Is this the end of books? | The Buzz | Gadget

When the Norwegian Prime Minister found himself stranded at JFK airport, New York, after the Icelandic volcano eruption, he ran the affairs of his country using an iPad. New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg is a well-known devotee. So is the Mega Bank CEO Anil Shah, who likes to show off his toy stylishly enclosed in a Temple case.

One iPad is sold every two seconds. Amongst other things, it is changing the way people read. Allowing people to read on the go without having to carry around the extra weight of an actual book – and without having to physically browse the shelves for it – the e-book market is growing rapidly. But what's more, within sixty days of its release, the hugely popular iPad had already grabbed twenty per cent of this market in the US. It's no wonder everyone is talking about the demise of books and newspapers. That is, books and newspapers the way we know them.

This device, somewhere between a phone and a computer – in price, size and design – is a perfect choice for those constantly on the move. For those who want advanced performance, all major companies are either launching or have already released their own versions of mini PCs – known in tech-speak, as Tablets. Toshiba has a wide range, while Lenovo's ThinkPad combines a Tablet PC with a very high performing laptop.

The obvious advantage of these mini computers is that you can carry your library with you no matter where you go. They are good for note-taking too, turning your untidy scribbles into digital text, and so it is not difficult to see how they may replace paper altogether. They're not easy on the pocket, but what good things are?

Compare your options:

Toshiba Portege
Available in two models M700, M900
Starts from Rs 1,67,000, Toshiba Shop, Citycentre Mall

iPad
Sleek and attention-grabbing but limited performance compared to the Tablet PCs
Starts from Rs 55,000, available at Evo Store, Darbar Marg

Lenovo ThinkPad
Tablet PC with a high-performance laptop
Starts from Rs 1,80,000, Computer Bazaar

Fair and lovely

There is an app for everything – including whitening your virtual skin. (Ridiculous, we know.) Vaseline India has launched an application that allows you to lighten your online complexion. We say: by all means try the application, but be proud of your pigments.

Tedx Kathmandu

Want to hear Kathmandu's most inspirational local figures share their ideas? TEDx Kathmandu, an independently organised forum based on the well-known talk conference that goes by the slogan 'Ideas Worth Spreading', is organising events in city. TED started out in 1984 in California as a conference bringing together prominent people from the fields of technology, entertainment and design, but has since expanded to include fascinating thinkers and doers from all fields, available to the world via short online videos. www.ted.com

Find Tedx Kathmandu's latest events and happenings on www.facebook.com/tedxkathmandu