Our Book Club
eReaders & eBooks
Overview |
Links |
eReader Reviews |
Jargon |
Downloading eBooks |
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Overview
Okay there is a plethora of eReaders continuously hitting the market and of course they all offer a variety of features, some of which I put in the gadget category. Of course if Santa put one of these devices under your christmas tree this year, you are definately not alone and according to Amazon the Kindle was the most "gifted christmas item" in the online superstore's history and in a first, more people purchased e-books that the old-fashioned book. Don't get me wrong I am not anti e-books and the benefit is the ease of access to the huge collection of classic books that are now available for free and surely opening up a huge new market to readers. There are many features in the e-readers which I think are fantastic i.e. changing font size, no need to pack heavy books for holidays, an increasing number of magazines and newspapers are also becoming downloadable on eReaders and of course the choice of between one and two million free books. My main recommendation is to do your research, even ask people on the train/bus on why they choose the one they are using. If you any opinions or think you have found the perfect eReader, then let us know. Here at OurBookClub we have attempted to bridge the eBooks versus Books divide and although there is a place for eBooks we are not convinced that they will fully replace books as there is a lack of emotional connection and the pleasure of opening a new book for the first time.
According to the online media, reading books on a laptop is still the most popular method (35%) which is followed by 32% who use an Amazon Kindle with the remainder of the market using other eReader products. The market is new and there appears to be considerable differences in what you can get in with your eReader especially in relation to where you live. What convinced me to try an eReader was the continually growing mountain of books I needed to take with me on my annual travels.
Now some comments on the Apple iPad. I don't have one, but Natalie does and it is certainly one of the hottest products on the market, but I haven't seen that many being used as an eReader compared to the Amazon Kindle 3, and I think this must be down to readability i.e. light (iPad is 600g whereas the Kindle is 170g) and easy to hold and the screen is clear in a variety of lighting situations. These comparisons are also impacted by your reading style. If you tend to focus more on newspapers and magazines then the iPad with its larger screen may be the way to go. However, if you are a serious reader then a lighter more specific eReader with a much longer battery life is the best option which also allows you to download different book formats and the price of ebooks can be significantly cheaper than the iPad iBook store. Of course when you buy an iPad it isn't just to read books, you have the ability for accessing hundreds (probably millions by now) apps and features. There is also the ability to download the Kindle app for the iPad which allows you to access Amazon and substantially increase the number of books available to it.
Relatively new to the market is the Kobo Touch which is trying to challenge the Kindle and has teamed up with WH Smith in the UK to access their catalogue of books. Slightly heavier and thicker than the Kindle it is targeting the lower end Kindle models so may be an alternative for those who are unwilling to follow Amazon or Apple down the mass marketing hype for their products.
The Kobo e-book store describes itself as a ‘device-neutral platform’ – in other words you can browse, search, buy and read your favourite e-books on just about any device you choose. Your smartphone (iPhone, Blackberry, Android or Palm Pre), iPad, e-reader or computer. Most other ebooks are bound to one platform, this app sensibly lets you take it with you. A great choice of books and guaranteed compatibility with all devices would make this app better, but it’s a good hop in the right direction. Follow them on Twitter @kobo.
Back to topReviews
Sony PRS650BC eReader 
I looked at a huge variety of eReaders and online comments before settling on the Sony eReader PRS650BC (released in Australia in September 2010). I have given it a thorough test over the last twelve months and have found there are some very annoying features, however, when you take into account the amount of books that are on there it is a great secondary reading product and to be honest it will never replace the feelings I have when opening a new paper book.
On buying the Sony eReader I plugged it into my Netbook through the USB cable and followed the extremely dummy proof steps. Within a few clicks I had downloaded a couple of free books from The Book Depository (who have over 10,000 free titles for download - although don't send them a question as they just don't respond) and I was happily curled up on the couch reading.
The following are my comments:-
- So far I have downloaded about 20 books, in different formats (freeware and purchased). However this can be tricky and I have had a few issues with the Sony software and the Adobe software and now find I need to have them both open at the same time otherwise my books won't download correctly.
- I have been reading books in the sun and there is minimal glare.
- The battery lasts approximately two weeks (or 4 books) before needing to be charged. This seriously degrades in colder climates i.e. in Europe over winter the battery only lasted a few days at most.
- It is super light and considering it can load up more than 1200 books, is going to be fantastic for travelling which is the biggest benefit.
- The standard features work well i.e. font sizes, bookmarking (I share the eReader with my partner), highlighting text etc.
- The downside is that I can only download books from the Sony website when I registered the eReader in London.
- I am worried about dropping it. It is very light and you can put it down and easily forget it is there.
- Cost. No matter what eReader you buy, they are expensive and I am not convinced if they are worth the high start-up costs.
- I still miss the smell of opening up a new book, plus I love wandering through book stores.
For more information check out the Sony eReader website.
Jargon Demystified
You can't escape it, there is jargon everywhere and eReaders only add to the confusion, so I have put together a list of what I found was useful:-
DRM (Digital Rights Management): It is a lock publishers put on ebooks to prevent piracy. You buy the ebook, only your registered ereader can open it. Most major publishers release ebooks with DRM, and most formats we’re concerned with are DRM formats (most ereaders support most non-DRM formats). Generally, only one kind of DRM is allowed on any given device. There are some good programs out there to help you organize and load your non-DRM ebooks. This also means you can't lend your friends your ebooks.
Adobe ePub and PDF: Recently, ePub has become the major non-Amazon DRM format. You can get library ebooks in ePub, and a wide variety of ereaders support it. Most ePub-compatible ereaders also support PDF. If you have a choice, get ePub; PDF is a visual format, not a text- based format, so it often has problems when you zoom in. Warning: Some ebookstores are now selling “ePubs” locked with their own proprietary DRM, which is not Adobe DRM. Notably, Apple’s iBookstore sells “ePubs,” but those books will not work with any device other than the iPad. Be aware that “ePub” no longer necessarily means an open format that will work across devices.
Mobipocket (or mobi): Used to be a widely prevalent format, but has been overtaken by ePub, and now mobi’s on its way out. Get an ereader with ePub support instead.
Amazon Kindle format: This is a specialized brand of mobi that only Kindles and the Kindle iPhone app can read. Because this format locks you into a single device (and because you can’t get library books on a Kindle), it is recommended that you get an ePub-compatible ereader and not a Kindle. Hopefully, Amazon will wise up sooner or later, and make the Kindle compatible with ePub, but don’t hold your breath. However, as the market leader there is obviously a way to get around propriety issues.
Other: Non-DRM formats like .doc and .rtf and .txt are supported by most ereaders. If you need an arcane format this is it.
Links
The following websites also have some good information as a starting point:-
eBook Reader Reviews. A comparison and review of the main eBook Readers for 2012. E-Readers. Reviews of Kindle, Nook and other E-ReadersDownloading eBooks
Buying eBooks
This space is constantly changing, but as at November 2010 below is the information available from our online affiliate bookstores:-
Fishpond: Has a limited amount of books available. The website design makes it difficult to find different formats.
The Book Depository: Easy to navigate and approximately 340,000 eBooks to buy, in addition to approximately 11,000 free eBooks. Prices are cheap for older books. However new releases are only minimally cheaper. You can also default in your eReader to ensure that the correct format is downloaded. You can browse for eBooks, alternatively search for the book you want and then select the format to be eBooks. When you place your order you can click on the link and download.
Bookstopia: No eBook information on their website.
Amazon: Buy nearly all the mentioned eReaders above from Amazon. However with my Sony eReader I was unable to purchase eBooks. The answer I received back from Amazon was that I could only purchase eBooks with my Kindle (which I don't have) but they were looking at the issue for future.
Free eBooks
There are many sites that you can access free eBooks and these are legally available ebooks.
Project Gutenberg: Includes free eBooks from producers.
4eBooks: Huge collection of computer programming eBooks, including .Net, Actionscript, Ajax and Apache.
Free-eBooks: You can download eBooks and eBook Resources. You can also submit your own eBook.
GetFreeEBooks: You can download eBooks, IT Magazines and also submit eBooks.
FreeComputerBooks: Download computer, programming, methematics, technical books, lecture notes and tutorials.
Bookyards: This website wants to be a global library which includes education materials and information.
Book Apps
With the Apple app store selling book apps than game apps, so before you start parting with your hard earned dollars, pounds or other currency, we have looked at a few that will let you decide whether you pay for them or go with the free apps. Obviously there is the Kobo and iPad apps already mentioned above, but some of these apps may make the transition to electronic devices just a little bit easier.
Marvel Comics for iPhone, iPad. Free app, individual comics around £1.19
There are other mentionables out there (DC Comics, Comic Reader Mobi and Stanza has recently added comic book support) but this is still the front runner. Hundreds of titles are available through Marvel’s app for the iPad. Comic fans can buy their favourite and latest comics including the likes of Iron Man, Thor, Spider-Man, Wolverine and Captain America. The art work is displayed in vibrant high-resolution and the page-flipping interface is smooth and intuitive. You can zoom in on comic book frames by tapping the screen and there’s an option to flip through the comic in full page mode or frame-by-frame.
Phaidon Wallpaper City Guides for iPhone, iPad. £2.99 per city guide
Described as: ‘…a tightly edited, discreetly packaged list of the best a location has to offer the design conscious traveller’ these really are things of beauty to have and to hold on your iPhone. With headings such as ‘Neighbourhoods: the areas you need to know and why’ and ‘Landmarks: the shape of the city skyline’ these are useful, well put together guides, and as they’re compiled by correspondents living in the highlighted cities, you feel you’re really getting insider info. The Berlin city guide is free to download at the moment if you fancy a taster. Phaidon also produce the Phaidon Design Classics edition for iPad – the entire contents of the classic book reformatted, consisting of some amazing images of 1,000 of some of the world’s best designs. Not cheap (in app terms) at £11.99, but a lot less cumbersome to carry around.
Freebooks for iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad. $1.99 then all books are free
‘23,469 classic books for less than a cup of coffee’. While you won’t find the latest Harry Potter or Twilight, you will find all the classic, out-of-copyright books you can possibly handle in more than a few lifetimes. Brush up on your Shakespeare or finally get round to reading War and Peace. Download the books to your iPhone or iPad or there is the option to email them to yourself (or anyone) so you can read it on your computer.
Green Eggs and Ham – Dr. Seuss for iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad. $3.99
Dr. Seuss apps are on sale for a limited time only in honour of the 50th anniversary of the children’s classic, Green Eggs and Ham. The first three were launched in February and new titles have been added during the year. They are currently among the most downloaded book apps in the iTunes store. All the apps include the original artwork from the books, and the Dr Seuss brand is famous for improving children’s literacy in a fun and entertaining way. Produced by Oceanhouse Media who also made the Grinchmas! game app which got an honourable mention in the 2009 Best App Ever Awards.