|
The part of this debate I always found fascinating/frustrating was the insistence that reading on a tablet was terrible on they eyes. I read on my iPad for hours and hours on end. No issues. Reading on my tablet or phone at night, in bed, with "night mode" on my app is far and away the best reading experience I've had bar none. And it's a very common use case for me while reading out in the hot sun at the beach is something I want to do once in a blue moon.
That some people love and prefer eInk was never in doubt. My guess was always that the overall market would not care. The advantages of smart phones and tablets for reading are just overwhelming. Even just considering the reading part. Considering the "everything else" and it's no contest at all....from a 'total market' perspective (not any particular person's preference).
Just considering reading....eInk is hands down better for bright light reading and battery life. One USED to be able to say size and weight, but large screen smartphones and 7" tablets have removed this major advantage. eInk devices are cheaper, though folks have a smarphone anyway so for them the reading part is "free".
The reading experience on a tablet app is just superior. Much faster. Color. Great support for PDF, for comics. Apps like Zite and Flipboard are amazing for reading news. Have an iPad? You can still read kindle books, kobo books, Nook books, Sony books all with apps created by the book sellers themselves. No need for monkeying around with the computer and files. Same with Android tablets.
The contrast on a tablet/phone is better as is the resolution.
I started wanting a Kindle when it was $400. But I was reading just fine on my iPhone. The iPad came out and the kindle dropped to $250. Now Kindles can be had for less than a hundred bucks...and I may eventually pick one up for that rare time I go on vacation and will read outside at the beach.
Of course, my thoughts are just mine. I always thought the day would come when it would be obvious that the market would speak and we'd see. It has. Despite the anecdotes which both sides have....the market is showing that eInk devices have had their day and were but a transitional technology and are now a shrinking niche.
As the article stated...of those who read...more read on a tablet. And the younger the more true.
|