Excellent review of eReaders (Kindle, Nook, etc.)

If you're in the market for an electronic book reader this season, there are a myriad of different options: Kindle, Nook, Kobo, iPad, Fire, etc. It is hard for a new consumer to know what to do. So, it is nice when someone sits down and really does the leg-work with a number of different readers, so consumers can see their real choices. In this case, the author focussed on the new eInk readers on the market.

The low-end, non-touch Kindle 4 is actually my favorite e-reader today. It lacks the easier text selection and periodical navigation of the touch readers, and it’s effectively impossible to type on, but neither of those interfere with the most common actions when reading. It’s faster, thinner, and lighter than all of the touch readers, the interface makes the most sense and is the most responsive, and it works best with Instapaper.

My own advice goes two ways:

1. If you are the kind of reader who needs to be able to sit down and read a book from cover to virtual cover in one sitting, or who reads dozens of books in the course of a month, buy a Kindle model. Amazon has the best selection, the best deals, and eInk is very easy on the eyes.

2. But if you're an average reader who reads a book for an hour or less a day, and tends to finish one book or less per month, consider an Apple iPad (or Kindle Fire, if you're cash-strapped). The iPad offers apps to read books from ALL the major bookstores, and offers you more options for non-book-related activities.

(3. The Kindle Fire is a cheaper choice if you want a color tablet that allows excellent web browsing. But since it locks you into the Amazon store, is much slower than the iPad, and lacks an eInk screen for long-term reading, it is not the better choice. Although if you want a 7" LCD tablet, it is your best choice.)

eBook publishers punish libraries?

There are advantages to eBooks - they are easily portable, can easily adjust their presentation, and assuming good backups they never wear out. There are also DISadvantages to eBooks - they require costly "reader" devices, they can report back usage to publishers/sellers, and if their chosen platform goes under, they quickly become useless. So, it is troubling when eBook publishers choose to undermine their own platform by limiting library lending of eBooks to simulate the wear-and-tear of physical books merely to preserve their existing business model.

HarperCollins has got wise to this: it has announced that US libraries will be allowed to lend ebooks only up to 26 times. Its sales president, Josh Marwell, believes that's only fair: 26, he claims, is the average number of loans a print book would survive before having to be replaced...[Two] librarians from Oklahoma took a random selection of five HarperCollins bestsellers from their shelves and showed they were all in perfectly readable condition. A pristine copy of Neil Gaiman's Coraline, borrowed 48 times, would have been needlessly re-bought, while Stuart Woods's Swimming to Catalina, still going at 120 loans, would be on its fifth, pointless reincarnation.

Whether the "26 loans" figure holds up or not, it is still a stupid idea. Libraries exist as a public good, and generally DRIVE demand for good books by creating and maintaining buzz among people who can't afford their own copy. And, as mentioned above, eBooks already have their own downsides over paper. We shouldn't have to pay MORE for less product.

The Oxford English Dictionary will be online-only

The OED (Oxford English Dictionary) has been THE standard for the English Language. The 3rd edition has been in progress for 21 years, and is almost ready to ship in its normal paper form. But its owner has now announced that this will be the last paper edition of the hallowed dictionary which from now on will be produced only in electronic formats.

He said: “Until six months ago I was clinging to the idea that printed books would likely last for ever. Since the arrival of the iPad I am now wholly convinced otherwise.
“The printed book is about to vanish at extraordinary speed. I have two complete OEDs, but never consult them – I use the online OED five or six times daily. The same with many of my reference books – and soon with most.
“Books are about to vanish; reading is about to expand as a pastime; these are inescapable realities.”

This perhaps the most stunning prediction made by someone who doesn't sell iPad, Kindles, Nooks, or other eReaders. What do Mod-Bloggers think? Will paper books always have a place, or are we on the verge of a time where they are regarded as antiques fit only for display?

Review of the Kindle 3

Prior to the release of the iPad, I was a big fan of the Amazon Kindle. And I am still a big fan of the Kindle service and use it all the time on the iPhone and iPad. The ability to have the same books everywhere is invaluable to me.

But I will admit that the new Kindle 3 due out in a few days is a compelling upgrade. Faster processor, better battery, lighter, and now with Wifi. So, I am looking forward to reviews like this one highlighting the new device. I do believe eBooks are the future - if only as ONE aspect of reading. And Amazon hopes to own the category, even in the age of the iApps.

iRony

Caution: iPad reading may disrupt your sleep cycle

When it comes to sleeping, the human brain is a finely tuned machine. It is designed to allow us the 8 hours of sleep we need each night, without putting us at risk for attack from predators or missing out on meals. Sometimes, without intending to, we can short circuit these built-in protections and disrupt our own sleep pattens. It is a good reminder that light-emitting devices like the Apple iPad can lead to a worse night's sleep, if misused.

Light-emitting devices, including cellphones and yep, the iPad, tell the brain to stay alert. Because users hold those devices so close to their face, staring directly into the light, the effect is amplified compared with, say, a TV across the room or a bedside lamp, said Frisca Yan-Go, director of the UCLA Sleep Disorders Center in Santa Monica.

Your mileage may vary, as the brain is also a very flexible, adaptable machine. But if you find yourself losing sleep after picking up a Netbook or iPad as a portable bedtime reader, it may be time to rethink your investment. Or switch over to paper for your bedtime story.

Google Books goes live with EPUB

I love my Kindle and the Kindle App on my iPhone even more. They allow me to have a whole library with me no matter where I am. If I know I'll have time to kill, the Kindle comes along. If it is a surprise, I can just pull out my iPhone. But while Amazon has a great selection of books, sometimes I don't want to shell out another $10.

Google has announced that Google Books - a service which provides millions of public domain books for free - is now offering the books in EPUB format. This open eBook format is supported by many readers out there. And with a little tinkering, your Kindle can access EPUB books directly without having to do any conversion on your PC or Mac. While I have not tried this myself (yet!) it will add incredible value to eBook readers and may be the final straw to move the masses away from paper.

Update (6:30 AM EST): Or if you'd rather convert it on your Mac/PC, Calibre is a free app that runs on Mac, Windows, or Linux to convert EPUB format to Kindle-readable formats.

Kindle 2.0 coming Monday?

I am a big fan of the Amazon Kindle. When it first came out, I was skeptical. I had played with eBooks before on Windows CE and Palm devices and they never really were able to deliver the goods. Book selection was limited, the screens have me a headache after a while, and as soon as I upgraded my PDA/Phone/Computer it was all lost, because of Draconian DRM. But I picked up the Kindle last year on a whim when it had a price drop, after looking around my room and realizing how much room I was wasting on books bought at Amazon.Com. And it quickly won me over. The ePaper screen was easy to read, the interface was clunky but worked perfectly for actually READING things, and the ability download books from anywhere was great.

Now, it is rumored that Amazon.Com is ready to release the second Kindle. The upgrades are unclear, but likely include a better form factor, better screen refreshes, and more memory. If they provide an easy upgrade path (which is expected), then I will be sorely tempted.