There’s a lot of interest in electronic devices which fulfil a number of different functions these days. Phones which have cameras, can browse the internet, play mp3 music files and even act as satellite navigation systems are splendid examples of these “fusion” devices.

Possibly the best example of all would be the iPod. It’s a music player, phone, web browser and has a huge variety of “Apps” which can range from games to hotel recommendations. It even has a Kindle app which allows users to read Kindle books on their iPod.

The Kindle reader itself could be considered to be a multi-functional device. Apart from its main function as an e-book reader, it can be used as an internet browser. Whilst the functionality is limited, chiefly due to its display which is black and white and not well suited to showing video due to a somewhat slow refresh rate.

On the other hand, it is the Kindle’s e-ink technology display which makes it so much more pleasant to read on than either the iPod or a computer screen. Due to the fact that it is not back-lit, it produces much less eye strain in use than using a standard LCD type of monitor.

Another benefit of e-ink technology displays is the fact that they only draw power when the screen is being refreshed. The significance of this is that e-book readers can go for lengthy periods on a single battery charge. It’s the ideal scenario for a portable battery operated device. Roughly speaking, e-book readers can perform several thousand “page turns” inbetween charges. For the average reader, that will equate to anything between four and six weeks of use.

So, the very thing that makes e-book readers such ideal devices to reading books on – the e-Ink display – is placing a limitation on their ability to perform other tasks, such as video display or surfing the web. It can only be a matter of time until color e-Ink technology displays begin to appear, and with a much faster refresh rate. Devices such as the Kindle may then become better web browsers and video players.

For the moment, considering the fact that e-book readers are the hot, "must have" gadget right now, it does appear that there is very much a place for specialist devices which do only one job. Just so long as, like the Amazon Kindle, they do that one job very well.

Olan Butler – Technology Specialist – Computer Services