*Article release dates are indicated in the parentheses.
Cover StoryA number of leading companies are jumping into the electronic book (eBook) market. Market pioneers Amazon.com Inc of the US and Sony Corp of Japan are being joined by firms from the Internet business, content industry and even device manufacturing.
Most eBook readers use electronic paper (ePaper) from E Ink Corp of the US, but the situation is changing as a number of alternative technologies reach the commercial level. This means more choice for terminal manufacturers, and opens up a variety of possible reader characteristics.