What Is The Future ?

[Totster]

I'm a big reader, so what is the future with reading, is it Kindle ? or something else.. I need advice before purchasing.

TIA

Totster

[lomatopo]

You might enjoy this New Yorker article by Ken Auletta from earlier this year...

PUBLISH OR PERISH: Can the iPad topple the Kindle, and save the book business?

I think you have to be comfortable with the reading experience on the platform (Kindle, iPad, Android tablet), then look at the TCO based on your reading habits.

I also liked this older article, if only for a glimpse into the electronic ink/RadioPaper/Vizplex development.

[Phil Conners]

I think the dedicated ebook devices will be getting still cheaper to the point that you will eventually get one practically for free just for buying an ebook. The iPad isn't going anywhere but there will be plenty of competition starting in 2011. Tablets are able to read ebooks but serious readers will still prefer the dedicated ebook readers for their ePaper display which is much easier on the eyes than a LCD or AMOLED screen.

[givenall]

You might enjoy this New Yorker article by Ken Auletta from earlier this year...

PUBLISH OR PERISH: Can the iPad topple the Kindle, and save the book business?

I think you have to be comfortable with the reading experience on the platform (Kindle, iPad, Android tablet), then look at the TCO based on your reading habits.

I also liked this older article, if only for a glimpse into the electronic ink/RadioPaper/Vizplex development.

Unlike book, I find holding ipad very tiring so if you plan to hold the ipad or Kindle to read then go to a store and plan with one for a 30 min or so before purchasing

[nikster]

The iPad is arguably a much worse *book* reader than the Kindle - it's also much more expensive. It's also more awkward to hold.

But the iPad has a gorgeous color display and amazing multimedia capabilities. Example magazine publishing is going to be HUGE on the iPad. The first major one starts next year.

You can have a high gloss mag with beautiful color pictures - try that on a Kindle, not going to work.

If you're mainly interested in getting an ebook reader, the Kindle will probably serve you well for at least a few years, and it's very inexpensive now so I don't see any harm in getting one.

I won't get one because I have an iPad already - but I use it for many things, emails, RSS feeds, web, basically almost all casual computer use that I do. Now games - games are getting really interesting on the iPad - I love I can just play wherever I am, in the bed, as a passenger in the car, the plane, etc - it's way better than a laptop or desktop for me, its kind of like the console experience except portable.

If you're going for Kindle alone - I guess the main advantage over paperback is that you can wirelessly download from a huge catalog and it only takes mintues - wherever you are. That's amazing on the iPad as well - it kind of blows my mind.

Recent example, I am at the airport in Malaysia without my iPad. But I remember I had bought a book that I want to read, so I open my iPhone, click on purchased items in iBooks, and re-download the book, and start reading it barely one minute after I had that thought. So I guess there's one more advantage with the iPad if you have an iPhone you can read your books on that in a pinch. You'll always have your phone on you - your ebook reader, maybe not.

[lomatopo]

But the iPad has a gorgeous color display and amazing multimedia capabilities. Example magazine publishing is going to be HUGE on the iPad. The first major one starts next year.

I think there are a lot of weeklies on the iPad? I know Sports Illustrated and The New Yorker have been available for at least the last few months. Pricing seems to be a major issue for most people. They'd have to match the subscription rate before I'd switch from paper to plastic. (I pass on SI/NY to friends/family so this option disappears with digital.)

[Crushdepth]

The Samsung Galaxy Tab makes a nice reader, its about paperback size and a lot easier to hold than an iPad which I find too heavy for reading while laying down (it's ok if you're sitting). The price is not particularly competitive though, although it is a very capable little device.

PUBLISH OR PERISH: Can the iPad topple the Kindle, and save the book business?

Amazon + Audible already *have* saved the book business. I bought more books this year alone than in the last 10 - because I can get nearly anything I want (including out of print titles), anytime I want without having to visit a store, for a much lower price and I can carry them wherever I go on my phone or whatever.

They just didn't save the bookstores, which are trying to emulate RIAA and failing dismally. You should see how they are carrying on in Australia, its a disgrace.

[sarahsbloke]

The Samsung Galaxy Tab makes a nice reader, its about paperback size and a lot easier to hold than an iPad which I find too heavy for reading while laying down (it's ok if you're sitting). The price is not particularly competitive though, although it is a very capable little device.

Apparently the Nook Colour ($250) once soft-rooted to use Android, outperforms the Samsung Galaxy in almost every way.

There are comparison videos on YouTube.

[cdnvic]

Within a year or so you will see $50 e-readers on the market by major players. Already there's no-name manufacturers doing cheap e-readers, and others won't be far behind.

[endure]

I've just bought myself a Kindle with 3G for my Christmas present and am very impressed with the ease of use and over the air delivery which apparently works in Thailand as well. I'm quite a fan of old classics and books by people such as GA Henty, Marryat etc which are out of copyright and thus free. If they're not available at Amazon you can use the built-in web browser and download them from Google Books or Gutenberg.