An increasing number of eReader devices are popping up in the market. These electronic devices offer avid readers an array of benefits. You can carry dozens of books, magazines, and newspapers in less space than that taken up by just one book. Electronic ink also offers a screen that displays text in ways more pleasing to the eye than traditional electronic screens. Many devices come with wireless capabilities that allow users to shop for new books anywhere, on the go.
Among the leaders in the eReader market is the Amazon Kindle, Barnes and Noble Nook and Apple iPad.
Amazon’s Kindle wasn’t the first eReader to hit the market, but it’s certainly the device credited with making “eReader” a household term. The current Amazon Kindle will cost you $189, free shipping included. It comes with 3G wireless capabilities (you never need to search for a wi-fi hot spot) and can carry some 1,500 books. The battery will last for one week of reading with wireless turned on. Turn wireless off, and you’ll double the battery life. One criticism commonly leveled at the Kindle is its use of a proprietary format. That is, you can only buy books for the Kindle from Amazon (although some organizations make copyright expired content available in Kindle format).
If you decide later to buy a different eReader, you cannot transfer your electronic books to a device produced by another manufacturer. Moreover, you cannot borrow library eBooks on a Kindle. Amazon does offer ways for Kindle users to find over 1.8 million books whose copyrights have expired for free, but there’s a catch. You won’t find the latest bestsellers for free because these offerings are all from before 1923, but you might find a few classics like Sherlock Holmes or works by Jane Austen. Kindle also offers free reader apps for PC, Mac, and mobile devices.
The Nook, Barnes and Noble’s answer to the success of the Kindle, will currently cost you $150 for a basic version that requires wi-fi (it connects for free at any AT&T hot spot) and $200 for a 3G version that can connect anywhere. Like the Kindle, the Nook also allows users to carries up to 1,500 books, magazines, and newspapers on its 2GB of storage. If you need more space, you can upgrade the Nook’s capacity by adding a Micro SD card. Through the Barnes and Noble Lifetime Library, your books follow you as you read them on your Nook or mobile device. Barnes and Noble also boasts thousands of free titles available on the Nook. For those times when you’re a little bored and just don’t want to read, the Nook comes with chess and sudoku apps.
The Apple iPad, though not a dedicated reader, might be right for you if you’re willing to pay for the host of other features it offers. The iPad comes with a few notable downsides over dedicated eReaders. First, the Apple device does not use eInk technology. It has a color touch screen similar to that found on the iPhone or iPod touch. The big disadvantage here is that eInk isn’t nearly as prone to glaring as the iPad screen. Second, the iPad is significantly heavier than dedicated reader devices and can be a pain to transport.
On the upside, the device does come with wi-fi and 3G access, and the iBook application makes it easy and convenient to buy books anywhere. Some users do complain that titles can be a little pricier from iBook than Amazon. Thankfully, Apple allows the cross-platform Kindle reader app, allowing you to read books in Kindle format on your iPad. If you want to read magazines or comics in color, the iPad is really your only option. We have years to wait before color eInk is available. The iPad also offers email, web browsing, photo viewing, videos, youTube, maps, notes, a calendar, a contacts database, and the iWork productivity suite. All these extras are why you can look forward to paying $500 and up for an iPad.
There are also a host of lesser-known readers developed by smaller manufacturers. If you’re considering one of these models, make sure you know how many books are available, and from what vendors. If the reader can read multiple file formats you can purchase from a variety of stores, you’re more likely to be able to find the titles you’re interested in.
Published or updated August 17, 2011.
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
I’m really happy about the eInk thing – I’ve heard it is just like reading a page from a real book. I would be a big fan of the Kindle if it weren’t for the fact you can only download Amazon products.
I like the ipad best. I use it everyday both on job and private.
Thx