Is Apple’s iPad the Ultimate e-Reader?

Showing 9 comments

1. E-reader sales to jump 68 percent in 2011, says Gartner at 6:00am 9th December 2010 [...] dominated by Amazon, Sony, and Barnes & Noble.The future isn’t certain, however. Tablets will challenge e-readers to differentiate themselves even further and prove their strengths.“With media tablets [...]
2. Anders Borg at 6:54am 27th October 2010 Wasn't the price mentioned for the Kindle wrong? Kindle is only 139 (Wi-Fi), so if you are only after reading literature, it's a very good buy, as you can also upload PDFs and MOBIs from a PC. It has a browser too, but obviously such use is much better with the iPad or similar tablet. Please note that the comparison was about their relative merits as book readers and nothing else, which the author clearly states. I guess everyone knows that iPad can do so much more than that, but it's an important use, considering many already have a laptop. There is a real benefit of a reflective rather than backlit display, and that is reading comfort whatever the lighting conditions, except of course low light, very similar to paper. As E-Ink is a slow technology, and changing screen content still requires "flashing" the screen, it will disappear in a near future. I have noted a trend change, as earlier everyone said LCD was straining to the eye (remember, ebook readers have existed for 10 years). When the iPad came out, that argument suddenly disappeared or was considered less of a problem. How things change.
3. Amazon’s New Kindle is Worth the Upgrade at 9:39pm 29th July 2010 [...] and at some point the company may bring out something that does more, but if you want what the iPad does, you don’t want a Kindle.This speaks to the core of what Amazon is trying to do, which is to own [...]
4. constableodo at 10:39am 17th April 2010 I enjoyed the video. It told the weak and strong points of each device. I think both are useful depending on what your requirements are. I don't believe the iPad should be a replacement for an eReader, especially the Kindle. A think a Kindle is excellent for what it does even if there could be an improvement on the user interface. However if you just want to read a book there's nothing wrong with a one-trick pony like the Kindle or the Nook. I'll be happy to see eReaders with color eInk. The Apple iPad is a useful device for many things (not everything) and consumers will certainly enjoy it's versatility as a media consumption device.
5. melgross at 10:29am 17th April 2010 While the interview was basically fair, I don't think that the benefits of the iPad as a reader were emphasized as strongly as they should have, as well as the negatives of the e-ink readers, to give people the full understanding of the differences.
   
   It seems as though the size of the Nook and its weight were considered to be of major importance. While that is important, I've got to point out that those small screen models do have their problems, which is why there is a $489 Kindle DX, and some other large book readers from other companies comping out.
   
   If you want a Nook or small Kindle for paperback book replacement, that's fine, but for other kinds of books, it's not as good. Many books are more than just type. These readers fail there, unless all illustrations are in black and white, and not in greyscale. 16 levels just isn't enough.
   
   In addition, while e-ink is great in the sun, it's not as good indoors where the light is dim, and useless where there is no light.
   
   What also isn't pointed out is that hardcover books are often more than the weight of the iPad. Some weigh several pounds. Those books tend to be the kinds that these e-ink readers are useless for. So the iPad can give you books that these simply can't.
   
   Lastly, so this doesn't get too long, most people are NOT bothered by reading from a good quality LCD, as long as they take advantage of the light level controls, and text sizing abilities. Most of us are on computers for hours a day, and the only reason why there's a problem is an improperly set monitor, and poor ergonomics. There is NO evidence that e-ink is easier on the eyes, and researchers and doctors are on record as saying that. It's propaganda from E-ink and it's licensors.
6. Don at 9:43am 17th April 2010 I think you should do a comparison between a plastic gasoline can, a metal gasoline can, and a Ferrari Testarossa to determine which is the better device to store gasoline. Such a webcast would be every bit as logical and reasonable as this silly webcast.
7. ipad at 2:06am 17th April 2010 I was one of the lucky few to get my hands on an iPad last week and I must say, so far so good. It's an incredible piece of technology and I think it will change the way we read, watch movies, listen to music and more. I just want to find more apps and sites related to iPad, which seem to be hard to trace online. I can't believe that the ipad index http://twitter.com/dozenipad ranked Touchgrind as a Top iPad game site. I think Touchgrind is a stupid idea – who wants to fingerboard when you can skateboard for real? The best thing about iPad is going to be video and HTML5. Most of the video sites such as youtube and vimeo can be accessed by the iPad and I think it'll improve the ultimate viewing experience.
8. zingwoo at 8:48pm 16th April 2010 How could anyone use an E-Reader that is not back lit? I just dont get it. Apple IPad kicks them all to the back of the bus.
   
   Lou
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9. ECA at 7:42pm 16th April 2010 uMM,
   you are comparing a Nook e-reader to a Net computer??
   The book store is for ANY machine that can read the data.
   Why not compare the entourage?