Considering an eBook Reader

[marty1990]

Hey there. Sorry for the kinda long introduction thread.

So I've been considering an eReader after seeing a couple of my friends Kindles. I'd never considered one before, especially since I'm getting an iPad in the next couple of weeks (for graphic work etc.). I always figured I could put books on there, but obviously wouldn't be able to read it in the daylight. However, that never bothered me, since I'd probably just read indoors.

Anyway, after seeing the Kindles, I decided to research them a bit. I then saw the benefit of them, and realised just how useful they are, especially since am going camping this summer, and having that to read books, as opposed to my iPad would be great. I could also take it on trains etc. with me, and use it on long journeys etc.

After looking at them, I preferred the Kindle Touch more so than the others, especially since it has free 3G. I then discovered the Kobo Touch, and thought that that would be a great device. It's not tied to Amazon, and it's cheaper, though pretty much the same thing as the Kindle. Today after doing more research, I found the Nook Simple Touch Glow, and loved it. It seems like a great little eReader, and with the added light function, it would be great when am camping. I'm from the UK, but I've heard of Barnes and Noble, and liked the idea of being tied to that store... but also having the ability to add ePub books. Thing is, since I live in the UK, I can't get it. Unless I use eBay, but I wouldn't feel too happy spending £100+ on eBay, especially if there were faults with the device.

Then, after more looking around, I found the Sony Reader PRS-T1. Again, seems like a great device, even if it looks like an Xperia Android phone. The only thing that puts me off is the Sony Reader store, as it doesn't seem as comprehensive as Amazon's Kindle store, Kobo's store, or Barnes and Noble. I've also read that it doesn't support as many formats as the Nook? Also, is the glossy finish on the PRS-T1 a distraction, and is it easily scratched?

... but the thing is, I can get it for free with a gift card. It's the only one I could get for free. Is it worth me doing it, or should I wait to see if the Nook is ever released here?

[Elfwreck]

You're not locked into the store that's associated with the device. You can get non-DRM'd ebooks from several places, and those can be read or converted-and-read on any of the ereaders. And you can use DRM'd books from several stores on the non-Kindle devices (which ones & which stores varies.)

If you're willing to go to the hassle of removing DRM from your purchases, you can read any ebook sold today on any device sold today. Mobileread's policies forbid giving out exact details, but we can mention that there are some third-party plugins for Calibre, based on Apprentice Alf's work, that can help you with this.

If you plan on mostly reading books purchased through the device's store, you need to consider what those stores have available. If you're very interested in classics, or indie-published ebooks, or free promo ebooks, or converting your own documents, the store is much less important, and you should consider the other features: filetype support, battery life, internal storage, and so on.

[marty1990]

Thanks for replying!

Yeah, I know, but I think I'd just like to have the ease of buying books through the device instead of loading them through my Mac. Then again, it depended on how quick and easy it was to load books bought on my computer to either of the devices mentioned.

I'd probably just stick to mainstream bestsellers etc than anything else.

Yeah, that's the thing, the filetypes that are supported by the devices are pretty much the same across the board, more or less. I just don't know which ones are the most popular formats. Battery life, again, I know is pretty similar with them all, and internal storage isn't really an issue, because with the Kobo and the Sony, I can add microSD cards. With the Kindle, 4GB should suffice.

[Elfwreck]

Originally Posted by marty1990

I'd probably just stick to mainstream bestsellers etc than anything else.

In that case, you'll want to read reviews about shopping at the stores associated with ereaders. They almost all carry the same books, and it'll be a matter of which one has better customer service.

Yeah, that's the thing, the filetypes that are supported by the devices are pretty much the same across the board, more or less. I just don't know which ones are the most popular formats.

Epub and mobi are the only two commercial formats to consider right now. Kindle does mobi; everything else does epub; there are apps for other devices that support both. None of the devices associated with a store cover both epub and mobi, although some other devices do. Nothing supports DRM versions of both.

Epub is, from a technical stance, a more powerful & versatile filetype; it's newer, and based on HTML with CSS, and supports more formatting options.

Mobi's been around much longer (about 10 years) and is more limited--but for reading novels, most people will never notice. (Mobi, for example, doesn't support drop-caps, those large first letters in chapters with the remaining text wrapped around them for 2 or 3 lines. Typography nuts care about this; nobody else does. Mobi doesn't support some kinds of wrapped text around pictures... again, unless precision formatting is your thing, you'll never notice.)

Amazon's new format seems to be an "enhanced mobi" that allows for a lot more of the features of epub, but isn't usable on any other device at all.

For reading mainstream bestsellers, most of the devices are about the same. (Or at least, most people who get a device for that purpose, are about equally happy with whatever they got.) Google search for the name of the store and the word "review," and see if any of what's mentioned strikes you as particularly important one way or the other. If not, you can comfortably make your choice based on cost or other convenience.

[marty1990]

Yeah, I've been looking at reviews all day, both video and text based. I'm still completely lost on what one to get though, though the obvious one would be the Sony one, since I can get it for free with my gift card, but don't know whether I'd regret it instead of actually buying an alternative.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by Elfwreck

If you're willing to go to the hassle of removing DRM from your purchases, you can read any ebook sold today on any device sold today. Mobileread's policies forbid giving out exact details, but we can mention that there are some third-party plugins for Calibre, based on Apprentice Alf's work, that can help you with this.

Not quite. geo-restrictions do restrict a fair number of eBooks from being able to be purchased. So no, you can't read any eBooks sold today on any device. No matter what country you live in, not all eBooks are available.

[dwig]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

Not quite. geo-restrictions do restrict a fair number of eBooks from being able to be purchased. ...

Actually, that should really read "books" and not "ebooks". Geo-restrictions apply to both paper and electronic, though few people ever notice that a paper book is available elsewhere and not in their home market.

[marty1990]

Okay, you've lost me a bit here lol. If I download eBooks in ePub format from places like stores online (recommendations?) that aren't tied to Amazon, Kobo etc., then they'd work?

And which one out of the ones mentioned would you recommend?

Also, is it true the Sony eReader reflects light, and doesn't look like paper as much as the Kindle's screen?

[Synamon]

If you can get the Sony free with a gift card, then that's a good choice. You may find purchasing from the Sony ebook store with your device is limiting ($$$ as well as choice), in which case you'll still be able to buy EPUB format books from many other vendors (everyone but Amazon) and can transfer them using your computer to your Sony using Adobe Digital Editions for DRM protected ebooks or directly if they aren't protected by DRM. The Sony also has the ability to borrow Overdrive public library books, which your local library or region might support.

I'd recommend against getting a Nook outside of the US, Barnes & Noble do not support their reader internationally and you won't be able to buy books from their store without jumping through a lot of hoops (faking IP address, US credit card, etc.).

As you mentioned, Amazon has the most comprehensive store, plus it's easy to use and often has the cheapest prices. This is the big plus for the Kindle, one click and ebooks from Amazon appear on your device. You could also put the Kindle app on your new iPad and sync and share books between the two devices.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by marty1990

Also, is it true the Sony eReader reflects light, and doesn't look like paper as much as the Kindle's screen?

Not true at all. The T1's screen is in someways better then the Kindle (overall) as there is less variation as has been noted on new Kindles. I've even seen this variation of screens on two demo Kindles (K4 and Touch).

[Shopaholic]

I have the Sony T1 & the Kindle non-touch. I really like both but much prefer my Sony. With the Sony device itself you can buy books from the Sony store, Kobobooks, and other websites that sell epub books. Just because it's a Sony device doesn't mean you only have to buy from the Sony store.

There's no trick, no hacking, no mucking around with anything, no DRM removal etc. If you price out a book at Sony but it's better at Kobo, you can buy it at Kobo from the device itself.

The other fabulous thing with the Sony is that you can borrow ebooks right from your library on it.

The Kobo is buggy. The Sony isn't save for some earilier issues of multiple page flipping which has been sorted out. I don't have a Kindle Touch but have heard that Amazon has superiour service. I would not recommend getting a Nook outside the US. I was looking at a US seller of the various devices on eBay & he's gotten a whack of negatives from non-US buyers of Nooks who couldn't use the device.

IMO your choice is between Kindle & Sony. If you've got gift cards enough to pay for the device, it's a no brainer. Get the Sony. It's a fabulous little device. Some people found the bezel distracting but it's personal opinion and in a worst case scenario buy a skin for it.

As to the screen, the pearl screens are the same. They only look different because of the way our brain processess differences in the surrounding details like color or lighting etc. Think of it like an optical illusion at a Ripley's exhibit.

I say go for the Sony. You won't regret it & it's not costing you anything.

[Pomtroll]

Since I have both readers & like both I hope I can be of help. If you want to keep it simple, easy to buy on the device & enjoy reading best sellers or current books then both stores will do you well since the publishers set the prices on these books. BUT if you like getting lots of bargains & reading indie authors with ease of buying through the store on your reader then amazon is the way to go.

I don't mind sideloading from places like smashwords for my Sony but some people would prefer not to. And I have found that if smashowrds has it, usually amazon does too.

I wish I could say the Sony Store was good overall, but I can't. I really like my T1, but i have to admit buying through the amazon store is nice.

The Sony reader screen doesn't reflect light anymore than the Kindle. BUT the bezel does. Some people don't mind it some do. Some people buy a skin to put on the so they don't have that reflection.

I really like both readers but I prefer reading on my T1. I like the dictionaries & I like the ease of getting library books. But the preference may influenced by championing the underdog & Sony is. How's that for being objective?

[EowynCarter]

Also, is the glossy finish on the PRS-T1 a distraction

Yes, sometimes.

One thing, most shop selling ePub (with the exception of Apple and Barnes and noble), use adept as drm. You can buy books at kobo to use on a nook or sony reader. (The nook can read adept protected book too)

I find kobo the best place to shop at. But, in the UK, you'll have no problems getting books from warterstones, whsmith , or diesel. You'll just have to use you PC and Adobe digital edition for download.

I sometimes get books from sony too (as geo-restiction can by bypassed there)

[marty1990]

Hey, just a quick update. Decided on the Sony and I've just ordered it. If the bezel glare annoys me, I'm gonna get a case... I probably will anyway, would feel more like a book then, but yeah, that's the update. Thanks for the advice all!

[Pomtroll]

Hope you like your Sony. I like mine. From what I understand the Gecko case does a good job of covering up the bezel. The Sony case doesn't. It is a good idea to get a case though. I'm seriously contemplating getting one.

http://www.geckocovers.com/sony-read...ion-cover.html

Many in the Sony forum here have bought one & like them. Look under the cover & case thread.