E-book device (E Ink, 2nd-generation) comparison matrix

[Nomi_007]

I thought I'd write this so that it would be helpful to those who are new to Reading books on their cell phones so that my experience can benefit them also. I'm not a big expert on the matter (actually half of the stuff like DRM and all I've never heard of; I just download, convert & read books) but I want this to be useful to someone or anyone for that matter. I've a Nokia E71 (previously had a N73 and all that I write here applies from my personal experience of both these cells) and I read books on it using Mobipocket Reader. I didn't buy a specialised device for reading ebooks or anything because I don't have the kind of funds for it (I live in Dubai and am saving up money for a license & a car which is a tall order so no dilly dally). I love technology but I think that it should satisfy all functions without being difficult to use. And from what I can tell, it is my responsibility to tell everyone else a way around spending too much money on anything. So here goes..
If you like to read books/have anything which is a Windows PC, Blackberry, Palm, Nokia (using a Symbian system), Sony Ericsson (using a Symbian system), Psion, Microsoft Smartphon or using Windows Mobile, Symbian OS or Palm OS, then why should on earth would you specially buy a specialized device to read books?
Just use Mobipocket Reader on your device. Here's what I do.
[1] I download and install Mobipocket Reader which available for Windows XP/Vista ( http://www.mobipocket.com/en/Downloa...ailsReader.asp ) and Mobipocket Creator v4.2 Publisher Edition ( http://www.mobipocket.com/en/Downloa...oadCreator.asp ). While installing the creator, I select Publisher Edition because it supports more formats (.doc, .txt, .html, .pdf).
[2] After I've installed both, I connect my N73 to the PC (and selected Connect by PC Suite). Witchcraft happens & Mobipocket Reader detects it and asks me do I want to install Mobipocket Reader on it as well. After being happy that this is so easy, I select yes. It downloads the file appropiate to my cell, and then tells me to finish the installation on my cell which I do and Bingo! All is done.
[3] Then I fall back on planet Earth from planet stupidly happy and remember that I still haven't converted any files to read in it. After weeks of trying, reading online, reading manuals and what not, I finally scream Eureka (not naked because I dont want people to faint) because I've found a simple and easy way to do it. This is the most important part of this post (I think) because whether you are a person who buys books like a normal good person or downloads them illegally from torrents like a criminal, it'll be useful for you. It's a complicated process (**sarcastic wink**) so get ready for it.
(a) I open Mobipocket Reader.
(b) I click on my Ebooks folder which has 183 ebooks (at the moment) and drag it to the Reader window.
(c) It converts it for me into the Mobipocket format (.prc).
(d) I connect my cell, it finds which ebooks aren't there on it and asks me to send them to device or not (you can attach as many devices as you want).
[4] Then I just disconnect the cell safely and use it.
[5] I often keep the background black and the font colour green as this makes the font the easiest to read.
[6] I even have the option for landscape mode or potrait mode so that makes it easier to read.

The point I'm trying to make is very simple. You don't have to necessarily spend extra money. All you've to do is to get some knowledge.
Anyway, I thought it'd be better to share my knowledge with those who want to start reading books on their cell and those whe want to streamline their reading experience.
[also posted on my blog so more people can gain help by it..]

[kamm]

Is there any sane reason behind leaving out K1 of this list?

I came here to see what's the largest reportedly working SD card size for K1 and I couldn't even find it in the matrix...

Why on Earth it isn't there? There are hundreds of thousands out there and now since the arrival of K2 and DX the used K1s are trickling down on the food chain as cheaper first entry devices.

[DaleDe]

Originally Posted by kamm

Is there any sane reason behind leaving out K1 of this list?

I came here to see what's the largest reportedly working SD card size for K1 and I couldn't even find it in the matrix...

Why on Earth it isn't there? There are hundreds of thousands out there and now since the arrival of K2 and DX the used K1s are trickling down on the food chain as cheaper first entry devices.

You can find this sort of data in the wiki. https://wiki.mobileread.com/wiki/Amazon_Kindle

this is a very old thread that is not comprehensive. It was started back in 2006. For reference data the wiki is a better source.

The answer to your question is: 4 Gig is the maximum stated in the specifications for the Kindle 1 but people have successfully used cards as large as 16 Gig.

Dale

[kamm]

Originally Posted by DaleDe

You can find this sort of data in the wiki. https://wiki.mobileread.com/wiki/Amazon_Kindle

this is a very old thread that is not comprehensive. It was started back in 2006. For reference data the wiki is a better source.

The answer to your question is: 4 Gig is the maximum stated in the specifications for the Kindle 1 but people have successfully used cards as large as 16 Gig.

Dale

Thanks, that was the info I was looking for.

However in the meantime I figured I'd be better off buying a bigger microSD card to replace the 4GB one in my phone and just use is with an adapter...
have to test it first though...

[ProDigit]

I believe micro SD cards are very limited. Biggest one I've ever seen was 2GB, but that was more than 2 years ago. They are also slower than regular SDHC cards; and who knows if the adaptor is slowing it down more or not.

I'd go with a regular SD card. But even then it is very unlikely you'll need more than 512MB for standard books, or 2GB for pdf files or pictures.
Having too many books on a card makes some readers very slow!

[legender]

Only if Hanlin can support notes-taking.

Originally Posted by Alexander Turcic

We've compiled an overview of forthcoming 2nd-gen e-book reader devices that are all based on E Ink technology. They include two readers from Chinese Jinke (HanLin V2 and V8), one from Sony (Sony Portable Reader), and one from Dutch-based iRex (iLiad).

Link to the overview: https://www.mobileread.com/eink/

For corrections or add-ons, feel free to post anything that comes to your mind in this thread.

Also my thanks to May from Jinke for sending me his version of the device matrix. If I had to pick one of the devices based on quality of customer service, it'd certainly be a Jinke HanLin reader.

[pking36330]

I was looking at the comparison matrix and noticed the new Sony PRS-300 has been added to the 5" section, but the PRS-600 is not in the 6" section. Any particular reason why?

[DaleDe]

Originally Posted by pking36330

I was looking at the comparison matrix and noticed the new Sony PRS-300 has been added to the 5" section, but the PRS-600 is not in the 6" section. Any particular reason why?

It will be, there is an article on the PRS600. We are kind of waiting for the announcement to see if it replaces the PRS505 or PRS700 which would cause them to be removed from the wiki comparison. It would be easier to replace one of them.

Dale

[wallcraft]

Originally Posted by pking36330

I was looking at the comparison matrix and noticed the new Sony PRS-300 has been added to the 5" section, but the PRS-600 is not in the 6" section. Any particular reason why?

I added the PRS-300, but I did not add the PRS-600 because we should probably simultateously remove the PRS-700 and PRS-505 and I did not feel ready to do that yet. The PRS-700 is definately no longer being made, so converting the PRS-700 column to a PRS-600 would be one option. Don't forget that this is a wiki, if you want to add a column go ahead and add it.

A similar table of "legacy" devices might also be in order. It would include the PRS-500 and Kindle 1 at a minimum.

[HistoryWes]

This is a fantastic service for people who are shopping for a mobile reading device. I'm going to be sending this link to a lot of people I know.

[DaleDe]

Originally Posted by HistoryWes

This is a fantastic service for people who are shopping for a mobile reading device. I'm going to be sending this link to a lot of people I know.

Great, it is already the most popular page in the wiki with more than 678,963 views. A few more won't hurt. There are lots of things in the wiki. And anyone can add more stuff, so long as it is related somehow to the mobileread theme.

Dale

[t-town]

Why isn't the E-slick present?

[bayke]

that is very useful. Thank you for this information .

[kevindorsey]

Originally Posted by ProDigit

I believe micro SD cards are very limited. Biggest one I've ever seen was 2GB, but that was more than 2 years ago. They are also slower than regular SDHC cards; and who knows if the adaptor is slowing it down more or not.

I'd go with a regular SD card. But even then it is very unlikely you'll need more than 512MB for standard books, or 2GB for pdf files or pictures.
Having too many books on a card makes some readers very slow!

Micros are getting expanded. YOu will see 4 and 8, and 16 gbs before too long.

[wallcraft]

Originally Posted by kevindorsey

Micros are getting expanded. YOu will see 4 and 8, and 16 gbs before too long.

There are already 16GB microSD cards, and 32GB will be here soon (Samsung Showcases 32-GB microSD Card).