You hit it right on the head. “Hard copy” may still be appropriate for magazines and books, but hardly for “news” which should now be timely and mobile (as formerly only in radio or later streaming / mobile video) especially for people who are not tied up to a mailbox at home or at work. Even advertisements and coupons are now available online, and sooner than in mailbox. It will come slower to some rural areas.
Another, not often thought of, use of e-books is their ability to adjust the font size / type, brightness and contrast, which make them a natural in dark environments and for people with eyesight impairments, who have trouble reading papers or the books without special large print editions.
School / college textbooks are not off topic or afterthought at all, it’s one of the best and natural uses one can imagine for e-reader / e-book, which can replace a tremendous number of books, manuals and other study / course materials, all in one light little package which can be used almost anywhere, may be password-protected (to prevent theft) and possibly even used to download homework and upload the completed tests to teacher’s computer for grading. It’s not a matter of technology anymore. It’s indispensable in college and there are already several schools that experiment with it, and I’d say it’s one of the best developments (and investments) in education in decades.
Some won't be viable unless by land line, copper, if feasible for the provider to maintain upkeep.
Other remote areas will be accessible at a cost much greater than that of delivered print media (which will be dated and one sided). Some rural farm areas will (do) receive subsidies for internet connection.
"Another, not often thought of, use of e-books is their ability to adjust the font size..."
Perhaps. I have not found any one who has taken advantage of this anymore more than they have with large print media or print magnifiers. (an observation, not necessarily a disagreement).
Print to verbal could be a better option and the recognition software is improving (but ever so slow).
Thanks for your additional thoughts about e school books. I wonder if the costs will decrease, or if they will stay high due to the perceived 'value' of content? (once low run printing costs have been eliminated)