I recently downloaded Stanza for my iPod, and it seems ok. But at the same time, I can't imagine reading for long periods on it - makes my eyes go all blurry.
Do any of you read extensively on your iPod? How does it feel after a couple of hours?
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Do you read eBooks on your iPod touch?
I have read quite a bit of the Bible using YouVersion's iTouch app as well as a couple of the classics; The Wizard of Oz, and Peter Pan. I just recently downloaded the "Classics" app and am planning on starting through those as well. It might not be quite the ideal e-reader as I tend to magnify the text and therefore have to scroll a lot, but it is definitely usable.
I have Stanza and eReader on the iPod and love em' But then I was using a Palm/eReader combo as an ereader for a couple years before I got the iPod, so used to a screen like that. I suggest increasing text size, and perhaps using the Night Theme for Stanza. You do get used to it but you will also want to get extra charges.....work/home/car so you cover all bases.
I got the Classics app. Best app purchase I have made. I got it when it was on sale for 99 cents. Now they have updated it so it has more than 25 books. The aged yellow background and dark brown text make it easy to read and not straining at all. I did a ton of reading on it while traveling in Europe and not quite as much now that I'm home but I never got tired of it.
I've read five or six books between the kindle app and stanza. I thought it would be too small and would strain the eyes at first, but haven't really had too much trouble since I started reading. I hadn't read an entire book since the da Vinci code before reading ebooks on the touch/iPhone but since having it, I now read constantly. It's so nice to have so many books at your disposal in your pocket all the time. My wife has a kindle, and there's no doubt that e-ink beats iPod screen every time, but the portability of he iPod/iPhone is what sets it apart.
I have read books on the Touch using eReader, Stanza and the Kindle app. I find it to be quite enjoyable as a book reader, the screen is nice and flipping pages one handed is a breeze. With the variety of color setting and fonts, I have never had a problem with eyestrain. Best part is that the Touch and my book library is always with me!
i use instapaper for reading blogs and websites. i also like the bible app by youversion. both are free :)
I've read a couple of full books on Stanza and I usually read shorter PDF articles on PDF Reader Pro.
I like PDF Reader Pro because it has a simple bookmarking feature, a zoom and orientation lock, and it can store PDF files offline. It isn't the best PDF app out there, but it's only 99 cents and has some crucial features, like bookmarking, that make it better than the built-in PDF reader.
I find Stanza is the best reader for long-form reading. It supports a fairly wide range of formats and the page-turning graphics are pretty cool (especially after the latest update). It remembers the last page you were reading so you can pick up right where you left off. I completely agree with the other comments that stressed how convenient it is to have a stack of books in your pocket at all times. This is especially useful if you have a long transit commute.
If you're looking to do some writing on the iPod Touch, I highly recommend Docs To Go. I was using QuickWord initially, but I made the switch almost immediately to Docs To Go when it came out. I was a fan back when I used a Palm PDA. I usually reserve my iPod Touch writing to reviews and other short-form writing (500-1000 words).
I like PDF Reader Pro because it has a simple bookmarking feature, a zoom and orientation lock, and it can store PDF files offline. It isn't the best PDF app out there, but it's only 99 cents and has some crucial features, like bookmarking, that make it better than the built-in PDF reader.
I find Stanza is the best reader for long-form reading. It supports a fairly wide range of formats and the page-turning graphics are pretty cool (especially after the latest update). It remembers the last page you were reading so you can pick up right where you left off. I completely agree with the other comments that stressed how convenient it is to have a stack of books in your pocket at all times. This is especially useful if you have a long transit commute.
If you're looking to do some writing on the iPod Touch, I highly recommend Docs To Go. I was using QuickWord initially, but I made the switch almost immediately to Docs To Go when it came out. I was a fan back when I used a Palm PDA. I usually reserve my iPod Touch writing to reviews and other short-form writing (500-1000 words).
I've been reading on PDAs for years, & honestly, I struggle to understand why someone would be reluctant to read a book on a device like this, especially the touch with it's magnificent screen.
As others have mentioned, if it's straining your eyes, then adjust the brightness, colour scheme, font size.
The one true annoyance really is having to tap the screen so often to turn the page, but when you compare that to having to use 2 hands to turn the page of a book most of the time, it's a small trade off to me. Also, use the tap screen option, not the swipe option if the app gives you the choice for page turning. eReader now has an auto scroll option too, but I've never been comfortable with that myself. I prefer to turn the pages when I'm ready.
The other thing that can be a problem is that publishing houses are even more stupid than hollywood and the music industry, probably because it is far older. But sometimes you can't get a book anywhere because of the licensing agreements in different countries. Not that this is common, most of the time fictionwise.com has whatever your looking for.
Several people have already mentioned the ability to carry around several books at once, & this is probably the best advantage, I have around 50 books on my touch atm, I don't have to worry about getting half way through a train ride & finishing my book leaving me with nothing to do.
some other advantages are that it's back lit, so you can read comfortably in low light conditions, or even in the dark.
If you have tired eyes because you were out partying the night before, then you can make the font bigger than you usually read.
being able to get a new book any time you have internet access, no need to bother with going down to the book store. I hear some people like to go to the book store to chose their books, then buy them online later though.
If you buy a fictionwise.com member account then you can save a fair amount of money on the cost of books, but this probably varies according to where you live. I'm Australian and the savings are significant, but someone from the US would probably find the savings minuscule.
I have far less trouble getting the sequel now too. I've been reading ebooks so long I'd almost forgotten how irritating it is to read a book and then have to either wait weeks for an online store to deliver the sequel or hunt through several different stores to find it.
There are some books that are only available in ebook form too. Stephen King was the first mainstream author to do this, but there are several good indie authors who don't have any books in paper form. One of my fav authors is Ed Howdershelt.
As for apps, I prefer eReader myself, but I have Stanza as well for the odd book that is not eReader compatible. The bug is probably fixed by now, but I found that Stanza used to forget what page I was on half the time the last time I was forced to use it. Also, getting books from fictionwise.com onto the touch seemed to be more clunky in Stanza than using eReader. I have no comment about the Kindle app since it's only available in the US.
I hope this helps you to be a little more informed about reading ebooks, but in the end you just have to try it for yourself. Good luck & happy reading.
As others have mentioned, if it's straining your eyes, then adjust the brightness, colour scheme, font size.
The one true annoyance really is having to tap the screen so often to turn the page, but when you compare that to having to use 2 hands to turn the page of a book most of the time, it's a small trade off to me. Also, use the tap screen option, not the swipe option if the app gives you the choice for page turning. eReader now has an auto scroll option too, but I've never been comfortable with that myself. I prefer to turn the pages when I'm ready.
The other thing that can be a problem is that publishing houses are even more stupid than hollywood and the music industry, probably because it is far older. But sometimes you can't get a book anywhere because of the licensing agreements in different countries. Not that this is common, most of the time fictionwise.com has whatever your looking for.
Several people have already mentioned the ability to carry around several books at once, & this is probably the best advantage, I have around 50 books on my touch atm, I don't have to worry about getting half way through a train ride & finishing my book leaving me with nothing to do.
some other advantages are that it's back lit, so you can read comfortably in low light conditions, or even in the dark.
If you have tired eyes because you were out partying the night before, then you can make the font bigger than you usually read.
being able to get a new book any time you have internet access, no need to bother with going down to the book store. I hear some people like to go to the book store to chose their books, then buy them online later though.
If you buy a fictionwise.com member account then you can save a fair amount of money on the cost of books, but this probably varies according to where you live. I'm Australian and the savings are significant, but someone from the US would probably find the savings minuscule.
I have far less trouble getting the sequel now too. I've been reading ebooks so long I'd almost forgotten how irritating it is to read a book and then have to either wait weeks for an online store to deliver the sequel or hunt through several different stores to find it.
There are some books that are only available in ebook form too. Stephen King was the first mainstream author to do this, but there are several good indie authors who don't have any books in paper form. One of my fav authors is Ed Howdershelt.
As for apps, I prefer eReader myself, but I have Stanza as well for the odd book that is not eReader compatible. The bug is probably fixed by now, but I found that Stanza used to forget what page I was on half the time the last time I was forced to use it. Also, getting books from fictionwise.com onto the touch seemed to be more clunky in Stanza than using eReader. I have no comment about the Kindle app since it's only available in the US.
I hope this helps you to be a little more informed about reading ebooks, but in the end you just have to try it for yourself. Good luck & happy reading.
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