What is the advantage of Wifi in a reader?

lionel47 · 01-17-2010, 01:14 PM

I have been wanting to buy and e-book reader. I am currently stuck between waiting a couple of months and getting one of the new crop of readers with Wifi and a larger screen or just getting a Sony Daily or Pocket now.

What just occurred to me is that, if a reader has Wifi, what good is it with no browser?

I see the new Alex coming out in February has a second screen (a la Nook) that is meant for browsing.

But, in the Sony Daily, there is no browser. Does that mean it only connects to the Sony ebook store so you can buy books? I know that's the way it is with the Nook and the Kindle.

My thinking was that I would be able to subscribe to RSS feeds but now I am wondering if any of these even support RSS.

So, the justification for getting a reader with Wifi for me is that I can download books on the go (I travel a lot) and keep up with RSS feeds. I plan on using Kobobooks.com for most of my ebook purchases.

Are there ebook readers on the market today that support these things?

gwynevans · 01-17-2010, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lionel47

But, in the Sony Daily, there is no browser. Does that mean it only connects to the Sony ebook store so you can buy books? I know that's the way it is with the Nook and the Kindle.

Almost - I believe that you can also get subscriptions to newspapers & magazines that will be wirelessly downloadable to, but no, there's no browser or general wireless access.

lionel47 · 01-17-2010, 02:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gwynevans

Almost - I believe that you can also get subscriptions to newspapers & magazines that will be wirelessly downloadable to, but no, there's no browser or general wireless access.

Thanks for the info. More and more, it's looking like I might have to get the Alex since it can browse and probably do the RSS thing.

daffy4u · 01-17-2010, 02:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lionel47

But, in the Sony Daily, there is no browser. Does that mean it only connects to the Sony ebook store so you can buy books? I know that's the way it is with the Nook and the Kindle.

The Kindle does have a browser so it can be used to go places beyond the Kindle store (though it is slooow unless you use a mobile version of the site).

lionel47 · 01-17-2010, 03:02 PM

After reading this hands-on review I am pretty sure the Spring Design Alex is going to be my first ereader.

daffy4u · 01-17-2010, 03:04 PM

I prefer the Alex over the nook, it's just too expensive IMO.

lionel47 · 01-17-2010, 09:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by daffy4u

I prefer the Alex over the nook, it's just too expensive IMO.

It is a little expensive. I'm glad to see partnering with Borders caused them to take it down to $359 but a straight $300 would have been nicer and more realistic.

luag · 01-17-2010, 10:54 PM

Onyx Boox 60 has Wi-Fi and a browser (based on WebKit IIRC)

It's quite nice to be able to search for something you've just read, on wikipedia for example.

HansTWN · 01-18-2010, 01:18 AM

I want WiFi to download newspaper directly, since I cannot take advantage of 3G (except for the Kindle International, but the charges are too high). Since most devices run either Linux, Android, or Windows CE getting a browser should not be that difficult, even if non is included.

01-17-2010, 01:14 PM	#1
lionel47 Addict Posts: 361 Karma: 170 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Atlanta, GA, USA Device: B&N Nook, Nook Color	What is the advantage of Wifi in a reader? I have been wanting to buy and e-book reader. I am currently stuck between waiting a couple of months and getting one of the new crop of readers with Wifi and a larger screen or just getting a Sony Daily or Pocket now. What just occurred to me is that, if a reader has Wifi, what good is it with no browser? I see the new Alex coming out in February has a second screen (a la Nook) that is meant for browsing. But, in the Sony Daily, there is no browser. Does that mean it only connects to the Sony ebook store so you can buy books? I know that's the way it is with the Nook and the Kindle. My thinking was that I would be able to subscribe to RSS feeds but now I am wondering if any of these even support RSS. So, the justification for getting a reader with Wifi for me is that I can download books on the go (I travel a lot) and keep up with RSS feeds. I plan on using Kobobooks.com for most of my ebook purchases. Are there ebook readers on the market today that support these things?

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01-17-2010, 03:02 PM	#5
lionel47 Addict Posts: 361 Karma: 170 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Atlanta, GA, USA Device: B&N Nook, Nook Color	After reading this hands-on review I am pretty sure the Spring Design Alex is going to be my first ereader.

01-17-2010, 03:04 PM	#6
daffy4u I'm Super Kindle-icious Posts: 6,734 Karma: 2434103 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Long Drive, Calinadia Candafornia Device: KDXG, KT, Oasis	I prefer the Alex over the nook, it's just too expensive IMO.

01-17-2010, 10:54 PM	#8
luag Zealot Posts: 144 Karma: 30 Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Jakarta, Indonesia Device: Onyx Boox 60	Onyx Boox 60 has Wi-Fi and a browser (based on WebKit IIRC) It's quite nice to be able to search for something you've just read, on wikipedia for example.

01-18-2010, 01:18 AM	#9
HansTWN Wizard Posts: 4,538 Karma: 264065402 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Taiwan Device: HP Touchpad, Sony Duo 13, Lumia 920, Kobo Aura HD	I want WiFi to download newspaper directly, since I cannot take advantage of 3G (except for the Kindle International, but the charges are too high). Since most devices run either Linux, Android, or Windows CE getting a browser should not be that difficult, even if non is included.

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