites we backlink to below are considerably not related to ours, we feel they are actually worth a go through, so have a look[…]…
2011/12/12 - 22:34:44 -
Related…
[…]just beneath, are numerous totally not related sites to ours, however, they are surely worth going over[…]…
2011/12/12 - 23:58:14 -
Sites we Like…
[…] Every once in a while we choose blogs that we read. Listed below are the latest sites that we choose […]…
2011/12/13 - 00:55:21 -
Sources
[…]check below, are some totally unrelated websites to ours, however, they are most trustworthy sources that we use[…]…
2011/12/13 - 00:56:47 -
You should check this out
[…] Wonderful story, reckoned we could combine a few unrelated data, nevertheless really worth taking a look, whoa did one learn about Mid East has got more problerms as well […]…
2011/12/13 - 01:26:09 -
Online Article…
[…]The information mentioned in the article are some of the best available […]…
2011/12/13 - 03:07:56 -
Awesome website
[…]the time to read or visit the content or sites we have linked to below the[…]…
2011/12/13 - 03:07:57 -
Awesome website
[…]the time to read or visit the content or sites we have linked to below the[…]…
2011/12/13 - 05:33:46 -
Visitor recommendations
[…]one of our visitors recently recommended the following website[…]…
2011/12/13 - 06:10:33 -
Gems form the internet
[…]very few websites that happen to be detailed below, from our point of view are undoubtedly well worth checking out[…]…
2011/12/13 - 06:50:33 -
2012 Fashion ideas l
The only limit to our realization of tomorrow will be our doubts of today. Let us move forward with strong and active faith.
2011/12/13 - 06:56:47 -
Sources
[…]check below, are some totally unrelated websites to ours, however, they are most trustworthy sources that we use[…]…
2011/12/13 - 08:30:47 -
Awesome website
[…]the time to read or visit the content or sites we have linked to below the[…]…
2011/12/13 - 09:53:34 -
Websites we think you should visit
[…]although websites we backlink to below are considerably not related to ours, we feel they are actually worth a go through, so have a look[…]…
2011/12/13 - 11:02:47 -
Interesting….
A very interesting post.
2011/12/13 - 13:06:25 -
Awesome website
[…]the time to read or visit the content or sites we have linked to below the[…]…
2011/12/13 - 15:55:28 -
Superb website
[…]always a big fan of linking to bloggers that I love but don’t get a lot of link love from[…]…
2011/12/13 - 16:41:57 -
Superb website
[…]always a big fan of linking to bloggers that I love but don’t get a lot of link love from[…]…
2011/12/13 - 19:02:31 -
Interesting….
A very unique post.
2011/12/13 - 19:28:21 -
You should check this out
[…] Wonderful story, reckoned we could combine a few unrelated data, nevertheless really worth taking a look, whoa did one learn about Mid East has got more problerms as well […]…
2011/12/13 - 19:48:39 -
Read was interesting, stay in touch…
[…]please visit the sites we follow, including this one, as it represents our picks from the web[…]…
2011/12/13 - 21:08:57 -
Visitor recommendations
[…]one of our visitors recently recommended the following website[…]…
2011/12/13 - 22:48:32 -
Sites we Like…
[…] Every once in a while we choose blogs that we read. Listed below are the latest sites that we choose […]…
2011/12/13 - 23:41:45 -
Blogs ou should be reading
[…]Here is a Great Blog You Might Find Interesting that we Encourage You[…]…
2011/12/14 - 02:15:11 -
Websites we think you should visit
[…]although websites we backlink to below are considerably not related to ours, we feel they are actually worth a go through, so have a look[…]…
2011/12/14 - 03:12:25 -
Sources
[…]check below, are some totally unrelated websites to ours, however, they are most trustworthy sources that we use[…]…
2011/12/14 - 05:08:26 -
Blogs ou should be reading
[…]Here is a Great Blog You Might Find Interesting that we Encourage You[…]…
2011/12/14 - 09:07:52 -
Great website
[…]we like to honor many other internet sites on the web, even if they aren’t linked to us, by linking to them. Under are some webpages worth checking out[…]…
2011/12/14 - 09:26:02 -
Online Article…
[…]The information mentioned in the article are some of the best available […]…
2011/12/14 - 10:58:08 -
Gems form the internet
[…]very few websites that happen to be detailed below, from our point of view are undoubtedly well worth checking out[…]…
2011/12/14 - 15:53:13 -
Websites you should visit
[…]below you’ll find the link to some sites that we think you should visit[…]…
2011/12/14 - 16:41:09 -
Great website
[…]we like to honor many other internet sites on the web, even if they aren’t linked to us, by linking to them. Under are some webpages worth checking out[…]…
2011/12/14 - 19:18:47 -
You should check this out
[…] Wonderful story, reckoned we could combine a few unrelated data, nevertheless really worth taking a look, whoa did one learn about Mid East has got more problerms as well […]…
2011/12/15 - 00:39:33 -
Awesome website
[…]the time to read or visit the content or sites we have linked to below the[…]…
2011/12/15 - 05:33:36 -
Check this out
[…] that is the end of this article. Here you’ll find some sites that we think you’ll appreciate, just click the links over[…]…
2011/12/15 - 06:09:20 -
Sites we Like…
[…] Every once in a while we choose blogs that we read. Listed below are the latest sites that we choose […]…
2011/12/15 - 06:59:47 -
Websites worth visiting
[…]here are some links to sites that we link to because we think they are worth visiting[…]…
2011/12/15 - 09:03:01 -
Sources
[…]check below, are some totally unrelated websites to ours, however, they are most trustworthy sources that we use[…]…
2011/12/15 - 15:35:14 -
Websites we think you should visit
[…]although websites we backlink to below are considerably not related to ours, we feel they are actually worth a go through, so have a look[…]…
2011/12/15 - 16:35:59 -
Check this out
[…] that is the end of this article. Here you’ll find some sites that we think you’ll appreciate, just click the links over[…]…
2011/12/15 - 16:51:55 -
Cool sites
[…]we came across a cool site that you might enjoy. Take a look if you want[…]…
2011/12/15 - 17:17:48 -
Links
[…]Sites of interest we have a link to[…]…
2011/12/15 - 17:38:27 -
Cool sites
[…]we came across a cool site that you might enjoy. Take a look if you want[…]…
2011/12/15 - 18:03:14 -
Cool sites
[…]we came across a cool site that you might enjoy. Take a look if you want[…]…
2011/12/15 - 18:26:13 -
Sources
[…]check below, are some totally unrelated websites to ours, however, they are most trustworthy sources that we use[…]…
2011/12/15 - 18:47:18 -
Websites worth visiting
[…]here are some links to sites that we link to because we think they are worth visiting[…]…
2011/12/15 - 19:56:58 -
You should check this out
[…] Wonderful story, reckoned we could combine a few unrelated data, nevertheless really worth taking a look, whoa did one learn about Mid East has got more problerms as well […]…
2011/12/15 - 21:34:33 -
You should check this out
[…] Wonderful story, reckoned we could combine a few unrelated data, nevertheless really worth taking a look, whoa did one learn about Mid East has got more problerms as well […]…
2011/12/15 - 21:58:39 -
Awesome website
[…]the time to read or visit the content or sites we have linked to below the[…]…
2011/12/15 - 22:31:25 -
Cool sites
[…]we came across a cool site that you might enjoy. Take a look if you want[…]…
2011/12/15 - 23:30:50 -
Websites you should visit
[…]below you’ll find the link to some sites that we think you should visit[…]…
2011/12/16 - 00:24:19 -
You should check this out
[…] Wonderful story, reckoned we could combine a few unrelated data, nevertheless really worth taking a look, whoa did one learn about Mid East has got more problerms as well […]…
2011/12/16 - 01:14:44 -
Great website
[…]we like to honor many other internet sites on the web, even if they aren’t linked to us, by linking to them. Under are some webpages worth checking out[…]…
2011/12/16 - 02:09:59 -
Websites worth visiting
[…]here are some links to sites that we link to because we think they are worth visiting[…]…
2011/12/16 - 03:52:23 -
Links
[…]Sites of interest we have a link to[…]…
2011/12/16 - 04:14:44 -
Cool sites
[…]we came across a cool site that you might enjoy. Take a look if you want[…]…
2011/12/16 - 04:52:51 -
Gems form the internet
[…]very few websites that happen to be detailed below, from our point of view are undoubtedly well worth checking out[…]…
2011/12/16 - 05:44:15 -
Awesome website
[…]the time to read or visit the content or sites we have linked to below the[…]…
2011/12/16 - 07:39:45 -
Sources
[…]check below, are some totally unrelated websites to ours, however, they are most trustworthy sources that we use[…]…
2011/12/16 - 07:53:41 -
Websites worth visiting
[…]here are some links to sites that we link to because we think they are worth visiting[…]…
2011/12/16 - 08:33:15 -
Recent Blogroll Additions…
[…]usually posts some very interesting stuff like this. If you’re new to this site[…]…