Not sure what all the rave is about E-Ink Displays. I just played with the kindle, and I really honestly don't like it. It's dull, people say it's easy on the eyes, but I really don't think so, and it does this weird blink whenever you turn the page. Sure you can read in the direct sunlight, but really, who want's to?
I personally have been simply using stanza on the iphone, and can read my books at night with the lights turned out...
am I missing something here?
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What's the big deal about E-Ink? Can't stand it
Battery Life
In a world where my life is practically filled with charging devices on a daily or semi-daily basis, a device like the Kindle, which can go upwards of a month before I even have to think about charging it, is a complete breath of fresh air. I've got to the point where when I go on week long trips and I don't even bother to pack the charge cable any more.
Sure e-ink is quirky. And it's certainly not useful for anything other than reading. But, for a dedicated reading device, I personally don't think there's a more appropriate screen technology available right now. There are some promising technologies on the horizon, like AMOLED and Pixel QI's new screen. But in their current state neither of those even comes close to a fraction of the battery life that e-ink allows for in a device.
In a world where my life is practically filled with charging devices on a daily or semi-daily basis, a device like the Kindle, which can go upwards of a month before I even have to think about charging it, is a complete breath of fresh air. I've got to the point where when I go on week long trips and I don't even bother to pack the charge cable any more.
Sure e-ink is quirky. And it's certainly not useful for anything other than reading. But, for a dedicated reading device, I personally don't think there's a more appropriate screen technology available right now. There are some promising technologies on the horizon, like AMOLED and Pixel QI's new screen. But in their current state neither of those even comes close to a fraction of the battery life that e-ink allows for in a device.
I can see where e-ink has a strong case where battery life is concerned. I don't mind recharging stuff really. I go about the day doing several different things anyways, so my devices charge meanwhile. Although not lugging around chargers and cords is a plus.
But at what cost? A crappy screen? I would rather have a vivid stunning color display, and charge it, then have to stare at something that simply emulates paper. (why would you even want to do that? ;) ).
That being said, I do see a need for a tablet/slate computer, that people can carry in their bags, and use as a ebook reader / portable media player / browser etc. There has been much debate about the uses for a slate, and even a market for one, but I think I would use it.
I don't know, playing around with a kindle, after hearing so much hype about it was a big let down. It felt like a peice of junk with a buggy display... but others seem to really love it.
But at what cost? A crappy screen? I would rather have a vivid stunning color display, and charge it, then have to stare at something that simply emulates paper. (why would you even want to do that? ;) ).
That being said, I do see a need for a tablet/slate computer, that people can carry in their bags, and use as a ebook reader / portable media player / browser etc. There has been much debate about the uses for a slate, and even a market for one, but I think I would use it.
I don't know, playing around with a kindle, after hearing so much hype about it was a big let down. It felt like a peice of junk with a buggy display... but others seem to really love it.
Some people get headaches and/or eye strain after reading on a backlit display for an extended period. Clearly you are not affected by this (and neither am I), but if you were then E-Ink would probably be more desirable.
I think you pretty much hit it on the head. I suffer from eye strain when i read from a back-lit screen like a computer or phone. I used to read on my iPhone, but could not read for very long before my eyes would hurt.
I also feel I read faster on my Kindle than a "vivid stunning color display". I spent months trying to get through a book on my Kindle Reader for the iPhone. I got a Kindle for Christmas and blew through the last 53% of the book in less than a day.
Battery life is a non-issue for me, like everyone else I am in the habit of throwing my devices on the charger before bed. I don't get the battery life everyone else claims, but then perhaps I read more than some. I get about a week give or take on a charge.
As far as the page blink between pages, I don't personally notice it much. I naturally blink when I turn pages be it a hard copy of a book or the Kindle. During the time I blink it changes fast enough I don't really see the flash.
I personally don't think dedicated readers are for everyone. They need to come down a lot further in price for starters. I doubt I would have one anytime soon had I not gotten it as a gift, despite how much I love reading on it.
Just my thoughts.
I also feel I read faster on my Kindle than a "vivid stunning color display". I spent months trying to get through a book on my Kindle Reader for the iPhone. I got a Kindle for Christmas and blew through the last 53% of the book in less than a day.
Battery life is a non-issue for me, like everyone else I am in the habit of throwing my devices on the charger before bed. I don't get the battery life everyone else claims, but then perhaps I read more than some. I get about a week give or take on a charge.
As far as the page blink between pages, I don't personally notice it much. I naturally blink when I turn pages be it a hard copy of a book or the Kindle. During the time I blink it changes fast enough I don't really see the flash.
I personally don't think dedicated readers are for everyone. They need to come down a lot further in price for starters. I doubt I would have one anytime soon had I not gotten it as a gift, despite how much I love reading on it.
Just my thoughts.
Which Kindle have you seen? I've seen a Kindle 2 and it seems to have the same problem my Sony PRS-700 has - touch screen compromising the paperlike quality of the display somewhat.
I'm curious about you saying you see a need for a tablet form device and would use one...why have you not currently got one? Tablet PCs that can do all you listed have been on the market for a decade and some of the more recent ones support multi-touch displays, WiFi, etc.
I'm curious about you saying you see a need for a tablet form device and would use one...why have you not currently got one? Tablet PCs that can do all you listed have been on the market for a decade and some of the more recent ones support multi-touch displays, WiFi, etc.
I think you're comparing apples and oranges here. A multipurpose device, like a tablet computer, and a dedicated device, like the Kindle, are worlds apart; different markets, different prices, different use cases, different everything.
The necessary range of capabilities for e-ink in an ebook reader is pretty limited. What use is a "vivid stunning color display" if all the device does is display text? Even the menus don't really need to be anything more than passably functional. It's not like on an MP3 player where you're constantly switching between files. You spend maybe 60 seconds, tops, navigating to the book you want, then the next 6-10 hours reading the book.
The necessary range of capabilities for e-ink in an ebook reader is pretty limited. What use is a "vivid stunning color display" if all the device does is display text? Even the menus don't really need to be anything more than passably functional. It's not like on an MP3 player where you're constantly switching between files. You spend maybe 60 seconds, tops, navigating to the book you want, then the next 6-10 hours reading the book.
I don't think I'd ever go for a dedicated e-reader. Ever. Just because all the alternatives that work relatively well (I just use my netbook (MSI Wind U123) for any reading on the go, it's just as portable). As far as battery life goes, I'd say in most realistic scenarious it's not like you're not going to be able to charge it anywhere you go and practically anything that can substitute as an e-reader (tablet, slate, netbook, laptop, or something like the iPhone) has decent enough battery life for real usage. I mean I would gladly take an e-book reader if it were a gift and I would probably use it a lot, but they're all still too expensive when you can get a decent netbook that does that and so much more for around $100-$150 more. I don't know. I just don't get it.
About the eye strain, I don't know anyone that gets affected by screens like that (except for old people. I remember reading comic and book scans all the time for a period of 5 years or so on a crappy CRT and had no problems.
I am still very excited about the Pixel screen. I guess what I'm trying to say is something with e-ink alone to me seems not worth it, especially with all the new things like the AMOLED and Pixel screens coming out.
Are there any e-readers out there with fantastic .pdf support? Nearly all my stuff is in that and .cbr/.cbz format.
About the eye strain, I don't know anyone that gets affected by screens like that (except for old people. I remember reading comic and book scans all the time for a period of 5 years or so on a crappy CRT and had no problems.
I am still very excited about the Pixel screen. I guess what I'm trying to say is something with e-ink alone to me seems not worth it, especially with all the new things like the AMOLED and Pixel screens coming out.
Are there any e-readers out there with fantastic .pdf support? Nearly all my stuff is in that and .cbr/.cbz format.
I don't currently own a Kindle, but I definitely see the need for it, in my case. I spend a lot of time in front of the computer, but I also like to read a lot. The lcd screen is good for a lot of things, including some reading. But I have tried to read a few books on the computer, and it's not a great experience.
For me, an ebook reader that is not backlit but rather reads like a book would be great.
I think it all boils down to how much you read. If somebody tells me that they have read more than 4-5 books a month on a computer screen, I would have a hard time believing them. But again, maybe that's just me. :)
Oh, and I also have a ton of public domain ebooks that are just waiting to be read, so I'm planning on buying a Kindle soon.
For me, an ebook reader that is not backlit but rather reads like a book would be great.
I think it all boils down to how much you read. If somebody tells me that they have read more than 4-5 books a month on a computer screen, I would have a hard time believing them. But again, maybe that's just me. :)
Oh, and I also have a ton of public domain ebooks that are just waiting to be read, so I'm planning on buying a Kindle soon.
Real paper ftw!
I agree, the refresh rate sucks. Seeing that black flash every time you turn a page on the Kindle absolutely sucks, as with most e-readers these days.
I agree, the refresh rate sucks. Seeing that black flash every time you turn a page on the Kindle absolutely sucks, as with most e-readers these days.
I've read countless books on my Iphone using Stanza, and at this point and time, wouldn't have it any other way. I guess it's hard for me to relate, because I don't have these headaches, or eyestrain or anything like that. And I've read A LOT of books on it, in the pitch dark, at night before I sleep. And I read them fast...
A few of you brought up points, that I think confirms my assessment on ever even considering buying a dedicated ebook reader. The price simply doesn't seem to justify a single purpose device when there are devices equally priced that serve a multi-purpose functions.
$250.00 (or is it $200?) for a kindle - which allows me do download and read ebooks on a wanna be paper screen that blobs black everytime I turn the page Vs. an iphone or a netbook for the same $250.00, and I can talk, read, watch videos, listen to music, check my todo list, send an email, check the weather and browse the web... I guess I'm really not seeing the logic. I mean, if you get headaches, and you tend to fly on a plane for 12 hour stretches, man, just buy a couple of books.
I am, without a doubt seeing a clear use for a slate device that can do all of these things.
A few of you brought up points, that I think confirms my assessment on ever even considering buying a dedicated ebook reader. The price simply doesn't seem to justify a single purpose device when there are devices equally priced that serve a multi-purpose functions.
$250.00 (or is it $200?) for a kindle - which allows me do download and read ebooks on a wanna be paper screen that blobs black everytime I turn the page Vs. an iphone or a netbook for the same $250.00, and I can talk, read, watch videos, listen to music, check my todo list, send an email, check the weather and browse the web... I guess I'm really not seeing the logic. I mean, if you get headaches, and you tend to fly on a plane for 12 hour stretches, man, just buy a couple of books.
I am, without a doubt seeing a clear use for a slate device that can do all of these things.
Just out of curiosity would you spend $1000 or $250. I see your point on the iphone, I have no trouble reading on my G1 but a 7" screen would be nice to read a book on. But I don't see the slate(I assume you mean the apple version) as an ereader with bonus, since their are a variety of different ones coming out.
Have you seen the Entourage Edge. It has dual 7" screens, one running E-ink one running and LCD with Android. IMO that is the best of both worlds and would cost you have as much as the rumored price of the islate.
Have you seen the Entourage Edge. It has dual 7" screens, one running E-ink one running and LCD with Android. IMO that is the best of both worlds and would cost you have as much as the rumored price of the islate.
I am interested in the Entourage Edge. I am thinking of getting a better e-ink device in the mid-future. Hopefully by this time next year there are some milestone improvements. I'd ideally like 1 e-ink screen (which hopefully has improved speed and contrast over current e-ink) and 1 LCD running Windows 7 with enough power to play video at the native resolution.
The Edge is very close to perfect but doesn't run Windows and is bulky and ugly.
The Edge is very close to perfect but doesn't run Windows and is bulky and ugly.
E-ink looks far superior to LCD - it looks like you are actually looking at something that is physical, tangible, not just made of light.
The majority of people get eye strain reading LCDs. Heavy readers who spend hours a day reading constantly praise their Kindles' screens.
A phone screen is too small for most people to comfortably read. I read books mainly on my e-ink device but occasionally will read a few pages on my phone. It's just not the same. My phone can fit about 1/3 of a page on the screen and I get tired of constantly swiping to the next screen.
E-ink is power efficient. It's not a huge deal, but it's great to know that my reader will never run out of power. If it does, a 5 minute charge via USB gives me a solid day of reading.
LCDs are useless for reading in bright light, such as the sun. Lots of people like to read in the sun.
There are plenty of tablet/slate devices that can display books as well as send email, IM, play music, etc., but sometimes less is more. I can certainly see the attraction of all-in-one devices, but in a reader screen quality is the most important factor.
Yes, e-ink has its flaws - it's a new technology. There are already companies improving e-ink and creating new displays that have the 'best of both worlds' of paper-like looks with LCD-like refresh rates.
The majority of people get eye strain reading LCDs. Heavy readers who spend hours a day reading constantly praise their Kindles' screens.
A phone screen is too small for most people to comfortably read. I read books mainly on my e-ink device but occasionally will read a few pages on my phone. It's just not the same. My phone can fit about 1/3 of a page on the screen and I get tired of constantly swiping to the next screen.
E-ink is power efficient. It's not a huge deal, but it's great to know that my reader will never run out of power. If it does, a 5 minute charge via USB gives me a solid day of reading.
LCDs are useless for reading in bright light, such as the sun. Lots of people like to read in the sun.
There are plenty of tablet/slate devices that can display books as well as send email, IM, play music, etc., but sometimes less is more. I can certainly see the attraction of all-in-one devices, but in a reader screen quality is the most important factor.
Yes, e-ink has its flaws - it's a new technology. There are already companies improving e-ink and creating new displays that have the 'best of both worlds' of paper-like looks with LCD-like refresh rates.
#1 - Ebooks aren't for everyone. If you don't read a lot of books don't get one.
#2 - As greedobuck said. E-ink is far superior to LCD for it's use. it looks very much like reading off of paper.
#3 - I have the Kindle 2. I do not get headaches or have any problems reading off of an LCD (or older CRT for that matter). But reading off of an E-ink device is much more pleasant than reading off of LCD to me.
#4 - It takes like right at maybe a full second to refresh the page. If that. It's not that big of a deal. At least it's not on the Kindle 2. It would take just as long to flip the page.
#5 - Battery Life. I've had my Kindle since right after Christmas. I've only charged it 3 times. The first time out of the box before using it. Then about a week later after I had spent tons of time playing with it because it was a new gadget and I was changing the pages a lot and messing around with other features. And then I just Charged it yesterday.
That stuff said, I think both LCD and E-ink devices can both compete against each other. My Kindle 2 was $250 and I could probably add a cheap netbook to go along side of it and = the $500 starting price point for the iPad that was announced today. If you are in the market for both types of devices you might want to get the iPad.
I'd suggest at least spending some time with the Nook or a Sony Ebook reader in a store to get the idea of what E-ink is all about though. And if you choose Eink, then decide which one is the one for you. They all have their ups and downs. As consumers we are all benefiting from these new devices that keep coming out. Cheaper and better technology all of the time! :D
#2 - As greedobuck said. E-ink is far superior to LCD for it's use. it looks very much like reading off of paper.
#3 - I have the Kindle 2. I do not get headaches or have any problems reading off of an LCD (or older CRT for that matter). But reading off of an E-ink device is much more pleasant than reading off of LCD to me.
#4 - It takes like right at maybe a full second to refresh the page. If that. It's not that big of a deal. At least it's not on the Kindle 2. It would take just as long to flip the page.
#5 - Battery Life. I've had my Kindle since right after Christmas. I've only charged it 3 times. The first time out of the box before using it. Then about a week later after I had spent tons of time playing with it because it was a new gadget and I was changing the pages a lot and messing around with other features. And then I just Charged it yesterday.
That stuff said, I think both LCD and E-ink devices can both compete against each other. My Kindle 2 was $250 and I could probably add a cheap netbook to go along side of it and = the $500 starting price point for the iPad that was announced today. If you are in the market for both types of devices you might want to get the iPad.
I'd suggest at least spending some time with the Nook or a Sony Ebook reader in a store to get the idea of what E-ink is all about though. And if you choose Eink, then decide which one is the one for you. They all have their ups and downs. As consumers we are all benefiting from these new devices that keep coming out. Cheaper and better technology all of the time! :D
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