Why are dedicated ebooks readers still popular?

[Apache]

Originally Posted by hobnail

There's also that hammer that has the bounce back reduced with a shifting weight or something in its head. But mine is nylon and not for driving nails.

Those are dead blow hammers.
Apache

[cfrizz]

Originally Posted by jbcohen

When smart phones can do that as well?

I can understand when readers prefer the dedicated ebook reader eliminate distractions because of the unavailability of email and the internet.

However the dedicated ebook reader is something additional to carry and something to worry about getting smashed or lost. Isn't it easier to carry one device?

I have a Kobo Libra, Samsung Tablet, as well as my Samsung S10e phone.

The S10e is my daily reader since I am commuting to and from work so I'm reading and listening to my music all on one device. As for being too small for reading, that is solved by enlarging the text which is why I LOVE ALL these devices! Also, technology has improved a great deal and the brightness increases on the phone so that it can be read outside. And since I leave my phone in airplane mode 99% of the time, I don't have to worry about distractions.

Every once in a while, I wake up in the middle of the night and can't get back to sleep, so I read on my Kobo and read comfortably with the lit screen until I can fall back to sleep.

I travel with my tablet and use that to read with when I'm away from home visiting my brother.

My main reader at home is my 32 inch Sceptre computer screen.

So all these devices have their specific uses for me. There is no right or wrong answer, just individual choices!

[DiapDealer]

To be perfectly honest, I'd say that dedicated ereaders aren't really that "popular" at all. In fact, I'd say they're fairly niche in the grand scheme of things. Even among those who have embraced ebooks, I'd wager the vast majority read on something other than dedicated readers.

Popular among Mobileread's membership... sure.

Spoiler:

cue the comments about "serious" readers

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by Victoria

Larger, faster readers sound ideal for people who read graphic novels and comics. Since I don’t read those, I probably wouldn’t be tempted. A heavier battery and a 10.3” screen would make the reader less portable. My kindle is waterproof, and its 4GB holds twice as much as my whole library. It’s configuration has a good balance of features for me, since I read basic text, and like to take it out with me.

I do see why some people would like larger screens. But my point was just that at some point, new models won’t actually add to core the reading experience. They’ll just encourage consumerism through a policy of planned obsolescence.

A 10.3" screen is better for PDF. But a 10.3" screen does not have to be all that heavy as it can be plastic backed and a lot lighter then one with a glass backed screen. Also, if you can get a stand if need be. A heftier battery gives more life to the Reader.

Kobo might be the best company in terms of obsolescence as they support most of their Readers with the current firmware. So that's a very good thing. Keeps the old models going with new firmware.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by ekbell

The Kindle app handles footnotes better than the Kobo app and provides very useful line space options.

The line space options for a Kindle.
1. Too large
2. Really too large
3. WTF?

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by Sirtel

I read basic text also, but the ideal screen size for me (as of now) is 7". 8" would be interesting as well, provided it won't add too much to the overall weight. And not even 32 GB would hold my whole library, so the larger the storage is, the better. Not that I ever intend to load my whole library on a single ereader, but still.

Kobo Libra H2O weighs 192g.
Kobo Forma weighs 197g.

That's because the Libra is using a glass screen and the Forma is using a plastic screen. So the larger screen is actually lighter then the smaller screen.

[John F]

Originally Posted by fathead

I doubt if such people ever read anything longer than a Twitter post.

Along with ...

All some people do is talk on the phone.
All some people do is watch TV.
All some people do is play video games.
All some people do is bury their nose in a book.
...

[MarjaE]

Originally Posted by jbcohen

When smart phones can do that as well?

I can understand when readers prefer the dedicated ebook reader eliminate distractions because of the unavailability of email and the internet.

However the dedicated ebook reader is something additional to carry and something to worry about getting smashed or lost. Isn't it easier to carry one device?

Smart pains can do what as well?

I can read epub or mobi books on an e-reader, depending on the model. I don't have to fight a touchscreen, or get the inevitable migraines from a glowscreen that way. I can't read pdfs on a small screen, but that's just as much a problem with smart pains as with e-readers.

P.S. I have sensory processing disorder to begin with, astigmatism which is hard to correct for, and some kind of chronic illness with flash/strobe and scroll/animation sensitivities among other symptoms. I know post-concussion syndrome can cause similar flash/strobe and scroll/animation sensitivities. I've been hit by a couple cars, but the timeline doesn't really line up. Even if glowscreens are suitable or most people, e-ink has some use.

[twowheels]

Originally Posted by underscore

I second this.
When i first saw some eink readers it was ~10 years ago, in an airport computer shop.
I took them in hand and i was wondering for a couple of seconds why they keep those reader turned off with a demo sticker on it.
Then the image of the likely demo mode changed.

I knew they were existing but i thought the difference was mainly in battery life and i wasn't reading that much at that time (because of lack of proper tool).
Now i have an eink reader, an eink smartphone and i would kill for a decent prized eink computer monitor

Same here. When I received my Kindle 3 I was looking to see where to peel the plastic off.

[ownedbycats]

Originally Posted by jbcohen

When smart phones can do that as well?

Reading on a smart phone is unpleasant and I try to avoid it whenever I can.

[ownedbycats]

Originally Posted by MarjaE

P.S. I have sensory processing disorder to begin with, astigmatism which is hard to correct for, and some kind of chronic illness with flash/strobe and scroll/animation sensitivities among other symptoms.

Have you been checked for optical migraines? It's a migraine with pretty much every symptom except the headache.

[ottischwenk]

Originally Posted by Sirtel

I read basic text also, but the ideal screen size for me (as of now) is 7". 8" would be interesting as well, provided it won't add too much to the overall weight. And not even 32 GB would hold my whole library, so the larger the storage is, the better. Not that I ever intend to load my whole library on a single ereader, but still.

I have 512 GB in my Likebook devices - that will probably be enough!

[janrey]

Originally Posted by jbcohen

When smart phones can do that as well?

I can understand when readers prefer the dedicated ebook reader eliminate distractions because of the unavailability of email and the internet.

However the dedicated ebook reader is something additional to carry and something to worry about getting smashed or lost. Isn't it easier to carry one device?

Because the glare of the phone or ipad/tablet destroys the eyes. Since Covid many people including children are having eye strain problems. You can also read an e-reader in the dark without waking someone else. I think my phone has a greater chance of being "smashed" then my kindle and I no more lose my e-reader than my phone.

[MarjaE]

Originally Posted by ownedbycats

Have you been checked for optical migraines? It's a migraine with pretty much every symptom except the headache.

I'm always sensitive to flashing and other animation though, and fairly consistently get the headaches from them. And from other common triggers.

[ReadingManiac]

Personally I love my Paperwhite. I've tried reading on my tablet when the Kindle is charging but the difference in the screen is distracting. I can't imagine trying to read on my phone. Far too small!