eReaders.....I have questions!
#1
Posted 26 December 2011 - 07:02 PM
But, the world is changing and eReaders are not only more earth-friendly, the reading material arrives almost immediately with no shipping charges, and the books themselves are less expensive to download.
So, I'm interested in learning about eReaders. I don't need anything on this thing except the ability to download and read books....no apps, no games, no movies or music. I have all of that stuff covered with other technology.
I know absolutely NOTHING about how eReaders work. When you buy a 'book', where does it go? Is it always on your eReader, available to read at any time, or are you limited on how many books you have on your eReader? Are they stored on my PC, or on the internet somewhere? What happens to all the 'books' I purchase if that supplier goes under? If I take an eReader on my trips out of the country, do I need wi-fi access to the internet to read my book? Has anyone borrowed eBooks from their local library?
A generous person gave me Amazon gift cards for Christmas, so I looked up the Kindle....and found there are 4-5 different versions! Kindle, Kindle Touch, Kindle 3G....yada yada yada. Each more expensive than the last, with more features.
Anybody with any experience with eReaders (not the iPad), please give me your input on what you use, and why.....and how it works. I need help deciding whether to go with an eReader or not.
#2 Guest_PlatypusMan_*
Posted 26 December 2011 - 08:06 PM
Positives--
--ereaders are less bulky than books, and can be read more easily in low- or no-light situations.
--you can store more books (and magazines) on an ereader than you can easily carry while traveling.
--it replaces certain other items that bulk up your travel kit like iPods, alarm clocks and also doubles as a planner/calender/scheduler device is some cases.
Negatives--
--they operate on rechargeable batteries, and you will need an adapter to recharge while overseas; you'll also need a reliable and available source of power to recharge as well.
--depending on the book service that you use, you may not have access to all the titles you want.
--it's harder to flip from one set of pages to another for comparison or clarification (say a graph on page 9 to compare it to prose on page 19).
Having written this, I freely admit that I splurged on an HP Playbook--which may become an orphaned technology--specifically as a low-cost alternative to some things I was doing on my iPhone regarding videos and music, as well as games and books. I'm still exploring the possibilities of the tech, but for the limited use(s) I have, I have no need for an iPad for those times my laptop may be too bulky.
Hope this helps!
#3
Posted 26 December 2011 - 09:30 PM
P.S. I think when traveling you may need the wifi to buy a book, but I don't "think" you need it to read one you already have on your eReader. When I turn it on and go to my book, it goes to the page I was last reading. I also had to learn where the OFF button was! Ha!! I was ready to send the thing back because it kept freezing on me. You probably would not have made my same silly mistake. LOL
Edited by ScubaSis, 26 December 2011 - 09:35 PM.
If you can't eat it or play with it,
Just pee on it and walk away.
#4
Posted 26 December 2011 - 10:03 PM
Sissy, have you been able to find book titles for authors you typically enjoy?
#5
Posted 26 December 2011 - 10:26 PM
Our local library will let us download books with our library card via their web site. If the title is checked out, they send you a email when it is available for download. The title is then available for two weeks before your time runs out, and the book is locked on your device and "virtually" returned to the library. Very convenient to get a book on impulse without having to trudge through the snow to the library!
I read on my iPad when convenient but still like paper copies....and what about reading in the bath tub? An e reader would be easier to hold than some books, or my iPad but better not drop it!
#6
Posted 27 December 2011 - 06:39 AM
Yes you download the books to the nook. And you can share books between nooks as well. And they have the ones that use WIFI, with no 3G.
I'm sure the Kindle has the same features.
It would certainly be lighter and easier to carry, but as someone who reads on flights, you would have to shut it down during takeoff and landing.
#7
Posted 27 December 2011 - 09:17 AM
I think you are right Tammy, about downloading thru USB cable. I guess since it can be done by syncing it doesn't really matter if you have the 3G or wi-fi....if you want to keep it simple. I opoted against the Kindle Fire because I don't normally have a wi-fi access to watch movies...I assume you need to be connected to "watch" a movie. That would only come in handy for me while on a trip and that is NOT when I will sit and watch a movie!! Ha!!
If you can't eat it or play with it,
Just pee on it and walk away.
#8
Posted 27 December 2011 - 09:24 AM
I opoted against the Kindle Fire because I don't normally have a wi-fi access to watch movies...I assume you need to be connected to "watch" a movie. That would only come in handy for me while on a trip and that is NOT when I will sit and watch a movie!! Ha!!
I agree! Better things to do on vacation!
I don't want to watch movies, play games, or listen to music on this thing. I am more worried about purchasing books and then not being able to read them again in 5 years like I can do now.
#9
Posted 27 December 2011 - 09:40 AM
The different models can do whatever your budget allows. If all you want is a book reader then get a base Kindle. If you want color magazines, movies, music, web browsing and Angry Birds then get a Fire.
On Amazon (and most providers) your books are stored both in the reader and the Cloud so you can access them anywhere. Avoid Apple technology or your only legal source will be iTunes which is rather limiting (You can only shop on iTunes and no other on line media providers) and costly long term. iPads also have a 40% markup so there are cheaper alternatives that give you more choices.
Cheers.
Tech Support - The hard we do right away; the impossible takes us a little longer...
"I like ponies on no-stop diving. They convert "ARGH!! I'M GOING TO DIE" into a mere annoyance." ~Nigel Hewitt
#10
Posted 27 December 2011 - 10:04 AM
If you can't eat it or play with it,
Just pee on it and walk away.
#11
Posted 27 December 2011 - 10:13 AM
#12
Posted 27 December 2011 - 11:01 AM
Do I understand correctly that each reader has their own media, and Apple is completely proprietary, but Kindle books can be read on other readers if an app is downloaded? Are apps necessary on the Kindle in order to read a non-Kindle book?
This can be confusing! It's like the Xbox won't play the Wii or the PlayStation stuff, so people buy all 3 game systems...
#13
Posted 27 December 2011 - 01:04 PM
Tech Support - The hard we do right away; the impossible takes us a little longer...
"I like ponies on no-stop diving. They convert "ARGH!! I'M GOING TO DIE" into a mere annoyance." ~Nigel Hewitt
#14
Posted 27 December 2011 - 02:35 PM
OK, one more question.
Do I understand correctly that each reader has their own media, and Apple is completely proprietary, but Kindle books can be read on other readers if an app is downloaded? Are apps necessary on the Kindle in order to read a non-Kindle book?
This can be confusing! It's like the Xbox won't play the Wii or the PlayStation stuff, so people buy all 3 game systems...
OK so the short answer is that each reader has its own format. Ipad uses .PUB Kindle uses .AZW and Nook Uses another format. The ipad does have apps for both kindle and nook though,,,,Also there is a free program called Calibre which will convert your books to other formats ! You can find it through a google search. For what it is worth here is my opinion. You want a device to read with, nothing more nothing less.....the new $79 dollar Kindle is perfect for you. It is the best value going for someone who just wants to read books with it. The e-ink screen is perfect for reading outside and helps with eye strain.
#15
Posted 27 December 2011 - 03:34 PM
for what it's worth, I don't buy books from Apple, only music
so for me, getting the Tab and then adding the other apps made sense
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