A Bean Bag That Delivers Web Widgets

David Pogue article in the New York Times about the Chumby.

And to beat David Rothman to the punch might I suggest that the Chumby could be used as an ebook reader.

May 15, 2008 by Uncategorized 2

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2 Responses

  1. David Rothman says:
    May 15, 2008 at 8:13 am

    Good to see an e-book angle
    Hi, Biblio. You’re thinking the right way; thanks for the e-book angle.

    Meanwhile see the TeleBlog’s earlier e-b-related items on the Chumby. It’s hardly the perfect reader now, but you’re right to keep a watch on it and similar gadgets.

    Two challenges, of course, will be eBabel and DRM. Remember, the Chumby is a little linux box and can’t run the standard eBabel programs. Too bad. I can envision libraries lending out this lovable little gizmo or a future, cheaper version.

    Happy e-bookin’,
    David

    Reply
  2. shoe says:
    May 15, 2008 at 10:58 am

    I love my Chumby
    Seriously. With ALL my heart. Picked it up the first week of October (I was one of those dorks… yes, I applied to be a first 50, and then got on the “invite” waiting list).

    It is a nifty little device. Not sure I’d want to read ebooks on it, personally. Then, I’m not entirely sure I like reading ebooks on anything. My brain has this weird blockage when it comes to reading on screens. I begin skimming. Not reading.

    That being said, I have an RSS wrapper widget that delivers LISNews to my Chumby, I can listen to podcasts on my Chumby. (Audio books,,, now, *that* would be cool on a Chumby, but for the Linux/DRM issue). I get nice news and weather updates. It’s an alarm clock. And Chumball… alas. I have wasted many hours proving just how sadly uncoordinated I am.

    Truth be told… Ebooks might not be for the Chumby, but I still maintain they could be a great tool in libraries. Take their guts out of the beanbag potato sack, mount them on a shelf or some other not easily walked off with bit of furniture. Would a widget that a patron could enter a Dewey number into, and a map of the library comes up showing the floor/section of the building that book is located (and the approximate place on the shelf) be useful? Guess it’d depend on how big your library is. Damn, though, it’d be pretty cool.

    Reply

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