which one?

jboardman · 03-26-2009, 08:20 PM

I have a Kindle 1 and I am wanting a better reader (bigger screen, better graphics, etc.). I use the Kindle only for reading books and The New York Times. I am thinking of buying either an Iliad 2nd edition or the Iliad Ebook reader. Or would you suggest the Kindle 2?

Also, I read the Times while I'm on the treadmill with the Kindle font set to max. Can I do the same on an Iliad?

Suggestions encouraged! Thanks

Jim

wallcraft · 03-26-2009, 08:54 PM

Unless you have a specific application in mind for the the WiFi in the 2nd Edition (which isn't very useful in general), I suggest going with the Book Edition.

The largest font size on the iLiad is significantly larger than on the Kindle, see Things you can do with your iLiad. The 1st screenshot is FBReader and the 2nd the MobiPocket Reader. Note that by default there are only two fonts available for MobiPocket Reader, see Mobipocket Font Switcher.

To read most ebooks on both the Kindle and the iLiad, you will need to strip the DRM from AZW and/or MOBI. FBReader (which only reads DRM-free ebooks) may then be a better option than the standard Mobipocket Reader on the iLiad.

I assume you are aware of the issues with the iLiad, primarily a slower page turn than most recent devices and only a ~12 hr battery with no suspend mode.

HarryT · 03-27-2009, 07:01 AM

A warning: the implementation of the MobiPocket Reader on the iLiad is very poor indeed - no bookmarks, no display of the book cover, no options of any sort, basically. It was one of the main reasons for me selling my iLiad.

Jill75 · 03-27-2009, 09:18 AM

I would not shift to the Iliad if you already have the Kindle1 and just upgrade so you wont have any transfer of files problem. As far as i have read, kindle is better than the Iliad just like what the above is said.

jboardman · 03-27-2009, 09:34 AM

I am wondering if the 12 - 15 hour battery life is while the unit is booted up, or just in general, you have to recharge after 12 . 15 hours no matter what? The main attraction to me is the larger screen, I guess. I'm not too keen on the touch screen. Will I be able to download the NYTimes via wifi? That would be the only reason that I want the wifi addition. It sounds to me like the wifi addition covering wears off after a while, correct?

Thanks for the info!

jb

wallcraft · 03-27-2009, 10:29 AM

It is 12-15 hrs when on, but because it takes ~45 seconds to boot I tend to leave mine on unless I know it will be unused for a while.

You don't need to use the touch screen for reading ebooks, only for infrequent operations like TOC navigation or changing the font size.

Unless the NYT has a PDF version I don't think you can use wifi to get it. Or perhaps this is possible via Calibre and its web service. If you have a Kindle subscription I think it is just a MOBI (AZW) ebook and will therefore work on the iLiad but you have to get it on the device first (and perhaps strip DRM, although why a daily paper would have DRM escapes me).

As HarryT says, the MOBI Reader is very basic but it displays text and looks up words in (some) dictionaries ok. I prefer FBReader, which also does not display the cover and it does not have dictionary support, because it gives much finer control over the appearance of the text on the page.

jboardman · 03-27-2009, 02:34 PM

Does the ebook reader (as opposed to the 2nd edition) have any wireless capability? And is there a word look-up dictionary feature while reading? I have read that a group is still developing "fixes" and updates for the device, and that the batteries can be replaced with those having longer life. Have you tried this?

Thanks
jb

wallcraft · 03-27-2009, 03:14 PM

The Book Edition has the same capabilities as the 2nd Edition, except for WiFi.

Dictionary lookup is available from multiple dictionaries, but only within the MobiPocket Reader (e.g. not for PDFs). There is no pre-installed dictionary. Use the DRM free dictionaries from here, or buy one or more of the many MOBI dictionaries that are available.

There may be updated software from the user-base in the future, but I would not rely on anything except what exists today. The (larger) battery replacement should only be attempted by those who are very confident of their hardware moding skills, it will void the warranty and could easily fry the device if not done right.

Alisa · 03-27-2009, 11:07 PM

I also have a Kindle 1 and want a larger reader. I'm waiting to see what comes out in the autumn. There is supposed to be a new crop of larger screens then and several planned readers. I'll see if there's something that suits me then. There's nothing on the market right now that I feel would be quite worth it to me. I waited years for something close enough to my requirements before I got the Kindle. It's not my ideal reader (the technology is still young) but it had enough of the features I wanted that I felt good about the purchase. I doubt I'll have to wait that long again, but I'm certainly willing to wait a little.

03-26-2009, 08:20 PM	#1
jboardman Zealot Posts: 118 Karma: 62 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: SW Michigan Device: kindle, sony PRS900, Irex Iliad	which one? I have a Kindle 1 and I am wanting a better reader (bigger screen, better graphics, etc.). I use the Kindle only for reading books and The New York Times. I am thinking of buying either an Iliad 2nd edition or the Iliad Ebook reader. Or would you suggest the Kindle 2? Also, I read the Times while I'm on the treadmill with the Kindle font set to max. Can I do the same on an Iliad? Suggestions encouraged! Thanks Jim

03-26-2009, 08:54 PM	#2
wallcraft reader Posts: 6,975 Karma: 5183568 Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Mississippi, USA Device: Kindle 3, Kobo Glo HD	Unless you have a specific application in mind for the the WiFi in the 2nd Edition (which isn't very useful in general), I suggest going with the Book Edition. The largest font size on the iLiad is significantly larger than on the Kindle, see Things you can do with your iLiad. The 1st screenshot is FBReader and the 2nd the MobiPocket Reader. Note that by default there are only two fonts available for MobiPocket Reader, see Mobipocket Font Switcher. To read most ebooks on both the Kindle and the iLiad, you will need to strip the DRM from AZW and/or MOBI. FBReader (which only reads DRM-free ebooks) may then be a better option than the standard Mobipocket Reader on the iLiad. I assume you are aware of the issues with the iLiad, primarily a slower page turn than most recent devices and only a ~12 hr battery with no suspend mode.

03-27-2009, 07:01 AM	#3
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383043 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	A warning: the implementation of the MobiPocket Reader on the iLiad is very poor indeed - no bookmarks, no display of the book cover, no options of any sort, basically. It was one of the main reasons for me selling my iLiad.

03-27-2009, 09:18 AM	#4
Jill75 Zealot Posts: 135 Karma: 150 Join Date: Mar 2009 Device: none	I would not shift to the Iliad if you already have the Kindle1 and just upgrade so you wont have any transfer of files problem. As far as i have read, kindle is better than the Iliad just like what the above is said.

03-27-2009, 09:34 AM	#5
jboardman Zealot Posts: 118 Karma: 62 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: SW Michigan Device: kindle, sony PRS900, Irex Iliad	I am wondering if the 12 - 15 hour battery life is while the unit is booted up, or just in general, you have to recharge after 12 . 15 hours no matter what? The main attraction to me is the larger screen, I guess. I'm not too keen on the touch screen. Will I be able to download the NYTimes via wifi? That would be the only reason that I want the wifi addition. It sounds to me like the wifi addition covering wears off after a while, correct? Thanks for the info! jb

03-27-2009, 10:29 AM	#6
wallcraft reader Posts: 6,975 Karma: 5183568 Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Mississippi, USA Device: Kindle 3, Kobo Glo HD	It is 12-15 hrs when on, but because it takes ~45 seconds to boot I tend to leave mine on unless I know it will be unused for a while. You don't need to use the touch screen for reading ebooks, only for infrequent operations like TOC navigation or changing the font size. Unless the NYT has a PDF version I don't think you can use wifi to get it. Or perhaps this is possible via Calibre and its web service. If you have a Kindle subscription I think it is just a MOBI (AZW) ebook and will therefore work on the iLiad but you have to get it on the device first (and perhaps strip DRM, although why a daily paper would have DRM escapes me). As HarryT says, the MOBI Reader is very basic but it displays text and looks up words in (some) dictionaries ok. I prefer FBReader, which also does not display the cover and it does not have dictionary support, because it gives much finer control over the appearance of the text on the page.

03-27-2009, 02:34 PM	#7
jboardman Zealot Posts: 118 Karma: 62 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: SW Michigan Device: kindle, sony PRS900, Irex Iliad	Does the ebook reader (as opposed to the 2nd edition) have any wireless capability? And is there a word look-up dictionary feature while reading? I have read that a group is still developing "fixes" and updates for the device, and that the batteries can be replaced with those having longer life. Have you tried this? Thanks jb

03-27-2009, 03:14 PM	#8
wallcraft reader Posts: 6,975 Karma: 5183568 Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Mississippi, USA Device: Kindle 3, Kobo Glo HD	The Book Edition has the same capabilities as the 2nd Edition, except for WiFi. Dictionary lookup is available from multiple dictionaries, but only within the MobiPocket Reader (e.g. not for PDFs). There is no pre-installed dictionary. Use the DRM free dictionaries from here, or buy one or more of the many MOBI dictionaries that are available. There may be updated software from the user-base in the future, but I would not rely on anything except what exists today. The (larger) battery replacement should only be attempted by those who are very confident of their hardware moding skills, it will void the warranty and could easily fry the device if not done right.

03-27-2009, 11:07 PM	#9
Alisa Gadget Geek Posts: 2,324 Karma: 22221 Join Date: Aug 2007 Device: Paperwhite, Kindle 3 (retired), Skindle 1.2 (retired)	I also have a Kindle 1 and want a larger reader. I'm waiting to see what comes out in the autumn. There is supposed to be a new crop of larger screens then and several planned readers. I'll see if there's something that suits me then. There's nothing on the market right now that I feel would be quite worth it to me. I waited years for something close enough to my requirements before I got the Kindle. It's not my ideal reader (the technology is still young) but it had enough of the features I wanted that I felt good about the purchase. I doubt I'll have to wait that long again, but I'm certainly willing to wait a little.

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