iPads, Kindles and Nooks--Oh My!

iPads, Kindles and Nooks, Oh My!An Introduction to eBook readers
Mike Oetting
Reference Librarian
moetting@hinsdalelibrary.info
Kindle 2 eBook ReaderAdapted from Jon 'ShakataGaNai' Davis’ Image.Original at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Kindle_2_-_Front.jpg

What are eBook readers…
…and what are their pros and cons?

What is an eBook Reader? *
It is a handheld device for reading books published in an electronic format.
Amazon’s Kindle 2 eBook Reader
*electronic book reader=eReader= eBook Reader

What are the benefits of eBook readers over print books?
Large capacity: a typical eBook reader can hold hundreds of titles in the space of a thin hardcover book.
Ease of purchase: With wireless eReaders like Amazon’s Kindle, it is quick and easy to buy and download books.
Inexpensive books: Priced cheaper than hardcovers.
Most current eBook readers can hold at least this many (~500) books Some can hold several times this many.

Indeed, current eReader owners seem to like them.
February 3, 2010 report from NPD. www.npd.com/press/releases/press_100203b.html

What are the downsides of eBooks?
Digital Rights Management (DRM)
Can’t transfer ownership of books.
You may have to repurchase your eBooks down the road if you change devices.
The bookseller can remotely delete eBooks from your device without your permission (e.g., Amazon’s Orwellian debacle.)
1984

Features to consider

Features: in-depth
Multifunction vs. Dedicated Device
Is it better to buy a device that is pretty good at a lot of things or a device that is reallygood at onething?
vs.

Features: in-depth
Display Technology: E-Ink
Usually Black & White
Excellent battery life (up to a month)
Anti-glare screens
Slow page turns
Less eye fatigue than LCD
Usually no backlighting – can’t read it in dark
Screen looks great in sunlight
Similar to an Etch-a-Sketch
E-Ink Display Technology (eink.com)

Features: in-depth
Display Technology: LCD
Color
Relatively mediocre battery life (less than 10 hours)
Often use glossy screens
Lightning-fast refresh rate permits gaming and video.
May cause eyestrain during long reading sessions
Backlit screen allows easy viewing in dark
Not good in bright sunlight
Backlit LCD used in Apple iPadPhoto credit: http://www.engadget.com/photos/the-apple-ipad-4/#2656645

Features: in-depth
Compatible with the Library’s downloadable eBooks?
Amazon Kindle: NO
Barnes & Noble Nook: YES
Sony Reader: YES
Apple iPad: NO

Features: in-depth
Compatible with PDF?
A popular universal file format for documents
You can use the Library’s color printer to scan to a PDF then transfer the file to an eReader. It’s free!
Amazon Kindle: YES
Barnes & Noble Nook: YES
Sony Reader: YES
Apple iPad: YES

Features: in-depth
PDF: Why does this matter?
PDF documents have great versatility.
Business
Meeting agendas
Presentation outlines
Travel
Itineraries
Train schedules
Maps
Education and Culture
Required readings for courses
Public domain sheet music from the Petrucci Music Library (http://imslp.org/wiki/Main_Page)

What eReadersare available?

Amazon’s Kindle
This revolutionary product is the most widely known eBook reader.

Barnes & Noble Nook
New to the market, this reader features an auxiliary touch-sensitive color screen below the main screen for navigation.
$259

Sony’s Reader
Two out of the three current Sony Readers require a computer with the Internet to download and transfer eBooks. Only the top-of-the-line Reader Daily Edition has wireless access.
$180 $399 $299

HP Slate
A stripped down computer in a tablet format which runs Windows 7. It’s a multifunction device which is Flash compatible.
Image source: http://cache.gawker.com/assets/images/4/2010/01/500x_ballmernote43.jpg
Image Source:http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2010/03/03-08-10hpslate.jpg
Less than $629

Kobo eReader
A budget alternative coming in May, 2010. Very thin and light. No wireless connectivity at all – must connect to a computer.
koboereader.com
$149 CDN

enTourageeDGe
The best of both display types? Has both an E-Ink display and an LCD display side by side in a clamshell design. Downsides? It’s much bulkier and heavier than the competition.
$499 to $539

The Game-Changer?
Apple’s iPad
A multifunction device with a color touch screen and wireless connectivity, the device does much more than display books. Apple sold over 300K on first day and over 450K in first week.
$499 to $829
Apple iPad

Kindle vs. iPadThe Champ vs. The Challenger

The Street Poll Results (4/12/2010)*
Will the iPad biteinto sales of the Kindle?
“Yes. The iPad has Kindle's best features and then some”
or
“No. The devices differ markedly and will have their own fan bases”
*www.thestreet.com/_yahoo/story/10722646/1/ipad-superior-to-kindle-poll-says.html

Apple iPad’s Market Influence?
http://www.investorplace.com/changewave-alliance/articles/changewave-survey-shows-apple-ipad-demand-striking-amazon.html

How much do eBooks cost?

Kindle Pricing Model
Amazon set an early standard of $9.99.
In January 2010, Macmillan forced Kindle to raise prices to $12.99 to $14.99 for its titles.
Many Kindle readers became outraged (an Amazon discussion called “Boycott anything over $9.99” had over 8,100 messages.)

How much do eBooks cost on other devices?
Walletpop.com looked at a bundle of 10 recent books after the Macmillan-led price hike.*
Relative to the Kindle bundle, the cost of:
The Sony Reader eBooks bundle was 11.5% higher
The B&N Nook eBooksbundlewas 41% higher
*http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2010/03/01/battle-of-e-readers-shows-kindle-books-much-cheaper-than-nook-s/

Questions & Answers

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iPads, Kindles and Nooks--Oh My!

by Mike Oetting

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