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Reader: Library on Finger

The printed page is facing its biggest threat with the launch of the first electronic book that people can read for hours without straining their eyes.

Sony's Reader is the size of a slim paperback but can store hundreds of books at a time. When the cover is lifted, books are displayed on a sheet of electronic "paper", one page at a time. 　

Although electronic books, or e-books, have been around for several years, previous versions, using LCD screens, have never caught on. The biggest complaint is that readers' eyes quickly become tired from the glare and flicker of the conventional computer screen.

However, the Reader displays its text on a page of high resolution electronic paper which is virtually indistinguishable from the real thing. Electronic paper also needs relatively little power, so the life of a battery should not be a problem.

Dan Brown, the author of The Da Vinci Code, is an enthusiast. "It is not about replacing books," he said. "But e-books offer features that traditional books cannot." For example, rather than carrying several books while travelling, owners of a Reader need take only one on holiday. "If I want a new book, I can download it instantly online,It takes only seconds to download a book." Brown said. .

Brown said that students would soon be able to carry all their books with them and ensure that they always had the most up-to-date edition. Eventually, he thought, the lower costs of publishing e-books would encourage publishers to take risks on lesser known authors. "The effect of this is that there will be more books in print and more choice for readers,"

Owners will be able to buy books from Sony's online store, download them to a computer and transfer them to their Reader. They will also be able to download free any books that are out of copyright.

Ron Hawkins, a marketing executive at Sony, said: "In recent years, millions of people have become comfortable downloading and enjoying digital media, including e-books, but until now there has not been a good device on which to read.

"Our research has shown that people are looking for a device designed exclusively for immersive reading. The Sony Reader, with its electronic paper display, thin format and extraordinary battery life, fits the bill."