Dedicated reading device

[Namekuseijin]

Originally Posted by queentess

Why are you disregarding someone else's opinion? "Hate"? Who (besides you) is hating? If you can get "several paragraphs" on your phone, then I can guarantee it's not at a font size I can read. And maybe, just maybe, I read at a much faster pace than you, and "several paragraphs" don't cut it for me. I don't begrudge you your phone; don't begrudge me my dedicated ereader.

take it easy, sexy queen. Did you notice the rofl emoticon?

Besides, your dedicated ereader seems to be none. Couldn't find any of your liking in any nook or cranny?

I know some edition of Robinson Crusoe to be about 380 pages. It is about 440 pages in my current setting of 4 margin, 1.2 line spacing and 20 font size -- no unit, guessing pixels. It's readable to the point of no eye-straining even on the bus and holding it like you'd hold a book. No such frequent page turning, just to clear that up. Then again, I don't use glasses (yet)...

I'm no slow reader, but I've been slowed down in my reading for my frequent zapping through ebooks. Soon enough my counter will grow several units at once!

[SeaBookGuy]

Originally Posted by BenBanned

I don't even own a cell phone.

I don't have a landline!

When I travel, I typically carry: the phone (for calls and as a "watch" when not in the air), a pocket-sized audio-video player for watching a video and listening to an audiobook inflight, Sony 650 (which not only displays E-books, but gives the time inflight - while my phone is off - as well!),
and a couple of (small, light) print books for takeoff/landing and dining out.

[ProfCrash]

I won't consider a 350 because I think 5 inches is too small never mind my cell phone. Heck, I moved from a K1 to a DXG because I like having the larger screen.

I use my cell phone for making phone calls. Most of the devices I use are small and take up no space. Heck, the vast majority I use only when I am travelling.

My travel bag easily holds my DXG, a netbook, my travel box of tea, my Bose headsets, my cellphone, my wallet, my car keys, and many snacks. I have everything I need and I can read without killing my eyes.

[Solitaire1]

The main reasons I prefer a dedicated ebook reader over a general purpose device (like a smart phone) for reading ebooks are: (1) the ereader's operating system and controls are designed specifically for reading, (2) an e-ink screen is much easier on the eyes for long-term reading, (3) the larger screen reduces the amount of scrolling/page flipping I have to do, and (4) the battery life tends to be much better with an e-ink screen than with other types of screens.

[sakura-panda]

I prefer dedicated devices that are optimized to their intended use.

Also, it would be very inconvenient for me to have one device -- I'd have to leave it in my purse or at home all of the time and never have it handy when I want it.

I do most of my ebook reading at home, and that's where I leave my reader. I don't use my phone either at home or at work. Cameras of any kind are not allowed at my work facility; if I want music at work, I need a separate device (I have an ipod nano.)

[sabredog]

I use my iphone for those times when I am waiting, such as at a doctors, waiting for public transport or waiting for my wife or daughter trying on clothes et al.

For regular reading, I am quite content with my Sony PRS-300 and Kobo. The screens are bigger, they are not backlit LCD and best of all no SMS, emails or incoming phone calls.

[M0zza]

I prefer my dedicate eBook Reader. Just as I prefer my other devices to be dedicated. Carrying an 'extra' device is not exactly going to break your back.

[wyndslash]

i take my reading seriously (meaning I don't want any distractions), and that's what led me to consider getting an ereader (after surfing around, i also found this forum!)

[jerrywojo]

I first started reading e-books on a Pocket PC but now have a K3. Although the Pocket PC was not a dedicated reader it had on feature lacking in all or most readers today, scrolling text. Miss the scroll..

[rogue_librarian]

I find auto-scrolling horrible, but FBReader supports it. It's available for many platforms and devices (well, perhaps not the Kindle).

[FF2]

Actually, the kindle unofficially supports scrolling text. Turn on Speech-to-text and turn the volume off. Obviously, there are limitations to the speed adjustment.

[queentess]

Originally Posted by Namekuseijin

Besides, your dedicated ereader seems to be none. Couldn't find any of your liking in any nook or cranny?

Yeah, I don't own any ereaders. And my real name is Tess. And that's my real picture over there. True story!

Originally Posted by FF2

Actually, the kindle unofficially supports scrolling text. Turn on Speech-to-text and turn the volume off. Obviously, there are limitations to the speed adjustment.

Not really scrolling, just automatic page turning.

[Lemurion]

Originally Posted by queentess

Yeah, I don't own any ereaders. And my real name is Tess. And that's my real picture over there. True story!

I knew that was your real picture!

Just like mine

[bill_mchale]

Originally Posted by Namekuseijin

\

I'd certainly prefer it too, though I'd go for a more significant leap from 3.7", like 7" or 10". But it's not enough to overcome the pragmatism, flexibility and portability a smartphone affords me. ie, I'm posting from it from my bed...

Actually you might be surprised at the big difference a relatively small jump makes in readability. I started ebook reading on an iPod Touch, and then moved to a Jetbook. So only 3.5" to 5". I hardly ever use the iPod Touch, or my Android phone for serious reading anymore. To put it in perspective, a 5" screen probably has roughly twice the reading area that a 3.5" screen has, and a 6" screen has almost 3 times the area.

I agree that smart phones are incredibly useful. I also think that aside from phone, audio playback and core PDA functionality, they make necessary compromises. Thus, they have cameras, but a cheap point and shoot camera will almost always take better pictures. They can read books, but most people will find that dedicated readers serve their reading needs better. They can watch videos, but few will turn their HD sets in for them.

So, yeah, I can see using your smart phone on the road if you don't want to carry a full size reader. But if I am sitting down for an evening of reading, I will reach for the PRS-505 everytime over my smartphone.

Btw, there's precisely 0 difference between an iPod and an iPhone as far as audio quality goes -- it's pretty much the same hardware running the same audio codecs. The iPod today is just a stripped down and affordable iPhone.

Of course, anyone who is really an audiophile is not going to be using mp3s to listen to music anyway.

I've seen people touting dedicated mp3 players so that they can keep their phone batteries longer for calling. My 2 cents: 1) what drains away batteries in phones is 3g connection mostly and both e-reading and music can keep it going all day long; 2) are people living in the jungle with no power outlets for recharge? Ok, make it 3) do people never sleep anymore so they can't recharge daily? (no, it doesn't harm newer batteries anymore)

What burns the battery is use. Yes, you will extend the battery life if you turn off the 3g... but you will also extend it if you don't use any of the programs on it (like mp3 playing and or ebook reading).

--
Bill

[jbcohen]

I used to agree about dedicated devices until I lost my MP3 player three times then lost the electronic book reader once. Geeze that was getting rather expensive to keep replacing devices like that. Now I have them all combined into one device and you know I have not lost the smart phone yet. And the best thing about it is that it comes from my office: free phone and free airtime, free texting and what ever I want to do with it.