Our generation is now applying several things through online and the Internet, and this includes books and even magazines and newspapers. Our computers can provide us the viewing of eBooks available online, but eReaders can provide us the same luxuries and benefits as paperback books can provide.
Each eReaders are made with their own features and attractions. Here is the list of the leading eReaders in the market today as I show you their advantages and disadvantages.
Kindle 3 Wi-Fi
The Kindle 3 is highly qualified to be called as current Best eBook Reader. I enjoy Barnes and Noble’s features and eBooks library, but they cannot be compared to what Kindle 3 can provide you. The most useable feature Kindle 3 has is that it can be used both on dark and light environment.
Design
Aside from its feature that it can be used on dark and lighted area, the reason why it’s no. 1 on our list is its size. It’s the thinnest eBook reader available in the market today, having only 0.33 inches thick and 4.8 inches wide and 7.5 inches tall. Its weight of only 8.5 ounces will give you the feeling of holding a light paper notebook instead of a heavy electronic device that do half of the functionality and several books of physical copies of the titles you have on your Kindle 3.
The screen is diagonally 6 inches which measures exactly like a book page that sits comfortably in your hands. It does not offers touch screen, but the E-Ink screen of Kindle 3 provides a high contrast that gives you the feel of reading text from a paper than reading from a computer screen. The screen is also designed to eliminate glare so that you can read inside or outside the house or building without worrying about the lighting.
The Kindle 3 offers ease of use especially for navigation. You will be able to navigate on Kindle 3 within minutes with less or without error.
The sliding power switch is located at the bottom of the eReader and will either wake or put the device to sleep.
When the Kindle sleep or turned off, you will see a screensaver which is usually the cover of the book or the picture of a known author. These screensavers are available in over 50 different designs.
The Kindle has keyboard near the bottom which makes it easier for users to search for titles or authors.
The Kindle has four-way navigator and buttons that allows you to navigate and select the menu and viewing options. There is also a button for accessing numbers and symbols.
There are also buttons on each side for turning page forward and backward.
The Kindle 3 has an outstanding battery life among eReaders in the market. On a single charge, its battery can last up to one month with Wi-Fi turned off, and three weeks with Wi-Fi turned on. The device can be charged through a USB cable for 4.5 hours.
The Kindle 3 features a 4GB internal memory. But you will only be able to use 3GB, which is enough to store up to 3,500 book titles. And imagine carrying 3,500 books everywhere you go! With the Kindle 3, it will be a lot easier.
Amazon offers more than 700,000 book titles at the Kindle store alone, available for download. They also offer free samples for download for previews to decide whether if you want the book to purchase or not. In total, Amazon has over 1 million books available for free download.
Amazon also features a back-up of each of your books which are linked to your accounts. This is for the purpose of accidentally deleting your books or purposely and decide you want to read it again; the title will still be available for download again for free!
Features
The Kindle 3 offers an affordable and competitive price and gives you a higher quality eBook reader and more usable features than any other product in the market.
The one setback that I saw with this eReader is that it doesn’t features color screen. But its outstanding screen contrast and detailed pictures will cover up its lack of color on screen. This can be proven through its screensavers.
Though its Wi-Fi is slightly slow, the Kindle 3 offers free internet connection! The Kindle 3 provides free Wi-Fi access across the United States. The Wi-Fi can be accessed through AT&T hotspots, but not available in some areas.
Kindle 3’s main menu allows you to access Amazon’s experimental prototypes. This provides you three option that Amazon’s tests for users if they are useful. Through the menu, you will view a message from Amazon asking you to notify them if you find the new features useful.
Amazon’s first option through the Experimental Menu is a web browser that allows you to surf the web. The second is it functions as an MP3 player. You can listen to your downloaded MP3 files on your Kindle 3 while you read or just plain sound tripping.
The last experimental prototype that Amazon offers is the Text-to-Speech function. It allows the user to listen to a book at any point they choose, instead of reading it. These features from Amazon are well executed because they exerted extra effort on reaching out for their customers and find out what they want.
Specification
- High-contrast E-Ink screen
- Sharper and darker fonts, 600 x 800 pixel resolution at 167 ppi
- Readability in bright sunlight
- 8.5 ounce in weight
- 6” screen on a smaller body
- One month battery life
- Built-in Wi-Fi
- 4GB internal (3GB available for user content) Memory storage that can save up to 3,500 titles
- Improved PDF reader with notes, highlights and dictionary lookup.
- Faster page turns
- WebKit-based browser
Included in the package
- Kindle reader
- USB 2.0 cable
- Power adapter (100v – 240 v)
Pros
- Smaller and thinner size
- High-contrast screen
- Fast page turn
- Large internal memory
- Wi-Fi
- Long battery life
- MP3 capable
Cons
- Wi-Fi connection is sometimes slow
- Doesn’t have colored screen
- No memory expansion
- Doesn’t support ePUB book files
- Battery is not removable.
Conclusion
Kindle 3 is on the top of the market today. If you have the passion for reading and like to read for a long period of time, I highly recommend the Kindle 3. This eReader is no. 1 in features, tools, size, user-friendly, readability, battery life, speakers, library selection and fast page turns. Add to these is Amazon’s cool features support. Amazon also provides millions of titles, which is maybe enough for bookworms like us.
Nook Simple Touch Reader
The Nook Simple Touch Reader is making a noise in the market today. It has a functional, attractive and comfortable design. In fact, it is so comfortable that you could feel the exact fit in your hands. Its navigation is also outstanding. However, the Nook doesn’t provide as many features as other top of the line eBook readers.
Design
The Nook Simple Touch Reader offers touch screen navigation. It also features an N button at the bottom of the screen that will take you to the homepage. The touch screen measures 6 inches diagonally and features E-Ink technology with a 16-level grayscale contrast to provide high-quality text and images. The E-Ink technology offers the same reading experience as if you were reading text on paper.
You can also use this eReader under bright sunlight with fewer glares.
The Nook also allows you to access your eBook files from your other devices such as iPhone, iPod, iPad, Android Smartphone or Blackberry and even Mac computer or PC. It even allows you to start reading on a same page you finished, even if you finished on another device.
The Nook lets the user to turn page by either pressing the buttons on the side of the Nook or by swiping the touchscreen. Turning the page will simple fades the old text and brings out the new text.
Content
The Barnes & Noble offers a few incentives for Nook users. They offer free readings but with a time limit. If you have money to shell out for book, Barnes & Noble eBook store has over 2 million titles to choose from. They provide a sample pages to view before deciding to buy.
The Nook eReader also features built-in dictionary.
You can receive your newspapers and magazines subscription directly to your Nook wirelessly. You could sign up for free trials of the magazines and newspapers after you purchase your Nook and will also have access on single-issue sales.
However, there are flaws that we can see in the Nook such as the limited options in the children’s book. It also doesn’t have text-to-speech function which is highly-usable when driving or while doing other tasks. It doesn’t also support resizable text and graphics for picture books. It also doesn’t allow you to personalize your screensavers like adding personal photos.
However, the Nook can still be a great device for sharing photos, but they won’t be shown in full color since it runs on a 16-level grayscale E-Ink screen. It supports images files in JPG, PNG, BMP, or GIF format.
The Nook offers an initial 2GB through internal memory, enough for around 1,000 book titles, and it allows you to expand memory through its microSD card slot. The Nook eReader can handle up to 32GB; that is 16,000 book titles! Not mentioning the 1,000 titles already in the internal memory.
Features
As Wi-Fi feature is becoming common and a must-have for eReaders because it lets you browse for eBook stores and titles, Nook eReader made sure that its users experience the same benefits. You will be able to receive free Wi-Fi at Barnes & Noble bookstores and AT&T hotspots and it also lets you sign in to other Wi-Fi connections available.
The turnings of the page have intervals so you will see a black page popping up whenever a new page opens.
And here’s a unique feature that I really like: the Lend and Borrow. It lets the user to lend eBooks or borrow them as you would on paperback books.
Barnes & Noble has created a social network called Nook Friends for its users. Users can create a circle or network of friends just like from other social networking sites. And through Nook Friends, you can give and receive recommendations of must-read books, or Lend and Borrow eBooks. It’s a convenient and fun way to read books.
The one thing that would turn off users that likes variety on a single gadget is that it doesn’t allow apps download for games and other types of entertainment.
Specifications
- Weight: 7.48 ounces, Height: 6.5 inches, Width: 5.0 inches, Depth: 0.47 inches
- Resolution: 800 x 600
- Battery can last up to 2 months with Wi-Fi turned off
- Installed rechargeable battery
- Charge via USB to a computer or power adapter
- Charging time: 3 hours
- 2GB Memory—Holds up to 1,000 books
- Expandable microSD† card up to 32GB
Supported file types
- ePub
- Graphic: JPG, GIF, PNG, BMP
In the Box
- NOOK microUSB Cable
- AC Adapter
- Rechargeable Battery (Installed)
Pros
- Nook Friends social network
- Lend and Borrow
- Long battery life
- Free Wi-Fi at selected spots
Cons
- Doesn’t have text-to-speech
- Doesn’t allow other apps download
Conclusion
The Nook Simple Touch Reader has an excellent design and very easy to use. Its small size with a large screen makes it ideal for travel. Though this eReader doesn’t support text-to-speech and other entertainment functionality, it’s still a great option for passionate readers. Barnes & Noble features perfectly patched up the lacking features of the Nook Reader.
Sony Reader Daily Edition PRS-950SC
Sony continues to dominate the electronic world including the eBook Reader market with the entry of Sony Reader Daily Edition PRS-950SC.
Features
The Sony Reader Daily Edition has a large 7-inch display and built-in Wi-Fi and 3G capabilities. One of the main attraction of this eReader is its small size in spite of having a large display. It is only less than half an inch thick and weighs almost 10 ounces. With this size, it is also ideal to carry wherever you go.
The Sony Daily Edition features e-ink technology for a real book reading experience. It also offers touch screen display with anti-glare technology. It still shows some glares on direct sunlight but the display screen is overall satisfying.
In addition to the e-ink technology for real book reading experience, this eReader also features six font sizes. This provides greater flexibility on your reading and highly functional. It also has up to 16 levels of grayscale for more efficient reading.
The Sony Reader has free access to its online Reader store for downloads of books, newspapers, and magazines. Its online store has lots of options but it was not as vast compares to other online eBook stores.
However, Sony Reader’s support for several formats makes up for its less extensive eBook store. It can be able to access PDFs and ePubs. It means that you can enjoy reading and downloading from other bookstores as well. Another feature that gives you more options and flexibility.
The Sony Reader’s power can lasts up to 10 days with wireless turned on, and can lasts up to 22 days with wireless turned off.
It has 2GB internal memory and can be expanded through its media expansion slots.
Another great feature of this Sony Reader is its ability to take notes and highlight specific text, with ease and convenience.
The 3G mobile broadband is what makes the eReader to access the online Reader Store for free. The eBook search for titles and information to download is so simple and fast.
This Sony eReader is so easy to use despite of its advanced features and technology.
Specifications
- Dimensions: 7.87 x 5.04 x 0.38 inches (WxDxH)
- Weight: 9.6 oz
- Screen Size : 7 inches
- Image : JPEG, PNG, GIF, BMP
- DRM Text : ePub (Adobe DRM protected), PDF (Adobe DRM protected), BBeB Book (PRS DRM protected), Text, RTF
- Unsecured Audio : Unsecured Adudio: MP3 (Non encrypted), AAC (Non encrypted)
- Unsecured Text : ePub, BBeB Book, PDF, TXT, RTF, Micrsoft® Word, (Conversion to the Reader requires Word installed on your PC)
- Memory Size : 2GB Dual Memory Card Expansion Slots for Memory Stick Duo™ and SD Card up to 32GB.
- Battery Life: 10 days with wireless; 22 days with wireless off
- AC Power : Built-in rechargeable battery: 3.7 V DC
- Recharging Time : 2.5 Hours
- Gray Scale : 16 level gray scale
- Resolution : 600 x 1024 pixels
- Technology : E Ink® Pearl
Pros
- Touch screen display
- Supports several formats
- Small size and large display
Cons
- Smaller range of Reader Store
Conclusion
With lots of advanced and usable features, the Sony Reader Daily Edition is one of the great choices for eReaders. Although it has limited options of eBooks on the Reader Store, its ability to accommodate various formats totally makes up for it. And while its full load of advanced and unique features, it is so easy to use that even non-techies can easily have the grasp of it.
Nook Tablet
The Nook Tablet is a tablet and eReader at the same time. This allows you not just to read books and magazines, you can also check your email and download and play games on this device. This gadget also features an outstanding battery life, great for long-time use away from the power source.
Design
The Nook Tablet measures 8.1 inches x 5 inches (H x W) and weighs 14.1 ounces. Since it is a tablet, it is larger than usual eReader and uses an LCD screen which displays crisper images for reading, watching videos and playing games. It has 1024 x 600 screen resolution and its IPS lamination isn’t just there for outstanding clarity images but for excellent viewing capability too. It allows you to share the screen with other people without the glare distorting the images.
Features
If your reader has Barnes & Noble names on it, you will have the privilege to access the latest books and magazines and have choices of 2.5 million books. Aside from these, through this tablet, you can download various apps including games and drawing pad. You can also watch HD videos on this tablet.
And because I like music and photography, I find this reader very useful. It supports MP4 and image formats such as JPEG, PNG, GIF and BMP.
The tablet is pre-loaded with Hulu Plus and Netflix that allows you to watch your favorite movies and TV shows.
Barnes & Noble have vast library of children’s books. And with the addition of AliveTouch, they made children’s reading more engaging. This feature makes the characters of the story moves into action while being read by children. With the press of the button, a story like “A Charlie Brown Christmas” will let you see kids skating on the pond with snow falling around them. I find it very functional because it will inspired and encourage children to read books.
Another great feature of the Nook Tablet is its built-in microphone. It lets you to record your voice with its Read To Me feature. It uses your voice to read the text from the book so it will look as if you’re the one actually reading the book. This feature is great for reading stories to your kids.
The Nook Tablet offers ad-free reading. Unlike other eReaders that have ads appear on search bars, which is annoying sometimes. This ad-free reading will let your reading uninterrupted and enjoy it more.
The Nook Tablet’s battery life lasts up to 11.5 hours on continuous reading or 9 hours for watching videos.
It also comes with 16GB internal memory and can expand through an SD card up to 32GB. And if, however, this huge memory is not enough, Barnes & Noble offers cloud storage for free.
Specification
- Dimensions: 8.1 x 5 x .48 inches (HxWxD)
- Weight: 14.1 ounces
- IPS2 display
- High-resolution display 1024 x 600, 169 pixels per inch
- Built-in Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary
- Color Touch screen display
- Built-in Wi-Fi
Pros
- 16GB internal memory
- AliveTouch and Read To Me features
- Only 3 hours of charging
Cons
- Doesn’t have Bluetooth technology
- Doesn’t offer 3G wireless connection
Conclusion
The Nook Tablet offers a lot of features; from its software features such as the AliveTouch, to hardware features such as long battery life and excellent display. This full-load of features is expected because the device functions as both reader and tablet.
As it is also a tablet, it is also bigger and heavier. You might need an extra room to carry it around. Those who are passionate with reading might find its other features unnecessary. But if you like extra features and entertainment, this tablet will give you more than you need.
Popularity: 8% [?]
{ 0 comments }
