Why I Keep Using My Kindle

by: admin - Filed under: Amazon Kindle, eReader News & Updates

You know, the one question that people ask me most when they find out exactly how many eReaders and tablet computers I have bought, reviewed, and actually keep laying around, is why they still see me dragging my Amazon Kindle with me whenever I go somewhere, or why it’s laying around the house when I’ve been reading a book.   “Why don’t you just use your tablet to read, too?”  is the question they invariably ask…except for my techie brother-in-law, that is. 

[easyazon-image-link asin="B004HZYA6E" alt="Kindle 3G, Free 3G + Wi-Fi, 3G Works Globally, Graphite, 6" Display with New E Ink Pearl Technology - includes Special Offers & Sponsored Screensavers" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41WtSRWclnL.jpg" align="left" width="400" height="400"]When we recently took a family vacation to Texas, not only did I bring only my Kindle for reading, but so did he.  Of course, being the geeks that we are in my family, we discussed why neither of us brought a tablet computer, and neither of us brought a laptop…and the concensus was, simply this.  For the best reading experience, absolutely nothing beats the Amazon Kindle. 

Unlike tablet computers, the Kindle isn’t backlit, and you don’t accidentally hit the wrong button on the touchscreen, thereby loosing your place in the book that you’re currently reading.   The Amazon Kindle, with it’s eInk display, and manual page turning buttons on the sides, actually functions better as an eReader than any tablet computer on the market.  And, if you want to just read a book, there is no better device. 

So, yes, while I use one of my tablets whenever I want to search the web, update my Facebook status, or play a quick game of scrabble on Pogo.com, when it comes to reading a book, it’s going to be a long time until I retire the one device that just feels right, looks right, and works right for reading. 

Just like it took some time for many of us to consider switching from real books to the Kindle, they are going to have to retire the Kindle completely before I will switch to reading on anything else.

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Best eReaders for Comic Books & Novels

by: admin - Filed under: eReader Questions

Betty asks…

Best ereader for comic books?

I know there are a ton of different e-readers out now that can do tons of different things. In all honesty I just want a color screen that I can read my digital comic books on. ipads and some of the other tablet pc’s are nice but downloading apps and other internet related content isn’t a big deal to me. Any help would be appreciated

admin answers:

Part of that is going to depend on where you buy the digital comic books. NookColor is pretty impressive but only if the books are available in a supported format either with no DRM or a DRM scheme that is supported by the device. Velocity Micro Cruz is less expensive than NookColor and it’s nice for use as a reader. Like NookColor, it’s linked to a particular store via wi-fi but you can copy to it from the computer, and both are obviously somewhat lacking in terms of being fully-function tablets but then they don’t cost what the iPad costs. Neither has 3G, by the way. There’s also the Pandigital Novel but I’ve played with the in-store demos and I don’t think it’s worthwhile compared to Cruz and NookColor. There is talk of color e-ink finally coming during the early part of 2011, just so you know.

George asks…

What is the best Ereader for reading ebooks? Nook? Kindle? Ipad?

admin answers:

Hi, Jake S, Nook from Barnes & Noble is the best combination of price and features of the eReaders market. When choosing an eReader, you need to consider not only the physical properties of the device, but also compare eBook stores behind it. Sony has never been a contender for any comparison by anyone as they only have like 5 books in their Ebook store and their devices are way overpriced for what they offer. Borders is behind Kobo/Cruz devices in US and as you might of heard, Borders is on a brink of bankruptcy. Kindle and Nook are the only devices to be considered as their eBook stores have over a million of free public ebooks as well as over a million of ebooks that you need to pay for available.
Having that out of the way, you should then decide which screen you want: e-Ink or LCD. It depends on what you’re reading. If just black & white novels then the better one would be Amazon Kindle
or e-Ink Nook from Barnes & Noble. If you read electronic magazines or college text books with a lot of color graphs and charts or children’s’ books with a lot of pictures then the better would be Nook Color LCD from Barnes & Noble. Then, you should understand the limitations of e-Ink eReaders – they are limited to be black & white for now they “blink” at each ebook’s page turn, they’re not too good for web browsing, they need external light source for reading when dark, and they cannot handle videos.
Whichever device you choose, here’s the advantages of the Nook’s (both e-Ink black & white and Nook Color) over Kindle:
- Any Barnes & Noble store provides free Wi-Fi to Nook’s
- Nook allows to lend Nook books for two weeks to friends and family or share with your other devices that run B&N app (PC, MAC, Android phones, Apple iPhone, iPod and iPad, etc.) Barnes & Noble allows (when you walk in with the Nook to B&N store) to read any available eBook for free while in the store via free provided in the store Wi-Fi. With Nook, while in BN store you get exclusive articles from top authors, and great offers including cafe treats and unique deals.
- Nook (unlike Kindle) can be used for library ebooks.
- Nook (unlike Kindle) can be used for renting text-ebooks.
Nook Color is worth mentioning separately as this is a hybrid Android eReader/tablet device, something between Kindle and iPad. Even though Nook Color has LCD touchscreen, it’s a new generation screen which is anti-glare coated and is better performing in sunlight and produces less glare all of which are dooming reading on iPad. Also, the screen is amazing and readable/viewable at wide angles.
Overall, Nook Color is more than e-Reader as you can also watch video and use Android applications on it. It’s a hybrid device, much more than just an e-Reader but not a full tablet as it doesn’t have a camera. If all you want is to read novels, the original e-Ink Nook might be better for you. If you want something more from your device (color graphs and charts of college text books, childrens books, photos and videos, web sites in full color) at half of the price of iPad or Galaxy tab, then Nook Color is your best bet.
Nook Color has several apps that already come with the device (Pandora Internet radio, QuickOffice, etc.) Also, Barnes & Noble recently released Nook SDK and Nook Developer platform that will allow most of the existing 100,000 Android apps be ported to it. Also, you can use the Social Settings screen to link your NOOK Color to your Facebook account and your Twitter account. You can also import all your contacts from your Google Gmail account. Once you have linked to Facebook and Twitter and set up email contacts, you can lend and borrow books, recommend books, and share favorite quotes with your friends.

Carol asks…

What is the best ereader? The Nook, Kindle?

admin answers:

In short:

> Don’t go for Nook Color. It’s using backlight screen like computer screen, and is difficult to our eyes. Just not suitable for reading purpose.

> Choose the Nook if you want to be:
- Able to borrow ebooks from library to your ebook reader
- Able to read books in epub format (without need of conversion) on your ebook reader

> Choose the Amazon Kindle
if you want to be:
- Able to have free 3G wireless access
- Able to download books and use 3G wireless even you’re outside of the United States
- Able to have text-to-speech function to read books to you like audio books

There is also quite a good review for comparison between the two here:

http://bit.ly/nookorkindle3

Michael asks…

what is the best ereader for kids?

admin answers:

Hi Shannon Stephenson,
get the V.Reader Animated E-Book System
* 4.3″ color touch screen
* Plays fully animated stories with story narration, character voices, vivid graphics and exciting music and sounds
* Includes 3 ways to play: Watch the story, reading games and story dictionary
* USB port and SD memory card slot for expansion
* Durable, kid-tough design

James asks…

Whats the best ereader out there?

admin answers:

In short, I won’t choose iPad or Nook Color, because they’re using backlight screen like computer screen, and is difficult to our eyes. Just not suitable for reading purpose. For other ebook readers including the B&N Nook, Sony Reader, and Amazon Kindle, I’ll go for the Kindle. For the Sony Reader, many books (especially new releases) cannot be easily find on it. For the Nook, it is good but it is slower and less user friendly compared to the new version of Amazon Kindle
.

 

 

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What is the Best eReader?

by: admin - Filed under: eReader Questions

Ken asks…

What is the best eReader I can buy in Canada?

I would like to buy an eReader but I am not sure which one is the best one to purchase. I live in Canada and want the best for screen quality and e-book availability and so on. Can any one help me? Thank you!

best ereader

admin answers:

Check out the Amazon Kindle and the  Sony Readers, I know they have books available for Canada.  The Sonys use the same e-ink pearl screen as the Kindles so screen quality is a no brainer.

Sandra asks…

Poll-Which brand & what kind of eReader is the best eReader to buy?

Poll-Which brand & what kind of e reader is the best e reader to buy?
I have a Sharper Image Literati  eReader that doesn’t have full internet access just access to the online store where you can either down load free books or buy books

best ereader

admin answers:

I like the Kindle. It has internet access, which is very cool, but mostly I got it for reading. Amazon has a large selection of books. I didn’t consider your eReader, just the Kindle and the nook. I dont think you would go wrong with either.

David asks…

What is the best type of eReader?

I’m thinking about getting an eReader, but don’t know what is the best one to get out of a Kindle, Nook, a digital reader and so on…What is the difference and which is the best option to got with?

best ereader

admin answers:

Hi, again, scrambled_egz, Nook from Barnes & Noble is the best combination of price and features of the eReaders market. When choosing an eReader, you need to consider not only the physical properties of the device, but also compare eBook stores behind it. Sony has never been a contender for any comparison by anyone as they only have like 5 books in their Ebook store and their devices are way overpriced for what they offer. Borders is behind Kobo/Cruz devices in US and as you might of heard, Borders is on a brink of bankruptcy. Kindle and Nook are the only devices to be considered as their eBook stores have over a million of free public ebooks as well as over a million of ebooks that you need to pay for available.
Having that out of the way, you should then decide which screen you want: e-Ink or LCD. It depends on what you’re reading. If just black & white novels then the better one would be Kindle or e-Ink Nook from Barnes & Noble. If you read electronic magazines or college text books with a lot of color graphs and charts or children’s’ books with a lot of pictures then the better would be Nook Color LCD from Barnes & Noble. Then, you should understand the limitations of e-Ink eReaders – they are limited to be black & white for now they “blink” at each ebook’s page turn, they’re not too good for web browsing, they need external light source for reading when dark, and they cannot handle videos.
Whichever device you choose, here’s the advantages of the Nook’s (both e-Ink black & white and Nook Color) over Kindle:
- Any Barnes & Noble store provides free Wi-Fi to Nook’s
- Nook allows to lend books for 2 weeks to friends or to your other devices that run B&N app (PC, MAC, Android phones, Apple iPhone and iPad, etc.) Barnes & Noble allows (when you walk in with the Nook to B&N store) to read any available eBook for free while in the store via free provided in the store Wi-Fi. With Nook, while in BN store you get exclusive articles from top authors, and great offers including cafe treats and unique deals.
- Nook (unlike Kindle) can be used for library ebooks.
- Nook (unlike Kindle) can be used for renting text-ebooks.
Nook Color is worth mentioning separately as this is a hybrid Android eReader/tablet device, something between Kindle and iPad. Even though Nook Color has LCD touchscreen, it’s a new generation screen which is anti-glare coated and is better performing in sunlight and produces less glare all of which are dooming reading on iPad. Also, the screen is amazing and readable/viewable at wide angles.
Overall, Nook Color is more than e-Reader as you can also watch video and use Android applications on it. It’s a hybrid device, much more than just an e-Reader but not a full tablet as it doesn’t have a camera. If all you want is to read novels, Kindle (or the original e-Ink Nook) might be better for you. If you want something more from your device (color graphs and charts of college text books, childrens books, photos and videos, web sites in full color) at half of the price of iPad or Galaxy tab, then Nook Color is your best bet.
Nook Color has several apps that already come with the device (Pandora Internet radio, QuickOffice, etc.) Also, Barnes & Noble recently released Nook SDK and Nook Developer platform that will allow most of the existing 100,000 Android apps be ported to it. Also, you can use the Social Settings screen to link your NOOK Color to your Facebook account and your Twitter account. You can also import all your contacts from your Google Gmail account. Once you have linked to Facebook and Twitter and set up email contacts, you can lend and borrow books, recommend books, and share favorite quotes with your friends.

Michael asks…

What is the best protective cover I can purchase for a Kindle eReader?

I am giving a Kindle eReader as a Xmas gift to someone. Unfortunately they are kind of clumsy and are always dropping things( she’s dropped the tv remote about a million times ). I want to also give the best protective cover I can so It will be protected if it should get dropped. Any suggestions?

best ereader

admin answers:

I have a leather cover for my Kindle - it’s a high quality cover that protects my Kindle from all kinds of things, and makes it so much easier to carry with me anywhere.  I’ve dropped mine a time or two and the cover has protected it every time!

Thomas asks…

Which is the best eReader for you? Especially if you’re in the Philippines?

an Ipad? Apad?  Kindle? or a Sony Reader Touch edition?
I’ve heard great comments about Kindle, but I think it’s just recommended for those who live in US.. while Apad kinda sucks according to most people on the net…

best ereader

admin answers:

In short, I won’t choose iPad or Nook Color, because they’re using backlight screen like computer screen, and is difficult to our eyes. Just not suitable for reading purpose. For other ebook readers including the B&N Nook, Sony Reader, and Amazon Kindle, I’ll go for the Kindle. For the Sony Reader, many books (especially new releases) cannot be easily find on it. For the Nook, it is good but it is slower and less user friendly compared to the new version of Kindle.

 

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What’s a Good eBook Reader?

by: admin - Filed under: eReader Questions

John asks…

Ebook reader?

What’s a good ebook reader?  I don’t want to spend $400 on one..

ebook reader

admin answers:

What do mean by ‘ebook reader’? I use Microsoft Reader for .lit files, Mobipocket, which reads most other ebook formats, and Adobe Reader for Pocket PC for pdfs.

If you mean, what’s a good PDA to read ebooks on… I’m particularly fond of my Acer. The iPaqs are fab, but you don’t need something that expensive if you’re only using it for ebooks. Acers are nice reliable little pieces of kit, and you can usually pick up an N30 or N35 for under £150 on eBay.

MS Reader comes with Windows Mobile
Mobipocket is freeware, which you can download here: http://www.mobipocket.com/en/DownloadSoft/ProductDetailsReader.asp
Adobe Reader for Pocket PC is also freeware, found here: http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readerforppc.html

With those three you should be able to read pretty much anything.

Sandy asks…

What format files are supported by ebook reader of micromax Q3 mobile and how to copy a file?

I have copied a pdf file into the folder of ebook by selecting the mobile as a mass storage device when connected to the PC, but it is not working. Can somebody help me how can we use the ebook reader of Q3 mobile?

ebook reader

admin answers:

Micromax Q3 doesn’t support .pdf files but if you will convert the .pdf file into .txt file then You can use ebook reader in Q3 to open your .txt file! You can copy a file by selecting it and if there are more then one file then select it by ctrl or shift and then select copy command and then paste it to the desired location!

Helen asks…

What is the best ebook reader in the UK?

I am thinking about buying one because I have loads of PDF books on my computer but reading them makes my eyes sore and I dont like buying real books because of shelf space.

So I am thinking about getting an ebook reader. First of all are they any good and secondly what is the best one to buy for the money?

ebook reader

admin answers:

You can consider buying Kindle from amazon they do ship to UK
It’s sure a worth buying. Wireless is a unique feature I will say and that’s make really value for money. 3G wireless and global coverage, I personally travel a lot and really worthy for me. You can have any newspaper at any place. Paper like display, 1500 books storage and list is on.I love this little magic book.

Built-In PDF Reader: Your Kindle can now display PDF documents natively. Native PDF support allows you to carry and read all of your personal and professional documents on the go.

Michael asks…

Is there an ebook reader that reads multiple formats?

I want to purchase an ebook reader. However, I have a collection of ebooks in Microsoft reader, PDF, adobe digital editions, mobipocket reader, and html formats. Is there an ebook reader that will read all of these formats or if I buy one will I then have to buy ebooks in that specific format, such as kindle only?

ebook reader

admin answers:

Yes, there are a number of ebook readers that support those formats. BeBook and EZ Readers both support over 20 formats. All ebook readers, even Kindle, support PDF, and it also supports HTML and MOBI.

Most ebook readers support ADE.

Susan asks…

What is the best ebook reader around?

I want to get a dedicated eBook reader. Must be able to do normal pdf files or at least come with software to convert to whatever format it displays.
Sorry I meant a piece of hardware.

ebook reader

admin answers: 

By far, the Amazon Kindle is the best eReader. 

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Kindle Ad Exposes iPad Flaws?

by: admin - Filed under: Amazon Kindle, eReader News & Updates, eReaders

The newest ad for the Amazon Kindle does a fantastic job of exposing the flaws with the iPad, and just might make you think twice about the Kindle, especially if your interest is in a true reading device.  Check out the ad, and decide for yourself, which one is the best eReader:

See the Kindle 3G Wireless Reading Device, Free 3G + Wi-Fi, 6

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