michael said:
there will be smaller ones than 3x5 index cards. . . . Always. . . .
well, yes, i suppose there already are, and have been. but if we are speaking about a handheld form-factor, one that is icon-oriented and based on multi-touch, then you need a certain amount of screen real-estate. smaller form-factors are probably gonna be operated with a voice interface instead, with audible output too. and yes, that will happen. but it kinda takes us out of the realm that is generally considered to be "reading". i see that form-factor as either an ear-ring (for women and some men) or a stick-on dot that'll be applied just behind the ear, where the jawbone intersects, so that it can pick up vocalizations and be audible to the person. but again, an audio-only interface is going to be _so_ radically different that people will probably consider it to be a completely separate type of machinery, i'd say. quite interesting to think about, however... :+) kinda like a wise person, always in your ear, telling you exactly what you need to know in that situation and in that place and time, notice of danger and opportunities and whatever else is relevant... like i said, interesting... -bowerbird