Showing posts with label Ereader. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ereader. Show all posts

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

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.

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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

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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.

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Pandigital eReader Review

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Monday, August 22, 2011

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.

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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

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Friday, August 19, 2011

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.

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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?

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Wednesday, August 17, 2011

What Is the Best eReader

You could be asking yourself, "What is the Best eReader?". The answer is not clear-cut, the eReader that maybe right for you, may be different then what would best for someone else.

There are many eReaders available on the market today, including the Kindle, Nook, Nook Color, Sony eReader, and Kobo. For the purpose of this article, we will only focus on the top two eReaders the Kindle and the Nook.

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The Kindle is the best-selling eReader in the world and is produced by Amazon, the largest online retailer in the United States. The Kindle is proving to be the top competition for the Nook and is made by Barnes & Noble the largest book-seller in the United States.

The Kindle and Nook while very similar also have their differences. Their main function is to display eBooks. They both have an anti-glare screens that use E-Ink to display text. The displays are made to look like you are reading actual print on a newspaper. Users do not report any distinct advantage of one screen over the other.

A major difference between the two eReaders is quantity of books. The Nook has over two-million titles available, while the Kindle only has library of 800,000 books. The Kindle can however store more books out of the box, with a storage capacity of 3,500 books, the Nook can only hold 1,500 books, but external storage can be added.

The Kindle and Nook both have Wi-Fi connectivity and 3G versions. This makes downloading eBooks and surfing the Internet very easy. 3G versions of each the Kindle and the Nook cost fifty more dollars. There is no monthly fee for use of the 3G network.

It is worth mentioning that only the Kindle 3g can be used internationally. The Nook 3G can not be used in foreign countries, this is something to consider if you do a lot of reading.

In my opinion, the Kindle is easier to use than the Nook. The Nook does have a color touchscreen navigation area, but I find this a little awkward to use. The Kindle on the other hand is much more basic and easier to navigate.

The battery life of the Nook and the Kindle are also not the same. The Kindle will last about one month on a single charge. The Nook on the other hand is promoted as lasting three weeks, I found that mine lasts only about two weeks on a single charge.

What Is the Best eReader

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Monday, August 15, 2011

Barnes & Noble Nook Reader Review - Is the Nook E-Reader Better Than Kindle?

I spend a lot of time browsing shops in Orlando because, well, that's where I live, and book stores are high on my list of fun places to shop and while away some hours. The other day I was meeting my mom for lunch and decided to drop in to Barnes & Noble since I don't have one close to my house. As I was checking out with my purchases, the cashier mentioned that the store would be debuting the new nook reader which is an electronic reading device "gadget."

This caught my attention because I had just been considering putting the Kindle on my Christmas list this year. You know how it is when you log into Amazon, you always see the advertisements for their electronic reader right in your face, and eventually you become brainwashed where you suddenly decide you MUST have one of those (insert name of new gadget here). That's what happened to me with Kindle I think. And I'll be honest with you, I really didn't know a whole lot about it.

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So when I heard about the nook reader that B&N is about to unveil, I asked the check-out lady a few questions and then when I got home I decided to check it out on the website. I was pleasantly surprised to see that it actually appears to have more features than Kindle.

So here's the lowdown. They both have 6-inch screen displays so they are easy to read, you can adjust the text size with both devices, and both of them feature 2 GB memory, ability to browse and shop for ebooks, speakers, headphone jack, rechargeable battery, comparable weight, software updates, quick page turn by hard key, synchronized last page read between devices, and ability to read your books on multiple devices.

But, here's what you get on the nook reader that is not available on the "other reader." Color touch screen, touch control and navigation ability, library view by book cover, Wi-Fi, free Wi-Fi in Barnes & Noble stores, expandable memory, more than a million titles, more than half a million free ebooks, exclusive content at B&N, directly load and read PDF's (very helpful), synchronized notes between devices, "LendMe technology" which is where you can share books between nook, iPhone, iPod touch, Blackberry, PC, and Mac, and a replaceable battery.

Sounds good, right? I was impressed. In addition, and this is really key, you can go into Barnes and Noble and try out the nook in person. You can hold it in your hands. Studies have shown that this is key in allowing buyers to make a decision on a purchase. You can sell a lot more when the person can touch as well as see.

I have to say I'm really interested in the nook reader and to be honest, I think it really wins in the head-to-head battle with Kindle by a landslide. Of course, I have not tried out the actual device yet but it will be in stores at the end of November (so I was told). So if you are considering an E-reader you should check out the nook when it becomes available, either for yourself or maybe as a gift.

Barnes & Noble Nook Reader Review - Is the Nook E-Reader Better Than Kindle?

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What Is The Best eReader - iPad?

What is the best eReader? When it comes to choosing the best eReader, it is worth purchasing the best that there is. The iPad is by far the best eReader available, because it is capable of much more than just displaying e-books. This is because it is actually considered to be a tablet and runs on a PC operating system. That means users can read any ebooks, newspapers or magazines, as well as browse the internet, install various useful or entertaining apps and use it as a full functioning multimedia device. Users have several different versions of the iPad to choose from and these differ in connectivity and capacity. The internal memory capacity ranges up to 64 GB and whereas all have Wi-Fi connectivity, some also have 3G connectivity.

The iPad is compatible with virtually all ebooks, because apps and software can be installed to convert or view. Since the iPad has a powerful processor and sufficient RAM, it also has quick loading and downloading rates. Reading ebooks on the iPad is easy with the large display size and backlit IPS thin LCD screen. The screen is 9.7 inches when measured diagonally and takes advantage of Apple's multi-touch touchscreen technology. This makes it extremely easy to navigate and hold from any position. Despite its relatively large size for an eReader, the iPad is light and weighs only around three pounds. Since the iPad is not associated with any particular company, such as Barnes & Noble or Amazon, there is much more flexibility in terms of where to download ebooks and other electronic publications. For users that can mean substantial savings, since there is the possibility to shop around and find the best prices on ebooks. There are also many available on the internet for free that can quickly be downloaded an opened on the iPad. the bet.

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In Addition, the advantages of having 3G may be worth it and we can get a pre-paid 3G data plan and access it on or off as needed to prevent staying with a long-term commitment. Just prepare yourself to check data pricing and coverage before deciding on which carrier or model to get, the AT&T model could be the most useful if you travel a lot. AT&T uses GSM for its net-work, this is compatible with more countries around the world whereas Verizon's CDMA will give you far more limited international roaming for those who travel overseas. In Addition, if you worry about mobile broad-band data speeds, AT&T's 3G network are faster speeds than the comparable networks.

Although there are many eReaders to choose from when looking for what is the best eReader, iPad stands out due to its PC format, prepare to look at all options including cost when reviewing Apples site. Apple will review much of the content I discuss here.

What Is The Best eReader - iPad?

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Sunday, August 14, 2011

Top EReader Features Book Lovers Should Desire

The explosion in wireless reading devices, or eReaders, has opened up a whole new world of pleasure for folks who love to read. If you are a book lover, you will absolutely find these sleek, handy, and versatile electronic devices a tantalizing temptation.

Imagine being away from home and able to hold your favorite 3,500 books in your hand, or in your back pants pocket or hand bag! Real books are great, don't get me wrong. I have spent many a happy hour scouring the shelves and tables of local book sales, accumulating a huge collection of tomes. But I admit they can be awkward to carry, hold, and read at times, especially if you are traveling or outdoors.

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Ever try keeping a paperback from snapping shut like a tripped snare trap while simultaneously negotiating a sub sandwich and page 432 of the latest Ken Follett novel? The sad fact is that for many of us, lunch time is the only time of day we can sneak in a few pages of reading pleasure, and it's not always pretty.

That's where these nifty electronic devices come in. Electronic book readers, or eBook Readers, don't snap shut without warning. They do, however, store the electronic versions of your favorite books, magazines, newspapers, and blogs in a device that can be the size of a small paperback, and the thickness of an average magazine.

If you read a lot, or if you are someone who does research and writing either for your job, or for school, you owe it to yourself to learn more about eReaders.

Here's a list of some of the top features you should look for in any eReader you are considering for yourself or as a gift for a friend or loved one:

Ease of use - you don't want to spend all day configuring your gadget to work with this or that software or hardware. You don't have to. Make sure your eReader is either ready to go right out of the box, or requires only minimal fidgeting on your part.

Convenience - look for light weight, easy to carry, effortless to hold while reading, easily accessed controls for page turning, ability to download books in less than a minute, doesn't get hot when used for hours.

Clarity and display size- the clearer the better. No reason not to get the 16 grayscale, which provides excellent contrast, and virtually eliminates eye strain and fatigue. Look for no glare also. With this clarity, even the new, smaller display size, such as the 6" diagonal display, allows for comfortable reading.

Built-in Wi-Fi - the ability to download your favorite eBooks (either free or purchased) to your eReader wirelessly from any Wi-Fi hotspot location; that is, anywhere there is wireless Internet connectivity that you can use (e.g., your home, libraries, hotels, airports, bars, etc.). Optional built-in 3G for those who do a lot of traveling or cannot always rely on Wi-Fi.

Storage space - how many books are enough to hold in the palm of your hand? The Amazon Kindle 3 holds up to 3,500 eBooks, which is an enormous number. The Barnes and Noble Nook holds less than half that but more storage can be added to accommodate more eBooks.

Access to eBooks - you want to be able to access the books that interest you the most, of course. Amazon knows the art of selling books. They've used that experience to develop their Kindle Store, which offers up to 750,000 of the most sought-after books to hungry readers. Amazon uses a proprietary eBook format, which may rub some people the wrong way. The Barnes and Noble Nook collection is nowhere near as large, nor as current, but they do use the ePub eBook format which is an open format used by libraries and also by the Sony eReader, and may be preferred by some readers.

Battery life - all other things being equal, the longer the better. Battery life of some eReaders can range from a few days to a full month before recharging. Keeping the wireless turned off when not in use will extend the time required to fully charge the battery.

Extras - there are a lot of extra features that you might enjoy, or require. These would include but are not limited to the following: free sampling of eBooks, built-in dictionary and encyclopedia, powerful search tool, MP3 player, annotate and bookmark capability, syncing capability (read eBooks on different types of devices, continue reading from one to another where you left off), web browsing, text-to-speech, PDF reader, archiving, and built-in Twitter and Facebook.

You can pay a little or a lot for en eReader. That depends on what features you want. If you just want an eReader that affords you a comfortable, easy-on-the-eyes reading experience, an immense selection of books that you can download to your device, and ease of use for under 0.00, the Amazon Kindle 3 and the Barnes and Noble Nook are both excellent choices.

Top EReader Features Book Lovers Should Desire

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Don't Buy An Ereader Just Yet

If you love to read, you are probably aware that recent developments in the electronic gadget field have provided you some enticing options. Most devoted readers that I know are not really gadget freaks, with a few exceptions, but there was a time when most writers wouldn't think of trading in their old Olivetti typewriter for a computer word processor, and we know how that turned out.

What I'm talking about from a reading perspective, if you haven't already guessed, is the relatively recent invention known as the electronic reading device, or electronic reader, or ereader, for short. Amazon gave us the Kindle, the first popular ereader. And popular for a really good reason: people love to read and ereaders make the reading experience much more comfortable and enjoyable.

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The Kindle quickly provoked competition, particularly from the Barnes and Noble Nook, the Sony Reader, and even the Apple iPad. But there are many others worth looking into.

I'm not suggesting you give up your real books for virtual books, the electronic books, or ebooks, that you read on an ereader. But you may find that a good ereader will complement your hardbacks and paperbacks, and take your reading passion to another level. So they are definitely worth considering.

Having said that, don't just run out and buy a Kindle or a B&N Nook, or any other popular ereader on the market just because you keep hearing about these products in the media.

There is a lot to consider before spending your hard-earned money and you owe it to yourself to do a little research to determine which of the ereaders on the market best suits your particular needs or desires. As you do your research, you will discover ereader features that you didn't even know existed, and you will find differences among the top ereaders that you might not expect.

So do your research. We've provided a couple of links below to give you much more detailed information in layman's language, but we'd also like to prepare you by addressing the main factors you should evaluate before making any buying decision. Obviously, what's right for one person may not be right for another.

9 Major Factors to Consider Before Buying An Ereader

Your Budget - what can you afford or are willing to pay for enhanced reading pleasure? The popular Kindle 3 can be had for 9, while certain iPads can run you up to 0. Ease of Use - admittedly, most of us (i.e., passionate readers) are not electronics geniuses. So look for an ereader that won't require a PhD in electronics engineering to get up and going and to negotiate. Comfort and Portability - one of the great things about ereaders is that some, more than others, are easy to carry around and to read from. May not be important to some persons, but if you like fitting thousands of virtual books in your back pocket and reading while lying on your back, this is definitely a factor worth considering. Readability - you want a nice clear display with good contrast and no glare. Not all ereaders can claim this type of readability, so yes, this is a big consideration for those who love to read and not just look at pretty pictures. Access to Titles - you want to be able to download lots of books easily, either free ebooks or ebooks that you wish to purchase. So you will want to have at least built-in Wi-Fi capability to be able to do this. If you travel a lot you may want built-in 3G to download from places where Wi-Fi is not available. Book Selection - Most ereaders will make it easy to download tons of different titles and magazines. But there are different ebook formats. For example, do you prefer the open format, ePub, used by the Barnes and Noble Nook for ebooks, or does the proprietary format used in the Amazon Kindle Store meet your needs? Storage Capacity - how many ebooks are enough for you to carry in you back pocket? One thousand? Three thousand? There are differences in capacity as well as in the ability to expand the storage capacity of the ereader. Some allow expansion. Some don't. Battery Performance - ereaders are portable and therefore have batteries that require periodic charging. The length of time you can use your ereader between charges varies from device to device. Something to think about. Multiple Device Capability - this is one of those features that most book lovers probably wouldn't think of, unless they have engineering degrees. Some ereaders allow you to start reading an ebook on your ereader, and then continue it on another device, like a laptop or iPad. This is one of those "luxury" features that may become a standard soon.

Those are 9 factors you should really think about before you go and buy yourself an ereader. I got one for Christmas from my wife and I absolutely love it. Have downloaded a good many free books in mere minutes.

Don't Buy An Ereader Just Yet

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Tuesday, August 9, 2011

What Is The Best EReader Device For You?

There are many different eBook eReader devices such as the Kindle, iPad, iPhone, Sony Reader, Android and Barnes & Noble Nook. But which of these eBook reading devices is the best for you?

Choosing an eReader can be a tricky task. However, a good way to go about making your decision is to compare the main features on these devices. Direct comparisons between Kindle, iPhone, iPad and Nook might include:

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Color vs Black and White
Backlight vs Daylight Readability
Wi-Fi vs 3G
Touch Screen vs Standard Screen

By weighing up the pros and cons of the above features, your task will become much easier.

So here are a few comparisons of the main eBook eReaders. The Kindle, Barnes & Noble Nook and Sony Reader.

Design

The Kindle 2 and Kindle DX are without a touch Screen, where as the iPad, Nook and Sony Reader have a touch screen.

The lightest and smallest eBook eReader is the Sony Reader Pocket Edition PRS-350 with 5-inch touch screen.

The Kindle 2 has a 6-inch screen and weights 10.2 ounces. The Kindle DX is 9.7-inch and 18.9 ounces.

The Barnes & Noble Nook is 6-inches and has a mass of 12.1 ounces.

The iPad has a 9.7-inch screen and weights 1.5 pounds.

The iPad, iPhone, Kindle, Nook and Sony Reader who have wireless capabilities but on some of the devices you may need to pay a connection fee.

Supported File formats

The eBook formats supported by the iPad include: EPUB, PDF, H.264 or MPEG-4 video, audio formats supported-AAC (16 to 320 Kbps), Protected AAC, MP3, MP3 VBR, Audible (formats 2, 3, and 4), Apple Lossless, AIFF, and WAV.

The Kindle 2 accepts the following formats: Kindle(AZW), TXT, MOBI, PRC and audio formats-MP3 and Audible.

Kindle DX: ebook formats-Kindle (AZW), PDF, TXT, MOBI, PRC and Audio MP3, Audible, AAX

Nook: EPUB, PDB, PDF and MP3

Sony Reader Touch Edition PRS-600: BBeB, PDF, Word, EPUB/ADEPT and MP3, AAC.

Summary

To summarise, the best eReader device depends on your specific requirements. If you weigh up the above factors you are on the right track. The perfect eBook reader for one person, may not suit someone else just as well.

What Is The Best EReader Device For You?

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Kindle Vs Nook E-Reader Review

There has never been a better time to be in the market for an eReader. Prices have dropped considerably, there are many options out there, and the new models have some great features to enhance your reading experience. There are also more e-books available than ever before. If you are looking for the best e-book reader for the price then your choices really come down to two products. The Kindle by Amazon and the Nook by Barnes & Noble are the best options.

Which e-book reader you decide to buy is going to come down to a personal preference. It's hard to go wrong with either product, but there are different features offered on both. The Kindle has physical buttons as part of its user interface while the Nook has a touch screen. Which style would you prefer? The Kindle has a slightly clearer screen, faster page turns, and more storage. The nook is compatible with EPUB files that you might find available from public libraries. Both devices have Wi-Fi capabilities so you won't even need a computer to manage your e-books. The use of 3G can be added with either model. The Kindle uses the Kindle Bookstore while the Nook uses software through Barnes & Noble.

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Both the Kindle and the Nook are great options for an e-book reader. You just need to decide exactly what you want from your device and choose which one will best fit your needs. Do your research and compare your choices, but your best option is to start by looking at the Amazon Kindle and the Barnes & Noble Nook.

Kindle Vs Nook E-Reader Review

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Saturday, August 6, 2011

Literati Ebook Reader - Yet Another Ereader to Join the Fray

In an ebook reader market littered with Amazon Kindles, Nooks, Sony Readers, and even iPads, one would wonder at the wisdom behind releasing yet another ebook reader. But apparently the company Sharper Image has little doubt that indeed, there's room for one more.

Coming to over 7,000 retail stores this October, the Literati is the latest ereading gadget to join what is getting to be a long list of this type of device. How will this one be any different from the rest? Let's see what we know of it so far.

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Basic Features

The Literati is being introduced to book lovers as "a simple, dedicated device that lets them get right to the book." Released images of the device show that it bears quite a resemblance to the 2nd generation Kindle, although it comes with a bigger, full-color 7-inch LCD screen. Like the Amazon device though, it is also equipped a QWERTY keyboard and Wi-Fi capacity, allowing the user access the Kobo bookstore, which has over two million titles available.

Available in white and slate grey, this ebook reader runs on Linux, and supports a variety of text formats including ePub and PDF. Literati owners will have access to content immediately as the device comes preloaded with 25 free ebooks.

Does It Stand a Chance?

Yes, its LCD and 7-inch display are features you can't find on the best selling Kindle or the Nook, but other than these, people may still be hard pressed to find a reason why they should buy a relatively untested product compared to popular names in the market. Price-wise, the Literati's 9 pricetag is not even that much cheaper compared to the recently reduced cost of the Nook at 9, and of the Kindle 3 (3G + Wi-Fi) at 9. As a matter of fact, the Wi-Fi only version of the Kindle 3 even costs less at only 9.

Still, we can only speculate so much but until the Literati is finally in stores, we won't really know whether they will be flying off the shelves or gathering dust on them.

Literati Ebook Reader - Yet Another Ereader to Join the Fray

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Wednesday, August 3, 2011

eReader Review - Nook Signature Everyday Tote Is Practical and Elegant

The key reason why we adore our Nook so much is that it makes it possible for us to get thousands of reading materials and files in a single sleek and stylish gadget. It follows that we will also be searching for a fantastic means to transport not just our Nook, but also all of our day-to-day essentials in a practical and good-looking manner. The Nook Signature Everyday Tote could be the perfect bag to lug about all our stuff as well as our favorite eReader at the same time.

It's fashionable as it is very useful, with its extra large storage pocket; it is great make use of even as an overnight travelling bag. It can be worn as a handbag with its short rolled handles or across the body, with its detachable long tie with shoulder pads, for a comfy fit. The base is reinforced, ready for weighty loads and studded to safeguard the canvas base from getting dirty too easily.

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Its interior is lined with canvas and features two zippered pockets and two further open pockets. It has enough separate storage to organize all our things. The Nook is placed in a special pocket located outside the main section. It is outlined with a stylish slanted contrasting color fabric trim for impact.

Its elegant and simplistic style makes it perfect to make use of for work, vacationing and just about everything else. It's available in three beautiful colors to pick from - Watermelon pink with Black canvas trim, Ink with Chocolate brown canvas trim and Brown with Mocha Trim.

It is light and portable, making it an ideal handbag for you to bring around. It is made from coated canvas that repels staining and can easily be cleaned. Its craftsmanship is exceptional ensuring you many, many years of use for this perfect eReader companion.

Features:

Dimensions: 18in W x 13in H x 7in D and 7in drop handle

Coated canvas body, trims and handles; canvas lining

Exterior Nook pocket and 4 inside pockets

Nickel Hardware

Detachable long strap with shoulder pads

Exclusively designed for Barnes & Noble

Will fit Nook Wi-fi and Nook 3G with Wi-fi eReaders

To find a versatile, fashionable and overall great way to carry your Nook eReader and other items, the Nook Signature Everyday Tote is a great solution.

eReader Review - Nook Signature Everyday Tote Is Practical and Elegant

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Saturday, July 30, 2011

Pandigital Novel E-Reader Review

The proliferation of electronic devices has ensured that the change to digital format is almost unstoppable. As more information increasingly gets digitized, there has been a rise in the number of e-readers. Many people nowadays do not read hardcover books and magazines, instead preferring to read ebooks and e newspapers and magazines. At first they cried fall that this was going to erode their market but rather than trying to clutch on to a drowning straw, they have joined this bandwagon and made their works digital. of course there have been plagiarism issues that have surfaced such as the once unpopular move by Google to scan several manuscripts that many copywriters were vehemently opposed to. Electronic device manufacturers have noticed a gap in the need for ereaders and have responded swiftly to this demand.

The Pandigital novel ereader has a 9 inch full color touchscreen for display. The device has 2GB of internal memory. This is a fairly large amount of memory size considering that many PCs do not have this kind of internal memory space. This memory can store well up to a thousand ebooks. The memory size can further be expanded with the 4GB microSD memory card. The tablet has Wi-Fi connectivity meaning that you can easily be connected to the internet and do business. This is made possible by the availability of the 3G connectivity which enables you to easily connect to the internet. There are also GPS navigation services which in addition with the Google maps will enable you to easily pinpoint exact locations to places. As such you won't be able to ask for direction every now often. The Google maps also enable you to view streets, towns and cities. The device runs on the android operating system and one of the major strengths of the android operating system has been the sheer number of applications that are found within its market. This means that you can easily download an application and then customize it to suit your own needs. The tablet however comes with some of the preloaded applications. For instance, there is a built in camera which enables you to easily track your events.

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This device supports both the PDF and the ePUB formats. ePUB is of course the format of choice for Barnes and Noble. You can still buy books from other stores that support the ePUB format and read it on your ereader. The media functions offered by this device are also many and quite varied. This tablet supports the audio, MP3, AAC, Wav and other formats. As such you can listen to music in a cool way as well as listen to audio books. This device also supports the JPEG, BMP, PNG and GIF.

You can use many of the internet applications that are available for free of charge. For instance, you can use the chat services that enable you to chat with your friends and colleagues. Some of the chat services supported on this device include IM, Google talk and yahoo messenger. You can also update your status in the social sites in a very easy and remarkable way. Such social sites include twitter, facebook and myspace.

Pandigital Novel E-Reader Review

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Monday, July 25, 2011

eReader Review - The Nook From Barnes and Noble Now With Wi-Fi and 3G

Why don't we quickly introduce the Barnes and Noble Nook Wi-Fi for you. At just 9 this device sports the 6 inch E Ink display screen in addition to a color Lcd. It has a 1.3 Gigabyte internal memory compared to the current 1 GB average among the other eReaders but its memory is expandable so no worries right now there. It weighs a bit more as compared to other devices at 11.6 ounce, most of the competition are way below that at 9 or 8 oz. Additionally there is a more expensive model priced at 9, which adds 3g to the mix. Instantly you can already learn to appreciate that for the price the device will be pretty good value for money. Visually the Nook originally is a mixture of two colors, battleship-gray and off-white however if that does not float your boat then you might change it by using different tinted backs for those that like more color in their lifestyles. One of Nook's trademark characteristics is a set of screens: one is the fundamental E Ink display and the other the LCD color touch screen that is Android-powered.

Like the Kindle, the Nook is a system as opposed to simply a device, efficient at easily browsing and making one-click acquisitions and for downloading through Barnes & Noble's vast store of ebooks, newsprint as well as periodicals. What's more, the Nook's Wi-Fi connects automatically to allow you to read free excerpts from just about any ebook if you are sipping a latte at your favorite B&N store. You can also lend or borrow books at no cost, for up to 14 days. Based upon the book you're perusing, the Nook can show text in as much as 16 different different languages. For travelers, the Nook has an airplane mode that allows you to turn off 3G and Wi-Fi while traveling by air, so as not to interfere with navigation equipment. The readability factor of the Nook goes over and above other devices with 16 diverse shades of gray, 3 sorts of fonts and 5 different sizes. If we do the statistics there it would certainly end up being a bunch of options. I'm sure you can find one that's ideal match for you. Also another cool way to customize the device is by installing virtually any image via USB and assign it as your screensaver.

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To the downside, it's a bit slow when it turns on and unlike some other ereaders you can't rotate the text...which is ok I suppose since a regular publication does not do that however it's odd they omitted this option. Internet browsing is also quite slow. The touch screen can also be a mite challenging so if you plan to use the virtual keyboard keep it to a minimum. What a lot of buyers value, because other eBook stores don't allow it, is you can loan or be lent ebooks with others that own a Nook. Unfortunately it's a one-time deal therefore keep that for your favorite bestest buddy!

eReader Review - The Nook From Barnes and Noble Now With Wi-Fi and 3G

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A Full Color Nook eReader by Barnes and Noble

The company anticipates it is going to become a popular stocking stuffer for Christmas as it is said to possess far more game titles, ebooks (surely convenient with regard to kids books to utilize its color abilities), magazines and many others. In keeping with this, an electronic Newsstand is on the way for magazine and newspaper subscriptions. Just so that you are completely satisfied, a 14-day trial period will be available.

This kind of tactic is possibly responding to the iPad entering into the eReader niche. The colored eReader is also believed to have got its very own app store, web browsing and music streaming. This bold move by Barnes and Noble has surely upped the ante for eReader capabilities.

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The device is planned to be launched mid-November just in time for viewing before Christmas time. In our judgment it certainly is an excellent response to the iPad but still remains true to it as an eReader at heart. There are enhanced and extra functions but its main thrust continues to be the reading experience and it did not get lost along the way trying to become an iPad wannabe. When speculating on a brand new device it is always a balanced exercise when it comes to price tag and capabilities. Here Barnes and Noble will not have wanted its would-be purchasers to consider just adding a couple of more dollars on an iPad. Instead they still wanted them to buy an eReader with Nook features.

Just to provide you with a little something to think about, the new Nook Color will have a 7 inch backlit touchscreen display capable of 16 million colors. IPS or In-plane switching permits approximately 178 degrees viewing angle. Therefore even if it's tipped a bit the display will not instantly disappear on you. Additionally the new Nook Color will have an impressive 8 GB built-in storage which means you actually might not make use of the microSD slot for its expandable memory. Wi-Fi functionality has stopped being a premium capability in the eReader industry and consumers expect to get it as industry-standard - the Nook Color doesn't disappoint there. As for the 3G capability of its other high end competitors the response has to be no! It will definitely have a web browser and the trademark Lend-me book function that allows the book buyer to loan a book to one friend for a limited time frame. It can also be utilized in either portrait or landscape mode. We are expecting that the battery life will not be comparable to the days or even weeks of battery life in non-color eReaders unless different technology is unveiled, so like everyone we await the battery life specifications anxiously.

Insiders also say that the company is reaching out to different software makers for the device's "Nookextras" and that Pandora is already part of the group. What other surprises await? Stay tuned!

A Full Color Nook eReader by Barnes and Noble

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Saturday, July 23, 2011

Barnes & Noble Nook - World's First Android Based Ereader

eBook Readers are considered as a revolutionary step towards an environment-friendly gadget world. It is a handy digital device which can store hundreds of eBooks and one can read them any time as per the convenience. Mostly eReaders are compact and lightweight that solves problem of storing huge array of favorite books and magazines which one wants to carry for all time.

eBooks provide a golden opportunity for readers to access large variety of books at same time and eBook Readers are perfect vehicle to carry and read these books in an easier and organized way. eBooks, also known as Electronic Books, are usually in a word processor format or PDF file that can be e-mailed and delivered anywhere by virtual means. Not only ebooks, an eReader can also store eNewspapers, eMagazines, pictures and images as well.

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These days eBook Reader market is gaining considerable amount of steam and Barnes & Noble's Nook is hoping to be the best among them. Nook is the first eReader by Barnes and Noble and in short span of time, it has reached among top favorites list of almost all book reading enthusiasts.

Nook is high on demand because of its innovative and advanced features. It provides access to over 1.5 million titles exclusively available at Barnes and Noble. This first Android-based eReader comes with 2GB internal memory capacity to store 1,500 books, newspapers and magazines. If more space is needed, just add a Micro SD card to it and its ready to store more.

Owning a Nook provides access to download more than 500,000 eBooks for free; courtesy Barnes & Noble.One can download latest releases, eBooks, eNewspapers, and eMagazines at a fast speed via AT&T 3G wireless connectivity or Wi-Fi.

This eReader provides a better reading experience than its competitors. It has a beautiful color touch screen display with one touch control and navigation. Its most advanced E Ink Vizplex electronic paper display makes text appear as crisp as a printed page. It also sports a 16-level gray scale display which offers great contrast with no glare or backlight.

Merriam-Websters Collegiate Dictionary is the pre-installed dictionary for Nook. This eReader also allows lending books to friends and others for up to 14 days at a time. One can share and send favorite eBooks to Nook or any PC, Mac OS, Blackberry phones, iPhone or iPod touch with free Barnes & Noble eReader software downloaded on it. It is the first eReader that allows ''digital lending''.

One can also customize this device by saving personal screensavers with standard JPG, PNG, GIF and BMP images. With Nook's powerful battery, one can read for 10 days without recharging with wireless access off, which is more frequent as compared to others. All other Nook features are very similar to what other eReaders have.

With so many innovative features, Nook acts just like a library which can be taken anywhere wanted. Maximize your reading and shopping experience with Nook by ordering it online at discounted prices with Barnes and Noble coupons!

Barnes & Noble Nook - World's First Android Based Ereader

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