An Introduction to Popular E-book Readers

Last year, there were more sales for e-books than printed books. On March 5 this year, Barnes & Noble, the world's largest chain of bookstores, acquired online e-book vendor, Fictionwise. President of BN, William J Linch said: "The market hasn't been that developed to date. We think it's a big growth area going forward."

Many people like to purchase and read e-books and e-magazines through lightweight handheld readers today. Several companies have come up with innovative, standalone e-book readers, such as Amazon Kindle, Sony Reader, Hanlin eReader (aka Endless Ideas BeBook), etc; these thin elegant gadgets can take people back to the era of reading. Let's have a look at some of these readers in this article.

BARNES AND NOBLE APPLETON WI

E-books and E-magazines: How Do They Work?

E-books can be of two types: those which can be read on a computer and those which require special devices to read. There are several formats for e-books including Adobe PDF, Microsoft LIT, Palm PDB, etc. In order to buy an e-book, you go to the online vendor of the e-book, pay and register your reader for DRM (Digital Rights Management) protection, and download the e-book to the registered reader. Since only the registered e-book reader can read this e-book, the author and the publisher are protected from piracy. Digital copying is not possible with DRM protection.

Popular E-book Readers

There are many reading devices available in the market, and most of them work with electronic paper technology by E Ink Corporation.

In 2008, an Apple iPhone app for reading e-books in iPhone had a surge of sales (even more than the sales total of Amazon Kindle). This made iPhone one of the popular devices to read e-books. But in this article, we will be looking only at specialized e-book readers.

1. Amazon Kindle

Perhaps the most popular of e-book readers, Amazon Kindle had a sales total of 380,000 units in 2008 in the US alone. Kindle is now in the next generation with the advent of Amazon Kindle 2 and Kindle DX this year (DX is already out of stock). K-DX offers native PDF support, has an iPhone-like accelerometer that changes the orientation of the screen when you rotate the Reader and is more suitable for reading electronic versions of newspapers, magazines, and formatted books. With the ability to keep thousands of e-books in storage and easy access to the online Amazon e-book store, Kindle is perhaps the first choice of anyone looking for a standalone e-book reader.

The display is like normal paper and easy to read. Kindle has wireless capabilities to access the online book store and magazine store of Amazon. Kindle 2 has a 600 x 800 (6 inch) display. It can receive books through the high-speed Sprint 3G network, nationally available. Supported formats include the Amazon proprietary format, AZW (DRM-restricted), PRC, TXT, and PDF (some of these formats may need to be converted to AZW).

2. Sony Reader

Sony Digital Book Reader is the popular e-book reader from Sony, and there have been already three editions of this-PRS-500, PRS-505, and PRS-700.

The reader has a 600 x 800 pixel electronic paper display (EPD), similar to Kindle, and the display is 8-level grayscale. PRS-700 edition, unlike others, sports a touch screen. The supported e-book formats include BBeB book (from Marlin), TXT, RTF, ePub, Adobe PDF, Microsoft Word (DOC). It supports JPEG, GIF, PNG, and BMP for images; and MP3 and AAC for audio.

3. iRex iLiad

iRex iLiad, similar to Kindle and Sony Reader, makes use of the electronic paper display and comes at 768 x 1024 (8 inches) resolution. It has 16-level grayscale screen.

Through Wi-Fi, LAN, USB connectivity, or a network using a MyiRex account, you can transfer e-books to the reader. The supported e-book formats include Adobe PDF, MOBI, PRC, HTML, and TXT.

4. Hanlin eReader

Hanlin eReader, known in various brand names across the world, such as Endless Ideas BeBook, is a popular e-book reader. It has a 600 x 800 resolution, 4-level grayscale display. It connects through a USB port.

Unlike other readers mentioned above, this reader supports almost all popular file formats for e-books-Adobe PDF, CHM, DJVU, DOC, ePub, FB2, HTM, LIT, MOBI, PPT, PRC, RTF, TXT, WOLF. It also supports archiving formats like ZIP and RAR; image formats like BMP, GIF, JPEG, PNG, TIFF; and audio format, MP3.

Conclusion

Most of these e-book readers come with revolutionary E-Ink technology developed by E Ink Corporation. This is a digital paper display, which gives the experience of reading actual paper. With the storage space for thousands of e-books and ability to keep battery power for thousands of page turns or several hours, these e-book readers can be regarded as portable libraries. Since they can connect to some network to purchase and download popular fiction and non-fiction from online e-book vendors, they can provide great reading experience when you are on a long-distance journey.

An Introduction to Popular E-book Readers

BARNES AND NOBLE APPLETON WI

Nook Color - Is It The Best Color Ebook Reader?

There is no doubt that for some Barnes and Nobles latest ebook reader will become their preferred gadget for reading books. It is the first major dedicated color ebook reader and is half the weight and half the size of the Apple iPad, not to mention half the price. Sure there are a number of features that is lacks in comparison to Apple's model but for some people this will not be an issue.

There is no doubt the iPad is currently the king of tablets. Although there are some cheaper and lighter tablets on the market, none has been more warmly and enthusiastically accepted that the iPad. For reading ebooks it is impressive, given its high resolution color screen that makes reading magazines, comics and color books a satisfying experience.

BARNES AND NOBLE APPLETON WI

For most though, the size is an issue. No matter how convenient the iPad is it cannot be regarded as light. This is where the Nook Color comes in. It has both a color, high resolution, touch screen LCD screen as well as internet connectivity. Bundle that with the Nook Color's convenient size and weight and you can see why many are opting to purchase Barnes And Noble's cheaper option.

The iPad weighs in at 1.5 pounds, or 24 ounces, while the color nook weighs just 15.8 ounces. This is a model you are more likely to want to take on a trip with you, either on a daily commute or to the Bahamas. Reading in bed with an iPad is always a bit of a juggle but the Color Nook makes this easier. While it is still heavier than a regular black and white ebook reader (such as a Kindle or B&W Nook) it is significantly easier to handle than an iPad.

On the Color Nook you can download and read color newspapers, magazines and color books. You can connect to the internet using Wi-Fi and while there is no email program or dedicated app store as yet there are in the works and will be released early next year. Based on the popular mobile phone operating system, Android 2.1, the Color Nook allows you to login to Facebook and browse your favourite sites using a web browser.

With the Nook you can highlight bits of text in your books and send them to friends via email, Facebook or Twitter. The Nook also allows you to share books with friends, something the Amazon Kindle platform lacks. Purchasing magazines is easy and can be done one issue at a time or on a subscription basis.

Overall the Color Nook is a well priced color ebook reader that will draw many readers who don't want to commit to the size and price of an iPad yet want to read the latest magazines and books and stay connected with friends and family - all in color!

Nook Color - Is It The Best Color Ebook Reader?

BARNES AND NOBLE APPLETON WI

The Apple iPad As an Ereader

From the time when it was little more than supposition the Apple iPad has been one of the most rumored and hyped about gadgets ever. After the official introduction of the iPad by Steve Jobs on January 27, 2010, one of the constant themes in the media coverage has been about how the iPad will make dedicated ereaders obsolete.

Now that the iPad has been out for a while and we have been able to use it we can make some more informed judgments as to what its strengths and weaknesses are. Here I will look at the iPad in terms of how well it performs as an ereader.

BARNES AND NOBLE APPLETON WI

First of all, the display of the iPad is gorgeous. The color LCD display is beautiful, the touchscreen is very responsive, and the iPad is quite fast. These features make the iPad not only very good for watching video, viewing photos, browsing the Internet, gaming and other such activities; they also make it very well suited to reading magazines, newspapers, comics and illustrated books.

Magazines and newspapers also benefit from the interactive approach that is possible on a device such as the iPad. Being able to tap a hyperlink to reach more in-depth reading about a story or to access additional illustrations is well suited to reading periodicals.

Reading PDF documents on the iPad with an app such as GoodReader also works very well. Panning and zooming with your fingers on the multitouch display is very quick and works well. Unfortunately, while the iPad is very good for viewing PDF documents, most of the apps are not capable of editing or making annotations. Generally speaking, I have found the iPad to be best suited for viewing content and less well suited to creating and editing content.

But what about reading ordinary books that are mostly if not entirely text? The aspect of reading books on the iPad that I like best is the access it gives you to eBooks from different sources. Besides iBooks, which is the reading app from Apple and which seems mainly oriented to those who prefer titles from the bestsellers lists, there are also the Kindle for iPad app, an app from Kobo Books and a Wattpad reading app. An app should also be forthcoming soon from Barnes and Noble. This gives you access to the Kindle Store as well as to eBooks with DRM supported by Adobe Digital Editions.

The Kindle for iPad app is good as it not only gives you access to the best eBook provider (currently with over 500,000 titles), but will also sync your last read page with your Kindle ereader or the Kindle apps for other devices. This is also the only eBook reading app at the moment that lets you take notes on your reading.

While the iPad does work very well for reading illustrated books and magazines, there are some drawbacks to using it for reading regular books that are all or mostly text. First of all, at one and a half pounds, the iPad weighs considerably more than most ereaders. This fact makes it less portable and less comfortable to use in some situations. Holding the iPad with only one hand does not work very well. If you commute by public transit, it will be harder to use an iPad on a crowded train or subway car.

Most ereaders with e-ink screens have a battery life measured in thousands of page turns and usually need to be recharged every ten days to two weeks. The iPad battery lasts ten to twelve hours.

The iPad is pretty much unreadable outdoors in the sunshine. In a shady location outdoors the screen is readable, though you will probably find yourself tilting the screen to find the most glare-free position. There have as well been early reports of the iPad overheating when used in sunshine. Dedicated ereaders with e-ink screens are perfectly readable outdoors in sunlight or shade - if you do a lot of your reading at the beach a Kindle would definitely be a better choice than the iPad!

Some of the dedicated ereaders such as the Kindle have a free 3G connection you can use to browse and purchase eBooks and then download your selections directly to your ereader within a few seconds. With the iPad Wi-Fi obviously you will need to be able to connect with a wireless network. With the 3G version of the iPad (which starts at over 0) you will need to pay a monthly fee for the connection.

Only iBooks (which only has 60,000 titles to start) will let you purchase eBooks from within the app. If you are using the Kindle for iPad or another ereader app you will be dropped into a browser to shop the app's eBook store rather than from within the app itself. When finished shopping you will have to restart the reading app. This can be less convenient and involves more steps than buying books on the Kindle. This is not a big issue for me, but some users do complain about it.

There are lots and lots of things to do on the iPad. This is a good thing... but it also means that there are always lots of things to distract you from your reading.

In my case the worst thing about using the iPad as an ereader is the backlit screen. I can stare into my computer monitor up to 12 or more hours a day - browsing the Internet, working with documents, playing games and the other things most of us use our computers for and usually I do not suffer from eyestrain. However, I have never enjoyed reading more than a few pages of an eBook at a time on an LCD monitor. Reading a book is different than browsing the Internet or working with documents because books are made up of long unbroken blocks of text.

I find that the iPad does cause eyestrain for me when reading books. Turning down the brightness level helps but it does not solve the problem, at least for me. Most of the reading apps on the iPad include a "Night Mode" feature that gives you a light colored text on dark background (as opposed to the conventional black text on white background) that does help reduce eyestrain in my case. Still, I have both dedicated ereaders and an iPad and I usually prefer to read books on the e-ink screens of the ereaders, which are no more tiring on your eyes than reading paper. I usually use the iPad for reading books that are unavailable on my particular ereaders. There are also occasions when the backlit screen can be advantageous when reading in a dark environment.

For casual readers who usually only read for no more than 20 to 30 minutes at a time the iPad will probably be fine, but if you typically read for longer periods at a sitting it may be uncomfortable for you. How much eyestrain reading long blocks of text on a backlit screen causes will vary from person to person, but for most people reading a book for an hour or two on an LCD screen is probably going to be an unpleasant experience.

While the iPad is a wonderful gadget and has many uses, when it comes to reading eBooks I think that it will probably work best for occasional or casual readers. If you read a lot you will probably find that it is not as good as a dedicated ereader for reading eBooks.

The Apple iPad As an Ereader

BARNES AND NOBLE APPLETON WI

10 Reasons Why the Nook is Better Than the Kindle - Battle of the eBook Readers

I have to admit, I shop a lot from Amazon.com. So much to say that I consider myself an Amazolic. I think it is because I believe that they have the best collection of DVDs, clothes, gadgets, electronics, books, and just about everything else that one would want to shop online for. However, I got a little flimsy about Amazon after the homepage turned into a one item promotion page for their eBook eReader, The Kindle. It is almost as if they are playing some kind mind-trick on their visitors. Make them see the Kindle enough times that a percentage of people who visit Amazon.com end up psychologically convincing themselves to give in and buy the eBook Reader.

That is when I saw an article on Kindle getting a new competitor in the eBook Reader market, the Barnes and Noble Nook. As if on auto-pilot, I found myself on BarnesandNoble.com and was pleasantly surprised to see that the homepage was not plastered with a huge posting on an eBook Reader. In fact, there was a small 2x2 inch ad reading, "Nook, The World's Most Advanced eBook Reader: Learn More" on the right of the page. And that was it! No mind games, no tricks, just a simple, genuine ad that definitely caught my eye.

BARNES AND NOBLE APPLETON WI

The early pre-orders are expected to be delivered by mid-December, which is a slight delay as Barnes and Noble admitted to be getting a high demand for their eReaders. If you still have not placed your order, no need to worry, you will get your new eBook Reader in early January.

Here are 10 reasons why the Nook triumphs over the Kindle:

Goes easy on the eyes. There is no glare or backlight that some complained about the Kindle, and with the adjustable text size, you can read on for hours without the discomfort of your eyes being tired out. Sample eBooks for free. You can download a free sample of any eBook from the store and not only discover new authors but also check out the most talked about books for free on your Barnes and Noble eBook Reader. The Kindle does not offer this convenience. Mark up your pages and Reading Now. Nook makes it simple and easy to bookmark, highlight passages, or even make notes, with a built in tool, which also allows you to look up the meaning of any word mid-sentence, using the built-in dictionary. Size, Display and Specifications. Compact Size - The Nook is about the same size and weight as an average sized paperback book. Expandable Storage - With 2GB built-in memory, the Nook can store about 1,500 eBooks. However with a microSD memory card slot, this number is pushed up to 17,500 eBooks. Paper-like Display - The most advanced E-ink Vizplex electronic paper display that reads like the printed page and you can read an eBook in bright sunlight as clearly as inside your home Color Touchscreen - 3.5 inch color touchscreen LCD that offers one-touch control and navigation. The Kindle has a gray-scale display. Fast and Free Wireless - Fast and Free wireless from Barnes & Noble via AT&T, the nation's fastest 3G network. Supported File Types - Very flexible options that include EPUB and eReader Formats, PDFs, MP3s and graphics that load to your Nook from your computer or micro SD card and JPEG, GIF, PNG, BMP files are used to create personal screen savers. Personalized Screen Saver - Customize your nook quickly and easily by loading your own photos or using the many default pictures. Powerful Battery - You can read for up to ten days without recharging (with wireless off). Charging is done via USB to computer system or power adapter.Cost-efficient At just 0, the Barnes and Noble Nook Ebook Reader is the same price as Amazon's Kindle 2, but you get so much more for your money. You get Wi-Fi, an SD slot, native PDF support and that extra double screen makes it seem eons out of the Kindle's league. Easy to Lend and Share Your eBooks with Friends and Family. One of the main objections that users of the Kindle and other older eReaders have is that people prefer to to get the majority of their eBooks from their friends or family, rather than buying them from bookstores, which all these previous eReaders do not really have much flexibility with. The Nook realizes that people do like to share their eBooks and allows for a 2-week lending period - plenty of time to read a book. Also, you can lend a book from your Nook to tons of different devices: Mac, PC, iPhone, iPod Touch, PC, Mac, BlackBerry, or Windows Mobile (soon). Double Screen. With the traditional single screen that is seen in all the eBook eReaders prior to the Barnes and Noble Nook eBook eReader, browsing for books was a workout on its own and often a frustration. But with its capacitive double touchscreen, the Nook offers a keyboard and Cover-Flow-esque browsing that takes away the awkwardness and lethargy of e-ink, and more importantly, it opens the door for multitasking. You will be able to read a book and control your music at the same time, and since the music browser will be on the LCD screen, it will not look like some e-inked crap. It will also support photo browsing and the ability to set your own wallpaper. Battery Life. The Barnes and Noble Nook eBook Reader comes with a 10-day battery life, which might not be just as long as the Kindle 2's 14 days, but with all the extra features it comes along with, you have to admit, 10 days is still more than enough time to read a book. Android Integration - Leads to Endless Possibilities. B&N seem to be open to apps being introduced to the Nook, which will take your user experience to a whole new level when compared to the Kindle and other existing eReaders. Picture this: Your iPod merged with an eBook reader - that is exactly what the Nook eReader will feel like. Largest eBook Collection. With over 1 million titles to choose from, the eBooks will be available through the Barnes and Noble eBookStore and will delivered through the 3G wireless network. Thousands of older titles are free, and many new releases are as low as .99.

I should also mention that the accessories for the Nook are looking hot as you have the option of personalising your Nook with rubberized plastic covers, leather cases with button straps, and artistic sleeve covers are just some of the looks you can use to brand your Nook as truly yours.

I am very interested in the Nook eReader as I do a lot of reading and to be honest, how cool would it be to be doing some bedtime reading with a light-weight Nook, not having to switch arms because you are getting tired of holding a traditional, heavy book.

10 Reasons Why the Nook is Better Than the Kindle - Battle of the eBook Readers

BARNES AND NOBLE APPLETON WI

Pandigital eReader Review

The Pandigital eReader is an eBook reader produced a manufactured by the Pandigital Corporation. Pandigital, known for their scanners and digital photo frames, has decided to upgrade into the eReader fray with the Pandigital Novel, a 7-inch multipurpose eReader with Wi-Fi connection technology, an Android operating system an, and LCD touchscreen. E-book reader with colorful ST; built-in Wi-Fi internet connection; Noble eBook store & access to Barnes; San disk expansion slot for additional memory; e-mail capabilities and web browser; displays some video formats and images; support for multi media playback. If you know about Pandigital, you probably know it for its photo frames. The Pandigital E-reader Novel tried to become value-for-money, a full-color, it is Android-based e-reader which also doubles as a tablet.

The Pandigital Novel 9 Inch features a 9" TFT LCD resistive screentouch with a paltry resolution of 800×480 px. Based on Android, though heavily re-skinned, the Novel has proved slow to react to screentouch presses, and after Nate calibrated it things got even worse. It features a G-Sensor which will switch it between portrait and landscape mode in a 360 degree arc. It has over than 1GB of internal memory and can be further enhanced via San disk card for another over than 30 GB. The digital revolution has changed the way one reads newspapers, magazines and books. The Pandigital Novel 7" Color MM eReader will divert the way you curl up with a best book. Since the 9" Pandigital Novel runs Android 2.0 and is open to installing applications, it is not only an eReader. With a 7" full color Android OS and touch screen. The Novel comes in a white-plastic shell that feels strong enough for everyday tear and wear. It's absolutely an attractive device, although it's been a bit clunky in general during initial testing. The Pandigital is well-known for the manufacture of frames. Users rate more than 69% and Experts rate this product more than 40%. The Pandigital Novel 9 inch color e-reader is the follow up to the previous e-readers that Pandigital launched before this year! We take a look at the hardware goggles, how they express up beside the competition, and much more! Now read this! The Novel from PD is a full color more than 4GB WiFi technology eReader. With access to your pictures and the Internet, music, and videos, this tablet is a portal to all your multi media.

BARNES AND NOBLE APPLETON WI

Pandigital eReader Review

BARNES AND NOBLE APPLETON WI

Ebooks Are Not True Substitutes For Real Books

Believe it or not, ebooks didn't suddenly come into existence just a couple of years ago with the advent of ebook reading devices such as Amazon.com's Kindle, and Barnes and Noble's Nook, among others.

In fact, I have been creating, publishing and selling ebooks online for almost a decade now. Nevertheless, with all of the portable hand-held ebook reading devices (aka eReaders) that have been introduced into the market over the last couple of years, the whole idea of downloadable ebooks seems to have finally caught fire. Overall, I believe this is a good development, in the sense that it makes access to information published in book form easier for the average person than ever before.

BARNES AND NOBLE APPLETON WI

However, anyone contemplating a switch from hard copy printed books to downloadable ebooks should be advised beforehand that ebooks are NOT a perfect substitute for traditional printed books NOR are all ebooks equal. I know this from my personal experience as an author, a publisher, and a reader.

PDF Still the Gold Standard

In 2001 I created and published my first ebook in PDF format. For those who may not know, PDF stands for the Portable Document Format that was created by adobe.com in the early days of online publishing. As I write this, PDF formatted books, papers, and reports proliferate throughout the online space and are, by far, the most common format used for such documents. There are numerous advantages to PDF formatted books and documents, not the least of which is that they can be instantly downloaded and read using the free Adobe Reader program that has been installed on virtually every PC and Mac that exists.

From an author/publisher perspective, PDF is the ideal format for ebooks. That's because PDF documents use WYSIWYG (what you see is what you get) formatting, so whatever the document, it will always appear in EXACTLY the same format in which it was created. This holds true whether the PDF document is being read online or printed out in hard copy form. So, if your book contains any type of special layout and/or formatting, that will be totally preserved when published as a PDF document.

Don't Expect "Real Book" Formatting With ebooks

On the other hand, the new hand-held ebook reading devices, such as Amazon.com's Kindle, do not preserve the special formatting of a PDF ebook. In fact, as I learned recently through personal experience; in order to produce an ebook product that will be readable in such a device, the creator/publisher needs to seriously "dumb down" the formatting of a book. The reason for this is that the format of ebooks destined for these new reading devices must be kept very simple so that the text will be able to easily "flow around" in the typical small screen of an eReader. That's because these devices allow the reader to dynamically adjust various parameters such as font style, point size, and line spacing.

As a result, the concept of a fixed "page", as we know it in a conventional book, no longer exists with these devices. This means that standard page-dependent elements such as page numbers, and page headers and footers, cannot exist in ebooks formatted for these devices. Also, graphics and tables that are often created and sized to fit in a specific place, on a specific page, in a specific format -- as in the original book -- do not convert well when formatted for these ebook reading devices.

Formatting Challenge For Authors and Publishers

If you are a creator or publisher, don't expect that you will be able to duplicate the exact "look and feel" of a printed paper book with an ebook that you format for one of these new ebook reading devices. (i..e. Kindle, Nook, Kobo, etc.). Be prepared to minimize your formatting and to limit it strictly to headings, sub-headings, and chapter breaks. As for tables and graphics, you will have to test each one of them to see how well they convert to the new format; and you may well have to redesign and/or eliminate some graphics for the ebook-reader version.

Convenience and Portability For Readers

As a reader who uses one of these reading-device ebooks, don't expect to have the same experience as when you read a standard book that is printed on paper. In spite of the above-mentioned formatting limitations, you will, in most cases, have access to the same information that is contained in the standard printed book -- but the "reading experience" will be decidedly different. You may find that it is more akin to surfing the Net on your netbook, mobile phone, or PC, than like reading a real book. Some folks will be comfortable with this, others won't.

I purchased one of these eReader devices so that I could see exactly what my newly published Kindle ebook would look like on one, and I was less than impressed. You won't ever find me curling up in bed with one of these things, as I have done for years (and continue to do) with real books.

Nevertheless, I can see certain situations in which one might find reading with one of these devices useful -- convenience and portability when travelling, for example. These eReaders also have certain handy built-in functions such as a direct dictionary access, or if your device is Wi-Fi enabled you will be able to access the Web directly. So you might find one handy if you are in a hurry and you just want quick access to the information that is contained in the ebook, with little concern for the actual book reading experience.

Ebooks Are Not True Substitutes For Real Books

BARNES AND NOBLE APPLETON WI

Nook Vs Kindle - How Does the New Kindle 3 Compare?

The Nook vs Kindle battle has been raging strong for just about a year now. When the Nook was released last year, Amazon had released it's 2nd generation Kindle. Now that Amazon has released it's 3rd generation, how does the Nook vs Kindle comparison look?

5 Important Kindle 3 Changes- First let's take a look at 5 important ways the new Kindle is different from the old.

BARNES AND NOBLE APPLETON WI

Battery Life- The battery can now last for up to 30 days with one charge. The old Kindle was around 2 weeks. Memory- Standard memory allows storage of up to 3,500 books now, vs 1,500 books of the old Kindle 2. Smaller/Lighter/Thinner- The Kindle 3 keeps the same 6" display screen and trims the fat other ways. It's 17% lighter than Kindle 2. Improved Contrast- The display screen shows darker lettering and lighter background. Faster and Quieter Page Turns- There's a 20% improvement in the speed the pages are turned. An important improvement as well is the QUIETER page turns. That has been a downfall of the Kindle 2, or more like a downfall for your spouse trying to sleep next to you reading.

3 Big Differences of the Nook- Although the following features are not the only differences between the Nook and Kindle, these are arguably the most important.

Color/Touch Screen Navigation- The Nook has a 3" color touch navigation screen to surf through your library of books with swiping a finger. The screen also converts to a touch keyboard to help with navigation. Using a web-browser in the window is in beta testing at the moment as well. Book Lending- The Nook allows lending of titles to friends and family with the Nook app, or Nook itself, for up to 2 weeks. The lender cannot use the material during that time. This is unique to the Nook as the Kindle doesn't allow this feature. In Store Reading- There's a new perk for owning the Nook and bringing it to your local Barnes and Noble Stores, namely one hour of free reading of any book available in the B&N library.

5 Big Differences of the Kindle 3- Here are some important differences of the Kindle 3 as compared to the Nook. There are more differences, hence the higher number.

Push Button Technology- The Kindle has always used simple push-button technology, and the newest version is no exception. More Memory- Although the Nook has expandable memory, the Kindle 3 comes with over double the memory capacity standard. Battery Life- The battery life of the Kindle on one charge (wireless off) is 30 days. The Nook's (wireless off) is 10 days. International Wireless Capability- The Kindle works wirelessly at 3G speed in over 100 countries at the moment. The Nook works within the continental US. Lower Price- Both the Wi Fi only and Wi Fi + 3G are less than the respective models of the Nook.

There is a brief, but thorough, comparison of the Nook Vs Kindle 3.

Nook Vs Kindle - How Does the New Kindle 3 Compare?

BARNES AND NOBLE APPLETON WI

What Is the Kindle With Special Offers, and Is It Worth the Money?

What is this new Kindle with Special Offers that Amazon has offered since the beginning of May? What features does it have? Is it any better or worse than the previous models? You'll find all the answers right here.

How is the Kindle Special Offers device different from the other Kindles?

BARNES AND NOBLE APPLETON WI

This new Kindle is identical to the WiFi-only Kindle that Amazon currently offers in addition to the WiFi and 3G enabled Kindle. It has the same features as the WiFi-enabled device, which allows you to freely connect to a wireless Internet network whenever you're within range of one at a café or your own house.

How is this Kindle different from the others?

The device itself is identical in features to the other models, but it comes with one big difference. Whenever the old Kindle device was idle, it would flip on a screensaver with a picture of a famous author. But with the new model, you'll see a full-page "special offer." This is essentially an ad that offers you a gift card or significant product discount for signing up with a new credit card or making a purchase.

These ads will also appear in the bottom row of the Kindle screen when you're reading your book. They're fairly small and discreet, so they aren't really in the way.

How much does this new Kindle cost?

There has to be a reason Amazon can get away with displaying ads on a device you paid over 0 for. It's the fact that they reduced the price from 9 (the price of the ad-free Wi-Fi only model) to 4.00. Basically, you're getting the same exact WiFi-enabled device, just for less because you're willing to look at or consider taking advantage of the ads.

What ads will I see?

The Kindle with Special Offers device will display ads from car companies like Buick, hygiene companies like Olay and banking and credit card companies, like Chase and Visa. Amazon also gives away coupons from time to time.

Which Kindle is the best option for my needs?

If you want to save money, then you definitely need to get the Kindle with Special Offers, especially if you don't need 3G access wherever you go. If you planned on getting the WiFi-only version in the first place, then save yourself and get the Special Offers Kindle.

Remember, there's nothing different about this Kindle than the previous WiFi-only one, so you're not sacrificing any quality or features. You're just leaving out the regular screensaver option in favor of seeing offers and ads instead.

What Is the Kindle With Special Offers, and Is It Worth the Money?

BARNES AND NOBLE APPLETON WI

Compare Ereaders - Who Are the 3 Leading Ereaders in the Market?

The Ebook readers industry is slowly evolving and every few months a newer and better ereader comes out on the market. My goal here is to introduce the three leading ereader vendors on the market. Stick to these ebook readers and you really can't go wrong.

Surly one might be better than the other but at the end of the day it's going to be personal preference and look and feel which is going to make the difference. With that said, you do want to stay away from the garbage products and stick to the really high quality ones. So let's begin (attention: the listing is not by order of quality or recommendation).

BARNES AND NOBLE APPLETON WI

Ereader number 1: Amazon Kindle 2
Although Amazon also has the Kindle DX I'm going to stick to the Kindle 2 which provides the needs of most readers and is in the same price range of the other two. The Kindle 2 is 6" screen with a keyboard and a battery life of 14 days. It supports wireless 3G technology which means anywhere in the USA (and now also abroad for an extra fee) you can download e-books to your device. The Amazon store currently offers 600,000 titles. It's fast, reliable and very user friendly.

Ereader number 2: Barnes & Noble Nook
The Nook also has a 6" screen but a battery life of only 10 days. Here too you will have the 3G wireless support with the addition of Wi-Fi for browsing while visiting Barnes & Noble book store. BN currently offer 1,000,000 titles in their ebook store. The Nook has a touch screen which many people like over the keyboard, but be warned the interface isn't so user friendly and the device is still pretty slow compared to other ereaders on the market.

Ereader number 3: Sony Digital Reader Daily Edition
The Sony reader has a 7" touch screen with a battery life of 18 days. It has a slick look and makes it very easy for the user to navigate around. Also uses the 3G technology for wireless download and browsing. The Sony ereader supports the ePub format for its ebooks, which means you have access to Google's 1,000,000 books and any other source which has the ePub Standard.

Compare Ereaders - Who Are the 3 Leading Ereaders in the Market?

BARNES AND NOBLE APPLETON WI

eReader Review - Kate Spade Canvas Bella Library Cover for Nook

Nook fans like us can now have a taste of fabulous and functional designer accessories for our well loved eReader. Many reviews have been chattering about the Kate Spade Canvas Bella Library Cover and for very good reasons. It brings more fun and elegance to the Nook while safeguarding it from minor bumps or scratches.

This great Nook cover is a collaboration of artist Bella Foster along with the famous designer label Kate Spade New York, exclusively for Barnes and Noble. The illustration is whimsical and innovative, perfect for vibrant and sassy girls that crave a little color along with gadgets. The scene is an interpretation of places where we like to read books, including the New York City public library.

BARNES AND NOBLE APPLETON WI

The interior fine detail is equally as fabulous, using the striking all red pattern. As it is created by Kate Spade, the quality of design will be top notch. You can expect this product to be in great use for a long time.

The material is constructed of canvas, which feels high quality to touch. It helps to make the eReader seem like a genuine book. Do not be fooled by the interesting design and style, the Canvas Bella Cover is padded more than enough to give good protection from minor drops and jolts; everyday normal things that happen to our own beloved gadgets

It also has an elastic band inside, that secures the Nook in position. All necessary ports are free of any obstructions, which makes it hassle free when charging since the eReader doesn't have to be taken out of the cover.

It makes a good companion and proper protection for our Nook.

Here are more things about the Canvas Bella Nook Cover:

Made from 100% cotton

Dimensions are 8.3 inches x 5.9 inches.

Includes a slip pocket inside, that is perfect to store small notes or even business cards.

Life's serious enough without having to make our gadgets look stiff and boring. The Canvas Bella by Kate Spade combines fun, imagination and performance in one great cover.

eReader Review - Kate Spade Canvas Bella Library Cover for Nook

BARNES AND NOBLE APPLETON WI

Kindle 3 Vs Kindle 2 - Why Amazon Should Release a Kindle 3 Soon, Very Soon!

Back in November, 2007, Amazon shocked the world with the release of the Kindle eReader. Nobody else had produced an eReader like the Amazon Kindle. It was lightweight, had a great screen for viewing eBooks even in bright light conditions. It also had an extremely long battery life.

However, since 2007, dozens of manufacturers have come on board with eReaders much more capable than the Kindle. Amazon did respond with the Kindle DX and the Kindle 2, but even those are falling short when it comes to more feature-packed eReaders such as the iPad and Barnes & Noble Nook. Even Borders has released its own eReader, the Kobo, which is over 0 cheaper than the Kindle.

BARNES AND NOBLE APPLETON WI

Barnes & Noble came on strong with the release of the Nook. It has every feature that the Kindle does, plus it also boasts a full color control panel at the bottom which the Kindle is clearly lacking. It also includes Wi-Fi, allows one hour of free ebook reading in their stores, and even allows you to lend ebooks to other Nook users. All features that all models of the Kindle do not have. The biggest slap in the face to Amazon came with the price. 9 with free shipping - the exact same price as the Amazon Kindle. So unless you are endebted to Amazon for some reason, why would you even consider the Kindle when you can get the Nook for the same price?

The Apple iPad clearly blows away the Kindle in terms of functionality. Again, the Apple iPad has every feature that the Kindle does, plus much, much more. The iPad includes a full color screen, has the ability to stream video and audio, can download applications built for the iPhone and is really more like a tablet sized computer than an eReader. The only real downside to the iPad is the price. The iPad is almost double the cost of the Kindle. But, if you are looking for the most feature packed eReader on the market today, the iPad is clearly the choice for you.

Borders recently jumped onto the scene with the Kobo eReader. Borders is going for the low-end eReader market as it is priced well below the Kindle at only 0. Although, the Kobo does not have WiFi or even 3G capability, it does have bluetooth and USB connectivity. Is it worth an extra 0 to have 3G or WiFi? They are betting that most potential customers will say no. And if that is true, then Amazon is in trouble. With the Nook coming in at the same price with more features, and the Kobo coming in at 0 less with slightly less features, it doesn't leave much of a market for the Amazon Kindle.

If Amazon wants to keep a piece of the eReader market, they better come out with a Kindle 3, and do it very soon! The competition has come on really strong, and it most certainly isn't going to let up as the market keeps growing. With Apple coming on board, this means some stiff competition in the eReader market. So, Amazon, get with it! Time for a Kindle 3, and it better be sooner rather than later!

Kindle 3 Vs Kindle 2 - Why Amazon Should Release a Kindle 3 Soon, Very Soon!

BARNES AND NOBLE APPLETON WI

Unbiased EBook Reader Device Reviews - My Cool-er EBook Reader Review

In light of the many ebook reader device price cuts that have taken place over the last few months, many of the older ebook reader reviews are out of date. Here's my updated Cool-er ebook reader review brought about not only because of differing prices but also because other changes in the market have left some ebook readers more exposed to the risk of becoming, at best, tied to one source of ebooks or even worse, totally obsolete.

The one biggest point to remember with ebook reader devices at this present time is the shift in the market place towards a publishing standard. It does seem a safe bet that this standard will become the ePub file format. It is starting to appear on more and more electronic books readers.

BARNES AND NOBLE APPLETON WI

The big e-publishing houses, e-libraries and holders of public domain titles are moving or have moved to publishing in the ePub format. The likes of Barnes and Noble, Powells.com, Waterstones, The Sony Store and Libraries utilizing nascent e-book services have all expressed their willingness to embrace the ePub format.

With that out of the way let's bring smack up to date my Cool-er ebook reader review and have a look to see where it fits in to not just today's market but the market of the future.

The Cool-er has had no feature or specification updates since it's launch earlier this year, nor have I seen any talk of a price reduction at ebook reader reviews. This leaves it in the shadow of a lot of the newer ebook reader device models, in so much as it does not include a wireless connection capability. This said let's just concentrate on what the Cool-er is but bear in mind the price being asked. As "just" a book reader, the Cool-er stands up well.

The screen is of adequate proportions and does score well over many others courtesy of the fact it can be read in landscape as well as portrait mode. It uses the industry standard e-Ink technology, so is easily readable, with crisp, clear text image. The bright, funky colors still remind you very much of the ipod, and will appeal probably more to the younger generation than the 9-5ers.

It has 1gb of internal storage which, through the use of SD cards, can be expanded to infinity. And you might need to do that as the device DOES support both ePub and that other favorite for free stuff, Adobe PDF. Great news when you visit the massive virtual library at Coolerbooks.com, of the 750,000 titles on offer 500,000 are free for you to download, thrillers, fiction, bios, chicklet, kids titles, the whole ensemble.

So what conclusion can be drawn from this Cool-er ebook reader review? It is my opinion this is another of those smaller companies that will struggle to maintain the price they are asking for their ebook reader device. It still smacks one of those gimmicky, cheap Chinese imports that are purchased at Christmas as a "stocking filler" and has none of the build qualities of the better known models. Even though that's how I feel, it still has a place in the market, only not at the current price, which I believe to be 0. Put up the side of the Sony prs-300, which many ebook reader reviews are reporting to be selling as low as 5, it looks terribly over priced.

Unbiased EBook Reader Device Reviews - My Cool-er EBook Reader Review

BARNES AND NOBLE APPLETON WI

All About Kindle

AMAZON'S ELECTRONIC MEDIA READER

WHAT IT IS
-An electronic paper media reader weighing in at 10.3 ounces, the size of unopened DVD with an
ergonomic wedge design, Amazon's Kindle is not much thicker than a pencil
-It has a 6" screen with a resolution of 800 x 600, and electronic ink display
-Kindle's computer type keyboard has buttons on both sides for easy page forward/backward
-The battery lasts more than a week with Wi-Fi off, has an indicator light, and charges fully in 2 hrs
-On the outside there is a reset hole(for freezing) and a wireless on/off button
-It's covered by a soft case with an elastic strap, and can be held in the case with a clip during use

BARNES AND NOBLE APPLETON WI

WHAT IT DOES
-Kindle can hold up to 200 books including audio books, magazines, newspapers, and blogs from over
180,000 items, downloaded in less than 4 seconds, with 24/7 access to the Amazon store
-It's electronic ink display can be adjusted to 6 type sizes for easy reading, even in bright outdoor light -Kindle's EVDO hi speed data network connection(as in cell phone) is free, so no Wi-Fi is needed
-The book title, author, and position(or page) locator is listed on each page of text
-There's a scroll selection wheel on the right side, which wheels up and down through the text to select passages and to locate any word in a sentence
-Other Kindle features include auto bookmarking, dictionary, highlighting and note making
-A search button on the bottom searches the reader's own library, the Kindle store, Google or Wikipedia for any topic or author
-A USB cable allows transfer of files from PC to Kindle or vice versa
-There's an SD card for extra storage and listening to music
-Kindle's 14 day newspaper trials(must be cancelled) are free
-Kindle's Best seller features include a .95 cost(compared to .95 for book), free book samples up to 3 chapters, and customer book reviews
-With Kindle Now you can ask a question, hit submit, and within a few minutes, you get several
responses for free sent to your Kindle

MOST FREQUENTLY MENTIONED DRAWBACKS
-Cost - 9.00
-Slow page turning and easy to accidentally turn page
-There's no security or content blocking
-Incomplete footnoting
-Not all of Amazon is available to Kindle, but material is continually being added

OVERALL
Responses were much more favorable than not, with about 80% rating 4 or 5 stars(out of 5). Speed and ease of use were cited by most as definite positives, as well as many other user friendly features. By virtue of its instant portable fingertip access to Amazon's vast library, Kindle is highly recommended for any avid reader, college student, professional or frequent traveler.

All About Kindle

BARNES AND NOBLE APPLETON WI

Digital Book Readers - Electronic Reading Devices of the Century

Digital book readers are ground-breaking ebook reader devices best for commuters, learners and book readers alike. These digital book readers are designed to save you the dilemma of choosing which books to bring with you for reading on the road when commuting. Or which 3-4 books to pack in your travelling bag which normally does not have enough space because you also wanted to pack your favorite attire. Now with ebook reader devices you can carry with you plenty books and be spoiled for choice along the way. You can transfer 100s of your favorite books into these tiny wireless reader!

If you were to compare ebook reader devices there is at least 2 manufacturers you can look at:

BARNES AND NOBLE APPLETON WI

1. Kindle series ebook reading device manufactured and sold by Amazon
2. Sony ebook reader device manufactured by Sony, manufactured and available at both Sony and Amazon.

All these ebook reader devices have at least one thing in common - they are a portable library! The Amazon Kindle digital book readers are wireless readers with 3G wireless coverage for your enjoyment at home or abroad in over 100 countries. There is Kindle Wireless Reading Device (6" Display, Global Wireless, Latest Generation) and Kindle DX Wireless Reading Device (9.7" Display, Global Wireless, Latest Generation).

A Kindle ebook reader device gives you the ability to download and read first chapters for free before you decide to buy. You can sample, pick and purchase from a choice of over 400,000 books including 101 of 112 New York Times (R) Best Sellers and New Releases. These are normally downloadable at .99 - a huge discount from a physical paperback on the shelf! Apart from books you also have access to international newspapers, magazines and blogs.

The Sony ebook reader device is another digital book reader with simple, easy-to-use touch screen navigation giving you the ability to turn pages with the swipe of a finger and enjoy fast and intuitive navigation of your much loved books. With Sony ebook reading device you are also able to take freehand notes and highlight sections of text you want to revisit later, just as you would in a real book. If you prefer, a virtual keyboard is also available for entering quick notes or searching your eBooks. These notes are downloadable to your computer if you prefer. Like Kindle wireless hand-held device you can enjoy access to a variety of books from a wider number of places.

Digital Book Readers - Electronic Reading Devices of the Century

BARNES AND NOBLE APPLETON WI

Weddings in Weird Public Places

There is an interesting trend of couples deciding to have their weddings in public places, rather than traditional venues like churches or hotels. We are not just talking state parks, either. Do not be surprised if you stop by your favorite fast food restaurant and find a couple saying their "I dos" while waiting for their value meals to be ready or if you encounter a pair of lovebirds at a makeshift altar in the sporting goods aisle of your local mega-store. This is a look at weddings in weird public places, the good, the bad, and the tacky.

What would motivate a couple to have their wedding in a store or a restaurant instead of a private venue? Frankly, I have no idea! Presumably, the bride and groom have some special attachment to the locale; maybe they do all their shopping in Wal-Mart, and figure they might as well tie the knot while running their errands (no picking up the bridesmaid gifts in the automotive aisle, please!). Apparently, a Wal-Mart wedding is especially popular among the staff. Why not have your marriage ceremony in the same place where you met and fell in love, right? Your friends on staff can even attend your wedding while on the clock - how's that for considerate?

BARNES AND NOBLE APPLETON WI

Then there are the fast food couples. You know, the ones who decide to pledge to spend their lives together in a Taco Bell or a White Castle. I kid you not, people actually do this! Certainly the catering would be convenient and economical for the reception following the ceremony. Just be sure to avoid the lunch rush or there may not be enough seating for all of the guests. Potential drawbacks to a fast food restaurant include a lack of a dance floor and trying to get that greasy aroma out of the bridal gown.

While not exactly conventional, a wedding in a bookstore seems somehow a bit more elegant than one in a mega-store or fast food restaurant. The often sited reason behind a bookstore wedding is that it is the place where the couple met and fell in love. At least at a Barnes and Noble or Borders, they have some comfy lounge chairs and usually decent lighting (no flickering fluorescent bulbs). Of course, there is no where to sit for a large reception, but your guests can probably get a nice gourmet coffee and upload pictures of your wedding to Facebook with the free wi-fi service in the cafe. Somehow, a bookstore wedding might not seem all that weird, especially if it was followed by a dinner somewhere a bit more traditional, like a nearby restaurant.

There are sports fans, and then there are sports fans. For those true die hard fanatics, having their wedding in their beloved team's home stadium might just be a dream come true. Actually, if you think about all the pretty grass on a football field or the beautifully manicured outfield lawn, a stadium wedding might not be so very different than another type of outdoor wedding. Presuming you can get access to the stadium for your wedding, that is. I did once see the wedding of a Baltimore Raven which took place on the field in his home stadium, and it was pretty darn fancy. If you cannot have your nuptials on the 50 yard line, perhaps an intimate wedding in one of the private skyboxes would be a good alternative. You could give your attendants custom bridesmaid jewelry gifts in the team colors, and everyone could watch the game during the reception. Come to think of it, that is one wedding I would like to attend!

Weddings in Weird Public Places

BARNES AND NOBLE APPLETON WI

The Gift of Reading: The Best of the Best in eReaders

Reading is something that many people enjoy doing as a hobby. Having a multitude of books or making weekly trips to the bookstore is not uncommon for an avid reader. With technology rapidly changing and with digital books outselling hard copies of books, one can assume that eReaders has received a warm welcome from consumers. The ability to have a new book at the click of a button is becoming an increasingly favorable choice. As Christmas time is approaching looking for different gift ideas for Dad can be tiresome. Well if Dad enjoys reading than you have come to the right place.

If you are new to eReaders or have heard about them but are still unsure about what they are exactly,, how they work and which eReader is the best, I will answer all of your questions and once we are done you will be ready to purchase that perfect gift for Dad.

BARNES AND NOBLE APPLETON WI

eReaders also known as Ebook readers is a portable reading electronic device that has the ability to store over 100 books. The books that you choose are downloaded through a wireless connection or downloaded through your computer. Unlike the typical hardcover book, the eReaders are lightweight, weighing only a few ounces while a hardcover book will surely weigh more at times being several pounds.

So which do you choose since there are so many eReaders on the market? The top three eReaders out on the market right now are The Nook, by Barnes & Nobles, The Kindle, by Amazon and iPad, by Apple. There are few considerations that you should look at when deciding which one is right for Dad's needs.

The Nook - Price Range - 9 - 9.00

What We Like
Over 1 million titles available, which includes ebooks, newspapers and magazines Free 3G wireless data network without the need for a PC Wi-Fi connectivity 2GB of internal memory (stores up to 1,500 electronic books) Color touch screen with E-ink display Six fonts sizes to choose from

The Not so Great Stuff
Color LCD has significant impact on battery life no support for Word or text files; some bugs in software; Even with Wi-Fi, when traveling outside the U.S, there is no ability to download books

The Kindle - Price Range - 9

What We Like
Over 670,000 titles available including NY Times, best sellers Free 3G wireless data network Wi-Fi connectivity 4GB internal memory (stores up to 3,500 electronic books) Eight fonts sizes to choose from Excellent battery life High contrast e-ink screen

The Not so Great Stuff
Battery is not removable Protective carrying case not included No expansion slot to be able to add more memory

The iPad - starts at 9
eReader, gaming device, web surfer,and photo & video viewer LED-backlit glossy widescreen Multi-Touch display Up to 10 hours of surfing the web on Wi-Fi, watching video, or listening to music and up to 9 hours of surfing the web 3G data network Optional 3G wireless 16GB, 32GB, or 64GB flash drive Tens of thousands of books available through the iBookstore

What We Like
The ability to do lots more than reading on it

The Not so Great Stuff
The size is larger than the average eReader

In A Nutshell:

Cost:

Kindle

Screen size:

Largest (iPad)

Smallest (Nook)

Weight:

Lightest (Kindle)

Heaviest (iPad)

3G Wireless:

Free (Kindle & Nook)

Prepaid monthly (iPad)

And the winner is:

Drumroll... The winner is... well that truly depends on what you are looking for in an e-reader. Does Dad like to surf the net and read books? Is Dad an email kind of guy? Does Dad enjoy to play games? If yes, then your choice should be the iPad. But if Dad is just wants to read books and enjoys the functionality that the eReaders have to offer than I would say the Kindle is the one for him. Not to negate the Nook as it is a close runner up behind the Kindle. You can't go wrong with either of three. However, one will surely be the perfect gift for Dad this Christmas so go ahead and give him the gift of reading, he deserves it.

The Gift of Reading: The Best of the Best in eReaders

BARNES AND NOBLE APPLETON WI

Buy The Nook Ebook Reader Cheap - A Nook Ebook Reader For Less Than $150?

Yes, what you read in the title is true, you can buy a Nook ebook reader cheap at 9. And the features are not at all bad.

So, what can you expect from a 9 Nook electronic book reader?

BARNES AND NOBLE APPLETON WI

Well, a Nook at that price is already WiFi-enabled, meaning you can browse the Internet at any Wi-Fi hotspots like the Barnes&Noble bookstores. But apart from its Wi-Fi capability, here are the top 5 features of a Nook Ebook reader:

1. 16-level E-Ink display

Touted as the best in its class, offers high-contrast, no glare, gray-scale display for easy reading of books. Because there's no backlight (unlike netbooks and tablets), you can read books in the sunlight with this device.

2. Adjustable font size

Depending upon your eyes, you can adjust the font size of the Nook from extra large, large, medium, small to extra small.

3. LendMe Techology

This feature is exclusive to Nook, which allows you to lend your ebooks to your friends for up to 14 days.

4. Electronic bookmark

The Nook ebook allow you to pick up where you left off with the Reading Now Button.

5. Built-In Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary

Nook lets you highlight any word from the book you're reading and look it up in the built-in M-W dictionary.

The features listed above are really just few of the many features of the Nook. Like the Kindle, the Nook is touted one of the best ebook readers among the many that can be bought in the market today.

Buy The Nook Ebook Reader Cheap - A Nook Ebook Reader For Less Than 0?

BARNES AND NOBLE APPLETON WI

Spotlight on EReaders - Which Brand Comes Out on Top?

There are lots of eReaders out there to choose from and the field is only getting more crowded. Below you'll find the main features of some of the most popular or hotly anticipated eReaders on the market to help you choose which device best suits your reading needs.

Amazon Kindle

BARNES AND NOBLE APPLETON WI

Kindle is an eReader device developed and sold by Amazon, one of the world's largest online retailers. Version 2.0 of the Kindle was released by Amazon in February 2009 costing 9. Later this same year on October 19, 2009, Amazon launched an international version of the Kindle to capture more of the growing world-wide market for eBooks. The device offers wireless connectivity in over 100 countries. In June of 2009, Amazon brought the Kindle DX to the market. This differs from the Kindle in that it has a larger screen, increased memory, and the capability to rotate between portrait and landscape displays automatically. The Kindle DX International costs 9.

Sony Reader Touch/Pocket/Daily

Sony offers three different versions of their eReader at separate price points. The Touch version costs 9.99, which places it in the same price category as the Kindle. It has a 5" display with E Ink technology. What sets the Touch apart from Sony's other eReaders is that navigation on this device is by touch screen. Both the Touch and the Pocket can hold up to 350 books, although you can greatly increase the capacity of both devices by buying Sony's Memory Stick PRO Duo. Although the Pocket can hold the same number of books as the Touch, it has a smaller screen and lacks some of the features of the Touch, including adjustable font size, highlighting and notetaking capabilities, and a built-in dictionary. The trade off is that the Pocket costs 0 less at 9.99. At this price, the Pocket is one of the most affordable eReaders on the market.

Another similarity between the Touch and the Pocket is that they both do not have wireless capability and require books to be transferred via USB cord. All versions of the Sony eReader accept the following file types: Adobe PDF, Microsoft Word, BBeB Book and other text file formats, as well as EPUB/ACS4. Sony addressed the issue of more efficient delivery with it Sony Daily Edition. This eReader has free 3G wireless access. Content is available for wireless download through Sony's Reader store and Google books. Downloads through other provides must be transferred to the device via USB. The Daily costs 9.99, but holds up to 1,500 books and has a large 7" screen. The battery lasts two weeks on all of Sony's eReaders, provided the wireless is off on the Daily Edition.

Apple iPad

The iPad is a tablet computer, which offers users many more features than a dedicated eReader. However, the device has been singled out as a game-changer for the publishing industry in part because of Apple's history of revolutionizing the music industry with iTunes. The iPad has not yet been release but is available for pre-order for the price of 9, similar to the Kindle DX. The screen is an expansive 9.7" and is an LED-backlit IPS display. It does not use E Ink as most of the other eReaders on the market do. On the plus side, it has a massive amount of storage, with options starting at 16 GB and going up to 64 GB of flash storage. Customers can also choose between wireless and 3G capability. Apple has already developed the iBook app, which will allow readers to buy books through the Apple store and read them on their iPad. Books available through Apple are formatted as EPUB files, although third party applications will likely expand the range of file formats that can be read on the iPad. The battery charge for the iPad will last for about 10 hours of active use.

Barnes and Noble's Nook

Barnes & Noble, a physical and online book retailer, released the Nook at the end of 2009 to compete with Amazon's Kindle. The device is priced at 9 and has a 6" E Ink display. The display sets the Nook apart, in that there are two screens. The bottom screen is for navigation and the the top screen is for reading. The Nook can hold up to 1,500 books, although unlike the Kindle, the memory can be expanded, as there is a microSD slot in the device. Users of the Nook can loan any books they have downloaded to others. Loaned titles can be sent to another Nook, PC, Mac, BlackBerry, iPod Touch, or iPhone using Barnes & Noble's eReader software. Although the Nook does not support Word documents, it can accept the following file formats: EPUB, PDB, PDF, JPG, GIF, PNG, BMP, and MP3. Barnes & Noble utilizes AT&T's network to deliver books wirelessly to the Nook. With wireless off, the battery can last for up to ten days.

Plastic Logic Que proReader

Plastic Logic's Que proReader has not yet hit the market but is expected to be available in the summer of 2010. According to the company website, pre-orders of the device are currently unavailable as they are sold out. There will be two versions of the device. The 4GB version will hold up to 3,000 and cost 9.00, while the 8 GB version will hold 6,000 books and cost 9.00. Like most other eReaders the display uses E Ink technology. Both devices will have a large screen at 10.5". Users will be able to navigate by touch and can use the virtual keyboard to enter search terms. File formats compatible with the Que include: PDF files, GIF, JPEG, PNG, BMP, ePub, TXT, HTML, and RTF. Documents can be transferred wirelessly from PCs, Macs, and BlackBerries right to the Que. While both devices use wi-fi, the 8GB version also uses AT&T's 3G network to deliver content. Barnes & Noble powers the Que store, where users can find lots of content for the proReader.

Spring Design Alex

Another new entrant into the eReader field, Spring Design's Alex is not yet available but is set to launch in late 2010. The device will cost 9 and have memory capable of holding 1,500 books. More storage can also be added on for a price. Like Barnes & Noble's Nook, the Alex will have a dual screen. The 6" inch screen at the top will be used mostly for reading text, while the 3.5" bottom LCD screen will be best for navigation and browsing the web. The device is compatible with WiFi, 3G, EVDO/CDMA and GSM and supports the Adobe EPUB, PDF, and DRM file formats. Content will be available through a Borders-branded eBook store. The battery life on the Alex device typically lasts for two weeks with wireless turned off.

Spotlight on EReaders - Which Brand Comes Out on Top?

BARNES AND NOBLE APPLETON WI

Wisconsin Medicaid Cost Reduction - A Little Bit Of Good News On Government Spending

It does not happen often but every once in a while we come across an instance of a government entity actually reducing its costs and inefficiency when it comes to spending taxpayer money. A short article by Ryan Tracy in the August 23, 2010 issue of Newsweek magazine reported on how the state of Wisconsin was able to make a significant cut in its Medicaid budget but still maintain quality and also keep the voters happy. Medicaid provides medical coverage and insurance for low income families and people across the country with both the Federal government and each state funding the program.

Last year, Mr. Ryan's article stated that Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle needed to slash the state's Medicaid budget by 0 million. However, the Governor took a different approach than most politicians in defining what budget cuts to make. Past efforts to cut entitlement programs have usually been ineffective since it involved sitting politicians attempting to make the cuts without endangering their political futures and careers, or in Mr. Ryan's words, "programs like Medicaid cannot be cut without political bloodshed." Usually what happens when politicians have to make difficult decisions is they make suboptimal decisions since their actions are guided by their political careers and fortunes, not what is best for the citizens they represent.

BARNES AND NOBLE APPLETON WI

Governor Doyle took a different approach in this case. Rather than rely on politicians to make the decisions on cutbacks, people that are mostly ignorant of how operations like Medicaid work and thus, are least likely to identify root causes of problems, the Governor turned to the people that that ran Wisconsin's Medicaid program and asked them to come up with the 0 million in savings. The result: Wisconsin Medicaid officials found the necessary changes with the following positive effects:

- The 0 million target was met with a mix of new contracts and new procedures that steer customers to lower cost but just as effective treatments.

- Lobbyists lost influence since elected politicians were taken out of the loop and thus, lobbyists lost all of their leverage.

- Politicians were happy since they did not have to take any courageous but unpopular positions relative to budget cuts, preserving their political careers.

- Knock down, drag out political battles were avoided and changes were identified quickly rather than compromised, ineffective answers that took forever to agree on.

- Best of all, according to the article, voters are also happy.

Wow, a government entity that reduced itself in an effective and efficient manner, saving taxpayer money. How did it happen? It allowed the experts in the field, not politicians in the legislature, to identify the root causes and then solved the problem by attacking the right causes. Compare this behavior of the Federal political class that passed health care reform and financial regulatory reform where in each case, the politicians did not understand the root causes of the problems, resulting in idiotic legislation that will never solve the problems: the politicians never understood the root causes.

Since the Federal government usually pays at least fifty percent of the states' Medicaid budget, you could assume that if the Wisconsin changes saved the state 0 million, it probably saved the Federal government about the same amount, resulting in the nation saving 0 million. Since Wisconsin's population is about 1.9% of the country's total population, a rough, rough estimate of national savings if the Wisconsin savings were rolled out coast to coast would be over billion a year. Taking it another step, what if those same types of changes were instituted in the bigger medical entitlement program, Medicare, on a national basis? Conservatively, at least another - billion could be saved just between Medicaid and Medicare.

This step is consistent with several steps outlined in the book, "Love My Country, Loathe My Government." Step 1 would reduce Federal spending by 10% a year for five years in order to downsize the government out of inefficient and ineffective programs and departments. A major process for attaining these downsizing targets is to do exactly what the Wisconsin politicians did: allow the experts, i.e. the government employees who know the ins and outs of the government operations they are involved in, to identify and propose the necessary changes. The twist that "Love My Country, Loathe My Government" proposes is the implementation of a lottery system that would randomly pass on a monetary reward to employees that come up with true costs savings. Imagine what savings we could incur if similar savings were identified in all government departments.

Steps 26 to 29 would attack major issues such as reducing medical costs, instituting a national energy program, fixing public education, and implementing a comprehensive immigration reform in the same manner. It would institute panels of experts, sans lobbyists and politicians, that would identify true root causes of each issue, just like they did in the Wisconsin Medicaid area, and develop cost effective solutions quickly, without the political infighting that is never good news for the American public.

Congratulations to the Wisconsin leaders, whose foresight and courage allowed their own expert state employees to solve their budget problem. We can only hope that the rest of the political class shows the same initiative. and show it quickly. Waiting for our Federal politicians to do the same has resulted in a national debt of over TRILLION.

Wisconsin Medicaid Cost Reduction - A Little Bit Of Good News On Government Spending

BARNES AND NOBLE APPLETON WI

Looking For Where To Buy A Kindle Reader?

There are a large number of other people looking for the exact same thing. Keep reading and I will tell you exactly where to buy a Kindle Reader at a fantastic price.

The Kindle Reader is the best ebook reader available and it only keeps getting better with every generation.

BARNES AND NOBLE APPLETON WI

First lets look at seven convincing reasons why so many people are on a quest to find where to buy it.

Reason #1 - It is the lightest and thinnest ebook reader on the market, with the latest generation weighing in at a whopping 8.5 Ounces.

Reason #2 - It is childishly simple to use and there is no computer required. There is absolutely no setup, and exactly zero software to install.

Reason #3 - It has a battery life of up to one month if you use the device with wireless off. Even if wireless is on, it will last up to 3 weeks.

Reason #4 - It has built-in Wi-Fi and detects Wi-Fi networks automatically. In addition, once you have logged in to a particular network, the next time you are in or near that hotspot the Kindle automatically reconnects to it.

Reason #5 - You can get eBooks within less than 60 seconds. The Kindle Reader uses Whispernet, which allows you to search and download content while you are on the go. Your selected books or periodicals are then retrieved like I said in less that 60 seconds.

And one of the most useful reasons in my opinion is the next reason.

Reason #6 - It has a no glare display. You can read directly in the bright sunlight and still be able to clearly see the text. This makes reading on the beach or reading on the front porch no problem at all with the Kindle Reader.

Reason #7 - The price. You can't beat the price for all of the great features you get with a Kindle Reader.

This is nowhere near an exhaustive list of reasons why people are scampering to find out where to buy a Kindle Reader, but it does make for a convincing case.

Some quick reviews from some very reputable sources are:

"New Kindle leaves rivals farther back." - New York Times

"Amazon's newest Kindle is the best ebook-reading device on the market. It's better than the Apple iPad, the Barnes and Noble Nook, the various Sony readers..." - Fast Company

"Battery life is long enough for space shuttle missions." - Wired

"Simply put, it's the best dedicated ebook reader you can buy..." - PC World

Now back to where to buy a Kindle Reader at a price that can't be beat. Simply click on the links below.

Looking For Where To Buy A Kindle Reader?

BARNES AND NOBLE APPLETON WI

eReader Review - Why Would Customers Choose the New Kindle?

Those early days of the eReader era have passed and Kindle is not the sole eReader device on the market place. Competition however, as some people point out helps to keep every player on their toes and motivates people to successfully innovate. Therefore considering all the other available choices available exactly what justification could you have for sticking with things as they are?

Amazon Kindle dominated this particular marketplace at the start of this particular business. Just recently however a growing number of participants have joined the eReader competition. When Kindle was launched a few years ago the steep cost of close to 0 failed to seriously deter most people from deciding to buy the gadget.

BARNES AND NOBLE APPLETON WI

These days though there are more readers that are less costly and might also get the job done. Within the 5 top eReader for PCworld magazine was Kindle 3, Sony Reader Pocket Edition, and Barnes and Noble's Nook. As we said earlier competition makes for improved service and Amazon Kindle definitely did step-up to the plate.

First and for some the key, Amazon cut the Kindle's cost. The purchase price fell from the illusive 0 to the now affordable 9 for the Kindle 3 Wi-Fi. Another enhancement that consumers should appreciate will be the smaller proportions. It's 21% smaller sized, from 8 by 5.3 by 0.36 inches of the previous version to the 7.5 by 4.8 by 0.34 inches of Kindle 3.

The brand new functionality that Kindle 3 added which Barnes and Noble's Nook currently had in its 2nd generation gadgets was Wireless Technology. Just as before competition pushed Amazon Kindle to advance instead of resting on its laurels. Now the Amazon Kindles have got wireless capability, this allows customers not only shop for ebooks but additionally download content wherever they are.

The readability was also developed by improving the contrast on the display screen. This will help the owner read in different kinds of illumination. I also enjoy the Text-to-speech functionality and the Kindle's built-in loudspeaker. These are fantastic for those who wish to get lulled to sleep.

The Kindle is not without its problems, even though Amazon does have more than 350,000 titles that you will be able to download, Barnes and Noble wins that round with almost half a million electronic books, newspapers and magazine available for their customers. Last but not the least is the battery. According to Kindle when you use Wi-Fi the full charge can keep going for 2 weeks while not making use of that function stretches it to four weeks.

eReader Review - Why Would Customers Choose the New Kindle?

BARNES AND NOBLE APPLETON WI

Kindle 3 Vs Kindle 2 Vs Nook - What Are the Kindle 3 Changes? How Does it Compete With the Nook?

Amazon is aiming to shake up the ebook reader market once again by announcing the 3rd generation of the Kindle, dubbed the Kindle 3. So what can you expect to see different when comparing the Kindle 3 Vs. the Kindle 2? Here's a detailed look.

The Kindle 3 Vs. Kindle 2:

BARNES AND NOBLE APPLETON WI

The new Kindle 3 will have a few different features that differ from the earlier generation.

Change #1) Updated E-Ink Reading Screen- Amazon is reporting a new "High Contrast" model of the E-Ink screen, still allowing for reading in bright lighting conditions, but according to Amazon, improved.

Change #2) Storage Space Increase- The earlier Kindle 2 model had 2G of storage, allowing for 1,500 books to be stored on the device. The Kindle 3 will effectively double the space to 3,500 books allowed.

Change #3) Different (More Compact) Design- Amazon is going for the "sleeker" look. The new model takes away 21% of the Kindle 2 design size, keeping the 6 inch reading screen the same size. This also makes for a lighter ebook reader for the Kindle 3. According to Amazon, it's now 15% lighter.

Change #4) New Reading Fonts- Amazon is adding some more fonts that they call "crisper" and more dark for easier reading.

Change #5) Improved Page Turn Time- According to Amazon, the page turn time is 20% faster now with the 3rd generation.

Change #6) QUIETER Page Turn Buttons- My husband would like to hear this point, as my clicking the page turn button has kept him from falling asleep in the past. Apparently others have been complaining about this too and Amazon has taken notice.

Change #7) Increased Battery Life- Amazon is reporting an improved battery that allows up to 1 month of reading with the wireless off. With wireless left on, the reading time is 10 days. That is an increase in about 2 weeks with wireless off, and a few days with wireless on.

Other Notable Changes) Now you can choose between 2 different colors when purchasing the Kindle (black/graphite or white). You can share passages with people on Facebook or Twitter from your device. Use Whispersync to sync your Kindle with any of your other devices (phones, laptops, etc...)

The Kindle 3 Vs Nook- How Do The Changes Stack Up Against the Nook?

Battery Life- The Kindle 3 now has a battery life (with wireless off) of about a month. The Nook is at 10 days with wireless off.

Storage Space- The Nook has a standard memory size that allows 1,500 books with an expandable memory slot for SD cards. The Kindle 3 now has a standard memory of 3,500 books.

Size/Weight- The Nook has a weight of 12.1 ounces. The Kindle 3 is 8.7 ounces, quite a difference now. The dimensions of the reading screen are the exact same for both Nook and Kindle. The size of the Nook device is 7.7" x 4.9" x.5". The Kindle is now 7.5" x 4.8" x.335".

Touch Screen Vs. Push Button Navigation- The Nook has a 1" touch screen navigation menu as well as the push-button navigation for page turning, etc. The Kindle 3 is still sticking to it's push-button technology only as the means to navigate text and titles.

Wi-Fi, 3G, and International Usage- The Nook has free Wi-Fi in AT&T hotspots and Barnes and Noble stores. 3G only works in the US. The Kindle connects free to AT&T Wi-Fi hotspots, as well as other free Wi-Fi hotspots. The Kindle works wirelessly across 100 countries and territories in the world.

So once again the ebook market is shaken up by innovation. You can see above there is quite a difference when comparing the Kindle 2 Vs. the new Kindle 3. Now the Nook vs Kindle 3 battle has begun. How will the consumer respond? Time will tell.

Kindle 3 Vs Kindle 2 Vs Nook - What Are the Kindle 3 Changes? How Does it Compete With the Nook?

BARNES AND NOBLE APPLETON WI

The Nook Compared to Kindle 2 - How Does Barnes & Noble's eBook Reader Fare?

Do you know that it's not actually Amazon who first released an e-book reader? It was Sony. However, the former is more popular because it's loaded with better features and design. For months, Kindle took the lead-until the Nook came along. Today this product from Barnes & Noble has been dubbed the ultimate Kindle killer. In the question of the Nook compared to Kindle 2, how does the Nook fare?

Let's start with the physical attributes. In terms of size, Amazon's Kindle 2 is a little smaller than the Nook. It's also lighter at 10 ounces. If portability is an issue for you, you may raise some concerns with Nook.

BARNES AND NOBLE APPLETON WI

Nevertheless, you won't really be ashamed to carry your Nook anywhere you go. It looks very stylish and sleek compared to Kindle 2, which appears to be too stiff for some people's taste.

Both the Nook and Kindle 2 come with an E-ink screen, which means you can have full control over the size of the texts. You can make it smaller or bigger, and glare is drastically reduced.

They also differ in terms of memory and the number of books you can save. Interestingly, both can hold 1,500 e-books simultaneously-but there's a catch. The Nook actually has its own microSD slot, which you can use if you want to download and store more books.

If these weren't enough, you can actually share the titles to your friends and family for 2 weeks. This feature is still in its beta mode, but it's surely one of the best features you can find in B&N's Nook.

When it comes to battery life, there's no doubt that Kindle 2 is the sure winner. If you are a superhuman, you can actually read books in Kindle for 14 consecutive days without recharging. The battery life of Nook is just between 7 and 10 days.

Because Barnes & Noble has been around quite longer than Amazon, it has one of the biggest collections of books to choose from. So far, it has over 1 million titles and 500,000 worth of electronic e-books, which are given for free. Amazon only has around 420,000, though their collection is more varied and suggests e-books based on what the customers like to read.

You can see the Nook gives the Kindle a run for best ebook reader. But are the few features that set the Nook apart from the Kindle 2 enough to choose it instead? That's for you to decide.

The Nook Compared to Kindle 2 - How Does Barnes & Noble's eBook Reader Fare?

BARNES AND NOBLE APPLETON WI

Tablet Vs PC: Which Way Do You Go?

As technology continues to advance on a daily basis, tablets are one device that has truly exploded in recent years. From the iPad to the latest Xoom from Motorola, they have remarkable features that are quite enticing. But the question on many people's mind is which way to go in regards to a tablet vs. PC. When looking at range of use, this refers to the mobility of the tablet you are considering or the laptop in your hands. With a PC, you will find it can hang with virtually all but the higher-end desktops in regards to performance and features, and it can easily be carried virtually anywhere.

As you begin to compare the two, there are two categories that really need to be considered; performance and range of use. Performance and features you want to look at include the GHz of processor speed, pixels of screen area, megabytes of memory, type and number of drives, and characteristics to this nature.

BARNES AND NOBLE APPLETON WI

With tablets, you will receive the best combination of performance and range of use. On the contrary, there are some features that are missing that may be crucial to your decision.

When looking at tablet vs. PC, some jump straight to the entertainment factor such as a DVD player. There are just three tablets are capable of displaying DVDs anywhere and those are the Acer TravelMate C300 series, the Fujitsu 4000 series and the Averatec C3500. On the contrary, you will find just about all laptops are capable of viewing DVDs.

From there you want to look at resolution and screen quality. Most tablets are going to offer a screen resolution around 1024 x 768, with a few exceptions of course. In addition, they tend to have a shorter battery life than most laptops, and can become quite pricey.

Of course, this depends on what brand you are looking at. There are those laptops that are in the thousands of dollars, which far exceeds that of any tablet. But when you narrow it down to just the features, most features on a laptop are going to cost you less than the same features that can be found on a tablet. As far as range of use goes, tablets come in two forms: slate models and convertible models. A slate model has a flat screen without a keyboard. In order to enter data, you can use a tablet pen or your voice. A convertible model will look more like a laptop with an attached keyword until you fold the model's screen over the keyboard. Both make it extremely practical.

The bottom line is you need to consider what features you really want and how you will be using the device. When looking at a Tablet vs. PC, you will find the tablet offers a greater range of use while a PC will (sometimes) typically have hardware and overall feature advantages. I Love my Old Dell PC, but my
Tablet is really convenient and easy to use and so mobile.

Tablets have undoubtedly hit the market and hit it hard over the past few years. While it was the iPad that really shook things up, there have been a number of devices come out of late that are prime contenders. With that, here is a list of the top five that are more than worth taking a look at.

1. Apple iPad 2
The Apple iPad 2 takes what the original had to offer and beefs it up a bit, but not in size. It is drastically thinner and features front and read cameras, Face Time video chat, a much faster processor, and 3G options for both AT&T and Verizon. On the downside, its screen resolution is still rather poor, the photo quality is mediocre, and there is still no Adobe Flash support. With that said, it is still the top option on the market today.

2. Motorola Xoom
Perhaps the prime contender to Apple is the Motorola Xoom, which is a more powerful and more capable alternative to the iPad. It features a 10.1 inch screen, front and rear cameras, HDMI output and a dual-core processor. The number one concern people should have is the price as it is priced at 0 off-contract or 0 with a two-year commitment from Verizon.

3. Samsung Galaxy Tab
A much more affordable option is offered by Sprint with the Samsung Galaxy Tab for anywhere from 9.99 to 9.99. Compared to other tablets, it is a serious contender thanks to its 7-inch screen, two cameras, Flash compatibility and an overall convenient size. On the downside, it acts more like an over sized phone than a Netbook alternative.

4. Dell Streak 7
Moving right along, next in line comes the Streak 7 from Dell. It offers dual-core processing, 4G network compatibility, Adobe Flash 10.1 support, front and rear cameras, and an inventive re-imaging of Android 2.2. What you need to be wary of is its screen quality and the overall responsiveness.

5. Barnes and Noble Nook Color
Last on the list of tablets that are worth taking a look at is the Nook Color from Barnes and Noble. There is a lot to boast about from this device as the color e-book reader features a vibrant 7-inch touch screen, built-in Wi-Fi, a Nookbook store, 8GB on board memory, built-in Web browser that is sufficient, Word, PDF, and it displays images and some video formats. As for the bad, it only has eight hours of battery life for reading, no access to Android Marketplace, and there are few apps available.

This is just the tip of the iceberg. I hope it helps you make an informed decision.

Tablet Vs PC: Which Way Do You Go?

BARNES AND NOBLE APPLETON WI

Kindle to the Rescue?

Are you considering getting a Kindle but are not sure if you would like it or how you would use it? Maybe this will help with your decision:
Picture this: your daughter has a paper to write on Aesop's Fables that's due tomorrow. She forgot the book at school and it's late enough that the school is locked up tight as a drum. Your local Borders store closed last week and the closest Barnes & Noble is over 45 minutes away. All of her classmates need their books to write their papers and the library is closed, so borrowing a copy is out of the question. What to do? Imagine this: your mother's eyesight has been fading for years, to the point where she has difficulty with her favorite pastime - reading books. Large print books are too heavy for her and she has dropped out of her book club. You miss seeing the light in her eyes when she talks about her new favorite book. How can you help? Consider this: your son was assigned A Tale of Two Cities in English class but there are a lot of new vocabulary words for him in that book. He slogs through the book, spending more time with the dictionary than with Dickens. He loses his place repeatedly as he is stopping too often to look up words, failing to appreciate the novel or get immersed in the plot. How can he improve his reading? Another scenario: you are packing for a weeklong trip and you are close to the weight limit on your luggage. You have a choice of packing either another outfit or the novel you want to read, the 1000+ page book Under the Dome, by Stephen King. Which to choose?

A Kindle eReader (9 for the Wi-Fi only model) solves all of these problems. How can Kindle help?
You whip out your Kindle and download Aesop's fables for free. That's right,

Plenty of other reasons exist to get a Kindle, including having the ability to highlight your favorite passages and share them on Facebook and Twitter, or the ability to share your books with, and borrow books from, other Kindle users. You can browse the web with the Kindle and check email. You can even read the Kindle in the bathtub or swimming pool with the help of a gallon-sized Ziplock bag. With the money you save on buying eBooks, the Kindle might even pay for itself.

. The book is on your Kindle within seconds from when you go to the Kindle Store on your device (Go to Menu, Shop in the Kindle Store, Search for the book and press Buy). Your daughter can even search for terms on the Kindle by typing words on the Kindle's keyboard. No late night trips to the bookstore only to find the book is sold out. Easy, instant and free! You give your mom a Kindle and help her increase the font size to where she can read the words easily. (This is easily done by clicking on the AA button on the keyboard and selecting the font size that works best for her). You show her how easy it is to find the book she wants to read on her Kindle, no computer necessary, and download it for her. You smile with delight a week later as she excitedly tells you about her new favorite book, The House at Sugar Beach, by Helene Cooper, and that she has re-joined her book club. You hand your son your Kindle with A Tale of Two Cities ready for him on the screen (this book is also free on the Kindle). He moves the cursor to a word he doesn't know and sees the dictionary definition pop up on the screen. He finishes the book before the due date and gets an A on his English test. You tuck your Kindle into your purse (or man-purse/murse), as it only weighs 8.5oz (240g) and is small in size, 7.5" x 4.8" x 0.335" (19cm x 12cm x 0.85cm). You pack your extra outfit in your suitcase plus have room leftover for souvenirs. No need to pack the power cord as the charge on the Kindle will last a month. You smile as you read Under the Dome on the beach while sipping your piña colada, knowing that the money you saved on buying the Kindle version of the book paid for your drink!

BARNES AND NOBLE APPLETON WI

Many people ask me why I have a Kindle if I have an iPad (the iPad has a Kindle app available so you can read your Kindle books on your iPad). I still enjoy reading on my Kindle over my iPad because my Kindle is lighter weight and easier on the eyes as the Kindle uses E Ink on its screen while the iPad has a backlit screen. I compare it to having a camera when you have a cell phone with a camera. The cell phone camera is fine for everyday pictures, but for more important pictures, I still want to use my camera.

People tell me they don't want to read eBooks because they like the feel of a book in their hands and they enjoy the smell of books. Don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to take books away from anyone. You can still read paper books (the tech world calls them DTB, Dead Tree Books) even if you have a Kindle. But you may find many instances in your life when having a Kindle can be wonderful.

Kindle to the Rescue?

BARNES AND NOBLE APPLETON WI

Why Should I Read Book Readers Reviews?

Are you seriously looking to buy an electronic book reader? Perhaps you have heard about this new kind of gadget already, but you are not sure if it would be good for you. An eBook reader's main purpose is to offer you a different kind of book reading experience. In other words, you do not have to carry a multitude of heavy paper books with you every day. With a book reader, your reading life will become extremely easy and convenient. There are many electronic book readers reviews on the Internet.

All of the reviews advise people on why one product is better than another one is. Seriously, you should learn how to identify helpful or meaningful content. How could you do it? First, you should know your needs. Perhaps you are an ardent reader, researcher, journalist, writer and so on. A person such as you needs facts, details or quick updates at all times. A book reading gadget would certainly help you get access to your collection of reading material or the web anywhere, any moment of the day or night.

BARNES AND NOBLE APPLETON WI

Despite that, not just any e-reader gadget merits your time or money. Most helpful electronic book readers reviews should indicate or expose such useless devices. Luckily, if you deal with some popular websites, such as Amazon, you will find negative, positive or even neutral reviews. The negative ones indicate that many previous shoppers regret having wasted their time and money on a given reader. Positive indicates that several prior clients were happy with their gadgets. Neutral reviews signify that many users are not sure of their opinions. They are neither totally happy nor disappointed in the product.

Most Popular Electronic Book Readers Reviews Include:

• New Amazon Kindle

• Amazon Kindle DX

• Barnes & Noble Nook

• Sony PRS-350

As you look through various electronic book readers reviews, focus more on the functionality of the product. Of course, each manufacturer lists the product details and descriptions. In spite of everything, a prior user is the only one who could confirm if an electronic book reader is reliable or not. If you have done a thorough prior research or have seen a friend's e-reader, you already know that some have built-in 3 G wireless Internet.

When reading various posts, specifically focus on what others are saying about this Internet. Investigate if it is reliable or not. If this is your main interest, you can find only those reviews of gadgets that offer Wi-Fi plus 3G features. Another area you must focus on is the screen or display. Many new reading devices have E Ink Pearl Technology for enhancing contrast and appearance of images. Again, previous shoppers are the best sources of proof. Investigate their views for any item you want to order.

Read carefully so that you can find out what they are saying about screen quality. For instance, you will find that most manufacturers describe their products as anti-glare. By evaluating electronic book readers reviews, you want to discover if this is actually true or false. Without doubt, you have freedom to choose the kind of content your want to read. Any website that seems to post reviews just for the sake of making sales is not worth your time. Look for one that really aims to help new and experienced shoppers.

Why Should I Read Book Readers Reviews?

BARNES AND NOBLE APPLETON WI