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| Tuesday, 28 June 2011, 18:28 HKT/SGT | |
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Source: HKTDC | |
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| eBook Promotion to be Among July Book Fair Highlights |
HONG KONG, June 28, 2011 - (ACN Newswire) - Readers can sample ebooks from now until 30 August, thanks to the eBook Reading Platform, an event set up in response to the growing popularity of electronic reading technology.
The ebook promotion is organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) in conjunction with 3 Hong Kong, the mobile telecom and residential fixed-line operator of Hutchison Telecommunications Hong Kong Holdings Ltd. It will coincide with the 22nd HKTDC Hong Kong Book Fair, which takes place 20-26 July at the Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre.
Page to Screen
Last year, sales of ebooks doubled in the United States, and more than 600 million electronic books and other publications were read on the Chinese mainland - a 30 per cent increase over 2009.
A survey conducted during last year's Book Fair found that readers consider the Internet an important channel for obtaining information on new books. The growing popularity of e-reading in Hong Kong is underscored by the fact that nearly 40 per cent of those surveyed had read books on mobile devices such as iPhones, Android smartphones, iPads, e-readers or PDAs.
In response to rising consumer use of mobile devices, 3 Hong Kong recently introduced 3Books - the largest mobile ebook platform in Hong Kong - in cooperation with local and overseas publishers. The one-stop mobile ebook service offers more than one million novels, magazines and comic books.
Free Downloads
At this year's Book Fair, 3 Hong Kong will feature its eBook Reading Platform, which has been designed for iPhone and Android smartphones. Extracts of ebooks published by exhibitors at the fair will be available for free download at the site, offering at least 10 per cent of each of the books for trial reading. Some books will be available for free download in their entirety. The reading platform, which includes works of fiction, non-fiction, magazines and picture books, allows readers access to the materials anywhere, anytime, on compatible devices.
Deputy Executive Director of the HKTDC Benjamin Chau said e-reading is gradually becoming part of the modern urban lifestyle, adding that "eBooks are a new trend in reading and learning. In view of this, a special zone for ebooks was set up at the Book Fair last year to let readers learn more about the latest digital reading information."
Digital Reading
By launching an ebook reading platform with 3 Hong Kong this year, said Mr Chau, "we are bringing visitors more opportunities to come into contact with ebooks, and are promoting reading habits across Hong Kong."
Amy Lung, Chief Operating Officer (Mobile) of Hutchison Telecommunications Hong Kong Holdings Ltd, said that "3 Hong Kong has always been keen to introduce diversified content services so that customers can meet their various needs through mobile phones. Last year we succeeded in creating a trend in e-reading by launching the largest mobile ebook platform in Hong Kong," Ms Lung said.
"This year, it is our pleasure to organise a Hong Kong ebook reading event with the Hong Kong Book Fair. By offering more than 100 ebooks through the eBooks Reading Platform, we are allowing iPhone and Android smartphone users first-read privileges."
Reading and Writing
The Book Fair will also host a Chinese-language essay-writing competition related to the event theme - "Reading the World, Reading as Self-Discovery." Competitors will be asked to write essays under the heading "Random Thoughts in Self-Discovery through e-Reading. Submissions will be accepted through the eBook Reading Platform until 15 July. There are no age or category restrictions for competitors. Prizes include a Samsung Galaxy Tab, as well as Book Fair Super Pass and admission tickets to the event. For details, please visit www.hkbookfair.com.
Related Link
HKTDC Hong Kong Book Fair - http://hkbookfair.hktdc.com/en/
Contact:
HKTDC
Corporate Communication Department
Joe Kainz
Tel: +852 2584 4216
Email: joe.kainz@hktdc.org
Topic: Trade Show or Conference
Source: HKTDC
Sectors: Trade Shows
https://www.acnnewswire.com
From the Asia Corporate News Network
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