When is the last time you read a paperback or hardcover book?

a. Just recently
b. Never, I hate reading
c. What is a paperback or hardcover book?

If you responded with c, I want to first inform you that books are those things with pages and second, you may be one of many who have ditched actual tangible books and have hopped on the eBook and e-reader bandwagon. Amazon Kindle, Barnes and Noble Nook, and the Sony E-Reader are just a few of the electronic book readers changing the landscape of how we read. And for the first time, Amazon’s sales of their electronic books for their Kindle have overtaken those of printed versions. For every 100 printed books, Amazon sells 105 electronic ones. It would be unrealistic to think that this could never happen, but now that it has, it is interesting to know how popular eBooks and e-readers have become. E-readers possess qualities like easier portability, ease of use, and they have the ability to purchase books instantly from the device, among other features. They are also a more eco-friendly version to reading as well as more functional.

So what does this mean for printed books? Only time will tell. But in the mean time, marketers can step up their skills and create something unique to keep printed books in the minds of consumers.

An easy solution for a greener lifestyle is available with new e-Readers, which allow consumers to view, purchase, and read e-books and other digital media through a handheld platform. e-Readers feature long battery life, WiFi, and large screens for easy browsing and compatibility.

The Amazon Kindle has three hardware devices, the Kindle, Kindle 2, and Kindle DX. The Kindle devices use electronic paper displays and are able to download content from Amazon using the WiFi service. The Kindle devices can hold up to 1,500 books from a large selection including over 360,000 books, U.S. and international newspapers, magazines, and blogs. Furthermore, the Kindle is expanding with lower market prices and international expansion.

Competing with the Kindle, Barnes & Noble Nook e-Reader will be available in November. The Nook has a 10 day battery life with a replaceable battery, WiFi and AT&T 3G, PDF support, and competitive prices. The Nook can store up to 1,500 books, newspapers, and magazines along with an extended memory card that holds up to 17,500 downloads. A bonus feature of the Nook is the lending feature, which allows customers to loan books to friends for 14 days.

While both e-Readers are an exciting new development for book lovers everywhere, an added bonus is the option to go green with your reading material. Who can say no to that?