Skip to main content

Nearly 95% of E-Reader Owners Are Satisfied, But Not Committed

kindle-dxA new study shows that although almost 95 percent of e-reader owners are satisfied with their device, they are not as committed to it as you’d think. According to a new report e-Reader Owners: Attitudes and Usage from market research company The NPD Group, although 93 percent said they were “very satisfied” or “somewhat satisfied” with their device they still used other gadgets and mediums to access e-books. The study claims that about three-in-ten owners say they use at least one other device for reading e-books, such as a PC or a smartphone.

This could be what industry experts were eluding to when they claimed the iPad could be revolutionary—all-in-one devices like what people assumed the iPad would be could very easily put e-readers out of business. This study proves two things: that regardless of constant e-reader bashing people are very satisfied with the device, and that e-reader satisfaction isn’t stopping owners from using other devices to fulfill needs and read e-books. This basically reinforces the basis of which the iPad was founded on—now if only Apple could make some actual magic happen and deliver an actual all-in-one device.

The study also reports that some recommended improvements from owners include more book title availability, longer battery life, and color screens at 42 percent, 39 percent, and 34 percent respectively.

Editors' Recommendations

Dena Cassella
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Haole built. O'ahu grown
The new iPad Mini may get a 120Hz ProMotion display
Lifestyle image of someone using the iPad Mini.

After years of anticipation, Apple updated its iPad Mini for 2021 several weeks ago. The latest iteration of the smallest iPad now features an 8.3-inch display with slimmer bezels. However, some users noticed a "jelly scrolling" issue, which is a term for when the right side of the screen runs faster than the left side in portrait mode. Apple's response to "jelly scrolling" was that the effect was normal behavior for LCD screens that refresh line by line. The next iPad Mini could solve this issue by gaining an iPad Pro upgrade that would bring the display's refresh rate up to 120Hz.

According to a report from @FronTron, Apple is considering launching an iPad Mini with 120Hz refresh rate. As of now, the latest iPad Mini comes equipped with a 60Hz screen. The upcoming iPad Mini could feature the same display that Apple has been using on the iPad Pro models since 2017.

Read more
Apple cuts iPad production to keep iPhone 13 in stock
iPhone 13 Pro in hand, different side.

Unless you've been living under a rock, you are likely to be aware of the ongoing chip shortage around the globe. As the pandemic soared and factories shut due to lockdown, the supply chain couldn't keep up with the increased demand for electronics. The latest company to be hit by the chip shortage is Cupertino, California giant Apple. It is now countering the effects in its own way.

According to a report from Nikkei Asia, Apple has cut back iPad production "sharply" to supply components to the iPhone 13 series. It is being reported that iPad's production is down 50% "from Apple's original plans for the past two months." Moreover, the parts intended for older iPhones are also being moved to be used in the iPhone 13 lineup.

Read more
The new iPad Pro’s OLED screen could come later than expected
A close look of the iPad Pro connected to a keyboard.

Apple's current slate of iPads come with either LCD or mini-LED displays, but the company is reportedly planning to expand to OLED later than expected. An earlier report had pegged OLED as coming to the iPad Air in 2022, but reliable display and supply chain analysts now agree that 2023 is the earliest time frame for an OLED iPad. A report from the Elec claims that Apple will bring OLED displays to the iPad Pro line with help from LG Display.

Today's report says that development of the display has started for the 12.9-inch iPad Pro first, though Apple will also bring it to the 11-inch iPad Pro alongside it. These would use low-temperature polycrystalline oxide TFT technology recently developed by LG with the intention of increasing the brightness and life span of the panel and allowing for a more variable range for the refresh rate.

Read more