The humble paperback is undergoing a slow evolution, but will the e-book reader become the next must have device like an iPod or mobile phone? Do the demographics of book readers match those of the new tech savvy digital consumers? This is the question that many publishers and retailers are trying to second guess.

The publishing industry has not seen this type of change since the Gutenberg press first changed how books were made and Amazon changed how they were sold.

it is no coincidence that Amazon is now at the forefront of change in publishing and distribution of electronic books. With the development of the “Kindle “ e-book reader they have staked an early lead in this emerging digital media ecosystem. The Kindle is a revolutionary e-book reader with an electronic-paper display that provides a sharp, high-resolution screen that looks and reads like real paper and sports a wireless network connection.

Amazon claim, “at 10.3 ounces, Kindle is lighter and thinner than typical paperbacks, and fits easily in one hand. Its built-in memory stores hundreds of titles.”

At $359 US (~$554 Aus) the Kindle is a high price to pay for portability and convenience considering the number of actual books you can buy for this price. If you are a world jet setter and avid reader the economics are justifiable, but the average commuter would be hard pressed to make the math work, and the last I checked paperbacks were pretty portable also.

So would I buy a single purpose e-book reader when I still need to carry my laptop ipod and phone? Time will tell but it looks like consumers are taking to these new devices.

The iPhone has a rage of digital book applications available although the library is limited to out of copyright and creative commons works, it does make it possible to pack your paperback in your pocket.