1. People
Unless you live on an uninhabited island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, people are the first and most common distraction. If you are the lucky exception, congratulations on being the envy of every typical New Yorker, especially if your island comes with a Wi-Fi service that helps you view this blog. For the rest of us, mere mortals trying to make it in the ever changing world of iPads and Twitter, the other Homo Sapiens are massively distracting. The truth is that one thing you can count on others for is them waking up every morning to serve as walking, talking and at times even yelling objects that have all the resources needed to assist you in going completely nuts.  Tackling this distraction is challenging, but not impossible. One option every reader has is trying to find escape spots where people are next to extinct. An empty conference room would work perfectly, especially if you can lock the door and pretend you lost a key. Actually losing a key is a better option, but might involve a number of future job interviews if you try to pull it off a good number of times. Various warning signs on room doors get the job done as well. Just make sure the warnings are sinister enough and contain minimal humor, because constant giggling behind the closed doors could be worse than straight intervention on your private territory. Try something like “Snoozing and fiercely lethal immediately after waking up” or “Haven’t washed for a year. Be my guest”. A sign that says: “Scientific experiment with Radiation. Enter if you dare” will work as well, but make sure the door is solid and no one can actually spy on you performing your experiments with radiation over an issue of The Economist. Be creative about it and remember: getting away from the world that contains almost 7 billion people is a puzzle that requires determination and serious will power to be resolved.

2. Technology
A relatively modern distraction and undoubtedly, about as powerful as the notorious Homo Sapiens, technology has dipped its tentacles in almost every area of our lives. In the unstoppable merry-go-round of phone calls, text messages, TV series, and tweets even the most ardent reader goes dizzy while trying to concentrate on a pile of books.  An average day of every major 21st century office is similar to the chaos Pompeii had to face only at the Mount Vesuvius’ eruption. Seeing my 11 year-old cousin spend hours on the phone, I get a feeling that Alexander Graham Bell got the idea for his invention from a bunch of evil aliens who had a firm intention to take over the earth’s by making its population stupid. Indeed, since then the phones have become smart ones, while the humanity’s literacy level still leaves much to be desired. Research claims that a hundred years ago people read books with an average speed of 350 wpm, while right now the speed is only about 200. The sad tendency is – we are not getting any smarter. The TV doesn’t help the statistics either. The good news is they are still manufacturing TV sets with magic OFF buttons. Those generally work pretty consistently, so give them a chance to serve for a higher purpose and press them. Serenity is absolutely guaranteed, especially if along with TV, you press the Sleep button on all of your computers and a silent button on all of your phones. Remember, voicemail boxes were created for a reason, so just let them be useful.

3. Music
Mozart would have died of shame if he listened to the tunes and lyrics of today that are called by the loud name of music. It only gets worse: he would have an epileptic seizure before dying if he saw teenagers trying to read and comprehend to that noise. Indeed, even quite music with lyrics on the background decreases the number of words your brain can process per minute, which tremendously affects your efficiency as a reader. Whether you realize it or not, your brain will use some of its resources to process the beat and the lyrics regardless of the fact you are trying to concentrate on something else. If you absolutely need to have music on the background, play the good old Mozart or his colleagues from the classical music department. Research shows that classical music doesn’t impede, but rather fosters better retention and comprehension of the material.  Try it on and see for yourself.

4. Location is too comfortable
One thing is true about the universe: everything exists for a reason.  Yes, even a bump on the road. Using this simple dogma one can infer that there is a reason why office spaces and classrooms contain tables and chairs and for the most part are bereft of recliners and futons. Your brain is most productive when your body is either in a seated or a standing position. On the other hand, when you are reclining or straight out lying somewhere, you brain is lazily breezing through pages. Thus, by reading on a couch, you are subconsciously sending a neurological signal to slow down – not the best way to be an effective reader, let alone a speed reader. The good news is that to cure this distraction you would only need to invest in a trip to the nearest chair.

5. Being preoccupied with other matters
Concentrating on Kant’s Critique of Practical Reason, while trying to plan a Thanksgiving Dinner or a trip to Timbuktu, is about as challenging as running for president with a $30 budget.  When your mind is flooded with things you need to remember to do and problems that need to be solved and you are trying to read and memorize at the same time, essentially what you are doing is juggling a porcupine with a hedgehog. The end result is you are hurting through and through for no reason. Stop juggling, take out a post-it and write down all you need to do. Structure it and organize it, spit it out on paper and then just relax. Scientists claim that your subconscious will do the work for you anyways and any decision will just dawn on you when you are taking a shower or applying make-up. Take your time to just be at peace with yourself, your problems and the world around you. Once you are done with reading, you can always get back to the “Let’s save the world now” mode and accomplish whatever is left for the day.
Stay focused, stay smart and polish your speed reading!
Till soon!

The big news here is the price drop. A Wi-Fi only version runs $139, while the Wi-Fi plus 3G model is $189. The steep drop in price could really help move more people into reading e-books on the Kindle.

Features

There are a lot of Kindle 3 features that makes it impressive. Looking at the display, it has a 6-inch e-ink pearl screen with graphite casing, and it makes the contrast 50% better. The text is much clearer which makes it even easier to read. The Kindle also offers a color choice (black or white). There are also changes in both the space between lines as well as the size of the font. Fonts come in 3 choices, both standard and condensed versions of Caecilia font and Sans serif.

Another feature worth noting is the weight. It’s more compact size of 8.7ounces makes it easier to carry around. Unlike its previous models, the Kindle 3 can be easily held in one hand for many hours.  Forward/backward button combinations are now located on both the sides of the device making it easier for both a right and left handed person.

One of Kindle’s best features is that, there is no requirement of any software installations. It comes ready to use straight out of the box. The Kindle can be charged with a computer USB port or the standard wall-charger.

The battery life is impressive. It can last up to one month after charging it just once, which makes it even more ideal for traveling. If wireless is on, the battery can still last for 10 hours.

One of the best things about the Kindle is that it really focuses on the reader. Books can be read in sunlight without glare.  The Kindle can also read books out loud, in a male or female voice. Parents may want to outsource the reading their bed-time stories to their children. Just let the Kindle do it. However, this feature doesn’t work in all e-books, and the outsourcing of bed-time stories could get you in trouble with the wife.

The Kindle 3G+WiFi has 4GB memory and can carry as many as 3,500 books at a time. It automatically saves the deleted book which can be later downloaded within 60 seconds free of cost.

Additional Features

• Free access to Wikipedia and built-in dictionary
• Social Networking sharing via Facebook and Twitter
• Password protection
• MP3 player

The price of both models are compelling. The Kindle with 3G +WiFi is a very reasonable $189 and Kindle Wi-Fi is only $139. The Kindle is the best e-reader on the market and gives you good bang for your buck.

The exact details are yet to come, but imagine an internet bookstore bigger than Amazon – the largest ever. Imagine buying a book and keeping it within Google’s cloud to access at will from any internet ready device. You’ll be able to access your personal library at will. Imagine reading at your desktop at home, continuing where you left off from your phone on the train and then finishing while at your work computer.

Google Editions may become the largest seller of e-books. There are immense possibilities of profitability in the industry of e-books and Google has set its eyes for it.

Two very important factors have already been disclosed:

1.) The publisher/partner will set the price of the book and will become the direct seller, while Google will keep a share of the sales price. Google will host the books on their own server, and readers can find books using the Google Books search. You’ll also be able to buy the book from the website of publisher/partner. Thus it is Google who will take the burden of promotion and sales. This is very unlike other stores like Amazon, Barnes and Noble or Sony who set the price. Google has decided to make available nearly 4-6 million books with prices set by their publishers.

2.) Delivery of the book will be browser-based. In other words, buying a special e-reader is not required. Once the book is ordered from Editions , it will be cached by the browser and will be available offline. Its easy accessibility is assured as Google plans to use the browser the main portal to access the e-book. Thus any device which has internet connectivity can be used to access books without locking one in a particular device.

Coming this August, Toshiba will unveil the world’s first dual-touch screen laptop called the Libretto W100. Toshiba is hoping that this curious little gadget will perform all the functions of a typical desktop or laptop, while fitting conveniently in your bag.

Features

This palm-sized computer has a lot of multimedia capabilities. As a neat as a web surfing device, the Libretto W100 combines Wi-Fi, lets you enjoy e-books, games, photos, movies and music and more, wherever we go.

No longer will Canadians have to deal with the burden of slow reading. Iris speed reading classes have been taught at major cities throughout the U.S. and at numerous college campuses, including Harvard. We’re very excited to now be offering our first classes in Toronto.

Classes are scheduled for the following dates (with more to come):

• Saturday, August 28
• Sunday, August 29
• Saturday, September 18
• Sunday, September 19
• Saturday, October 23
• Saturday, November 20

We also have plans to offer Iris speed reading courses in other Canadian cities very soon. Email us at info [at] irisreading [dot] com to recommend your city!

How does the newest device compare to previous generations of the Kindle?

• Built-in Wi-Fi
• 21% smaller body, same 6″ reading area
• Crisper, darker fonts
• Double the storage
• 17% lighter
• 50% improved screen contrast
• Enhanced PDF reader
• New WebKit-based browser
• Voice Guide read-to-me menus
• Faster page turns

Like any other Kindle, the battery life is amazing. It can last up to one month with wireless turned off. It holds over 3,500 books and is hooked into Amazon’s vast store of Kindle books, currently numbering over 630,000.  

In the past year, the e-reader business has become much more competitive, with Barnes & Noble introducing the Nook and Apple introducing the iPad. Yet Amazon shows no signs of letting up. This is the 3rd generation of the Kindle and it remains the leader in the e-reader field. Consumers can be thankful for the extra competition. It has led to lower prices and wider adoption. It will be interesting to see where things go from here.

Which e-reader is your favorite? Let us know in the comments…

Iris and Borders Books are teaming up to provide speed reading workshops at two of their locations in Chicago. These workshops will repeat on a monthly basis throughout the summer. Click the link below to see the full schedule:

Speed Reading Class Schedule at Borders

Thursday, May 13, 2010: 7:00pm – 8:00pm
Borders Books
755 West North Avenue - Map
(North & Halsted)

Friday, May 14, 2010: 7:00pm – 8:00pm
Borders Books
4718 North Broadway – Map
(Broadway & Lawrence)

Iris will be featured at the event. We’ll be raffling off a few seats to our speed reading classes, and you’ll get a bookmark with any book that you find (because you can never have enough bookmarks now, can you?).

Bring your books! Take some books! Meet other people that love reading books!

More information: www.chicagoreader.com/bookswap

When was the last time you read something for pure enjoyment? Are there books you once bought, but have yet to read? Information management and speed reading are gaining relevance as key skills for success in school and in the workforce. The video below simply illustrates how the internet has led to an explosion of information. How we deal with this is key. Enjoy the video!

JESS3 / The State of The Internet from JESS3 on Vimeo.

Steve Jobs definitely knows how to put on a show. Apple unveiled their newest creation, the iPad yesterday. Aside from being a very nicely designed tablet computer, Apple’s iPad will also serve as an e-book reader.

Apple’s entry into the e-book market is a direct challenge the Amazon’s Kindle which has dominated the e-book market over the past couple years. Now it looks like Amazon has some catching up to do.

Apple’s iPad works like a regular computer. You can browse the internet, listen to music and read books. You can think of it as an entertainment hub. Amazon’s Kindle is a more simplified device. The Kindle basically only does one thing, but it does it really well. It allows you to read books on the go. The Kindle makes it very easy to get books from Amazon’s store (wirelessly with no internet fee).

Pricing: The most important thing to look at is pricing. Amazon’s Kindle is priced at $259, while the iPad starts at $499. With Amazon you get free internet, but with the iPad you’ll have to pay a monthly fee. Although it’s important to note, that the only reason you’ll really need web access on the Kindle is to download books. An iPad user is much more likely to be accessing the internet not just for books, but also for movies and music, along with simple browsing.

Battery Life: Amazon’s kindle wins this contest very easily. The iPad has a color display and will definitely kill your battery faster. However, I was surprised to know that Apple claims 10-hours of better life. The Kindle can run for up to a week with its wireless connection on.

Size & Display: If you compare the iPad to the Kindle DX (Amazon’s bigger Kindle), they’re both about the same. Both are a little over a pound and very light. Both screens are 9.7 inches.

Keyboard: The iPad has an on-screen keyboard while the Kindle has a physical keyboard. Which is best? This is usually based on the user’s preference.

Storage: The Kindle DX has 4GB of internal storage, which is roughly equal to about 3,500 books. The iPad has 16GB, 32GB or 64GB of flash storage.

Apple’s iTunes vs. Amazon’s Bookstore: This battle will be a tough fight. Apple’s iTunes store is very widely used for getting music, video and podcasts. It’s a great distribution system that already integrates very really well with other Apple products. Meanwhile, Amazon’s bookstore is the most visited bookstore in the world. The Kindle makes it very convenient to shop the store, but Apple could easily leverage iTunes to offer its iBooks.

It remains to be seen whether or not the iPad could overtake the Kindle’s domination of the e-book market, but you can certainly expect the competition to fuel more innovation, which is great for the consumer.