The debate runs and runs on the future of the book. But are publishers too hung up on wondering what the 'killer device' will be that launches a thousand eBooks? Publishers are constantly getting excited about the potential for the ipod to become an eReader, as illustrated by this video. On Peter Brantley's excellent Book 20-1 list there have been heated exchanges over Manolis Kaneidis's 'BlueBook' prototype (a paper book with circuits embedded in each page and with text printed with conductive ink), as reported here. It strikes me that Adam Hodgkin's insights about all this over at the Exact Editions blog are spot on. He suggests that the obsession with the hardware is wrong-headed. I couldn't agree more. Publishers should be focusing on digitising their content and ensuring that it can be accessible via a web-based interface. The Apple iPhone, which does not incorporate specific eReader software but does feature a 'humble familiar web browser', could leapfrog the various eReader device offerings to become the consumer's eReader of choice. Many don't know it yet but I also believe publishers will need to ensure they have the capability in place to deliver content streams via subscription - and not just in the academic and STM sectors in my view. At Macmillan I am glad that we are developing BookStore to enable publishers to deliver on these needs.

On another note entirely, one of the things I like about blogging is the interesting co-blogger contacts that you make. One such is Eric Neu. Eric, who works in e-business for a publisher in Brussels, has posted this 'mini-interview' with me on his blog. It's nice to see my words up in French. They sound so much more interesting.