From a strictly technical point of view, the title of this article will hold true - many people will lose out and there'll be data that becomes inaccessible on other devices, especially as manufacturers come and go.

However, consumers often bring about unexpected outcomes that have little to do with what's best judged by specification, or which platform follows principles of openess best.

There's much that I don't like about the iPhone, especially Apple's veto on data transfer - "What?! I can't bluetooth data to my phone?! I can't even transfer my own ringtone, I have to buy it?!" - but this hasn't sufficiently bothered millions of consumers.

Instead, I bought a Windows Mobile phone - I can transfer all the data and ringtones I like via USB or bluetooth, I can get all sorts of free/paid software for it too. It's got a high res screen, and a zippy processor. Technically, it's a winner, but the experience downright stinks, needing a reboot every other day.

And of course, there's the old Betamax/VHS, MiniDisc/CD, HD-DVD/Bluray comparisons - usability and marketing prowess often trump rationality.

By the way... which ebook would you buy?