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This discussion started in the 'Conn Iggulden on sale in Canada' thread and really deserves its own discussion thread.
http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/6...

I am new to the eReader and am asking for one for Christmas.

I was thinking about the Kindle with the navigator button, but have decided the navigator button is too much hard work and am asking for the keyboard version instead.

The two I am choosing between are this one:
...

and this one

...

And I will ask again (in this much more appropriate discussion thread)...........Has anyone looked at the Kobo? and do they think it's better or worse than the Kindle?

Dawn wrote: "And I will ask again (in this much more appropriate discussion thread)...........Has anyone looked at the Kobo? and do they think it's better or worse than the Kindle?"



Is the Kobo the one that went with Borders?

Yes, but it's linked though Chapters in Canada now.

Ohh, I see.
We still have Borders over here.

There are a lot of cheap and cheerful eReaders out there, but I always baulk at cheap knock offs. From experience, you definitely do get what you pay for.

Not sure we have Kobo in the UK. My research lead me to get a Sony eReader. Even though that was only about four months ago, I think every manufacturer has brought out new models since then.

At the time, my decision was based on touch input, support for pdfs and word documents, and an aluminium case, making it less likely to break on me (Terri will know why that's a concern of mine).

Lee wrote: "At the time, my decision was based on touch input, support for pdfs and word documents, and an aluminium case, making it less likely to break on me (Terri will know why that's a concern of mine). ..."

Indeed I do. In fact I was wondering about you the other day when thinking about eReaders.

What sort of battery life does your Sony have? I saw the Kindle has up to 2 months and I thought that would be handy for you, with your long spells with nowhere to charge it.
But now I know you already have an eReader. :)

I was reading my 'paper' book before thinking about the kindle vs paper...and I thought "I could never replace this feeling".
I do love my paper books, but I am ready to supplement my main diet of paper books with some electronic nibblies.

Dawn wrote: "And I will ask again (in this much more appropriate discussion thread)...........Has anyone looked at the Kobo? and do they think it's better or worse than the Kindle?"

I have never used Kobo, but have read many positive reviews of the device. It's a Canadian company, which was just acquired by a Japanese firm for a hefty $315 million. The extra muscle behind the company should only result in improvement. One thing that Kobo lacks is a web browser, which may or may not be important to you.

Here is a little comparison of the top eReaders currently available:



ib.

Hmm. I have struck a snag with Kindle. Seems that because Kindle doesn't do ePub, I can't access ebooks through public libraries. It is U.S libraries only.

Am now looking at the kobo.

And now I am back to Kindle. :]

Why not the Kobo??

So many cheap books on Amazon.
Borders over here are not cheap with their eBooks. (stupid Australian prices). And when it came to the public library eBooks, they aren't really for me anyway.

I trawled through my libraries eBook site, which is through Overdrive, and there wasn't anything there I wanted. Not enough to buy the Kobo to access it.

And yet I searched around on Amazon today and the cheap books (in my genres) are most abundant.

I also read a few comparisons and other than the ePub issue on Kindle, everything else went in Kindle's favour. Including speed, and the screen is apparently easier on the eyes with Kindle.

Found this (new Sony v. new kindle)



I'm very happy with my (last gen) Sony, as for the battery, on average it lasts me about a week when I'm away using it regularly (I'd suggest anything manufacturers quote is a best case scenario and not really comparable to the real world - look carefully at their predicted usage if they declare it. I have a solar charger that I use in most places (and we also now own a diesel genny in Mongolia) so charging isn't the issue that it could be.

As usual it's horses for courses. If it's cheap books you're after, Amazon cannot really be beaten (). This didn't really bother me since, as I mentioned on the previous thread, if I'm buying a book I am actually going to buy a book (usually that's the cheapest option in the UK anyway, so my preferences and my wallet are both satisfied). In terms of free books, epub is well supported ~ maybe more than kindle?

On the subject of ebooks, I'm very pleased to have just found this:



Sadly no books I'm interested in, but it makes so much sense. Anyone know of any other publishers running the same offer?

Folks, there is one other aspect to this which may be relevant. I recently sold my iPad (regretfully because I loved it) and got an HTC Flyer. It's the size of a reader, but has the enormous (for me) benefit that it's a working device too. I can use Evernote on it wherever I am, adding comments and notes that are automatically synched with my computer and phone. And it has a pen. Yes, this may seem pathetic (I am pathetic, I confess). As a writer, however, it means that now all my novels can be amended and revised on my Flyer. Or, when I take a photo of a map in a book to refer to it later, I can add written (or spoken) comments as well. It will sound silly to those who ain't writers, perhaps, but to be able to read my work on this makes it feel much more like the experience of reading in a book. It's easier to see errors, and I can mark them up on the screen as I would on paper.

The HTC is a tablet computer - new the things are about $199 from Best Buy, I believe in the US. Mine cost me £250 second hand from a specialist pre-owned website. And it's proved fabulously useful.

So, don't think necessarily of buying a simple ebook reader or Kindle competitor. There are better devices out there that can justify a marginal extra price.

If you want to see what the things look like, go to where I have some screenshots set up to show how it works for me.

Michael wrote: "Folks, there is one other aspect to this which may be relevant. I recently sold my iPad (regretfully because I loved it) and got an HTC Flyer. It's the size of a reader, but has the enormous (for ..."

The Sony Reader also has a stylus and note synchronising capabilities - just as important for academics! At least it used to, I don't know if they've changed that on the new, plastic-bodied, model - but I doubt it since it's still touch input.

My point about colour v. eink screens is simply that I don't want to spend even more time looking at a backlit screen than I already do. It's very noticeable whenever I can get away from a computer for a few days - my eyes feel much less tired.

For just reading text, eink is far preferable to anything else beyond actual ink and paper. A tablet may be better for taking notes, I don't know, but it is at least possible (and usable) on my ereader. For all other tasks I have a laptop and (for times where the big screen isn't important) a netbook I borrow from my girlfriend.

As you say though Michael, this is probably an irrelevant diversion for many!

Lee wrote: "Michael wrote: "Folks, there is one other aspect to this which may be relevant. I recently sold my iPad (regretfully because I loved it) and got an HTC Flyer. It's the size of a reader, but has th..."

Quite so, Lee. From my perspective the good thing about tablets was that I could get rid of the laptop. Tabs are lighter, faster and so much nicer! (and cheap in comparison!)

I did toy with the idea last night about whether I should be getting a tablet or an eReader. For me that tablet would be the Motorola Xoom. Only because that particular tablet I can get on a very good plan.

But an eReader I pay no more money for. I simply buy it and am away. A tablet I would want hooked up...I wouldn't be able to resist having it working on 3G.

Price plays an important role in my particular choice. Under $200...the further under the better.
The Keyboard Kindle is $159 over here (about $160 US).

Terri wrote: "I did toy with the idea last night about whether I should be getting a tablet or an eReader. For me that tablet would be the Motorola Xoom. Only because that particular tablet I can get on a very g..."

You get what you need. I needed a smaller tablet (7 inch) that would fit in my pockets, but also I needed the ability to revise on screen. Saves me a huge amount of time. Kindle will probably be pretty good - but wouldn't have the performance for my work.

I am completely off the Kindle now that I have done my research.
It would be good for me if I lived in the U.S or U.K and/OR if I intended on buying regular kindle priced books for it. Unfortunately it is no to both.

Thanks for the advice though everyone. :)

I had decided on no kindle or tablet, but after much discussion with hubby, we decided to buy each other a tablet for Xmas. We chose the Acer Iconia A501.
It can do all those things that we needed tablets for in our lives, but it can also download the Kindle App to it too. :) The perfect answer to my problem.

Terri, I also just bought the wise half a tablet for Noel. The battery in her reader is giving her fits by not turning on all the time so they had a ridiculous price on the Blackberry Playbook and I managed to get one. Like me, she has turned to liking none paper books.

I looked at the Blackberry, but the screens were smaller and I am not familiar with the Blackberry. They have their own push email or something don't they? Like the phones?
They are cute little tablets though. You good hubby you! :D

Terri, I don't know anything about it either! I got it for two hundred bucks brand new. I'm checking out youtube so when she opens it for xmas, at least I'll be prepared.

Thank goodness for Youtube! That's where I got a lot of info on tablets before making the Acer Iconia choice. :)
In fact, I use Youtube regularly to research products. Youtube is the best.

It amazes me how people, such as yourself Terri, members of this forum and other social networks can instantly communicate with each other about topics that they have in common over global land without it costing a fortune. Just 10 years ago, ring tones where the rage! Man, I remember my first mobile phone was a huge battery pack monstrosity that I needed for my job. I think I paid over $800. My kids laugh when I show them pics. With all the info available via computer, tablet, or phone, and since I don't watch tele except for hockey, of course, I often wonder why I have 4 tv,s in the bloody house! Since I'm not much of a techno, I wonder what the next gadget-that-we-can't-do-without will be? Do you think kids read as much as we did when we where young? Sorry, I'm in my late 40's and the people I see who read as much as I do seem to be around the same era of birth, so I don't mean to imply that you are the same age, but my kids seem to need that instantaneous 2 hour movie story and that even needs a pause for popcorn, instead of the plot development of a good book.

Hi Bernie,
I am late 30's and I have seen the changes in technology too. :) I often think the same thing. Where does it go from here. I was reading an article on a major Tech website where they were saying that they still aren't sure if tablets are the future.
I remember when the 'video tape player' came out. Whoa what an invention. And the first non arcade or non Commodore 64 computer games such as the handheld Donkey Kong. Whoa.

I must admit..have three tvs and we do like to watch tele. I find the visual feast of tv is appreciated by a different sense, a different part of the brain and can sometimes be as educational as reading, if not more so because you can watch in one show what would take you 3 days in a book. :0) Mind you, this is cable. If I didn't have cable and only had free to air..I wouldn't be watching much tv.
Hmm, reading and kids today. You know..I have to admit I often think kids read more today than they used to. The Harry Potter books did something for the children that is still rolling. Only Harry Potter is done and there are so many others that have taken its place. I see book series' around the place like HP that kids are nuts for.
And add into that the whole Young Adult Supernatural romance stuff. Now I think teens are reading much more than they were when I was a kid. The market is flooded with these kinds of books and they are readily available and they are available on their mobile devices too.
When you and I were kids there was only really fantasy fiction wasn't there? And books were expensive and not all parents liked their kids reading fantasy fiction because they thought that meant they were into Dungeons and Dragons *snort* silly old people. :D
Now I guess they think their kids want to be vampires and werewolves.

But where will the tech go from here. It has come so far in so short a time hasn't it. They made us believe in the 90's that by now we'd be speaking to holograms, only it is not holograms, it is video messaging. lol
I certainly look forward to seeing where it goes.

I've just returned from Jamaica, and I had seen a lot more e-readers on the beaches than I did only 9 months ago when I travelled to Mexico in February. The ratio was now nearly 1:1 of e-readers to paper books, in contrast to Mexico where I had noticed only one other person with an e-reader, while the remainder of sun bathers struggled with their paperbacks and hardcovers.

I've seen tons of Kindles, a couple of Sonys and possibly other brands that I could not determine from the distance. I've also noticed a good number of iPads ... some of them on the beach as well, strangely enough. I have difficulty reading iPad's screen in the bright outdoors, but apparently some people don't mind.

ib.

The idea of lounging on a beach with a real book (preferably paperback) appeals to me much more than lounging on the beach with a hard, unforgiving eReader. I go on holiday to escape technology. :D

I'm with Terri, I'd rather pack 4 books and then have to find a bookstore when I run out, than take an e-reader on vacation.
I have enough problems trying to charge my camera batteries without adding to the issue. :)

Dawn wrote: "I have enough problems trying to charge my camera batteries without adding to the issue. :)..."

LOL!

And besides, if you take an eReader, what do you put over your face when you decide to have a snooze in the sun? Books are perfect for that. :)

Hah hah ... yes, yes ... you guys hang on to that, but I can't take your opinions seriously until you have given both worlds a try, on the beach >8) Myself, and the growing legions of e-reader users, have been of the same opinion before we've tasted the mana. I've read paper books since I was a wee boy, and I do not miss them one bit. I've long discarded the romantic notion of warm, soft paper between my fingers, and settled for the cold, hard embrace of a superior format.

Though, I do have to admit, book certainly look great on my shelves, albeit at an additional cost of manual labour having to dust them off periodically, and "dey do makes me luke smartr" >8)

ib.

And besides, if you take an eReader, what do you put over your face when you decide to have a snooze in the sun? Books are perfect for that. :)

Heh heh ... well, in the past I always worried about leaving sweaty finger, or, in this case, sweaty face prints on my books. With an e-reader, I just wipe them off! >8P

ib.

Well, my friend, I am not one of those who will change my mind. :) I don't change my mind on things like this. I am very strong and confident in who I am, my tastes, my likes and dislikes.
I will read eBooks if I need to, (if the book is cheap enough and I can't get it from my library) but it won't be a love of eReading and eReaders like with your good self. :)
I don't read to read, I read because I like books. ;)

Being from a country with ample beach culture, i have catnapped many times on a beach with a book over my face. I am yet to ruin a book doing it. lol

Terri wrote: "I don't read to read, I read because I like books."

Gotcha. We are from different planets! See, I read because I like to read, not because I like books.

ib.

Bingo! We have ourselves an understanding! lol ;D

Or maybe not an understanding, I personally can't understand the love of reading without the love of books! :)
Never the less, same as Terri, I will eventually own an e-reader just for the love of technology and cheap books. I still can't decide which one but that's half the fun, I guess...

I saw the new/latest Sony being advertised. It is nice. And you can get a couple colours.
The Sony seem to look worth the money more than the Kindle. I held the Kindle for the first time the other day and couldn't believe they are charging what they charge for that. At least you can see the money in the Sony more.
In my opinion that is. :)

Dawn wrote: "Or maybe not an understanding, I personally can't understand the love of reading without the love of books! :)

It's quite simple, really. For me, reading is a pleasure ... an escape, entertainment, or source of information. A paper book is only a medium that provides that pleasure ... a paper book in itself is worthless without the ideas printed upon it. It is quite possible to love reading without the love of paper books. Maybe it's the difference of the sexes, I don't know >8)

ib.

Steady...don't make this a sexes thing. Geez...that's asking for trouble. :) lol. *ducks for cover*

For the record..I enjoy bookkeeping for our farm in an actual paper book instead of a computer program. It is much more personal touching paper. Not that my bookkeeping is antiquated. I can transfer it to a program whenever I want, but I don't lodge data into a program, I would much rather put it in a ledger with my own hand and work things out for myself.
I flick through that ledger quite often, just to feel the history in the pages. See the evidence of history. The spills, the torn pages, the marks.

There is history in paper books. There is no history in an eBook.
Nothing personal from it's time with me or its time passing through other hands.

When they talk of 'the pages of history' it is literal. :) And maybe there should also be one that says, 'the pages are history'. ;)

Terri wrote: "Steady...don't make this a sexes thing. Geez...that's asking for trouble. :) lol. *ducks for cover*


I jest, I jest!

ib.

haha. You might just start WW3 with a comment like that one about the sexes. LOL! Lucky we gals have a sense of humour. :D

Ah, the romance and the sentiment. I get it. I was actually hanging on to paper books for quite a long time for similar reasons, which is rather odd considering my field of work, where efficiency and speed is key, and everything else became electronic in nature over time.

It wasn't until October 2010 that I actually acquired an e-reader. By that time, I've already converted most aspects of my personal and professional life to electronic format to cut the clutter, secure, and centralize ... film, magazines, newspapers, music, photos, games, bills, cheques, reference material, notepads etc., etc., ... you name it: if it was on paper, cd, dvd, or some other antiquated medium before, it was all on a harddrive now. Paper book was really the final bastion to crumble.

My only regret is that I didn't do it sooner! >8)

ib.

Dawn wrote: "Or maybe not an understanding, I personally can't understand the love of reading without the love of books! :)

What came first - The writing or the paper? Eh,eh. See what I did there?

Bernie wrote: What came first - The writing or the paper? Eh,eh. See what I did there?"

I'm going with writing came first......

And as for the former topic discussed, I very happily own beautiful 'dead tree' books that I will never read, all for the love of books if not the contents, used book stores are some of my favorite places and I would be loath to abandon them.
And unlike you Ireney, I can't give up on my cd's, magazines, videos or newspapers yet either. I will completely agree with the photos though, I am in love with digital photography. :)

Bernie wrote: "
What came first - The writing or the paper? Eh,eh. See what I did there?"

hehe. :)

Dawn wrote: "I can't give up on my cd's, magazines, videos or newspapers yet either. I will completely agree with the photos though, I am in love with digital photography. :) .."

I'm with you there. I love flicking through my weekly newspaper. I have my favourite way of folding it and I savour it over days. :0)
I am like that with CDs, blu rays, and magazines too. I still put on new cds when I buy them and sit there while it is playing reading the cover and the lyrics. :)

Terri wrote: "Dawn wrote: "I can't give up on my cd's, magazines, videos or newspapers yet either. I will completely agree with the photos though, I am in love with digital photography. :) .."

I'm with you ther..."

Me too.

The best morning lie in involves a cup of milky tea and a perfectly folded newspaper. :)