I'm picky, but I know what I want

[Joe Minton]

iTouch 4G

The iTouch 4g (or iPhone 4G) has the sharpest screen I have used. There are apps for any format you might care to use: Kindle, Sony, Nook and any non-DRM document. I can read anything on my iTouch that is available. Period. ---- This is the gorilla in the room.

Yes, the iTouch screen is small, but, as I have learned -- that is not an issue. In fact it can be an advantage (another story).

Since I must read with glasses anyway, the size of my iTouch screen is not a problem.

I own and use both the Sony 350 and 650 readers. I seldom use them these days; the iTouch is sharper, clearer and more convenient. And, don't forget, I can read any ebook in any format with any DRM that is available. No other reader can do this.

My iTouch is the most versatile ereader I own or have tested. Try one and see for yourself.

On the Down-Side: the iTouch does need recharging after about 20 hours of reading (WiFi off, reading only). It is more 'technical' than the kindle which is marvelous for folks who have the money and who are not computer geeks. It fades in direct sunlight. About the only time I use my Sonys is when I choose to read outside in our glider or a chair at the table amidst the flower garden my dear Nancy keeps!

If folks like Sony don't realize just how useful, effective and convenient the iTouch/iPhone with the "Retina" devices are. they are going to fade and fade very soon. I, for one, don't want that to happen.

Joe

[Belle2Be]

Originally Posted by Joe Minton

iTouch 4G

The iTouch 4g (or iPhone 4G) has the sharpest screen I have used. There are apps for any format you might care to use: Kindle, Sony, Nook and any non-DRM document. I can read anything on my iTouch that is available. Period. ---- This is the gorilla in the room.

Yes, the iTouch screen is small, but, as I have learned -- that is not an issue. In fact it can be an advantage (another story).

Since I must read with glasses anyway, the size of my iTouch screen is not a problem.

I own and use both the Sony 350 and 650 readers. I seldom use them these days; the iTouch is sharper, clearer and more convenient. And, don't forget, I can read any ebook in any format with any DRM that is available. No other reader can do this.

My iTouch is the most versatile ereader I own or have tested. Try one and see for yourself.

On the Down-Side: the iTouch does need recharging after about 20 hours of reading (WiFi off, reading only). It is more 'technical' than the kindle which is marvelous for folks who have the money and who are not computer geeks. It fades in direct sunlight. About the only time I use my Sonys is when I choose to read outside in our glider or a chair at the table amidst the flower garden my dear Nancy keeps!

If folks like Sony don't realize just how useful, effective and convenient the iTouch/iPhone with the "Retina" devices are. they are going to fade and fade very soon. I, for one, don't want that to happen.

Joe

What is a Retina device?

[Andrew H.]

Originally Posted by eerok

An open standard also mitigates the ability of a corporate entity to control in its self-interest the access and use of data you have created yourself or legitimately purchased. In my 30+ years as a computer geek, I've seen lots of proprietary file format games, and in my old age I simply decline to play along. Smart people would follow my example. In the wars to come (I don't want to alarm anyone, but they are already here), open standards and open source are the way to go.

When you accept a proprietary format, you accept power over you. So it's not all about which store you like.

This is nonsense.

EPUB is an open standard. But EPUB books you buy from Sony, B&N, Kobo, or Apple are all DRM'd. EPUB+DRM = proprietary standard. EPUB books with different DRMs aren't necessarily compatible with other EPUB books, for that matter.

So DRM's EPUBs are about the same as Amazon's format, which has the advantage of 75-80% of the US market.

[Belle2Be]

Originally Posted by jehane

I think you mistake the OP's intent. When she says "download from anywhere" I think she means downloading from different internet sites, not downloading from whatever physical location she is at. Given that she is looking to get library books and free books, side-loading will be the order of the day so wireless connectivity becomes irrelevant.

Haha, you're probably right. Sorry about that!

[jehane]

Originally Posted by Madwitch58

The kind of E reader I am looking for is one that will allow me to download books from anywhere. Mostly the library, and the free e- books sites I know about. I want one that will not have to be repaired or serviced every time I turn around, a memory card, good tech support . Thank you.

ProfCrash and JoCampo, perhaps you missed the bit about getting books from the library? Sure, she could break the DRM and convert everything, but if she is *mainly* looking to get books from the library, surely you'd have to recommend a device that reads epub natively and save her the trouble? It really doesn't sound like she wants to purchase books much.

[jehane]

Originally Posted by Andrew H.

This is nonsense.

EPUB is an open standard. But EPUB books you buy from Sony, B&N, Kobo, or Apple are all DRM'd. EPUB+DRM = proprietary standard. EPUB books with different DRMs aren't necessarily compatible with other EPUB books, for that matter.

So DRM's EPUBs are about the same as Amazon's format, which has the advantage of 75-80% of the US market.

AFAIK only B&N has a proprietary DRM for epub. Maybe Apple? I automatically stay away from iThings so I'm not familiar with their stuff at all. My Sony is happily displaying epubs from Kobo, Borders, Baen and other sites that are not Amazon, B&N or Apple. I will also point out that not having access to these bookstores doesn't worry me at all, since outside of the US, they are not nearly as dominant.

[Maggie Leung]

Originally Posted by jehane

ProfCrash and JoCampo, perhaps you missed the bit about getting books from the library? Sure, she could break the DRM and convert everything, but if she is *mainly* looking to get books from the library, surely you'd have to recommend a device that reads epub natively and save her the trouble? It really doesn't sound like she wants to purchase books much.

There's an app that allows library borrowing on iDevices. It's called Bluefire and doesn't require DRM stripping. It's legit.

[ProfCrash]

Originally Posted by eerok

An open standard like EPub invites development of ancillary software, and indeed we see examples such as Sigil (multi-platform EPub editor) and EPub Zip (a utility for rebuilding EPub archives).

An open standard also makes it easier for apps like Calibre to perform high-quality conversions.

An open standard also mitigates the ability of a corporate entity to control in its self-interest the access and use of data you have created yourself or legitimately purchased. In my 30+ years as a computer geek, I've seen lots of proprietary file format games, and in my old age I simply decline to play along. Smart people would follow my example. In the wars to come (I don't want to alarm anyone, but they are already here), open standards and open source are the way to go.

When you accept a proprietary format, you accept power over you. So it's not all about which store you like.

Goodie for programmers. That sounds wonderful.

And yet it is not important to 99% of people looking to buy an ereader. People who are buying readers to read on probably care less about the programming, they care about the availability of books.

EPub is not the dominant format. There are as many, if not more, ebooks available in Mobi as there are in EPub. There are more stores selling EPubs but that does not mean that there are more ebooks in EPub.

The number of books available in each format is more important to me then the programmability. I can read all of my books purchased from Amazon very easily. People who use the Kindle Apps can read their Amazon e-books very easily. People who buy ebooks from Amazon, strip the DRM, and convert them to EPub can read the books easily. In the end, that is all most ereaders care about.

[ProfCrash]

Originally Posted by jehane

ProfCrash and JoCampo, perhaps you missed the bit about getting books from the library? Sure, she could break the DRM and convert everything, but if she is *mainly* looking to get books from the library, surely you'd have to recommend a device that reads epub natively and save her the trouble? It really doesn't sound like she wants to purchase books much.

Please look at my first post in this topic. The one that says "That would be the Sony, the Kobo, the Nook and a series of other e-readers that I am not as familiar with."

I have not suggested a Kindle.

I have pointed out that more bookstores does not equal more available books. The implication of the "EPub means you can shop at all these bookstores" is that you can find more books in EPub which is not the case.

I have no problem with people buying an EPub reader. I recommended an EPub reader in this topic and in may other topics.

I do have a problem with this desire of folks to make it sound like you will find more books with an EPub reader then you will because you are locked in, tied to, whatever the language of the day is to the Amazon store.

There are many stores that sell books in Mobi. Not BN, Sony, or Kobo but smaller independent e-book stores. Even if you don't use those, Amazon sells more titles, even after removing the public domain titles, then BN, Sony, and Kobo. So if you are interested in buying a device that gives you the greatest access to available books, the Kindle is your best bet.

[ProfCrash]

Originally Posted by jehane

AFAIK only B&N has a proprietary DRM for epub. Maybe Apple? I automatically stay away from iThings so I'm not familiar with their stuff at all. My Sony is happily displaying epubs from Kobo, Borders, Baen and other sites that are not Amazon, B&N or Apple. I will also point out that not having access to these bookstores doesn't worry me at all, since outside of the US, they are not nearly as dominant.

Apple and BN have propritary DRMs.

[OtterBooks]

I want one that will not have to be repaired or serviced every time I turn around

I don't know of any ereaders that require repair or service every time you turn around, unless you turn around often and violently.

[Maggie Leung]

Originally Posted by ProfCrash

Apple and BN have propritary DRMs.

There's no need to buy iBooks even with an iDevice. Without tinkering, I read books from Amazon/Kindle, Barnes & Noble, Borders, Kobo, Stanza, Bluefire (which has access to various stores and public libraries) and Gutenberg -- all on iDevices. There's easy access to other stores as well. I just don't choose to buy from them.

I've bought plenty of books during seven months of owning an iPad; I've spent only 99 cents on iBooks (for a book on iPad tips). I don't buy iBooks because they can be read only on iDevices and I want flexibility to take my library with me if I decide to ditch Apple once there's stronger competition among tablet makers.

I'm not urging the OP or anyone else to necessarily buy an iDevice. It makes sense for each reader to buy based on his own needs and preferences, whether e-ink or tablet. It's best to decide based on facts, though.

For the widest book selection, iDevices beat the pants off other devices right now. You don't have to do illegal or PITA things (such as DRM stripping) just to read. iDevices also let you legally get free books from the most sources.

[ProfCrash]

Agreed. If you have that type of money and you want an LCD screen the IPad and similar tablet devices is the best way to go. Rooted Nook Colors will essentially do the same thing but at a cheaper price.

[Maggie Leung]

Originally Posted by ProfCrash

Agreed. If you have that type of money and you want an LCD screen the IPad and similar tablet devices is the best way to go. Rooted Nook Colors will essentially do the same thing but at a cheaper price.

Yes, depends on needs (such as budget) and tech skills. Rooting, DRM stripping and such are things to take into account. They take know-how and time.

Many posters have multiple devices to read multiple formats. Sometimes that's because they've previously bought one device and want to expand formats. For someone starting from scratch, a $500 iPad (low-end model) is worth considering if he wants widest access to books on one device. For $500, you get a host of other functions on iPad. You also have resale value down the road.

Of course, many people aren't interested in multi-use functions or LCD, so we're back to personal preferences and needs.

[ProfCrash]

Yup. I like the idea of an IPad and I might be interested in a 7 inch IPad at a reasonable price. It would be easier to carry, lighter to hold, and I could see using it while travelling to watch videos or play games on. I don't read library books and I have been able to find all the books I want at Amazon so I have not had a desire to buy a second device.

Most days, I don't need the functionality of an IPad, I actually like having devices that I cannot connect to the internet and play games on since I am very easily distracted. I like my Kindle because it reads books. I have some games on it because they were cheap and who knows, I might want to play them one day. It is light, easy to use, and the battery lasts forever.

A smaller, less expensive tablet is interesting to me but I have not seen anything out there in a price range that I would want.