Isaac Adams asked:




Why an eReader?

I am a software engineer and entrepreneur managing a web design and search engine optimization company in Atlanta. I am also involved in an open source application security software startup and I am considering going back to get an MBA (while still running both businesses, of course) to fill in some of the gaps in business knowledge clearly not covered by my engineering degree. Add to this a more than healthy interest in politics, and you get a widely varied melange of reading topics. Traditionally, I have read mostly technical books as my primary interest was extending my technical skills and learning about constantly evolving software technologies. A few years back, I broadened my reading list to include some classic fiction (re-reading JRR Tolkien prior to watching the LOTR trilogy) and lots of political biographies and strategy books. Now, I’m reading a lot of business books (entrepreneurship, marketing, econ, etc.) and I expect to read even more books of this type in the near future. Because of my very poor attention span (undiagnosed ADD, I’m sure) and because I find repetitive motion very boring, I do a good bit of reading on the elliptical machine at they gym where I am a captive audience. It’s a real challenge to balance books of various sizes on the small ledge on most exercise equipment and turning pages is really a pain, so I’ve wanted to move to an eReader. Add the positive environmental impact of fewer trees being cut down, less fossil fuel burned to deliver traditional books, and the generally lower cost of books in the electronic format, and I’m sold.

The eReader Contenders

Though there are lots of eReaders on the market, I narrowed the field to this short list:

Amazon Kindle 2 ($259) Sony PRS-600 ($269) Barnes & Noble Nook ($259) Apple iPad ($499-$829)

Amazon Kindle 2 ($259)

Amazon is now a part of the “old guard” in eReaders and they clearly have ample experience as a book retailer. At $259, the Kindle’s price is quite fair, but Amazon’s philosophy of proprietary lockdown with regard to their eBooks requires total commitment to Amazon as your sole content provider. Despite the fact that Amazon is the 800lb. gorilla of online book retail, the number of available titles is limited due to the fact that they don’t support the ePub format and must rely solely on conversion of various titles to their proprietary eBook format (a format that other readers will likely never support).

Pros:

Amazon selection WiFi and 3G Connectivity with wireless purchasing and software upgrades Viziplex eInk Screen Software reader for PC, Mac and iPhone

Cons:

Proprietary Amazon eBook format, vendor lock-in Fixed keyboard Pay-per-document fee when reading office documents Cannot share books Black/white screen

Sony PRS-600 ($269)

Like Amazon, Sony has been in the eReader business for years, and the consumer electronics business longer than most of the other vendors have existed. The PRS-600 has an eInk display like the Kindle and Nook, but adds a touch-sensitive screen for more intuitive navigation. The downside of the touch screen is a slight reduction in readability, and a slight increase in glare and fingerprints.

Pros:

Viziplex eInk Touch screen Expandable memory (Memory Stick, SD)

Cons:

Clumsy sync software Lack of wireless/online purchasing Black/white screen

Barnes & Noble Nook ($259)

The Nook is offered at a price equal to that of the Kindle 2, and it comes with WiFi and 3G connectivity like the Kindle. The Nook has a non-touch Viziplex eInk screen and is based on Google’s Android operating system. The Nook can read eBooks in the open ePub format and for the first time allows the loaning of books purchased through the Barnes & Noble online book store to friends. The Nook also includes a nifty color touch screen with soft keyboard in the place of the Kindle 2′s fixed keyboard allowing for greater flexibility and customization based on future software updates.

Pros:

Best book selection (over 1M books in B&N bookstore + free books in ePub format) WiFi and 3G Connectivity with wireless purchasing and software upgrades Viziplex eInk Screen Color touchscreen and soft keyboard Software reader for PC, Mac and iPhone User-replaceable battery Expandable memory (SD)

Cons:

Soft keyboard navigation confusing at first Main screen black and white

iPad ($499-829)

The iPad is by far the most powerful and sexy unit in this lineup. It includes a beautiful color screen with LED backlight, a much more powerful processor than other eReaders, and lets you run all of the software from Apple’s App Store. Straddling the territory between eReader and notebook computer, the iPad is truly a revolutionary device. Still, if you only want to read books and don’t have an unlimited budget, the iPad is serious overkill in terms of cost and capability.

Pros:

WiFi and 3G Connectivity with online purchasing Color touch screen Compatibility with Apple app store applications

Cons:

Cost 3G connectivity requires extra-cost monthly data plan Battery life (compared to other eReaders)

The verdict…Barnes & Noble Nook

After reviewing all of the pros and cons, I decided to commit to the Nook. I liked the slim form factor of the Kindle 2, but I really hated the vendor lock-in, lack of open ePub support, and pay-per-document fees. I liked the intuitive touch screen of the Sony, but I didn’t like the lack of wireless purchasing, the sync software and the reduced readability of the eInk display due to the touch screen. The iPad is an impressive product with far more capabilities than any other eReader. Still the iPad is not yet available and the price premium over the other units was substantial (almost twice the price for the base unit.) To enable wireless purchases when not in range of WiFi, you must purchase a more expensive unit with 3G and sign up for a 3G data plan at an added monthly cost. The Nook gives me a great online book store with many available titles, but also includes access to the many free titles available from Google Books, public libraries, and other sources supporting the ePub format. I like the crisp eInk display for extended reading, and the included 3G and WiFi connectivity is very convenient, indeed. The addition of the color touch display and soft keyboard made for a nice compromise between the iPad and Kindle 2, and allows for some customization of features through future software updates. I’m sure as the Nook matures, the software will become faster, easier to use, and will include some new features. I’ll be receiving the Nook tomorrow, and will update this story with more impressions after gaining some extended hands-on experience with the unit.

Louis

Johnny W. Rogers asked:




Introduction
Apple iPad and Amazon Kindle 3G are e-Book readers that are designed to provide the users with maximum comfort while reading e-Books. Avid readers will find relief in them, since carrying around magazines and books and newspapers will no longer be necessary. Both of them are fierce competitors in the electronics market.

Size and screen width
Kindle measures 0.34 inches thick and weighs 8.5 ounces. The iPad is heavier and weighs 1.5 Pounds, with a screen width of 9.7 inches. Although the screen size of the iPad is bigger, so is the weight, which makes carrying it around, a bit difficult. Portability is definitely better with the Amazon Kindle 3G over the iPad.

Readability and display
Apple iPad has a full color touch screen complete with 60Hz screen refresh technology, while Amazon kindle has an e-ink screen feature, which reduces the strain on eyes. It is slightly difficult to read in the bright sunlight with the Apple iPad, but kindle has no such problems. It is more suited for long hours of reading since it gets to the closest possible imitation of reading from books with the Eink technology.

Note: Electronic ink, Electronic paper, or e-paper display is a display technology designed to imitate the look of ordinary ink on paper.

Graphic User Interface
Apple iPad is the hands-down winner in graphic user interface, since it has a range of applications with touch-screen as opposed to Amazon Kindle 3G’s print-like graphics. Users can read only in 16 shades of grey with the kindle, while the Apple iPad steals the show with full color and 60 times per second refreshing capability. This makes Apple iPad great for interactive media and magazine-like reading.

Battery
Apple iPad has a 10 hour battery life, which is more than sufficient for one reading. But kindle has a better battery which can go about a week without charging.

Pricing
Apple iPad is definitely costlier with the basic version starting at approximately $499. Amazon kindle 3G is affordable for $139. An addition of feature like 3G to Apple iPad makes it costlier at $649, and it costs data charges from the service providers as well.

Accessibility and downloading eBooks
Apple iPad has better accessibility with libraries from iTunes, Amazon kindle book store, barn and noble library. Amazon kindle 3G has accessibility only to the Amazon library.

Features
iPad has all the features in it that a hand held device can have. It is made as an all-a-rounder, with features like watching movies, listening to music, web browsing, checking mails, picture management, read maps and everything else one can think about. Amazon kindle on the other hand is strictly designed to accomplish eBook reading and excel in it. To have a comfortable and easy reading, the Eink technology on the kindle is excellent.

Which One Should You Buy?
With all the comparisons made, the buying decision should be made according to individual necessities. For people who need an all-a-rounder device with cool graphics and all the other features to think about, iPad does the trick. But for people looking for a sincere eBook reader designed to perform this function at its best, the kindle is a better choice.

Annette

Paul Ho asked:




If you already have the Kindle DX, I know that many of you would be asking what is the difference between the two, the Kindle DX and the Apple iPad? This comparison just came out when I was considering getting a Kindle eBook reader which coincidentally was the exact time the Apple iPad hit the markets.

At first glance, I thought that the iPad was only an eBook reader because it does look like one. And when I learned the selling price of iPad that starts from $499, I began to wonder why it is that expensive for an eBook reader. Then, I began to make comparison on what to get. I would like to consider Kindle DX for the price of $489 or any eBook reader for the matter. The problem with Kindle DX is that it is too small for me.

The Kindle DX and the Apple iPad both have a 9.7″ screen. The iPad screen has a full-colored touch screen so that you could be able to watch high-definition videos while the DX is not. The Kindle DX utilizes an ink technology that will make it looks like a true paper and it is not straining for your eyes.

At one look, it seems that there is no comparison between the DX and the new Apple iPad. The Apple product could be used for different activities like for reading eBooks, e-magazines and newspaper, all in full color. You could also browse the web, listen to music, watch videos and films and have access to all of the applications on the Apple Store. The DX appears to be just a plain eBook reader. The iPad is versatile because of the different applications you could experience while the DX is only the normal eBook reader.

If you want to have a e-book reader that could answer all of your needs, there is no doubt that the Apple iPad Computer Tablet will be an excellent choice. But if you are a book lover and would like a gadget that is designed specifically for reading materials, the Amazon Kindle DX would best suit your taste. Even if I do not have the iPad yet, but I think that the Kindle DX will provide the comfort of reading a book for longer period of time because of the materials of the screen. It is handier and has a long batter life of about two weeks on one charge.

Whether it is an iPad or DX, be sure to know all the details before buying it. Be sure that it is worth the price and do not cause you any trouble. Choose the one that you think will fit your taste and needs. Overall, you will be the one who will use it, so be careful in deciding. Avoid having regrets when you already bought one of those two. Both of them have good qualities to keep you entertained and informed, so it’s up to you.

Warren

Todd Lavergne asked:




Are you searching for a great way to entertain yourself while on the go? Are you wondering if there is an entertainment application you can take advantage of in order to have fun no matter where you may be? If you are looking for a great way to entertain yourself wherever you may go, you should definitely look into products like the Amazon Kindle and the Apple iPad. Both of these devices can give you the ability to read books while on the go and many more capabilities as well. This review will help you choose the right product for your needs.

There are a few differences between these devices that you may want to know about before you make a purchase though. One of the primary differences between these devices is definitely the cost of each device. The Kindle is a fairly affordable product that also comes with free Internet access, which means there are no ongoing fees when you are using this product.

If you were to purchase the iPad though, you would have to pay for your Internet access in order to fully utilize the product. Also, to purchase the product, you would have to pay hundreds of dollars more than you have to pay in order to acquire the Kindle. For this reason, if you are on a budget, it is likely that the Kindle is going to be the best option for you.

Before you jump into a product though, you should consider the fact that you will have to buy books if you desire to read e-books with your Kindle. This means that you are going to have to spend quite a bit of money in order to fully utilize it, even though the Internet access is free with this product. One benefit it offers is unlimited free access to Wikipedia, a website that offers an extensive collection of information you can access at any time.

The primary reason why the iPad is often considered a superior product is the fact that it provides much more capabilities than the Kindle does. This means you will not only be able to browse the Internet, read e-books, play games, and watch movies with your iPad, but you will basically be able to do anything you can do with a computer and then some.

As you can see from this iPad vs Kindle comparison, the iPad is obviously a much more desirable product to own. It does cost more, which makes it more difficult for consumers to purchase. The additional capabilities provided by it often supersede this fact though, making the iPad a much more suitable product for anyone who desires to perform all types of activities on their wireless device.

Ron

John D. Emerson asked:




Now that Apple has formally announced the iPad, which can be used as a full-color ebook reader, will the Amazon Kindle 2 lose it’s popularity in the market for great electronic gadgets in 2010? Here’s a detailed review of each device and how they stack up against each other.

The Kindle 2 and it’s reading display - The Kindle 2 uses the “E-Ink” technology, much like many other ebook readers like the Nook and Sony Reader models, which is a gray-scale display without a back-light. E-Ink screens allow you to see the writing on the display even in extremely bright light situations and from extreme angles.

Since there is no backlight, the device is said to be easier on the eyes than a backlit screen such as a computer screen, or for that matter, the soon to be released iPad.

iPad’s Color Screen – The iPad’s screen is going to allow users to start reading publications such as digital delivered magazines and newspapers in full color. This could prove to be a great selling point for the iPad, and cause a real shift in content delivery methods for many magazines, depending on how popular the device proves to be.

Screen Size Comparison – The iPad screen size is 9.7 inches whereas the Kindle 2 is 6 inches.

Wireless and 3G Capabilities - Both the iPad and Kindle 2 have wireless download capabilities where WiFi is available. However, only the Kindle 2 comes with 3G service standard with the device. The iPad will cost more for 3G models.

International – Both are International compatible devices. Since the iPad simply connects to the internet, it will work anywhere. The Kindle 2 boasts usage in over 100 countries globally for now.

iPad and Touch Navigation – Basically, the iPad is an extra large version of the iPod Touch. The user interface is touch screen, whereas the Kindle 2 is push button technology.

The Many Features of the iPad vs. the One Use of the Kindle 2 – Obviously, it’s going to come down to what you really want to use the device for. The back-lit screen could be seen as a downfall for the iPad if you want to use it for an ebook reader. However, looking at full color pictures in a digital magazine will have many thinking about making the purchase. Of course if you want to watch movies, play games, and use the numerous applications, then the iPad is the obvious choice.

But if you just want an ebook reader, and you are fine with enjoying all your other media on that expensive lap-top you just bought, then the Kindle 2 is probably the choice that makes most sense. The Kindle 2 is designed for ease of reading on the eyes, navigation of book pages, and comes with no special frills. You’ll have to get your enjoyment from the book instead of flashy features. The price is a little easier on the eyes as well!

Tyler

Jeremy Porterland asked:




When I first heard that I could possibly get an Apple iPad free of charge I was highly skeptical. I mean, didn’t we all learn in 9th grade economics that there is no such thing as a free lunch? However, in this article I am going to show you exactly how you can test a free Apple iPad or Amazon Kindle and keep it!

How to Get a FREE iPad or Kindle

The premise behind nothing being free is that you don’t get anything without giving something in return. However, that “something” that you give in return does not have to be money! You see, companies like Apple and Amazon are literally spending millions of dollars each and every year on market research to see what people really want. They make this money back easily be creating a product and making billions of dollars off of it.

So what does this have to do with your free iPad or Kindle?

Everything. You see, these companies allow people to test and keep these gadgets in exchange for a simple opinion. I am essentially showing you how you can get something for free by helping Apple or Amazon with their market research.

The process is actually very easy. All that you have to do is find one of the websites online (they can be hard to find) that these companies use for market research. Once you find one of these websites, you simply enter your zip code to see if there are still some available in your area. Once you find out there are some left in your area, simply fill out the short form to get your free Apple iPad or Amazon Kindle.

The entire process takes less than 3 minutes, and it really works! The rumors are true; you can get a free iPad!

Justin

Travis Van Slooten asked:




Worldreader.org can be compared to One Laptop Per Child (OLPC), an organization that created less expensive computers that was meant for children in developing countries. Worldreader.org has the same idea; however, they want to send eBook readers to these countries instead to encourage young people to develop a love for reading.

As of now, the organization has picked the ever popular Amazon Kindle as the eReader to send out. In fact, one of the co-founders of the organization is a former vice president of product and platform development for Amazon. Nice to know, but really this is a positive way to utilize electronic readers.

Here is Worldreader.org’s working hypotheses:

eReaders will increase access to books due to lower distribution costs and immediate visibility of millions of books available online.This will result in a larger number and greater variety of books read, and increased excitement and exchange of ideas around these books.The result will be a higher value placed on reading within the classroom, family, and community.The results will be specific and measurable, and will, in the long term, increase literacy and opportunity for those involved.

Worldreader.org currently maintains partnerships with Amazon, Rassak Experience, and OrphanAid Africa. And speaking of Amazon, the Kindle was chosen because for one, it is so simple to use, and secondly, the Kindle store offers thousands of eBooks. This eBook reader also offers global wireless support. As the program evolves, the organization says that they may consider other gadgets depending on the needs of the developing communities.

Note however, that Worldreader.org doesn’t give the eReaders to the countries; they assist with subsidizing the devices, so the devices are affordable for the local governments to purchase. They do this through fundraising. A trial run started on March 15th in the village of Ayenyah, Ghana.

Worldreader.org hopes that they see results of improved reading frequency and a higher demand for books. Additionally, the organization hopes that it will create a “sustainable business ecosystem” in these communities

The organization is also working diligently to problem-solve power problems, solar cell, and satellite internet access. In some remote areas around the world, these facilities aren’t readily available. For example, in Ayenyah, Ghana, the trial school had unreliable power.

Once the students get their hands on the Kindle, they will find pre-loaded books. Worldreader.org lets the community pick the books based on their interests and needs.

As we get caught up in eBook prices wars thanks to the new agency model, competition stories between the Kindle and iPad, we sometimes really forget that eReader technology is awesome. Worldreader.org is using it to help the world change the way it reads.

Karl

Kristy Trudeau asked:




There is much rumor on the internet that the new revolutionary iPad will crush the Kindle DX. Before the iPad was scheduled to launch there was a lot of discussion about how the iPad could help newspaper, magazine and book publishers create new revenue and increase profits.

The new Apple iPad has answered these publishers’ questions of how to increase revenues by offering the iPhone Kindle application. Many of the applications created for the iPhone works very well with the iPad too. Because Apple has more experience creating compatible applications the Amazon store and the creators of Kindle may have something to worry about. Although Kindle has made many changes from their original version relying on their relationship with the Amazon store to keep consumers interested may not be a long lasting benefit when consumers try the new iPad. Fortunately for Kindle users they will be able to try Apple’s new iPad for FREE. Keep reading this article to learn how you can get a new iPad of your own at no cost.

The Apple Corporation has an incredible offer for iPad users. In exchange for signing a monthly contract for service for your iPad the door to the internet will be opened. The more than 34,000 iPod touch apps will be made available to you; and incredible as it may seem, included in this offer will be the Amazon Kindle APP. Sorry Kindle but there may be a new Sheriff in town…

Although the creators of Kindle may soon start to sweat; Amazon won’t be too upset about the new iPad. Amazon will still be able to offer e-books for sale as well as e-textbooks, too. Because Apple has always had a strong relationship with many universities and colleges, we are convinced we will see educational discounts to help promote the iPad as a new virtual textbook. The only publishers who may be hurting in the near future may be the magazine and newspaper corporations who where hoping to ride the Kindle wave a bit longer.

Another great feature of the iPad will be the application for watching movies; think of it as a widescreen version of the iPod. The built in speakers will show to be a valuable part of your on-line movie experience. So to think of the new iPad as much more than a glorified netbook; it’s a fully functioning tablet-style computer. The Apple Corporation has once again provided us with a revolutionary product which is said to have the ability to change the way we use computers in the near future.

Terri