A Guide to eBook Readers
By Jenny • Feb 4th, 2010 • Category: eBook Readers- Photo: Samsung
For those who want to read on the go, eBooks are the perfect solution. With the ability to store hundreds of books these gadgets, similar in size to the average paperback, also offer Internet and email access. Choosing the right model may come down to picking a brand that works for you, though.
What Features Should I Look for in an eBooks Reader?
The best eBook reader is easy to carry, has a long battery life, and can be read in any environment – whether you’re on a sunny beach or around the campfire. LED lighting, touch screens, and the Read to Me feature on the Kindle 2 make reading a pleasure. Screen size and wireless capability are also important features to think about, as is E-ink technology. E-ink is a special kind of digital paper that uses very little power to be displayed, keeping you reading for longer.
Content
Because many models have similar features, a very important thing to think about when choosing an eBook reader is what kind of reading material you’re after. Amazon claims to have the biggest range of titles, boasting over 285 000 popular books, while eBooks.com is a viable alternative. While Amazon’s Kindle is not the original wireless reader, it is the first to achieve mass market success, while Sony’s more recent models have the advantage in being compatible with all books on eBooks, as well as open source books on the web. Virtually all eBook readers support HTML, .txt, MP3 and JPG files.
Value for Money
The best eBook readers have the latest features, allow you to read what you want to, and don’t come with a hefty price tag. At the top of the range are Amazon’s latest Kindle 2 and Sony’s Reader Daily Edition. Both are quite pricey, with the Kindle 2 coming in at around £200 and Sony’s Daily Edition being priced at £245, but both have great features. Amazon’s Kindle 2 has a slightly smaller, not fully touch, screen, and a slightly shorter battery life. Both models have 3G wireless Internet connectivity and make use of E-ink technology. An alternative eBook reader is the BeBook Reader (£179), which is lightweight and has a battery life of 9 000 pages, but doesn’t have a touch screen.
There’s a world of choice in the booming world of eBooks readers, and choosing the right one for you is well worth the time spent researching your options. With Amazon claiming that ‘millions’ of people have bought their Kindle since it came out two years ago, you won’t be the only one on the beach reading from a digital screen.
Tags for this article: sony, ebook reader, amazon

