[davidspalding]

... Every time I go to Costco (U.S. warehouse "price club" store), and browse the book table, I see one or two books that I might like to read. Then I think, "Hm, I wish I could just check out and buy an eBook." Same at my favorite bookstores. "I'd like to read this $15 book, but would prefer to buy the $10 eBook and download it to my PDA in the store. And start reading while I sip some coffee any my daughter squeals with delight in the kids' book section."

A company out west (I think) was developing an application which could beam information to PDAs (Palm/PPC) with the requisite client software on them (oh, and the terminals, I think, could beam the installer to your PDA, too! (just stand there for 90 seconds while it beams....)). Application: convention centers, museums, public office spaces, entertainment outlets (theatres, et al). My application: download a sample short story, with a URL to online purchase later of the paper copy or the eBook copy. Buy a book in hardcover/softcover, and if there's an eBook available, buy the eBook for $2 extra, and beam it to my PDA at the POS (point of sale) terminal, or near it.

Is this such a wacko, innovative idea that no retailer has considered it?? I really wonder. :?