Why do "LCD e-Book reading devices" keep coming

[tzn22]

When I am not working I can sometimes spend 8 hours reading novels on my eink ereader. I can assure you that I would not be able to do so on a LCD screen. I can read a short email at work on my computer screen but longer than that and I need to print the document in order to be able to read it.

The fact that I cannot read a novel on my computer screen is now a problem as I have 3 ebooks that simply won't open on my ereader but can be open through ADE. (and yes, my ereader is authorized). As for another DRMed ebook, I can only read half the book on my ereader but it stops halfway because my ereader seems to think that page 111 is in fact page 217, which is supposed to be the last page. And again, all pages can be read on my computer. So not being able to read on a lcd screen is clearly a problem for me.

I love my current ereader but I want a second one as I hate having to stop reading because I have to recharge my reader and do not like it with I have to recharge it when it's at half its power. I really don't know which one I will be buying as it does seem that readers currently or soon to be released are LCD tablets or touchscreen dedicated ereader (I know many of you like the touchscreen but I don't)...

[DixieGal]

I am really getting tired of people talking about eyestrain, just because they read about it somewhere. Anything you do that has you staring for a long time could strain your eyes. I had my worst eyestrain ever after a marathon session of Solitaire on my laptop while watching a Dr Who marathon. The constant re-focusing did a number on me.

I also got a bad case of eyestrain from e-ink with my Sony. The poor contrast between text and background was a big problem.

There have been some news updates about color e-ink in the past couple of weeks. Why didn't you read them?

[jupstin]

Originally Posted by DixieGal

I am really getting tired of people talking about eyestrain, just because they read about it somewhere. Anything you do that has you staring for a long time could strain your eyes. I had my worst eyestrain ever after a marathon session of Solitaire on my laptop while watching a Dr Who marathon. The constant re-focusing did a number on me.

I also got a bad case of eyestrain from e-ink with my Sony. The poor contrast between text and background was a big problem.

There have been some news updates about color e-ink in the past couple of weeks. Why didn't you read them?

DixieGal - in my case, eye strain is not something that I just read about. I'm sure that eye strain can come from staring at an e-ink screen for too long, but in my actual experience I've never experienced strain while reading my Kindle, but I quickly experience strain when on a computer - laptop, desktop - it doesn't matter.

Also, in my case I actually started searching out a e-reader in the first place because of the strain I was feeling. At the time, there weren't many available options, and I certainly hadn't read anything that colored my thinking. I just noticed that computer monitors caused eye strain - for me. e-ink screens do not - at least not for me.

[Solicitous]

Originally Posted by DixieGal

I am really getting tired of people talking about eyestrain, just because they read about it somewhere. Anything you do that has you staring for a long time could strain your eyes. I had my worst eyestrain ever after a marathon session of Solitaire on my laptop while watching a Dr Who marathon. The constant re-focusing did a number on me.

I also got a bad case of eyestrain from e-ink with my Sony. The poor contrast between text and background was a big problem.

There have been some news updates about color e-ink in the past couple of weeks. Why didn't you read them?

You're right, too many people read about eyestrain and devices and take it for fact. The truth is it is a personal effect. Some people can read with a backlit LCD without hassle, others (like me) can not sustain prolonged periods of time looking at an LCD. Then again, my experiences are to do with LCD monitors (22") yet on my 14" laptop I can go alot longer. So potentially a 7" LCD ereader may not be all that big an issue for eyestrain for me.

You point out you get eyestrain from your e-ink device, some people do, others don't. Some people can read quite happily on a mobile phone, some can't.

End of the day, which devices contribute or increase the likelihood/risk of eyestrain is of a personal nature to the individual. Other peoples' experiences/thoughts IMHO should be taken with a grain of salt. Reading on backlit screens either works for you personally or it doesn't. Given the increasing market for LCD-based ereaders one would conclude there is a big enough portion of readers out there who are not affected by eyestrain reading on a LCD.

[jupstin]

Originally Posted by Solicitous

End of the day, which devices contribute or increase the likelihood/risk of eyestrain is of a personal nature to the individual. Other peoples' experiences/thoughts IMHO should be taken with a grain of salt. Reading on backlit screens either works for you personally or it doesn't. Given the increasing market for LCD-based ereaders one would conclude there is a big enough portion of readers out there who are not affected by eyestrain reading on a LCD.

Great point - this is exactly how I feel. For me, e-ink is a godsend - for others, it's just a crappy, non-backlit, black and white screen with an absurd refresh rate.

[JeremyZ]

Originally Posted by AnemicOak

eInk being easier on the eyes, eye strain, etc. are all subjective things.

No, they're not. When a light is shined at the human eye, it creates eye strain. Whether you notice the strain, or it bothers you enough to stop reading or anything else is what is subjective.

Reading eInk in not enough light can also cause eye strain, of course.

[jaxx6166]

Why are there so many "LCD e-Readers" coming to market these days?

It's not a question of eye strain or gadget-fetish. It's not a question of which you prefer. It's the fact that the iPad is selling millions upon millions of hardware units. And since they advertised it with the iBook feature, now corporate think-tank people are trying to catch in on the next big thing.

They want a piece of the pie. LCD screens are selling in droves right now. And without using a capacitive or otherwise touch screen unit, the LCD panels as a whole are pretty darn cheap. So every Tom, Dick, and Sally that has any sort of technology company is trying to catch up to the 8ball in hopes that they can get a piece of the pie.

Give it time. When color eInk comes out, you'll see a glut of them in the market all of a sudden too.

It's the same thing the iPhone did for phones, and what the Kindle did for eInk. Oh, and what the Wii did for all those other Wii knockoffs that you can buy for $20/each at your local Walgreens.

[Donnageddon]

Originally Posted by JeremyZ

No, they're not. When a light is shined at the human eye, it creates eye strain. Whether you notice the strain, or it bothers you enough to stop reading or anything else is what is subjective.

Reading eInk in not enough light can also cause eye strain, of course.

"When a light is shined at the human eye, it creates eye strain."

The only time light is not shined into the human eye is when they are closed. And that makes it very hard to read. But maybe you are correct, and we should all be looking for the next braille ereaders.

[ColdSun]

All a matter of preference and pure opinion. Samsung announced today that they will no longer make ePaper devices and will instead concentrate on LCD ebook devices. My prediction is that we will see even more LCD Devices (multiple function) than eInk devices (single function). eInk will always have a market, due to folks who will buy it due to their preference, but the LCD market has a bigger opportunity for growth because:

1. You can read in the dark. As a frequent reader, having to carry an attachable light to read on a portable device seems absurd. Having to turn on a lamp when my wife is sleeping when I can easily be considerate to her and use an LCD device seems like a good idea.

2. LCD readers have Converging (multiple) features. They put an LCD screen on the Nook. Why? Add features. Why not just use an LCD screen? Seems kind of silly to me. Someone in a previous post noted that the iPad sold many devices and now LCD is just the next fad. That is partially true. The whole truth is that Apple made a high quality device that delivers a very powerful user experience for a semi-decent price. Reading is just part of the recipe. Now we are looking at 99 cent TV episode rentals and all kids of multimedia on the thing. These other companies would be foolish not to try to compete with LCD devices that offer similar features. I don't think that means your eInk readers are going anywhere, because Amazon remains dedicated and as long as they are you will have them and anyone who chooses to compete. Still, let's just look at reality and the possible uses for mobile devices and realize that LCD devices can be used for much more than eInk. Will color eInk change the game? We'll see. I have my doubts about video.

Two good reasons for LCD popularity. It doesn't matter what I say though, just watch the market as it unfolds. Everyone has opinions, but a year ago many of you scoffed at the idea of LCD devices overtaking eInk readers. You can't look at any technology site or news now without seeing an advertisement or story about iPad or some Android slate/tablet device/phone.

P.S. Although some folks have the opinion that eInk is easier on the eyes - it isn't a proven fact. To me, and I hate to ignite the flames here, but it is just another marketing ploy. I have yet to see an eInk reader advertise that it was better for your eyes than an LCD device. Look at Amazon, Sony, or Nook. They may claim easy on the eyes, but never claim better FOR the eyes. Eye strain is eye strain. The only time you are going to get it more from LCD is if you are reading in complete darkness. On the other hand, turning on a lamp to read a normal book can cause just as much strain. Since none of what I say above is fact, I can only say it is my opinion as well. If some of you find eInk easier on your eyes, it may just be. Who knows?

[sabredog]

Originally Posted by JeremyZ

I think a lot of us read all day on LCDs or CRTs, which are essentially light sources. This creates a lot of eye strain over a period of hours and hours. It's like looking at a dim light bulb for hours at a time.

Don't worry, they'll wise up some day.

Same here. I am an engineer by profession and spend a full 8 hour day (sans site visits) concentrating in front of twin 22" WS LCD screens.

The last thing I want to do is spend yet more time leisure reading on a smaller backlit LCD device. My e-ink readers are exactly what my eyes need.

[sabredog]

Originally Posted by ColdSun

If some of you find eInk easier on your eyes, it may just be. Who knows?

My eyes know! To me that is all that matters.

The last thing I want to do is spend yet more time leisure reading on a smaller backlit LCD device. My e-ink readers are exactly what my eyes need.

As for reading in darkness using a backlit PDA, I have done that many times to avoid waking my wife and suffered from it in the morning with eyestrain headaches. I either leave the light on or use my M-edge booklight. No eyestrain there for me, period!

Even when reading paperbacks with a bedside light on, I did not get eyestrain.

So at least to me, an e-ink reader with bedside or reader light prevents me getting eyestrain.

[montsnmags]

Originally Posted by JeremyZ

No, they're not. When a light is shined at the human eye, it creates eye strain. Whether you notice the strain, or it bothers you enough to stop reading or anything else is what is subjective.

Reading eInk in not enough light can also cause eye strain, of course.

What do you mean by "eye strain" then?

If you define "eye strain" (asthenopia?) by its symptoms (eye fatigue, headaches, soreness, itchyness), then isn't it a necessarily subjective definition anyway? If a person doesn't experience any of the symptoms, then they don't have eye strain, do they? Wouldn't it be like saying, "You've got a headache, you just can't feel it"?

Cheers,
Marc

[ColdSun]

Originally Posted by sabredog

So at least to me, an e-ink reader with bedside or reader light prevents me getting eyestrain.

That is all that matters. My experience is different, but not any more valid than yours. On the other hand, some folks saying that LCD devices shouldn't be made, are a fad, aren't as good, etc are not being as open-minded as those of us who feel the opposite. Many of us have been waiting years to replace our eBookwise-1150s. Now we have a lot to choose from, with more coming out every month. It doesn't matter what side of the discussion you are on, the discussion is about reading on mobile devices. Last time I checked, this site was called "Mobileread" not eInkRead. I think all of us should have an open mind when it comes to reading technology.

[Sweetpea]

Originally Posted by JeremyZ

It is because lots of people don't understand that eInk is easier on the eyes. All they see is side-by-side features:

• Color vs. B&W
• Can read in the dark w/o an additional light
• Cheaper, for the feature set

I think a lot of us read all day on LCDs or CRTs, which are essentially light sources. This creates a lot of eye strain over a period of hours and hours. It's like looking at a dim light bulb for hours at a time.

Don't worry, they'll wise up some day.

For reading, I don't think color eInk is necessarily an advantage. I'm not anxiously awaiting it. It is going to come with a big price hike too, I'm sure.

I prefer a well-made LCD screen over any well-made e-ink screen any day. The only reason I have an e-ink screen is because there are no 5" readers with a transflective LCD screen on the market (and PixelQi, which has continued the development of transflective screens isn't making any haste marketing their screens!)

Originally Posted by AnemicOak

eInk being easier on the eyes, eye strain, etc. are all subjective things.

True, that.

Originally Posted by sabredog

My eyes know! To me that is all that matters.

The last thing I want to do is spend yet more time leisure reading on a smaller backlit LCD device. My e-ink readers are exactly what my eyes need.

As for reading in darkness using a backlit PDA, I have done that many times to avoid waking my wife and suffered from it in the morning with eyestrain headaches. I either leave the light on or use my M-edge booklight. No eyestrain there for me, period!

Even when reading paperbacks with a bedside light on, I did not get eyestrain.

So at least to me, an e-ink reader with bedside or reader light prevents me getting eyestrain.

I get more headaches using a bedlight or clip-on light than using a backlit LCD screen... I always had shadowy places, either because I was laying in the light myself (bedlight) or because that clip-on moved because I turned around, or I had to position it again, because it shone into my eyes (again, due to changing position in bed).


I do agree with one thing, with the OP though, we don't need the standard LCD screens, but the PixelQi or transflective screens!

[oorwullie]

i bought a android tablet about three weeks ago with a lcd screen and have read 4 books since then with no problems,with being disabled i read a lot,both with lcd and e-ink(cybook gen3 and kindle 3 when it is released) i ear glasses and have diabetis and as i have said earlier i have no problems with both types of screen......bill