Best eReader for Textbooks?

by: admin - Filed under: General 1 Comment

What’s the best eReader for Textbooks?  One of the best things about the introduction of eReaders and tablet computers over the past couple of years has been that they can be used to read electronic versions of textbooks!  So, instead of your high school or college student having to buy a bunch of books each semester, he or she might actually be able to buy the electronic version (or eBook) and download it to a laptop, tablet computer, or an eReader. 

[easyazon-image-link asin="B0051VVOB2" alt="Kindle Fire, Full Color 7" Multi-touch Display, Wi-Fi" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41Xx9W8gdRL.jpg" align="left" width="350" height="350"]In the past, the Apple iPad was actually the best eReader for textbooks, however, the cost ($400-$800) was prohibitive.  Now, with the introduction of Amazon’s Kindle Fire tablet, your student can have an excellent eReader/tablet combination for under $200!   The price alone brings tablet computing and color eReaders financially within reach of literally any student.

Plus, the Kindle Fire comes with an excellent color PDF viewer, and it supports lots of file formats, so more than likely, your student’s textbook, if it is available electronically, will be supported by the Kindle Fire.  Read our exclusive review of the Kindle Fire here!

Honestly, at this price, the possibilities for use in the classroom are endless!  And, we predict it won’t be long before electronic books replace textbooks at all grade levels…that heavy backpack your grade school child is lugging around may soon be gone forever.

Order your student a Kindle Fire today!

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Kindle? Cruz?

by: admin - Filed under: eReader Questions

William asks…

amazon kindle…?

does the amazon kindle have an included back light to read in the dark, and are the book prices more expensive than buying them at the bookstore?does it have childrens books also? also,what would you rate the amazon kindle?

kindle

admin answers:

The current “e-ink” display is not capable of adding a backlight. It is an array of pigment filled “balls” that would not transmit light. I have the Sony PRS-505 reader, which uses exactly the same e-ink display, though with a different driver chip (more grayscale shades). Side-light is possible but no readers have that yet.

You just need to use a regular booklight to read in the dark. The good news is you have a big selection of normal booklights. Check out The Kindle Store for Kindle advice and accesory reviews.

The answer to your cost question is “it depends on the books you buy.” If you compare a new-release hardcover book (e.g. Dean Koontz’ Darkest Evening of the Night) you will see the list hardcover price is over $20. The BEST discount price, say at Costco, is still around $16. While the e-book version can be found at $10 to 12 (Amazon is not the only e-book source, even for the Kindle). That’s a big savings.

When the paperback edition comes out the e-book version price will also drop but there is less difference then.

Haven’t looked at the children’s book scene but just browse Amazon to see what Kindle editions they have. I wouldn’t be so keen of having a child handle a Kindle though. It is relatively fragile compared to a real book, though perhaps a bit tougher than a typical laptop. The display CAN be broken if pressed on hard enough.

Joseph asks…

Amazon Kindle???????????????

Can I download newspapers from internet to computer and then put them in the Amazon Kindle?
Where can i find them?

kindle

admin answers:

There are two choices. The first choice is that you can buy newspapers in Kindle version, as you can find in the link below. Newspapers in Kindle version is much cheaper than paper version.

browse Amazon Kindle ebook store
The second choice is to use the Kindle’s web browser and free internet access, to go to news sites like google news or yahoo news.

Both the Kindle and the Kindle DX are good, but if for reading newspapers Kindle DX will be better.

Hope this helps :)

Mandy asks…

Can Amazon Kindle be used with regular wireless home network if traveling oversea?

I love Amazon Kindle but I will be away from USA for some time and was wondering if I would be able to connect Kindle to the network via regular home network via wireless connection.
Thanks for your help.

kindle

admin answers:

From what I understand, the latest version of the Kindle is available in most overseas countries with cellular service.  You can also plug the Kindle to your computer via USB cable and download your purchases this way. You can do this through the Manage Your Kindle link on the Amazon site.  So, either way, your Kindle is the perfect travel companion!

I hope this helps!

Richard asks…

Can the Amazon Kindle work with PDF documents from Adobe Reader?

This has probably been asked already, but I am still unable to find a straight enough answer. So here goes. I am thinking of purchasing an Amazon Kindle and would like to know if the device can handle the PDF documents from Adobe Reader. I have several e-books I want to add to the eReader. I need to know if the Kindle can support these files.

Any assistance/help is most welcome.

kindle

admin answers:

The latest Kindle DX has a larger screen and can support PDF files.  Amazon also has Kindle apps for many smart phones and other devices, including Kindle for PC software.  All are available for free download from Amazon. 

Kindle also supports pdf, and is relatively easy to navigate once you get the hang of it. 

James asks…

AMAZON KINDLE????????????????????????

Is it like the iPad?
My mom might want one for christmas and and iPad is to much..
she wants it for the apps and internet surfing..
does the kindle have that?
or is it just for reading books and such??

Can someone please just tell me everything you can do on the Kindle..
no links please.(:

kindle

admin answers:

I have several eReaders and tablets – I’m always buying the latest one to review the features for this site.

For surfing the internet, instead of the Kindle, you may want to take a look at the Cruz reader.  Kindle is for books – and it does it really well. I get newspapers, magazines and books on my kindle. It does show pictures but very grainy and many newspapers do not include their pictures in kindle content. You can surf the internet, but the experience is definitely not up to par at the present time.

In contrast, the Cruz shows pictures as they are meant to be.

So only get it for her if she loves to read, because Kindle is first and foremost for those who LOVE to read, and it truly is a fantatastic eReader.

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Sony’s Daily Edition Released!

by: admin - Filed under: eReader News & Updates, eReaders, Sony Reader

Sony Reader Daily EditionSony’s Reader Daily Edition, with it 7 inch E Ink touchscreen, is now available for just under $300 via Amazon.com.  Here are some of the features that make this eReader one to consider this holiday season:

  • WiFi and 3G Connectivity
  • 2GB of internal storage, with expansion slot for even more memory
  • Intuitive Content Zoom
  • Adjustable contrast & brightness control
  • Automatic Multiple Page Creation
  • Personalized eReader screen saver
  • The ability to group eBooks by category, author, etc.
  • Dictionary, includes definitions & translation for word
  • Pre-installed New Oxford American Dictionary
  • Ten translation dictionaries (French, German, Spanish, Italian, and Dutch)
  • Compatible with ePub, PDF, RTF, and Doc files

Sony’s Reader Daily Edition is available now at Amazon.com!

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Toshiba’s New Solar Powered eReader

by: admin - Filed under: eReader News & Updates

Toshiba Biblio Leaf eReaderThe Biblio Leaf SP02 eReader, from Toshiba, is set for release initially in the Japanese market, however, this one is sure to change eReaders globally, because this one is solar powered!

A 6 inch monochrome screen offering 16 shades of gray makes up the main viewing area, and this eReader has both WiFi and 3G capability, and is compatible with XMDF, PDF and EPUB file formats. With 2 GB of internal storage, you can literally store thousands of your favorite books, and even more with a microSD card.

Of course, the most interesting aspect is the solar panel, located along the lower right edge on the front panel. We don’t yet have the details about the power derived from the panel, or how it contributes to the overall page turning figures, but when both power sources are combined, Toshiba claims a healthy 7,500 page turns on a single full charge.

There is no word yet what the price will be or when it will be available outside of the Japanese market, but we’ll let you know as soon as we do!

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The iPad as an eReader

by: admin - Filed under: Apple iPad, eReader News & Updates

The iPad is selling like hotcakes — an estimate of 2000 units per hour. The people who buy the iPad all have a wide range of interests. Some buy it for gaming, some buy it just to be the first on the early adopter train and some are still undecided whether they should invest in one. This article will examine the iPad as an eReader device and it will list the pros and cons of using the iPad as your main eReader.

The Pros. The iPad can support a wider variety of file formats: cbr, pdf, doc, docx, ppt. You have a paper you need to read before Monday? No problem. Need to read the new manga or comic book that came out? No problem. The only downside to this is that the ability to read a multiple range of formats is not built in. One must buy an external App for this. Do not like paying for an app that does what should have been present on the iPad by default? The iPad comes with an iBooks app. This is an.epub based store, which is so far supported by Penguin Books, HarperCollins, Simon & Schuster, Macmillan Publishers, and Hachette Book Group USA. The advantage of using the.epub format is that there is support for “interactive books”. One can rotate images, watch videos and even communicate with other user, all while reading a book. If you are visually impaired, the iPad iBooks app can read books out loud for you.

The Cons. The iPad uses a backlit LCD display. Unlike the e–ink displays, the iPad can irritate the eyes over prolonged reading. The two ways to prevent irritation: blinking and following the 20/20/20 rule (every 20 minutes look 20 feet away for 20 seconds to allow your eyes to refocus) are quite an annoyance. The iPad also doesn’t have a native pdf/doc/cbr/ppt viewing app and spending money on what should have been a default feature can be an annoyance.

Should you buy a traditional e–ink eReader (kindle, Sony Reader) or wait for an iPad? If you are just looking to read books and do not need any fancy features then I would recommend you buy a traditional eReader. However if you want to read books and experience the power of mobile computing, then I would recommend the iPad. The iPad only has a 10 hour battery life, but nobody reads a book for 10 hours straight. With the iPad’s advanced media and Internet Browsing Capabilities – the iPad is worth the extra money

William is an avid fan of using eReader devices. Visit his website to read articles on how to use the iPad Tablet as an eReader device. Visit the site for the latest (and daily updated) news, rumors and other interesting tidbits on Apple’s iPad

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=William_Glatnik

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Amazon’s Kindle Adds Facebook & Twitter in the next update!

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

Amazon’s Kindle Adds Facebook & Twitter in the next update!  Coming in May, Amazon’s next automatic update to Kindle will feature:

  • Share your favorites via Facebook & Twitter
  • Pan and Zoom capability for PDF’s
  • More Font Selections
  • Password Protection

Look for even more free, automatic updates to eReaders throughout the year as the competition continues!

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Kindle Upgrade / Nook Sold Out!

by: admin - Filed under: General

Kindle Feature Upgrades!  Nook Sold Out!

Amazon’s Kindle is getting a longer battery life, and even better, PDF support!  Today, Amazon released a firmware update to the Kindle that gives users the abiolity to read PDF documents, and it significantly extends the battery life!

This brings the Kindle features up to par, since both the Sony Readers and Barnes & Noble’s nook already offer PDF support for their readers.  This upgrade will reduce the hassle of reading PDF documents, even though you will still need to download them throuh your USB connection. 

This affects only the Kindle, as the larger Kindle DX already features the PDF reader.  Besides adding a PDF reader, the Kindle firmware update also extends the battery life of the device to approximately one week from the previous four days (with wireless capability switched on).  With the wireless switched off, your Kindle can go up to two weeks without a charge.

The wireless capability is used in automatically delivering firmware updates and for buying and downloading e-books from Amazon. Both Barnes & Noble’s Nook and some models of Sony Readers have the same wireless capability for accessing their online stores.

Amazon released the latest upgrade as the competition heats up in the eReader market.  Amazon remains the leader, but Barnes & Noble is doing very well with nook, which is currently listed as “sold out.” Anyone placing an order today will have to wait until after January 4, 2010 to receive their order.

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You Can Carry Your Own Documents With You, too.

by: admin - Filed under: eReaders

That’s right, most eReaders have the ability to read a dozen or more different file types, from .doc to .bmp to .txt extensions.  Here’s a list of the most popular files supported by most eReaders:

.pdf, .rft, .txt., BBeB, .doc, mp3, aac, .jpeg, .gif, .phg., bmp

What does this mean for you?  It means you can carry a little less around in your briefcase or your bookbag or whatever!  Now you can scan important reports, files, or other documents, load them on your eReader, and take your eReader home with you instead of the reports, files, and other documents. 

For students, the possibilities of an eReader are endless…imagine all four years of your college books downloaded to one easy device!  The cost savings alone make eBooks and eReaders something that the academic world needs to fully embrace.   Instead of thousands of dollars for textbooks, imagine hundreds of dollars, and imagine how much closer that brings a college education to more people.

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