Researching eBooks

jrdixey · 11-02-2008, 05:15 PM

Hi there,

I'm a library school student and prospective eBook buyer. I used to use a Palm (the colour kind) -- but only as a PDA, not as an eBook reader. I'm now thinking of getting an iPod Touch and I understand there are some eBook applications for it. Anyone use the Touch? Have any recommendations?

I've also played with the Kindle and I was impressed by the eInk screen and book-like quality. I don't like the idea of paying for free content, though, and I'm sure I'd want to be able to read blogs, etc. on whatever handheld device I might get.

Cheers
jrd

ShortNCuddlyAm · 11-02-2008, 05:45 PM

Welcome

Personally I'd recommend getting an eink device for reading as it is much easier on the eyes. I'm sure there are people here using the iPod Touch as a reader - possibly have a look in the Other Devices forum?

mtravellerh · 11-02-2008, 05:49 PM

Stanza will do the job nicely.

ficbot · 11-02-2008, 05:51 PM

I have an eBookwise and an iPod Touch and I read a LOT on the iPod Touch. I like it because it is multifunction, so I can have my music, PDA type stuff, games and books all on one device. I don't have a car, so I already have enough to cart around with me every day since I don't have anywhere else to put it but in my backpack!

eReader is imho the best app for reading on the Touch. You can download many free books from websites like manybooks.net directly from the app. You can also buy new ones from Fictionwise or eReader.com and easily download them directly from the app. Fictionwise also has a personal content server were you can upload your own stuff and download it into your bookshelf.

I am very happy with my Touch and think it makes an excellent e-book reader. I do still use my eBookwise at home and at the gym because it is easier to read when I am walking or moving, but for general reading, nothing beats my Touch. I love it.

MickeyC · 11-02-2008, 08:51 PM

Hi jrd and welcome to the Forum. I have both a Sony 505 and an iPhone and have read books on both. Of the two, I prefer the eInk Sony. I do agree with ficbot that eReader is a very good app for reading on the iPhone/Touch. Absolute best answer is to have the same book on both as I always have one or the other with me. But that gets expensive

Elsi · 11-02-2008, 09:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jrdixey

I've also played with the Kindle and I was impressed by the eInk screen and book-like quality. I don't like the idea of paying for free content, though, and I'm sure I'd want to be able to read blogs, etc. on whatever handheld device I might get.

Well, you don't have to pay for free content unless you ask Amazon to gather it up, package it, and send it to your Kindle. For blogs -- or anything with an RSS feed -- you can gather the content with MobiPocket Reader for the PC and transfer to a Kindle. Or, you can use online tools at Feedbooks (www.feedbooks.com) to download popular blogs or even online newspapers.

daffy4u · 11-02-2008, 10:00 PM

Where are you located? We can give you better suggestions based on your country ("colour" makes me think outside of the U.S.).

As a library school student, I would think you'll be doing a heavy amount of reading which will be much more pleasant with and e-ink device over the iPod Touch (I have a Kindle and a Touch).

FizzyWater · 11-02-2008, 10:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ShortNCuddlyAm

Personally I'd recommend getting an eink device for reading as it is much easier on the eyes.

I've seen this recommendation a lot. I think you have to go on your own experiences. Apparently, some people develop eye strain with normal back-lit computer screens. Something about the "refresh rate".

I've never noticed it. I read on my PocketPC and on a Sony with eInk. Personally, I notice no difference in terms of eyestrain or any kind of flicker.

Today, I prefer my Sony because 1) it has a larger screen and 2) the battery lasts a whole lot longer than my PDA's. But I'll read on whichever one is handier.

And I have to spend time converting my books to read on the Sony, when they're automatically in a format my PDA can read. (I had been so looking forward to that Astak Mentor with the eReader captabilities....sigh).

So, seems to me, if you're definitely getting the iTouch, you should give it a try for eBook reading first. If you notice tired eyes or don't like the small screen or get tired of re-charging, then look into an eInk reader. But if you're happy with the iTouch, why buy the second? Students don't generally have a lot of spare cash for extra gadgets, right?

jrdixey · 11-07-2008, 12:44 AM

Hi everyone,

Thanks for the recommendations, especially the one for Stanza -- I've been looking around and I can't believe how many apps there seem to be for reading on the Touch.

It's funny that I wrote "colour" -- must have been because I was in student mode when I was writing that, and I go to school in Canada.

But I live in the U.S. (It's nice to live in a border city!)

I'm going to try the Touch (I have a demo to play with now ... It's also nice to work for a university!).

But wrt eInk devices, I think I'm going to hold out for one of these:
http://www.plasticlogic.com/product.html

Cheers
jrd

11-02-2008, 05:15 PM	#1
jrdixey Junior Member Posts: 4 Karma: 10 Join Date: Nov 2008 Device: iPod Touch	Researching eBooks Hi there, I'm a library school student and prospective eBook buyer. I used to use a Palm (the colour kind) -- but only as a PDA, not as an eBook reader. I'm now thinking of getting an iPod Touch and I understand there are some eBook applications for it. Anyone use the Touch? Have any recommendations? I've also played with the Kindle and I was impressed by the eInk screen and book-like quality. I don't like the idea of paying for free content, though, and I'm sure I'd want to be able to read blogs, etc. on whatever handheld device I might get. Cheers jrd

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11-02-2008, 05:45 PM	#2
ShortNCuddlyAm WWHALD Posts: 7,879 Karma: 337114 Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Mitcham, Surrey, UK Device: iPad. Selling my silver 505 here	Welcome Personally I'd recommend getting an eink device for reading as it is much easier on the eyes. I'm sure there are people here using the iPod Touch as a reader - possibly have a look in the Other Devices forum?

11-02-2008, 05:49 PM	#3
mtravellerh book creator Posts: 9,657 Karma: 3856660 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Luxembourg Device: Kindle Scribe	Stanza will do the job nicely.

11-02-2008, 05:51 PM	#4
ficbot Wizard Posts: 2,409 Karma: 4132096 Join Date: Sep 2008 Device: Kindle Paperwhite/iOS Kindle App	I have an eBookwise and an iPod Touch and I read a LOT on the iPod Touch. I like it because it is multifunction, so I can have my music, PDA type stuff, games and books all on one device. I don't have a car, so I already have enough to cart around with me every day since I don't have anywhere else to put it but in my backpack! eReader is imho the best app for reading on the Touch. You can download many free books from websites like manybooks.net directly from the app. You can also buy new ones from Fictionwise or eReader.com and easily download them directly from the app. Fictionwise also has a personal content server were you can upload your own stuff and download it into your bookshelf. I am very happy with my Touch and think it makes an excellent e-book reader. I do still use my eBookwise at home and at the gym because it is easier to read when I am walking or moving, but for general reading, nothing beats my Touch. I love it.

11-02-2008, 08:51 PM	#5
MickeyC Grand Sorcerer Posts: 16,731 Karma: 12185114 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Florida Device: iPhone 6 plus, Sony T1, iPad 3	Hi jrd and welcome to the Forum. I have both a Sony 505 and an iPhone and have read books on both. Of the two, I prefer the eInk Sony. I do agree with ficbot that eReader is a very good app for reading on the iPhone/Touch. Absolute best answer is to have the same book on both as I always have one or the other with me. But that gets expensive

11-02-2008, 10:00 PM	#7
daffy4u I'm Super Kindle-icious Posts: 6,734 Karma: 2434103 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Long Drive, Calinadia Candafornia Device: KDXG, KT, Oasis	Where are you located? We can give you better suggestions based on your country ("colour" makes me think outside of the U.S.). As a library school student, I would think you'll be doing a heavy amount of reading which will be much more pleasant with and e-ink device over the iPod Touch (I have a Kindle and a Touch).

11-07-2008, 12:44 AM	#9
jrdixey Junior Member Posts: 4 Karma: 10 Join Date: Nov 2008 Device: iPod Touch	Hi everyone, Thanks for the recommendations, especially the one for Stanza -- I've been looking around and I can't believe how many apps there seem to be for reading on the Touch. It's funny that I wrote "colour" -- must have been because I was in student mode when I was writing that, and I go to school in Canada. But I live in the U.S. (It's nice to live in a border city!) I'm going to try the Touch (I have a demo to play with now ... It's also nice to work for a university!). But wrt eInk devices, I think I'm going to hold out for one of these: http://www.plasticlogic.com/product.html Cheers jrd