Amazon.com was recently granted a patent for enhancing
electronic reading with personalized content. Amazon wants to be able to augment
its Kindle e-books with supplemental material from publishers and other
“trusted contributors,” including friends.
The process could be particularly interesting to
teachers at all levels because it would allow them to add content to assignments,
according to a report in Wired.
Readers of an enhanced Kindle e-book would have access to
extra material, such as additional storylines, maps, or illustrations, based on
their interests. The supplemental content could come from an Amazon author,
from a relationship on social media, or even when the reader has expressed an
interest in similar content.
That content would be managed through a multilevel framework
to be created by Amazon.