The small business start up, Kakai has revealed plans for a dual screen device that will rival Kindle for the classroom. This article from Electronista provides a brief overview of the device. It is not a sure thing yet and it isn’t projected to be available for demonstrations for several months. It will be powered by the Linux operating system and feature LCD display instead of the e-ink technology that the Kindle uses. It is said to be both a notepad and e-reader in one with web access and easier textbook downloads. A notepad would be useful for students because it provides an easy way to take notes on the book they are studying.
Overall, the Linux operating system has been a computer techie’s domain because of its fully open source nature. It hasn’t really taken off in the mainstream consumer population. There really aren’t many programs compatible with the operating system at this time. However, it might be a totally different ballgame on an e-reader system.
The Kindle can be quite clunky at times with slow page turns and download speeds. However, the Kindle uses e-ink which supposedly does not cause eye strain like the LCD display does. So that will be an issue that will be interesting to watch in terms of whether it plays any factor in which device is better for educational purposes.
you obviously don’t understand linux.
the kindle is running linux, it is used in a huge number of mainstream devices.
it’s not as common as a desktop/laptop OS for users, but even there studies are showing it rivaling OSX in numbers. Such studies are slipperly things because people don’t have to pay for Linux or register it, so it’s really hard to get an accurate count.
This is vaporware.