Is the iPhone too small for reading ebooks - Page 5

MsAstoria · 02-17-2011, 10:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by injapan

back to the topic.
I started this thread when I was looking a buying either an ipod touch 4G or Sony PRS-650.
I decided on the 64 Gb iTouch and although it certainly is small, you get used to it, esp in landscape mode. I love the size, it can me taken anywhere and do so much more than the sony.
I seldom read books for long periods at a time, so for me the iTouch is fine.
Highly recommended

I just purchased an 8 GB iPod Touch and think too it's a perfect solution for reading on the road. It won't replace my iPad but allow me a little more flexibility.

phenomshel · 02-17-2011, 10:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe Minton

I have both the iTouch 4G and Sony 650. I seldom use the 650 anymore. I need reading glasses (I'm 69 yrs old) with either device, so the smaller screen doesn't mean much. I did not buy the iTouch (for our purposes, the same as an iPhone) to read with, it just sorta happened.

I am in complete agreement with the above comments about its usefulness. I read at night with the colors reversed and sometimes do so in daylight as well. The letters are sharper and more clear on the 4G than my 650.

I can read all the ebook formats simply by selecting the proper bit of software, all of which are free. I use iBooks, Stanza (favorite), Google Books, Bluefire, etc. Apple has allowed all of its competitors access to its gadgets, even Amazon. No one else seems to be doing that and I applaud them for for it.

The Apple "Retina" display screen is remarkable; there seems to be no 'pixelation' effects at all. It is sharper and clearer than anything I have used. I can read for hours and not suffer eye strain. If Apple made a 7" version, I'd buy one.

On the other hand, the Sony PRS-650 has some clear advantages, at least for me. I can read it in direct sunlight, in fact: the brighter the better. It has a useful dictionary. I can highlight, annotate and make notes which are useful things when I choose to use it for proofing & editing some bit of writing. It can go without charging for a week of use while the iTouch seldom makes it past two days.

Since you're going to buy a new phone anyway, I strongly recommend the iPhone 4G and a small collection of free apts with which to read anything you'd like.

NOTE: Be sure to get a "4G" version with the new screen.

Thank you! You just answered most of my questions about the iTouch my son is getting, LOL.

benham · 02-18-2011, 12:53 PM

If you have a Sony ereader you can download the iFlow app and actually have your Sony books on your iTouch as well. You just need to authorize your adobe ID and know where your Sony library is on your hard drive. My favorite feature on the iFlow is the scroll. You can speed it up or slow it down just by tilting it.

jocampo · 02-18-2011, 03:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MsAstoria

I just purchased an 8 GB iPod Touch and think too it's a perfect solution for reading on the road. It won't replace my iPad but allow me a little more flexibility.

Hi MsAstoria

May I ask why you did not check for a 6" or 7" screen device instead? Still portable but not so small.

By the way and off topic, love Oregon. Went there on a business trip and love it. I crossed the Astoria's bridge too ... :-)

MsAstoria · 02-18-2011, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jocampo

Hi MsAstoria

May I ask why you did not check for a 6" or 7" screen device instead? Still portable but not so small.

By the way and off topic, love Oregon. Went there on a business trip and love it. I crossed the Astoria's bridge too ... :-)

Howdy Jocampo, actually I have owned a Sony reader and a Kindle (6 inch screen) but I really wanted to read it in low light situations and hated having to attach a light. I sold it and bought an iPad. Love it but it's not as portable as I would like. I really wanted a unit that could be dropped in my bag and retrieved for a quick read when I wanted. also iPad wasn't comfortable for bed reading. So now I have the latest iPod touch and love it! mere ounces and a beautiful crisp screen. I wasn't sure I would like the small screen but it's working out fine.

Joe Minton · 02-19-2011, 04:14 PM

Slowly, surely, inevitably we ereader folks are going to realize that resolution (TMF) trumps screen size.

Books are printed at 300 dpi (I think). Anything more is considered wasted bandwidth; anything less may cause resolution problems for the reader. Apple's "Retina" screen resolution is more than 300 dpi -- it wins.

We can argue about this (and anti-Apple folks may scream about it) but --- the "retina" display resolution may represent a 'turning point'.

If you have not spent some time with a Retina screen (iPhone/iTouch 4), I suggest you do so. They are remarkable: they are clear, sharp and clean. All you have to do is buy a pair of +1.25 or greater reading glasses to get the screen closer to your eyes. It will remain sharp and clear.

I now only use my Sony prs-650 when I must read in direct sunlight. In every way, but for this singular exception, my iTouch is the better reader. I did not expect this to be so; it is. If I had known, I would have bought only my Sony prs-350 for sunny days at the beach.

If anyone provides a 300+ dpi resolution tablet (7" or so screen size) I'll buy it. I am currently 'waiting in the wings' for such a gadget. If none comes along, I'll root a Nook Color and install 3.0 Android OS.

Interesting times --- ;o)

Joe

MsAstoria · 02-19-2011, 07:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe Minton

Slowly, surely, inevitably we ereader folks are going to realize that resolution (TMF) trumps screen size.

If you have not spent some time with a Retina screen (iPhone/iTouch 4), I suggest you do so. They are remarkable: they are clear, sharp and clean. All you have to do is buy a pair of +1.25 or greater reading glasses to get the screen closer to your eyes. It will remain sharp and clear.
If anyone provides a 300+ dpi resolution tablet (7" or so screen size) I'll buy it. I am currently 'waiting in the wings' for such a gadget. If none comes along, I'll root a Nook Color and install 3.0 Android OS.

Interesting times --- ;o)

Joe

Very true. I love my iPad but the iPod touch 4 retina screen is superior. Who'd have thought? Today I actually left my iPad at home while we went to town. Of course I already have glasses but find that the print on the Touch is very easy to read regardless of distance. If anything it's better a little further away such as lap distance.

benham · 02-20-2011, 10:50 AM

The problem is, the LCDs are not good in bright light and the e-ink is not good in low light. So you can have both, Sony books downloaded to iFlow match the pages on the Sony so you could switched between the two. I have not tried this yet so it might not be practical.

MsAstoria · 02-20-2011, 10:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by benham

The problem is, the LCDs are not good in bright light and the e-ink is not good in low light.

Yes, it's true about LCD laptops and the iPad, but I discovered that I could read my retina display iPod touch 4 quite easily Just by tilting it slightly while I was sitting in the morning sunlight this past weekend. Course we're talking weak winter sunlight but the print contrast was crisp and clear! The retina display is superior to my iPad's display. I won't be replacing my iPad until the retina display is available sometime down the road.

benham · 02-21-2011, 04:12 PM

I tried that but if you are outside on a sunny day it is hard to read. I really, really, really like both my iTouch 4 and Sony PRS. If iPad could get that retina display thing right, that would be awesome.

faithbw · 02-21-2011, 07:57 PM

I have an iPod Touch 3G. I don't really like reading it. The screen is just too small. I mean it wasn't hard to read but the screen size was distracting. I read one book on the Kindle app because Amazon didn't have the physical copy and another book on the Kobo app. I actually liked reading on the Kobo app better than the Kindle app. I really like how the Kobo app mimics a real pages turning. I have other reading apps as well but none of them have impressed me enough to make me want to read exclusively on my iPod. I still buy hard copy books (including the classics that I can download from Gutenberg Project) partly because I cannot stand reading on my tiny iPod screen. It doesn't hurt my eyes and the screen itself is adjustable. I just hate staring at the thing long enough to read a book!

I like the eReading experience but I don't think the iPod Touch is right for it (well, at least for me). Thus, I want to buy an actual eReader.

injapan · 02-22-2011, 02:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe Minton

Slowly, surely, inevitably we ereader folks are going to realize that resolution (TMF) trumps screen size.

Books are printed at 300 dpi (I think). Anything more is considered wasted bandwidth; anything less may cause resolution problems for the reader. Apple's "Retina" screen resolution is more than 300 dpi -- it wins.

We can argue about this (and anti-Apple folks may scream about it) but --- the "retina" display resolution may represent a 'turning point'.

If you have not spent some time with a Retina screen (iPhone/iTouch 4), I suggest you do so. They are remarkable: they are clear, sharp and clean. All you have to do is buy a pair of +1.25 or greater reading glasses to get the screen closer to your eyes. It will remain sharp and clear.

Joe

Yes, I agree. I love the retina display. Its awesome. I have gotten used to the small iTouch 4 display, I read it landscape, its great

Jabreal53 · 02-22-2011, 06:35 AM

ipod I think is a great and convenient option for people who are used to reading to performing different tasks while moving. The ipod comes with numerous functions which are much more reliable than any other brand.

JimKal · 02-22-2011, 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MsAstoria

Very true. I love my iPad but the iPod touch 4 retina screen is superior. Who'd have thought? Today I actually left my iPad at home while we went to town. Of course I already have glasses but find that the print on the Touch is very easy to read regardless of distance. If anything it's better a little further away such as lap distance.

I, too, love my iPad but the new iPhone works very well as a reader. I just took both on a trip. I used the iPad for email and web and reading but I also used the iPhone for reading. It has persuaded me to leave the iPad at home during the day and for shorter trips. The screen is amazing. Yes, it is small but very clear. I am at the age where presbyopia is an old friend and the iPad was a welcome addition to my reading agenda so I suspected the iPhone would be only an occasional stand-in but I will use it regularly for those situations where I don't want to carry a second device.

But, to answer the question originally posted: I think for the occasional reader the iPhone makes a very good e-reader. I like the ease of use of the iPad for highlighting and making notes. The larger screen is hard to beat as well. Others on this forum like the Kindle or Nook, as well as other e-readers. But many here are voracious readers. If you read 5 to 10 books a year (or less) the iPhone would serve you well.

benham · 02-22-2011, 04:03 PM

I am in the 100 books a year range and it works. Most are on the Sony though and I have only read a few on the iTouch.

Quick question- what is the best way to clean the screen on the iTouch 4? I was going to put a screen protector on it but tried my daughter's and it seemed to make the page turning harder.

02-21-2011, 07:57 PM	#71
faithbw Guru Posts: 618 Karma: 1526148 Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: A place where the sun always shines Device: Kindle Oasis, iPad Mini 2	I have an iPod Touch 3G. I don't really like reading it. The screen is just too small. I mean it wasn't hard to read but the screen size was distracting. I read one book on the Kindle app because Amazon didn't have the physical copy and another book on the Kobo app. I actually liked reading on the Kobo app better than the Kindle app. I really like how the Kobo app mimics a real pages turning. I have other reading apps as well but none of them have impressed me enough to make me want to read exclusively on my iPod. I still buy hard copy books (including the classics that I can download from Gutenberg Project) partly because I cannot stand reading on my tiny iPod screen. It doesn't hurt my eyes and the screen itself is adjustable. I just hate staring at the thing long enough to read a book! I like the eReading experience but I don't think the iPod Touch is right for it (well, at least for me). Thus, I want to buy an actual eReader. Last edited by faithbw; 02-21-2011 at 08:00 PM.

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02-18-2011, 12:53 PM	#63
benham Guru Posts: 882 Karma: 5565888 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Townsend, WI Device: Palm TX, PRS-505 (BLUE)	If you have a Sony ereader you can download the iFlow app and actually have your Sony books on your iTouch as well. You just need to authorize your adobe ID and know where your Sony library is on your hard drive. My favorite feature on the iFlow is the scroll. You can speed it up or slow it down just by tilting it.

02-19-2011, 04:14 PM	#66
Joe Minton eReader Posts: 60 Karma: 31585 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Southern California Device: Sony 650, iPod Touch 4G, iPhone 4, Nook: Touch/Glow/Color/Tablet	Slowly, surely, inevitably we ereader folks are going to realize that resolution (TMF) trumps screen size. Books are printed at 300 dpi (I think). Anything more is considered wasted bandwidth; anything less may cause resolution problems for the reader. Apple's "Retina" screen resolution is more than 300 dpi -- it wins. We can argue about this (and anti-Apple folks may scream about it) but --- the "retina" display resolution may represent a 'turning point'. If you have not spent some time with a Retina screen (iPhone/iTouch 4), I suggest you do so. They are remarkable: they are clear, sharp and clean. All you have to do is buy a pair of +1.25 or greater reading glasses to get the screen closer to your eyes. It will remain sharp and clear. I now only use my Sony prs-650 when I must read in direct sunlight. In every way, but for this singular exception, my iTouch is the better reader. I did not expect this to be so; it is. If I had known, I would have bought only my Sony prs-350 for sunny days at the beach. If anyone provides a 300+ dpi resolution tablet (7" or so screen size) I'll buy it. I am currently 'waiting in the wings' for such a gadget. If none comes along, I'll root a Nook Color and install 3.0 Android OS. Interesting times --- ;o) Joe

02-20-2011, 10:50 AM	#68
benham Guru Posts: 882 Karma: 5565888 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Townsend, WI Device: Palm TX, PRS-505 (BLUE)	The problem is, the LCDs are not good in bright light and the e-ink is not good in low light. So you can have both, Sony books downloaded to iFlow match the pages on the Sony so you could switched between the two. I have not tried this yet so it might not be practical.

02-21-2011, 04:12 PM	#70
benham Guru Posts: 882 Karma: 5565888 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Townsend, WI Device: Palm TX, PRS-505 (BLUE)	I tried that but if you are outside on a sunny day it is hard to read. I really, really, really like both my iTouch 4 and Sony PRS. If iPad could get that retina display thing right, that would be awesome.

02-22-2011, 06:35 AM	#73
Jabreal53 Banned Posts: 5 Karma: 10 Join Date: Feb 2011 Device: Jabreal53	ipod I think is a great and convenient option for people who are used to reading to performing different tasks while moving. The ipod comes with numerous functions which are much more reliable than any other brand.

02-22-2011, 04:03 PM	#75
benham Guru Posts: 882 Karma: 5565888 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Townsend, WI Device: Palm TX, PRS-505 (BLUE)	I am in the 100 books a year range and it works. Most are on the Sony though and I have only read a few on the iTouch. Quick question- what is the best way to clean the screen on the iTouch 4? I was going to put a screen protector on it but tried my daughter's and it seemed to make the page turning harder.