Is the ereader dead?

[WillAdams]

I'd pay good money right now for an e-ink e-reader which had audiobook integration and would allow me to read a book when waiting somewhere, and would read the book to me when driving (say patched in through an aux cable).

[ZodWallop]

Originally Posted by Ricky D'Angelo

I was thinking the other day there should be an eink tablet available which also allows people to listen to audiobooks. People spend more time listening to audiobooks on devices other than ereaders and having the option to use the same device to read would be a plus. I know the kindle fire already does this but some people prefer eInk due to less stress on the eyes, ability to read outdoors, etc.

I don't understand the push to add audiobook support to eink devices. Phones are MUCH more common and can already handle this. The people who have an e-reader, but not a phone is likely vanishingly small.

[leebase]

Originally Posted by WillAdams

I'd pay good money right now for an e-ink e-reader which had audiobook integration and would allow me to read a book when waiting somewhere, and would read the book to me when driving (say patched in through an aux cable).

Perhaps you don't know...but SOME of Amazon's books are dual Kindle/Audible. You can read on any Kindle device, then switch to any Audible device and pick up where you left of reading and vice versa.

[rcentros]

Originally Posted by WillAdams

I'd pay good money right now for an e-ink e-reader which had audiobook integration and would allow me to read a book when waiting somewhere, and would read the book to me when driving (say patched in through an aux cable).

The bottom line Kindle will play Audible books (via Bluetooth) in your car. If your car has an audio jack, you could pick up a used Sony PRS-650 or T1 to play MPEG audio books. Or you could get a portable Bluetooth speaker for your car and use the Kindle (if your car doesn't have Bluetooth).

[rcentros]

Originally Posted by ZodWallop

I don't understand the push to add audiobook support to eink devices. Phones are MUCH more common and can already handle this. The people who have an e-reader, but not a phone is likely vanishingly small.

I don't consider it "adding" – I consider it "restoring," as most of the early eReaders did have audio support.

[ZodWallop]

Originally Posted by rcentros

I don't consider it "adding" – I consider it "restoring," as most of the early eReaders did have audio support.

Should car manufacturers 'restore' a hand crank to their engines?

I understand some early readers had speakers built-in. My guess (and it's only a guess) is that they were more rarely used than page turn buttons.

Hey, I wouldn't avoid an e-reader because it had built in Bluetooth audio support. But I don't understand why that is seen to be an important function when a phone can do the same thing at least as well or better and is far more commonly owned.

[rcentros]

Originally Posted by ZodWallop

Should car manufacturers 'restore' a hand crank to their engines?

I understand some early readers had speakers built-in. My guess (and it's only a guess) is that they were more rarely used than page turn buttons.

Obviously you don't like page turn buttons, but (on my Readers that have them) they're used a lot. I didn't use speakers on my Kindle 3 (the only one that had them) but Readers having speakers is not what we're talking about here.

Originally Posted by ZodWallop

Hey, I wouldn't avoid an e-reader because it had built in Bluetooth audio support. But I don't understand why that is seen to be an important function when a phone can do the same thing at least as well or better and is far more commonly owned.

Not everyone carries a smartphone. And (I've mentioned this before) for me a Reader and a smartphone are two different creatures. Keeping eBooks and lectures (or audio books) on an eReader just seems "normal" to me. It's a different "category."

But to each their own.

[Dazrin]

Originally Posted by ZodWallop

I understand some early readers had speakers built-in. My guess (and it's only a guess) is that they were more rarely used than page turn buttons.

I'm confused as to how speakers and page turn buttons can even be compared. Of course speakers were used less than page turn buttons. Speakers are a special feature, page turn buttons were part of the core functionality of all e-readers prior to touch screens. And (for some of us) are still part of the basic requirements for purchasing an e-reader.

[ZodWallop]

Originally Posted by rcentros

Obviously you don't like page turn buttons, but (on my Readers that have them) they're used a lot. I didn't use speakers on my Kindle 3 (the only one that had them) but Readers having speakers is not what we're talking about here.

Why would you assume that? I miss page turn buttons. I bought the Nook Glowlight 3 after all and it sure wasn't for that stellar firmware

My point is that buttons were dropped, just like speakers. They seem like a more useful feature on an e-reader than any sort of audiobook support.

Not everyone carries a smartphone.

That's true. But I'd be curious to see the Venn diagram of people that don't have a cell phone but DO have an e-reader that they use to play audiobooks. There must be... dozens of such people.

And (I've mentioned this before) for me a Reader and a smartphone are two different creatures. Keeping eBooks and lectures (or audio books) on an eReader just seems "normal" to me. It's a different "category."

But to each their own.

But in what way is an e-ink device better/more capable as an audiobook player than a phone, aside from 'the feels'?

An eink reader is better (for me) to read a book because the screen is more comfortable to stare at for long periods of time.

But when you are talking audiobooks, cell phones tend to have more internal storage, can use Wi-Fi and LTE to stream audiobooks not stored on the device and the LCD screen is more capable of flashy displays (say, a status bar to show how far along you are in the current track with an elapsed time on the left and time left on the right, changing second by second).

I'm just saying, even if I had an e-reader that could play audio, it is not a feature I would use.

Ask yourself, if you had a friend that primarily listened to audio books on her phone, would you suggest she go buy a Kindle instead because hey, you can listen to audiobooks on it? My guess is your answer is no.

But if you had a friend that read a lot of e-books on her phone, would you show her an e-ink reader? I bet you would.

[ZodWallop]

Originally Posted by Dazrin

I'm confused as to how speakers and page turn buttons can even be compared. Of course speakers were used less than page turn buttons. Speakers are a special feature, page turn buttons were part of the core functionality of all e-readers prior to touch screens. And (for some of us) are still part of the basic requirements for purchasing an e-reader.

Please don't be concerned about my views on the page turn button scandal. I miss them too.

I was just looking at two features that have been dropped from modern e-readers. That's all.

[HLS]

Maybe a dumb question but is there a way to attach a speaker to the Oasis so can listen out loud? like a mini speaker that gets plugged into the power outlet

[rcentros]

Originally Posted by ZodWallop

I'm just saying, even if I had an e-reader that could play audio, it is not a feature I would use.

Which was my point in saying, "to each their own." Obviously I feel differently. I like grouping reading and listening to books or lectures on the same device. When I use Bluetooth on my phone it's for listening to music, never for listening to books.

Choice is a wonderful thing.

[rcentros]

Originally Posted by kcladyz

Maybe a dumb question but is there a way to attach a speaker to the Oasis so can listen out loud? like a mini speaker that gets plugged into the power outlet

I think the original Oasis supports Bluetooth, so it would just be a matter of getting a Bluetooth speaker (some use rechargeable batteries, some plug directly into the wall).

[Richwood]

Originally Posted by leebase

I think the only tragedy for eInk fans is Amazon becoming effectively a monopoly. There was a time when buying an eInk reader didn't lock you into the books from the device company.

But, as was true of Standard Oil - monopolies can be a good think and certainly do not unfailingly lead to higher prices. Amazon is a good steward of both it's eInk devices and it's Kindle book store.

What is SUPER helpful for eInk affectianado's is that so many other people enjoy reading ebooks on tablets and smartphones. There is no longer any doubt that a new title will come out in ebook form.

I think the market for ebooks themselves is quite healthy....given my earlier comment that monopolies are not always terrible (unless YOU are someone trying to compete with them)

I cannot totally agree. Easy to buy or download ebooks in Kindle compatible formats from other vendors and either crossload them from your computer to the Kindle reader or use it's email address to send them to it via email. I have used both techniques to obtain books formy Kindles. I believe ebook sellers like Dreamspinner can be given the email address of a Kindle device and email all books purchased through them direct to your Kindle.

[DNSB]

Originally Posted by kcladyz

Maybe a dumb question but is there a way to attach a speaker to the Oasis so can listen out loud? like a mini speaker that gets plugged into the power outlet

One acquaintance of mine uses the same Bluetooth speaker she uses with her phone and tablet to play audio from her Oasis 2. Lasts about 4 or so hours per charge. Personally, I think the sound is terrible but she seems to like it.