Ebook readers are a highly popular, very easy way to build a home library that can travel with ease. Instead of deciding which two or three books to take along when going for a trip, you just grab your Ebook reader and set off on your adventure. Plus, should you happen to read what you’ve already downloaded, you can just grab another book or two and continue your enjoyment of literature.
There are several different Ebook readers available on the market today, along with applications you can download for your PC or smart phone. Not to mention tablets, and iPhones, iPads, and iPods can also be used as an electronic book reader. The choices are many, and we’ll dive into the different features that come with several of these Ebook reader options.
With all of the tablets on the market now, Ereaders are evolving their technology as well. When you are shopping for the right option, be sure to consider what uses you want your device to have. If you are looking for a dedicated Ereader that will be easy on your eyes, then stick to the dedicated Ereaders such as the Kindle Touch or Kindle Keyboard, the non-color Nook, or the Sony Reader. If you want to play games or download apps, then consider the Kindle Fire, the Nook Color or the Apple products (iPad, iPhone, iPod).
Kindle Fire
The Kindle Fire is the newest family member in Amazon’s Ebook reader line. The Kindle Fire features a 7” multi-touch display that displays images in full color. You can now play games and apps, along with viewing magazines in full color with the Kindle Fire. Plus, the Kindle Fire plays movies and videos and has 8 GB of included storage space. The Kindle Fire is capable of connecting to public and private Wi-Fi networks.
Amazon has equipped the Kindle Fire with the Whispersync technology that allows users to sync their last page read, along with other data, between all of their Kindle devices. This is especially useful when you install and use Kindle software on your PC and/or smart phone, along with having a Kindle. This way if you don’t have one device at hand, but have another, you will always be able to pick up where you left off.
The Kindle Fire can browse the web, display movies, and play music and more. The Kindle Fire is not just an Ereader; it is a mini entertainment spot. With the ability to plays games and download apps, the Kindle has crossed the line from being an “ordinary” Ereader, to being highly competitive with tablets and iPads.
The Kindle Fire offers up to 8 hours of continuous reading, with wireless off. Once you turn on your wireless signal the battery life will shorten. The wireless only needs to be on for web browsing and downloading new content.
With 8GB of internal memory, the Kindle Fire is capable of holding your favorite content without a problem. 8GB of internal memory is enough to download and store 80 apps, and 10 movies or 800 songs or 6,000 books. With this much content available on your Kindle Fire you will never be without the entertainment you want.
Other Kindle Devices
Kindle has several versions, such as the Kindle Touch 3G and the Kindle Keyboard 3G. Both of these models are available without 3G technology as well. 3G technology is very convenient because you can download books from nearly anywhere that a cell phone can get signal. Instead of waiting to connect to a Wi-Fi hotspot, you can just use the 3G signal (available where most cellular signals are available). Once you’ve used the 3G signal to connect, you just download your new content and get back to reading.
For people that prefer hard buttons, the Kindle Keyboard is the way to go. With 38 buttons, you are sure to not get lost in the mess of touch screen commands. Now, if you prefer touch screen technology to hard buttons, then the Kindle Touch is the way to go. Instead of relying on hard buttons to navigate and add comments, the Kindle Touch allows you to just use the touch screen functionality to execute the necessary commands.
The Kindle Touch and Kindle Keyboard offer up to 2 months of battery life when you read for 30 minutes per day, and have the wireless signal turned off. The wireless technology does drain the battery quite a bit quicker, but the only time you need the wireless on is when you are downloading new content.
Nook
Barnes and Noble have an Ereader, known as the Nook. The Nook comes in a color version and a non-color version and features a touch screen. You can read full color magazines on the Nook Color. Both the Nook and the Nook Color are able to connect to Wi-Fi networks. The Nook features a 6” display, while the Nook Color features a 7” display.
The Nook Color is designed with a backlit design, which can sometimes cause eyestrain. The nice thing is that the Nook Color can be read indoors or out, and it also offers an extra wide viewing angle. This is particularly great when you are sharing something with friends and everybody wants to look at the same time.
The Nook Color can also be viewing in landscape or portrait mode. This is great because different content looks better depending on the mode you are viewing in. Plus, this gives you the option to choose which viewing option feels better when holding the Nook Color.
The standard Nook features E-Ink Pearl technology, designed so that when you are reading on your Nook it is nearly the same as reading a regular book. The Nook features a full touch screen and is a very compact Ereader. If you are going to be using your Ereader as a dedicated Ereader with no need for web browsing, or viewing movies and such, this is a great Ereader. This Ereader works great for books and newspapers, but not as well for magazines or other full color content.
The standard Nook will last for up to two months on one charge. This makes it great for traveling with because you don’t have to worry about taking the charger, or leaving it behind when you return home. Plus, you don’t have to worry about the battery dieing too quickly, and right when you’re getting to the good stuff in a new favorite novel or biography.
Sony Reader WiFi
The Sony Reader features a 6” display and only weighs a mere 6 ounces. There are over 2 million books available for downloading to the Sony Reader. The Sony Reader also features 12 dictionaries, 2 are English language dictionaries, and the other 10 are useful for translating other languages. The Sony Reader features no glare technology and can be read even in direct sunlight.
With the long battery life of the Sony Reader you can enjoy a full month of use on a single charge. The Sony Reader is highly portable and compact, making it easy to travel with a your own personal library. The Sony Reader will store up to 1200 titles on the included 2 GB of storage. Plus, with Wi-Fi connectivity you can download more books with ease.
If you like to take notes or highlight passages in the books you love then enjoy the easy to use highlight and note taking features included on the Sony Reader. The Sony Reader has a Clear Enhanced screen that responds to your touch, allowing you to easily navigate through your book, and other materials you have on your Sony Reader.
The Sony Reader gives you easy access to more than 2 million titles. Plus, with E-Ink technology, you will enjoy a glare free reading experience that is easy on the eyes. The Sony Reader also allows you to bookmark your spot so you don’t ever lose your place in a book.
The Sony Reader allows you to listen to music or audio books simply by plugging in your headphones. With all of the stylish accessories available for your Sony Reader, you will be able to protect it and be trendy at the same time. The Sony Reader is compact and lightweight and can easily be put in a purse or bag, or carried in your hand. You can read on the Sony Reader by holding it with just one hand and you can read in bright sunlight with no glare.
iPad
The iPad offers a large selection of books and can be used as an Ereader. You can download magazines, books, movies, games and more for the iPad. The iPad is also great for browsing the web and with the ability to use FaceTime you can even video chat with the people you care most about. There are over 140,000 apps available for the iPad and with all of the versatility offered by this device you won’t ever miss anything.
The downside when looking at the iPad like in Ereader is that the iPad does not use the special ink technology – it is backlit and therefore can cause eyestrain when used for long periods of time. The dedicated Ereaders usually use a special ink and screen technology that requires an outside light source, but it keeps your eyes from becoming strained by the screen. If you aren’t going to be reading for long periods of time, or with high frequency, this issue is of minimal concern.
The iPad is able to connect to printers for printing, and really services as a small computer/laptop. The iPad offers up to 10 hours of battery life, depending on the amount of and type of use during that time period. The iPad also offers a mini keyboard that can be purchased separately for use. This is a great device if you are looking for something a little smaller than a laptop, but larger than a phone. If you are looking for more versatility than a dedicated reading device, then the iPad is definitely worth consideration.
The iPad has a plethora of fantastic accessories for you to enjoy. You can enjoy your iPad in style because Apple, along with other companies, has produced many fun accessories. Many of these stylish accessories also serve to protect your iPad from the wear and tear of daily use.
iPhone, iPod Touch
Both the iPhone and the iPod touch can be used to download and read books. There are applications for this, plus the iTunes store has books to choose from. If you like multi functional devices that serve multiple purposes, and can read on a smaller screen, this is an excellent option. The downfall is definitely the size of the screen, and the backlighting can cause eyestrain.
There are plenty of books to choose from, so you won’t run out of reading material with the Apple devices. Both the iPhone and iPod touch will allow you to watch movies, play games, download apps, listen to music and use FaceTime. Plus, the iPhone allows text messaging and use as a cellular phone. The iPhone is connected to the cellular network, so you can download from anywhere that you have cell service. The iPod Touch requires a Wi-Fi connection to download new content.
On top of all of the books you can read and apps you can download, you can also enjoy all of your favorite music with an iPhone or iPod Touch. You can watch movies and television shows, enjoy YouTube videos, the best in web browsing and social networking. With many of the most popular apps you can enjoy games with friends and stay connected to the people you care about. Plus, with organizational functions such as calendars and calculators, you won’t have to worry about missing appointments either.
Conclusion
If you are looking for a dedicated reader, I highly recommend sticking with the Sony Reader, Nook, or Kindle Touch/Keyboard. If you would like to expand the functionality of your device then I would recommend the Kindle Fire, iPad, Nook Color, or iPhone/iPod touch. Don’t forget that you can get many of the reading apps for your PC or Laptop as well, and use those devices for reading. Consider what type of functionality is most important to you, and begin matching devices to what you need the most, and you’ll be certain to make a purchase that you are satisfied with.
November 1st, 2011
ebookreaders 


