Which E-book reader is best?

[yitbos96bb]

I can't wait for the 26th so we might actually have some real data. Saw the 10inch rumor... Also saw a rumor there will be two versions... A 7in and 10in. Not sure if I would prefer a 7 or 10 due to portability as you said.

I have always assumed it would be backlit. Not sure about the eyestrain except to say I read all the time on my iPhone
kindle app and haven't had an issue personally due to the way the co yeast is run on the app. But thats just me personally. I'll be curious how apple deals with that issue... If any company could pull it off it's apple.

As for cost, I agree 100% it will cost more. I've been seeing most Rumors between 500 & 700... Which if it let's you run apps, movies, Internet and the ereader is a good price. But is much more than a
standalone ereader.

Just read a bunch of rumors regarding Apple's announcement.

I read that Apple has ordered 10 inch LCD screens.

- If this is true, this will make Apple's device larger than the Kindle DX. I bought a DX and returned it as it was too big to be comfortably portable or to read in bed.

- If this is true, the screen will be back lit. This has already proven to be less than successful. Backlighting can / does cause eyestrain. This will bring up the argument that people look at television and computer screens and dont complain of eyestrain. That's because when working on the computer or watching television you tend to look away frequently and shift your gaze. People that like to read usually like to read for extended periods with their eyes focused on the same point. I'm sure you can find this info on the internet and explained much better than I have done.

- If this is true, the price point is going to be much higher than the current ereader pricing.

 

[Minnie]

This is Apple. From my understanding, they have been working on this for several years and Jobs wanted it perfect. I also have seen rumors that E-books are the next BIG entry to the itunes store. All I'm saying is I wouldn't count apple out from being able to create a backlit device that doesn't strain the eye, Heck, the kindle app does a pretty good job of it right now.

To me, color screen has always been more important than the E-ink pads. Given their innovative past, I recommend ANYONE looking to buy a reader to hold off until the iSlate announcement to see just what Apple has in store.

I have the Kindle app on my i-touch and only use it for very short periods of time as it is nothing like the e-ink screen used on my Kindle. My Kindle provides the same experience as reading a book... my i-touch provides the experience of reading off a screen - eye strain for sure.

And color means nothing to me. I don't want to read magazines on an e-reader. Just books which my Kindle does beautifully

Your post really substantiates why so many different devices exist... to make us all happy

BTW - I love apple products and would be one of the first in line if apple ever brings the i-phone to verizon and will definitely take a look at the i-slate - just not as an e-reading device.

 

[starbox]

I'm looking at buying an e-reader for myself (voracious reader/English teacher) this spring - once the nook is out and the mac details are no longer rumors.

My dad has a Kindle and I am a huge fan of Amazon - but I am not sold on the Kindle just yet.

I think the Nook is cuter than the Kindle and I do like the color display and ability to loan books. As a former B&N employee - let me tell you - Barnes and Noble owns a whole lot of copyrights. Like a WHOLE lot. The Bargain section - most of that stuff is now owned by B&N and is 100% profit. The potential for what they are saying - lots of free titles - really does exist. And I am intrigued by the bonus content accessible in stores, as the B&N cafe is one of my favorite places to go to grade papers.

Apple - well, as evidence by iTunes, they could come in and be a complete game-changer. Nobody has yet developed an e-reader that will let you copy and paste text and move from word document to e-text - and an e-reader with that feature AND the ability to correctly do an automatic MLA or APA citation of the passage will make other e-readers bow down.

Will Apple do it? Hey, a girl can dream.

 

[yitbos96bb]

I'm looking at buying an e-reader for myself (voracious reader/English teacher) this spring - once the nook is out and the mac details are no longer rumors.

My dad has a Kindle and I am a huge fan of Amazon - but I am not sold on the Kindle just yet.

I think the Nook is cuter than the Kindle and I do like the color display and ability to loan books. As a former B&N employee - let me tell you - Barnes and Noble owns a whole lot of copyrights. Like a WHOLE lot. The Bargain section - most of that stuff is now owned by B&N and is 100% profit. The potential for what they are saying - lots of free titles - really does exist. And I am intrigued by the bonus content accessible in stores, as the B&N cafe is one of my favorite places to go to grade papers.

Apple - well, as evidence by iTunes, they could come in and be a complete game-changer. Nobody has yet developed an e-reader that will let you copy and paste text and move from word document to e-text - and an e-reader with that feature AND the ability to correctly do an automatic MLA or APA citation of the passage will make other e-readers bow down.

Will Apple do it? Hey, a girl can dream.

I don't think the copy and paste thing is necessarily something they CAN'T do but rather aren't doing due to copyright reasons... But I agree... I'm starting my Masters in a few days and would kill for that ability, especially the auto citation.

 

[yitbos96bb]

I have the Kindle app on my i-touch and only use it for very short periods of time as it is nothing like the e-ink screen used on my Kindle. My Kindle provides the same experience as reading a book... my i-touch provides the experience of reading off a screen - eye strain for sure.

And color means nothing to me. I don't want to read magazines on an e-reader. Just books which my Kindle does beautifully

Your post really substantiates why so many different devices exist... to make us all happy

BTW - I love apple products and would be one of the first in line if apple ever brings the i-phone to verizon and will definitely take a look at the i-slate - just not as an e-reading device.

Interesting how different people have different issues with the eye strain. I mean, I'm in IT and start at computers all day long... I read books, comics, etc on both my computer and my iphone, including with the Kindle app and never have an issue at all. I'm curious if its just the backlighting that's the issue for some folks who suffer from eyestrain or if its contrast or what.

I wonder if the ability to turn backlighting on and off (I had this feature in a few early handheld gaming devices I owned such as the Atari Lynx... although I think it was a battery saver more than anything) would be part of the Apple device and if that would solve some of the issues.

Looks like there is a real chance we'll see a color e-ink kindle by late 2010 or early 2011 - E-ink getting bought out is causing a lot of analysts to think that it will make color e-ink cheaper by that point.

http://www.fastcompany.com/blog/kit-eaton/technomix/e-ink-buy-out-clears-path-color-kindle-2010

Here is a piece on color e-ink from late 2005 from E-Inks site... Looks really nice IMHO... but I know its REALLY pricy right now.

http://www.eink.com/press/releases/pr86.html

 

[Minnie&Mickey]

Just wanted to throw in my two cents...I LOVE MY KINDLE! I bought mine in July and my youngest daughter, and my son-in-law both loved it so much that they each got one for Christmas. I am constantly reading and it fits so easily in my purse, so I can pull it out and read whenever I am stuck waiting somewhere. I also like that all of the New York Times Bestsellers are only $9.99...that's much cheaper than most of them would be at a brick and mortar store. I also love that I can download a book wirelessly. We like to camp at Fort Wilderness, and I can just download my next book without needing to hook anything up to my computer. I have read many, many free books (some were fantastic and others not) since getting my Kindle, so that has been a huge money saver too.

 

[yitbos96bb]

I give Amazon a lot of credit for the free books... whether they be promotional or they be public domain... at least they aren't charging for them. Can't stand the Ipod apps that try to charge 4-5 for a public domain book.

Just wanted to throw in my two cents...I LOVE MY KINDLE! I bought mine in July and my youngest daughter, and my son-in-law both loved it so much that they each got one for Christmas. I am constantly reading and it fits so easily in my purse, so I can pull it out and read whenever I am stuck waiting somewhere. I also like that all of the New York Times Bestsellers are only $9.99...that's much cheaper than most of them would be at a brick and mortar store. I also love that I can download a book wirelessly. We like to camp at Fort Wilderness, and I can just download my next book without needing to hook anything up to my computer. I have read many, many free books (some were fantastic and others not) since getting my Kindle, so that has been a huge money saver too.

 

[poegirl30]

My dh gave me a Kindle for Christmas, and I LOVE it!

 

[Minniemouse07]

I'm a voracious reader and books were starting to take over the house so my dh gave me a Kindle for my birthday in November.

I'm surprised I've ever put it down since! I love the darn thing!

Dh did a bunch of research between the Sony eReader and the Kindle and decided on the Kindle due to the larger (and cheaper) book selection and the ability to download books wirelessly.

I find it easy to use and read....and now that I have my Mighty Bright light I can read late into the night w/o having to have all the lights on!

I don't find the lack of color on the screen a problem. For about two weeks I subscribed to our local paper but found it easier (and less clumsy) to just read it online. I was impressed by the EXTREMELY high quality images that were displayed from the newspaper though!

I've honestly heard nothing but negative comments about the Nook so far and I'm glad dh went with the Kindle over the Sony eReader because downloading on the fly is SO much more convenient than having to link up with a computer!

 

[nat1234]

I received the Sony ereader for Christmas. I really like it. I'm able to download books from my local library for free. I've already read a couple of books and so has my daughter. I wasn't really sure that I wanted one but now I'm glad that I have it. It will be great for the cottage this summer since I won't have to lug all those books up with me.

 

[froggy5657]

Kindle Question:

Does the Basic Web service cost money?

 

[DisneyKevin]

Kindle Question:

Does the Basic Web service cost money?

Nope.

The only additional costs are those associated with buying books and buying a cover.

 

[froggy5657]

Nope.

The only additional costs are those associated with buying books and buying a cover.

Doesn't sending yourself documents wirelessly cost extra as well?

 

[DisneyKevin]

Doesn't sending yourself documents wirelessly cost extra as well?

I believe there was a cost associated with having Amazon converting your stuff and sending it back to you, but from what I understand...the new Kindle International has native support and your stuff doesnt have to be converted as it can just be sent to your Kindle via the included USB connection.

Please do not go out and buy a Kindle based on this information as it's not something I've used or probably ever will use.

 

[njsweetP]

I just got a Kindle for Christmas and I am LOVING it!!! I am in the market for a cover for it? Any suggestions!!!

 

[Minnie&Mickey]

I just got a Kindle for Christmas and I am LOVING it!!! I am in the market for a cover for it? Any suggestions!!!

I know what Kevin's answer to this question is...Oberon! They are beautiful, hand-crafted covers. I originally bought the Amazon cover, and it was okay. Then I bought an M-Edge so that I could attach light. It's not too bad, but it certainly isn't my dream cover. One of these days I'll get an Oberon.

 

[njsweetP]

I know what Kevin's answer to this question is...Oberon! They are beautiful, hand-crafted covers. I originally bought the Amazon cover, and it was okay. Then I bought an M-Edge so that I could attach light. It's not too bad, but it certainly isn't my dream cover. One of these days I'll get an Oberon.

I have seen the Oberon's and they are gorgeous! I just can't seem to pull the trigger on one though ($$$) plus then I'd have to decide on a design They are all soooo nice. Right now I'm leading towards the Creekbed Maple (that is if I were to get one)

Kevin - which cover to you have?

 

[kevrab]

A question. Are you resolved to strictly using the Amazon library for the Kindle and the Sony library for the E-Reader. Can you buy e-books on other websites and transfer them to your e-book by applications such as Calibre?

 

[Minnie&Mickey]

A question. Are you resolved to strictly using the Amazon library for the Kindle and the Sony library for the E-Reader. Can you buy e-books on other websites and transfer them to your e-book by applications such as Calibre?

I know you can with the Kindle. I've never tried it myself, but I've read of a lot of people that use Calibre to convert.

 

[G66]

Calibre will not convert a book with drm to another format. If you have a non drm book, Calibre will convert it to some thing you can use. I believe most if not all books from a major publisher will have a form of DRM on them. Calibre will not circumvent the drm. Hope this helps.