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How do you read these books? Ebook Reader Discussion
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I use a Bookeen Cybook. The primary format is mobi, but it also reads html, text, and pdf, although I usually use Calibre or mobipocket creator to convert the pdfs, since at the moment, the pdfs can only be zoomed in on, which can be awkward. When I bought my device, Amazon was still pretty proprietary about their kindle format, and I didn't want to be limited by that.
I have a Sony eReader and love it. I also use calibre as my library, converter, etc... Before I got my Sony, I used the Mobi desktop program which I thought was pretty good.I'm looking forward to Apple's release of it's newest product today. Can't wait to see what it's all about.
While I prefer hardcovers, I do have a Kindle which I use to collect e-books of novels not in hardcover. I have not actually read much on the Kindle - I just got it last Xmas. I am hoping Apple is really going to announce a tablet computer today that will also be an e-book reader. I will be an early adopter, if so.
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Ok, I'm shocked. :) It's $649 with 3G connection (plus $29 monthly charge). Still overpriced considering it's not e-ink...and that monthly charge is bad. And by the time it comes out (90 days from now) there will be tons of other choices...
I read on one site that the ipad (a lot of women are apparently upset by the name, but honestly, that wasn't the first place my mind went!) can read Adobe Epub files, but apple.com doesn't say anything about that, only about the ibook format, which I've never used. Is anyone familiar with the ibook format?The price seems reasonable if you wanted to use it for more than just an ebook reader, but the device itself wouldn't work for most people as a primary computer, especially since to get any storage worth having, you're getting closer to $1000. Also, it weighs 1.5 lbs. I got an ebook reader in part because my laptop was too heavy to use while reading in bed. 1.5 lbs would get heavy after awhile, the same way thick hardbacks get heavy. Obviously, people in the market for an ebook reader aren't their target audience!
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I don't know anything about ibook format either. I'm sure Calibre will support it. But, since it will be two months until they ship the thing I wouldn't worry. Lots of things will change (Apple have done this with other products). Probably even it's name will change...since their choice of names (iPad) is having a Twitter revolt as I write (iTampon :) I don't think any women were in on the naming. Also, it's not getting very good initial reviews from book readers...since it mostly targeted at the ipod touch crowd. Cool looking though...I'll wait until the next version comes out before buying...I think this one will undergo lots of changes...
I agree, Sean. I would never buy a first generation piece of technology! I've never understood the shiny screen thing, though. I've had friends complain about their iphones and ipod touches being difficult to keep clean, avoid scratches, and lighting glares. That in itself is probably the biggest issue for me. I (unwillingly) replaced my powerbook with a macbook, and they went from the matte to the shiny screen, and it's a serious pain in the ass!Incidentally, I've also heard iVagina! Also, that the iPad comes in 3 versions, light (16 gb), maxi (32), and super (64), which I have to admit I find hysterical.
I bought a DROID - LOVE it. It is a first gen of a technology...but I guess if you consider that it is sort of the response to apple, it isn't so "first-gen", but I am loving it.I haven't gotten on the ereader yet. I am not reading enough books right now, but I do get annoyed that I might want to read something and it is only an ebook. I am not going to sit at the computer to read it...so I have to wait.
I am one of those who gets panicky if I dont have the latest & greatest. I have been reading all the pundit's opinions of the iPad (I did not vote for this name partly for the reasons given, also 'cause it sound too much like iPod. I preferred iSlate.)Apple will be opening an iBook store via iTunes. I am very curious what their ebook reader will look like. Full color and ability to change fonts, font color & size are pluses. Backlighting is a minus. I personally do not like e-ink that much because it does not have enough contrast for my old eyes. But I do not like black text on white backgrounds either (like on Goodreads - would they they had styles). Background adjustment of the iPad's e-reader would be a big help, but I have not seen it mentioned anywhere.
The screen is coated with something that resists oils (thus fingerprints). I like the glossy screens which I have on my MacBook Pro. It's a personal thing I think.
I have used Apple products since the Apple ][+ and have always been surprised that they were a lot better than I though they'd be.
Has anyone been following the kerfluffle between Amazon, Macmillan and Apple? I'm curious how others feel about the possibility of ebook prices going up? Most of the ebooks I buy are from smaller presses, and I generally buy directly from the publisher when I can. I don't think this issue will immediately affect smaller presses who mostly publish ebooks, but depending on how it plays out, it may ultimately affect them. I generally buy mainstream books in hardcopy or get them from the library, so I don't know if the ebook price goes down once the book comes out in paperback? I've heard a lot of chatter from mainstream ebook customers about boycotting Macmillan, and pushing back against what they perceive as price gouging.
There's also been the suggestion that Steve Jobs of Apple and Macmillan have been colluding to fix ebook prices (which is illegal): http://trueslant.com/rogertheriault/2... (it's at the end of this blog article).
What do you all think about this issue, especially those of you who have expressed interest in the ipad?
Yes and Goggle may well become involved. But, since I can get used hardbacks cheaper than there usual $9.99, I dont worry too much. I need a e-reader, not so much for fiction, but for professional Journals and documents. Most of the stuff on my Kindle2 are made from PDFs I save from web pages.
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Ipad:
the Good: nice to look at, uses beyond books, ibooks can import epub files (plus the ones for sale in ibook store; I've been using calibre to convert), much better to use at night to read book for less than three hours at a time.
the Bad: not as light as kindle, not as easy on the eyes especially for longer reading times and during the day, no free 3G internet (though kindle browser is laughable compare to apple's, but buying books anywhere w/o month fee is nice).
Vedict: Well, it's really not fair to judge kindle against apple's shiny new toy...since kindle can really only do books, the ipad can do so much more. But for books only; Ipad at night is better, kindle during day and longer times better. Just as was expected.
One note, since i'm using ipad for more than books...I've found myself just using it for my books as well. Only twice have I during the day (at the beach, outside) uses the kindle in the last week. Hence, the ipad is winning out for my situation. Though, I have mixed feelings whether to sale the kindle or wait to see what amazon does to improve it.
Just my two cent...hope it helps someone....
I use my iRiver "story" eBook reader. It's not fancy, but comes with a nice creme colored cover. Battery life is more than 9000 page turns and you can download most files from your computer, including PDF (preferred is ePub format). I love it. It just gets on with the business of reading books, no hoo haa!
Sometimes less is more :-)
*hugs*
Mark
Sometimes less is more :-)
*hugs*
Mark
I use an Ipad. Sean already put a list why I decide to use it... I can use for Internet also (like now, I'm checking goodreads and emails) not only to read books.I'm very happy with my Ipad.
:-)
Zeke, do you have problems with Stanza since upgrading to iOS5? I have, but I hear it's been worked out in the latest update.BTW, that's one of my favorite calyx paintings.
Cool, thank you. One of these days I'll actually try reading a book on it again.
I usually buy the Kindle edition to read on a Kindle 3G, but still buy paper editions if they are a better deal. For example, I see that Amazon is currently selling the high quality trade paperback edition of Wraeththu for $8.80. If I was just now shopping for this book, that's the version I'd buy. (It's the version I did buy, though I didn't get it at that price.) And I'll often buy used hardcover copies of a book when they are considerably less expensive than the Kindle version. As a general rule, it seems that ebook pricing from small presses is much more reasonable than ebook pricing from the big publishers. Here's what I like about the Kindle 3G: (1) reasonable price; (2) very clear text; (3) long battery life; and (4) excellent portability.
I primarily buy used hardcovers if available or trade paperbacks and tend to avoid mass market PBs since I find them hard to read. I have a Kindle and an iPad which I mostly use for reference, for books I'm not sure about if they are cheap enough or rarely for books on;y available as e-books. I find the iPad easier to read. The Kindle does not have enough contrast for me, even the newest one. Presbyopia is a bitch.
My most used iPad app is "All of Wiki" which is all of the English text from wikipedia stored locally. Since I have slow dialup at home, it is a useful companion for reading. I also like the iPad dictionary and ease of annotating better than the Kindle.
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I've just got a KOBO touch ereader. It does everything a kindle (and I presume other eReaders do) but i find the touch screen a god send =).
I like reading on my iPad better than my Kindle. I like the larger formatting, back-lighting and better contrast. I do not read outside much, so that's not a problem. I also like the more natural page turning, than the buttons on my Kindle 2. A problem I have with e-readers is that books are hidden from me. A physical stack of TBRs pleads read-me, read-me at every glance. I am much more likely to read a physical book than an e-book I have. OTOH, I do the that eBooks can be searched, so I can go back and re-read something I have forgotten. This is more important with books that demand a lot from the reader. I also like the instant ability to look up words in a dictionary.
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I don't actually own an eReader, I sometimes read the books on my PC. I use Kindle App for PC, Calibre (to convert) and mobi-Reader.Mostly I read eBooks on my Samsung Galaxy S Plus (Aldiko-Reader App and Kindle App). I don't mind the "small" display at all. 4,3" isn't that bad and with 6" the Kindle isn't that much bigger... I thought about buying an iPad, but, really, my smartphone can do everything that the pricy iPad can, as well.
To buy one wouldn't really pay off, especially, considering that many of my books are paperbacks, which I still like very much.
I like eBooks, in general, but the thing is that they're awfully expensive here in Germany. They almost always cost as much as the printed version, sometimes even more. Why that is? NO idea. Well, if I have to spend 9,99€ either on a paperback or an eBook then I choose the paperback, because the paperback I actually own, whereas I don't really own the eBook (can't lend it without any kind of limit, can't bequeath it, can't sell it etc.). So why would I pay the same price for the eBook version??
My M/M books are all in English, I have no idea what the German market has to offer here. ;)
English eBooks are--strangely here in Germany as well--cheaper than the paperbacks. That's why most of my English books are eBooks. ;)
I have a Kindle. EBook readers have only just come into the UK in a big way lately. The Sony was around for a few years, but never really took off, and the people I know who had one tended to say they were a great big nightmare to use. Then mid 2010 we got the Kindle and it was a hugely strong entry into the market. It's not so much the device itself - in fact in my opinion the hardware is a bit flaky. I'm onto my second one after mine developed a fault and I got a free replacment. It's the whole system. They've thought it out really well, made it easy to get books and get them onto your device, so even the most technology challenged person can use it easily. As soon as I looked at the system, I said "this will blow the Sony out of the water." There are more readers coming in now, but Amazon has set the bar high! I don't only buy books from Amazon, but I've never had any trouble with books from other sources, getting them onto the Kindle. It's also great for putting my works in progress on there for reading! Gives a much more natural book reading experience than reading on laptop, or A4 paper.
And now I'm getting on a bit, being able to change the text size is a must!
I have a Kindle and I love it. As Becky said, I must be able to change the text size. I have the international model (a couple of years old) and have never had any problems with it.
I've used first generation Nooks for a couple of years. I tend to juggle multiple books at a time, so it's very useful for jumping between novels!
I use both Nook and Kindle. I do a lot of lending and borrowing and it cuts down on the cost.
I have a Kindle and use a PC - so ALL my 'kinky' books get downloaded.I've had to buy very few as real books (since most do come as e-books) - eg
- but, depending upon the price, I usually buy the cheapest I can get :)
karlakolumna wrote: "I don't actually own an eReader, I sometimes read the books on my PC. I use Kindle App for PC, Calibre (to convert) and mobi-Reader.Mostly I read eBooks on my Samsung Galaxy S Plus (Aldiko-Reader ..."
Yes I was looking yesterday on the kobo page for a book and it was 13,99 euro as for the ebook and 13,49 euro for the paperback.
Even stranger with a book of Sarah Monette were the ebook(14.00) costs more than the paperback(7.99) Who know why?
I read on my PC or on my Ereader(Hanvon) it can read most formats just not kindle, them I read on PC.
I've got tons of ebooks on various e-readers, but rarely read them. It's an out of sight, out of mind sort of thing. I have tons of unread physical books too and it's easier and I feel more compelled to pick one to read next.
I have a Kindle 3 keyboard. And have loved it for the year and a half I've had it.I can't imagine where on gods green earth I would store my (approximately) 1,000 book to be read pile I have if they were actual paper!
Gay Science Fiction
Books mentioned in this topic
Remastering Jerna (other topics)Wraeththu (other topics)
As for me: I recently purchased a Kindle and use the great Calibre software program to get any non-amazon books onto it.
How about you?