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Top ereaders news stories... |
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Amazon Kindle Fire Review
October 24, 2011 @ 10:50:52 PM EST
The world's largest online retailer, Amazon.com Inc., unveiled its all-new tablet on September 28, 2011. The tablet is called the Amazon Kindle Fire and will be available in the US market on November 15, 2011. A lot of buzz has been generated since Amazon's CEO, Jeff Bezos, made the announcement.
Apple's iPad has single-handedly dominated the tablet PC landscape since its launch in early 2010. With so many tablets being launched since 2010, the question always arises as to how these new tablets stack up against the market leader, the Apple iPad 2.
We have seen many top tech companies launch their own version of tablet PCs like the Samsung Galaxy, Motorola Xoom and RIM's Blackberry Playbook, to name a few. However, none of these competitors have been able to significantly impact Apple's domination in the tablet PC arena so far.
At first glance, looks like the Amazon's all-new tablet will pose a significant challenge to the iPad 2, especially that it's priced at $199 compared to Apple's iPad 2 price of $499. However, a closer look at the specifications and features is required to help determine which tablet is right for you. Having said so, let's take a close look at the pros and cons of the Amazon Kindle Fire.
Operating System: the Amazon Kindle Fire runs on a customized version of Android 2.3 OS, whereas, the Apple iPad 2 runs Apple's iOS 4.3.1. Without getting too technical, these two operating systems are comparable, with a few differences. However, with the combination of the new cloud-accelerated split browser, Amazon Silk, the web experience on the Kindle is expected to have an advantage in terms of speed and performance.
Amazon Silk Browser: as briefly mentioned above, Silk is a cloud-accelerated internet browser that is exclusive to Amazon's Kindle Fire. In simple terms, this innovative web browser does all the heavy lifting through Amazon's remote servers, thereby using less resources of the Kindle Fire device. This not only helps in the tablets speed and performance, but also conserves battery life.
Processor: the Kindle Fire uses the TI OMAP 4 dual-core processor, whereas, the iPad 2 uses Apple's A5 dual-core processor. Both the processors have a speed of 1 GHz, therefore, they are quite comparable in terms of speed.
Memory & Storage: the first generation Kindle Fire has limited storage space at 8 GB and does not have an option to increase this storage (i.e. it doesn't have a microSD slot). However, the iPad 2 has various memory storage options, namely, 16, 32 and 64 GB. Having said so, Amazon provides free online storage space through Amazon cloud for digital content like apps, music, movies, books and games.
Display & Screen Resolution: the Kindle Fire as well as the iPad 2 have high-resolution multi-touch screens. However, the Kindle tablet has a smaller 7 inch screen as compared to the iPad's 9.7 inch screen. Therefore, depending on what you intend using your tablet for, you would choose one over the other.
Camera & Microphone: one of the drawbacks of the Kindle Fire tablet is that it lacks webcams. The iPad 2 comes with front and back cameras which are great for online video chatting or conferencing as well as for recording videos.
Battery Life & USB Port: the iPad 2 has an advantage over the Kindle Fire when it comes to battery life. The iPad 2 battery can last up to 10 hours as compared to approximately 8 hours on the Kindle Fire. In terms of USB support, the iPad 2 USB port is via the dock connector, whereas, the Kindle tablet has a built-in USB 2.0 (micro-B Connector) which is more convenient.
Wireless & 3G Connectivity: the Amazon Kindle Fire comes only with the Wi-Fi options, whereas, Apple's iPad comes with both, Wi-Fi options as well as 3G connectivity. So if you are constantly on the move and need to be connected to the internet, you need to be aware of this lack of 3G option in the Kindle tablet.
Apps Availability: the wide range and sheer number of apps available through the Apple Appstore as well as security of the apps is huge advantage for iPad users. However, Kindle Fire runs on the Android operating system, which means that users will have access to the Google Android App Market. Also, Kindle tablet users will have access to the Amazon Appstore which includes thousands of apps and games.
Price Comparison: Amazon has surprised the consumers by pricing the Kindle Fire tablet at US$199. Compared to the iPad 2 (the cheapest one) costing around US$499, this provides Amazon a huge advantage, especially if price is a big factor in choosing a tablet.
From the above review, one can determine that Amazon's Kindle Fire will not pose a significant challenge to Apple's iPad, other than the price differential. However, I believe that this is a great start for Amazon as it enters the competitive world of tablet PCs. By pricing the Kindle Fire at US$199, Amazon has made tablet PCs much more accessible to the mainstream and will be a popular gift idea for the Christmas/Holiday season.
If interested, you can check this video review of the features of the Kindle Fire. Based on the above, what are your initial reactions and overall impressions on Amazon's all-new Kindle tablet? I'd love to get your feedback and thoughts.
Anthony Godinho is a Human Resources professional, Trader and Entrepreneur, who enjoys writing on various topics like healthy living, philanthropy, technology, sports, motivation and inspiration. He writes on various platforms and maintains a few blogs.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Anthony_Godinho
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Tabets Vs Ereaders -- Which Is Better For You?
April 29, 2011 @ 1:22:24 AM EST
eReaders and tablet computers are some of the latest technology in personal electronics. These two types of devices are very different in most ways, but they share the capability of acting as eReaders, which has many folks wondering if they should get a dedicated ebook reader device, or a more full-featured tablet computer. This article will provide some objective information on the differences between the two.
Definitions
First, it's important to define which devices qualify as tablets or eReaders. Anybody who is new to this technology and shopping for a tablet or eReader could quickly become confused about this terminology.
Tablets include the following: Apple iPad, Samsung Galaxy Tab, and Motorola Xoom. These are the most current tablet computers available.
eReaders include the following: Amazon Kindle, Barnes & Noble Nook, Kobo eReader, BeBook Neo, Sony Reader, and many others.
Functionality
The functionality capability between tablets and eReaders is the main difference between these two types of devices.
eReaders are devices that are dedicated to ebook reading. They were designed primarily for that function. With an eReader, you can purchase ebooks, download them to the device, and read them. Some eReaders have limited access to the internet through a basic browser. Some can function as MP3 players, which means that you can listen to your music or audiobooks on them.
Tablets can read ebooks, but they can do a lot more than that. The iPad can use all of the same apps that are available for the iPhone and iPod Touch. Both the Samsung Galaxy and Motorola Xoom run on the Android OS, and they can use any of the apps that are available in the Android Market. Depending on the specific model, tablets can record HD video and take high-quality photos. Tablets can display and play any type of media, including music, movies, and games. They have fully functioning web browsers and email capabilities. You can also manage your calendar and contacts just like on a smartphone.
Price
Tablet computers are currently priced at around $500-$700. eReaders cost about $130-$300.
Screen
The type of screen that a tablet computer has is very different than the type of screen that most eReaders have.
Tablets have LCD screens, just like any touch-screen phone or laptop. They are capable of displaying video and animations. LCD screens are back-lit, meaning that they emit their own light. These screens are glossy, which means that they can show reflections and glare in sunlight.
eReaders have e-Ink (electronic ink) screens. These screens are matte instead of glossy, which means that they do not show reflections or glare even in bright, direct sunlight. This means that you can use them to read outside or directly by an indoor lamp. They do not emit their own light, so the effect of reading on these screens is very similar to reading from paper. e-Ink is not capable of displaying media like color photos or video. It is made to render text similarly to print on paper.
Battery Life
The battery life of eReaders is significantly better than that of tablet computers. eReaders can typically last for a month of regular use without having to be charged. Tablets can run out of battery life within a few hours. This is mostly due to the screen type and the fact that they do a lot more internal processing than eReaders.
Size and Weight
All eReaders generally weigh about the same as a standard paperback book, which is around 8 ounces. Tablets weigh approximately three times that much, depending on the model. If your primary use for the device will be reading, then this weight could be significant when holding up the device for extended periods of time.
eBook Selection
If ebook reading will be a main function of the device for you, then it is important to learn how and where you will be able to get ebooks for the device. For example, a tablet that runs on the Android OS will require an Android-compatible ebook reading app. The ebooks purchased for the device must be compatible with that app. Another example: Kindle users are very restricted in their ebook shopping choices because the Kindle can (generally) only read Kindle ebooks purchased at Amazon.com. On the other hand, other eReaders like the BeBook or Nook are compatible with Adobe PDF or EPUB ebooks that are sold at a variety of different ebook stores. The iPad has the native iBooks application, and can also read ebooks with a variety of other ebook apps.
Summary
The most important point to take away from this is that tablets can do a lot more more than read ebooks, however, that functionality comes with a much higher price tag. When deciding on which type of device to buy, consider whether or not you would use all of the features offered by a tablet and whether the high price would be justified for your personal situation.
Read more: http://www.articlesnatch.com/Article/Tabets-Vs-Ereaders----Which-Is-Better-For-You-/2202378#ixzz1Kt1ioRXg
Under Creative Commons License: Attribution No Derivatives
Article Source: http://www.articlesnatch.com
About the Author:
Jared Scott has over ten years experience working in the eBook and e-Reader industry. His eBook Reader Software blog is updated regularly with informational posts relating to eBook software. Current top recommendation: Android ebooks for the new Android OS tablets like the Xoom or Galaxy Tab.
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Ereader Advice
April 14, 2011 @ 5:12:22 PM EST
Ereaders
Books have, since time immemorial, been known to be a great source of knowledge. Given advancements in technology, people are looking for ways to make reading books a little bit more interesting in order to return a reading culture which has eroded due to distractions from other technologies. One such technology is the ereader. An ereader is a hand held electronic device which is used to display ebooks which are usually in digital format. In fact, the name is short for ebook reader. Ereaders are optimized to reduce eye strain on the reader which is common when reading ebooks using computers or other tablet PCs such as the iPad. This allows you to be able to read longer.
Ereaders offer numerous advantages when compared to physical books. First is the ease of use. Unlike books where you need to flip pages, with these devices all you have to do is click some buttons and scroll down pages. Another advantage is the fact that ereaders allow you to store a large number of books. Before, to have a collection of books you needed a library of books with numerous shelves which occupy a lot of space. With the ereader, you can have access to numerous books on the palm of your hands. These devices have the capability of holding up to 1500 books at one go which is very convenient since it gives you an added advantage of portability.
Given the advantages that this hand held device offers, it is being recommended for schools as an alternative to libraries. This is because sustaining a library is quite an expensive undertaking since one has to factor in costs such as the building, furniture and the consistent investment in books. The ereader is a better alternative given that the only investment is the initial outlay for the device and consequent small investments in the ebooks. These devices may therefore be the key for communities that find it hard to sustain libraries.
Currently there are two ereader brands that are dominating the market. These are Amazon’s Kindle and Barnes and Noble’s Nook. Both of these ereaders boast state of the art ereader technology such as e-ink screen displays that reduce eye strain, wireless and 3G network capabilities and large storage space for your ebooks. However, the Kindle which currently has a larger market share has a slightly lighter device, web browsing capabilities and the very popular text to speech technology; features which the Nook does not have. In addition, the Kindle stands out because it has a longer battery life and can last up to four days longer than the Nook. The Nook boasts of a lending capability that allows its users to share ebooks and also has a slot that allows one to increase storage capacity.
All in all, whichever ereader you choose to use, you will enjoy the ability of having a numerous choice at your palm at any time and the ability to enjoy numerous features that will make your reading very interesting.
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What Are the Top Features and Factors to Consider When Shopping For an eReader?
March 12, 2011 @ 10:56:24 AM EST
With the success of the Amazon.com Kindle eReader, and eBooks in general, there are now predictably dozens of eReader competitors and Kindle knock-offs. If you'd like to explore your options beyond the Kindle before deciding on one to purchase, read through this guide on what factors and features you should pay attention to. There are excellent alternatives to the Kindle, and once you've narrowed down your requirements, you'll be better equipped to make an informed choice and reduce your confusion.
Size and Weight
This is probably the most important feature to focus on: what's the size of the screen (and hence the reader) and what's the weight? The average size for most readers is approximately 7" (inches) diagonally. But screen size varies from 6" to as much as 10" or more. Screen size is also highly correlated with the weight of the reader. If you imagine that you'd like to hold the reader with one hand, you'll probably want to stay under 9oz (about 250g). The 10" readers can weigh in at twice that amount of even more.
Display
There are a number of factors under this category, including whether you'd to have a touchscreen (or touch screen), and a color or black & white screen. Currently, the dominant technology used to create an image closest resembling a book's printed pages is e-Ink, and it is primarily grayscale although a color version is slowly starting to show up in some products.
Most eReaders do not have touchscreens. Think of it this way: do you feel a need to touch the pages of your books in order to scroll the text? Not likely, and as such most eReaders are designed with simple and large forward and back buttons. However, consider this: if you think of the Apple iPad as a type of eReader, the touchscreen is an integral and powerful component to its interface.
Network Access
Network access is another significant factor for many people, although we're quickly moving to the point where at least WiFi (wireless networking) capability is an expected feature. If you'd rather not have to connect your eReader to a computer every time you wanted to update the books on it, then you need network connectivity, Wi-Fi at a minimum and quite possibly 3G (4G in the not-so-distant future) as well.
Battery Life
The battery life is another important feature particularly if you travel a lot. With Wi-Fi turned off, most devices have anywhere from 10 days to 1 month of standard book reading and standby time. Pay attention to the specs provided by the manufacturer and assume it's closer to 75% of what they state.
Storage
I don't feel that this is quite that important of a factor. Even devices with a relatively low 2GB of storage can hold somewhere around 2000 eBooks. If you can purchase and read that many books before it's time to upgrade or buy a new device, then you fall into a very unique category!
Search
Considering how many books these small devices can hold, even when you approach a few dozen books, you'll want the ability to quickly search for titles and/or authors. And you'll also want the ability to search through books, particularly educational and reference once.
Highlighting and Annotation
If you do use your eReader to store and read educational and reference books, then you may definitely want the ability to highlight and annotate the content.
Formats Supported and eBooks Available for the eReader
As with any newly developing technology, there are multiple and sometimes competing formats including ePub, Mobi, PDF, APK and more. Another lesser factor is what the eBook marketplace is like for the device. However, these are not show-stoppers, as there are ways to convert between the various eBook formats. What really matters is how much of a convenience factor you'd like. But for the most part, vendors put in the effort to infuse their eReaders with multiple format support.
A related issue is that of DRM (Digital Rights Management). Some eReaders and the markets that you must sometimes purchase from enforce DRM on the eBooks which typically means it's either difficult or impossible to copy those books to other devices you own or to replace them for free should you lose the eReader.
Security
Do think about the security on the eReader and that of the books on it as you could be the victim of your device being stolen. The larger vendors such as Amazon and Barnes & Noble store your book subscriptions, so you would be able to recover your books should your device be stolen, but this isn't the case with all devices.
Cost
Naturally you'll want to consider the price of the device. Ereaders have come down tremendously in price over the past few years and products like the Kindle and Nook which sit at the top of the heap, are relatively cheap. For example, the Kindle WiFi, Kindle WiFi +3G and Nook are all under currently under US$200. So you should not pay much more for an eReader unless it greatly exceeds the capabilities found in those devices.
Conclusion
Don't feel overwhelmed with this seemingly long list of criteria. Some you may not care about; for example, storage. Just write down what your minimum requirements are, and eliminate any products that don't meet them. Pick your eReader and look forward to curling up with your favorite thousand books in the palm of your hand.
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eReader Review - Nook Signature Everyday Tote Is Practical and Elegant
March 01, 2011 @ 12:50:23 AM EST
The key reason why we adore our Nook so much is that it makes it possible for us to get thousands of reading materials and files in a single sleek and stylish gadget. It follows that we will also be searching for a fantastic means to transport not just our Nook, but also all of our day-to-day essentials in a practical and good-looking manner. The Nook Signature Everyday Tote could be the perfect bag to lug about all our stuff as well as our favorite eReader at the same time.
It's fashionable as it is very useful, with its extra large storage pocket; it is great make use of even as an overnight travelling bag. It can be worn as a handbag with its short rolled handles or across the body, with its detachable long tie with shoulder pads, for a comfy fit. The base is reinforced, ready for weighty loads and studded to safeguard the canvas base from getting dirty too easily.
Its interior is lined with canvas and features two zippered pockets and two further open pockets. It has enough separate storage to organize all our things. The Nook is placed in a special pocket located outside the main section. It is outlined with a stylish slanted contrasting color fabric trim for impact.
Its elegant and simplistic style makes it perfect to make use of for work, vacationing and just about everything else. It's available in three beautiful colors to pick from - Watermelon pink with Black canvas trim, Ink with Chocolate brown canvas trim and Brown with Mocha Trim.
It is light and portable, making it an ideal handbag for you to bring around. It is made from coated canvas that repels staining and can easily be cleaned. Its craftsmanship is exceptional ensuring you many, many years of use for this perfect eReader companion.
Features:
Dimensions: 18in W x 13in H x 7in D and 7in drop handle
Coated canvas body, trims and handles; canvas lining
Exterior Nook pocket and 4 inside pockets
Nickel Hardware
Detachable long strap with shoulder pads
Exclusively designed for Barnes & Noble
Will fit Nook Wi-fi and Nook 3G with Wi-fi eReaders
To find a versatile, fashionable and overall great way to carry your Nook eReader and other items, the Nook Signature Everyday Tote is a great solution.
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Bridgestone withdraws from the e-paper business |
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Bridgestone announced that they are withdrawing from the e-paper business. Bridgestone had developed a color e-paper technology called Aerobee. They developed it in collaboration with Delta Electronics who had plans to start producing e-paper panels and e-readers (but not in the near future). It's not clear what Delta's future plans will be.
This is sad news for the e-paper market, which is facing tough times as e-readers shipments drop (mostly because tablets are proving to be adequate e-readers for many people). I still think that a tablet cannot really compete with an e-reader for reading books, but we'll have to wait and see where the market is going...
read more
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Reports: Amazon set to launch a color E Ink e-reader in 2H 2012 |
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Reports suggest that Amazon is going to launch a color E Ink e-reader in the second half of 2012. According to the reports, some parts and components are already shipping for Amazon supply chain. The new reader will have multi-touch capacitive touch panels (instead of the infra-red touch panel used in the current Kindle Touch). 
Color E Ink prototype |
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