Thinking about getting an eReader, any tips?

[Reach9]

Hey guys,

So i've decided to get myself an eReader for reading while commuting. I already have an iPad, but that's primarily for home use. I own an iPhone and a MacBook Pro. Thanks to Lion I do a lot of reading with Lion's full screen capabilities, but not while commuting.

I'm thinking of getting the newest Kindle, the only issue is.. i wish it had a touchscreen. I'm so used to the touchscreen interface thanks to the iPad, iPhone and semi-MacBook Pro.

Is there anyway to upload .PDFs from my Mac, into the Kindle?
Which eReader do you guys use? and why? Do you guys think we can expect a touch Kindle?

 

[neiltc13]

Is there anyway to upload .PDFs from my Mac, into the Kindle?

Yes - you just send it to a special email address supplied by Amazon. Free if you do it over WiFi.

 

[Reach9]

Yes - you just send it to a special email address supplied by Amazon. Free if you do it over WiFi.

Thanks!

 

[CalBoy]

I currently have the 3rd gen Kindle. It's fantastic for reading, and I highly recommend it.

I would advise you to wait at least a month or two before buying however. Rumors are that Amazon will be launching a Kindle 4, and we might see a touchscreen interface, or color, or something else altogether.

Kindles are usually revamped in September, so I don't think you'd have to wait long.

 

[yg17]

I currently have the 3rd gen Kindle. It's fantastic for reading, and I highly recommend it.

I would advise you to wait at least a month or two before buying however. Rumors are that Amazon will be launching a Kindle 4, and we might see a touchscreen interface, or color, or something else altogether.

Kindles are usually revamped in September, so I don't think you'd have to wait long.

While that is true, I think the bigger advantage of waiting is that he could get a new Kindle 3 on the cheap. I love my Kindle, it works great as an eReader. I'm not so sure that a color screen or touch screen are going to improve the experience, I think they'll waste battery life more than anything.

 

[CalBoy]

While that is true, I think the bigger advantage of waiting is that he could get a new Kindle 3 on the cheap. I love my Kindle, it works great as an eReader. I'm not so sure that a color screen or touch screen are going to improve the experience, I think they'll waste battery life more than anything.

The great thing about color e-ink is that it doesn't really impact battery life. We'll still get the awesome 1 month of reading with it. The reason I mentioned color is because some people like to buy illustrated books for kids and a color e-ink reader would be awesome for that.

Right now I would love for a larger screen Kindle that offers color or touch screen (or both) because while most fiction is fantastic on the regular Kindle, magazines and newspapers aren't as great. I still read the paper version because I like to scan the page.

 

[Reach9]

Thanks for the heads up guys.

I'll definitely wait for the Kindle 4 Calboy, I didn't know what to expect, but i read magazines on my MacBook Pro more often, so i'm probably going to get the Kindle 3 if the 4 only has color.

September is going to be a great month!

Btw, how do you guys get rid of the "ghosting" problem that the Kindle apparently has?

 

[stevenlangley1]

I've never heard of or ran into a ghosting problem on my second gen Kindle. I love it and would highly recommend getting a Kindle.

 

[Rodimus Prime]

If to are into reading books I recommend the kindle it is great. My favorite thing about mine is not having a huge stack of books by my night stand.

 

[FrozenTomato]

Get an iPad.

Kindles are generally crap and not as versatile as an iPad.

You have access to more bookstores and apps.

 

[yg17]

Get an iPad.

Kindles are generally crap and not as versatile as an iPad.

You have access to more bookstores and apps.

The iPad battery lasts for about 10 hours, but that's OK because your eyes will hurt like hell after reading from it for about 30 minutes. Trying to use my iPad to read books is the reason I went out and bought a Kindle.

 

[miles01110]

Kindles are generally crap and not as versatile as an iPad.

The iPad is not an eReader, the Kindle is. The Kindle has the largest selection of available books for any eReader. It does one thing and it does it exceptionally well. The Kindle does not try to compete with the iPad in terms of versatility, because that's not the point of the Kindle. If you want an eReader, get a Kindle.

If you want a tablet, get an iPad.

 

[steve knight]

one thing I love with the kindle is the syncing I can pick up my iphone at night and be right where I left off on the kindle.

 

[yg17]

Not to mention the Kindle can be had for as little as $114. The cheapest iPad is what, $500?

 

[Rodimus Prime]

The iPad is not an eReader, the Kindle is. The Kindle has the largest selection of available books for any eReader. It does one thing and it does it exceptionally well. The Kindle does not try to compete with the iPad in terms of versatility, because that's not the point of the Kindle. If you want an eReader, get a Kindle.

If you want a tablet, get an iPad.

I am waiting for him to come back and say but iPad has a kindle App.

What Frozen is missing is like you pointed out the Kindle is an eReader. iPad is not.

As an eReader the kindle blows the iPad out of the water. It is easier on the eyes and is like reading a paper book. iPad is a tablet and is not the same thing. They are in complete different playing fields.

Lets see for an eReader kindle is cheaper, lighter, longer battery life and easier on the eyes.

 

[stevenlangley1]

Get an iPad.

Kindles are generally crap and not as versatile as an iPad.

You have access to more bookstores and apps.

He already stated that he has an iPad...

 

[thejadedmonkey]

Get the nook touch.

 

[FrozenTomato]

I read on my iPad everyday. Adjust the brghtness or invert the backround. If its still not enough for you, buy a $3 screen filter onlne.

Theres no reason to buy a kindle anymore.

 

[maflynn]

Given the latest coupons that the kindle offered owners. I started thinking that it would be a good idea to buy one.

I see people use a kindle all the time on the subway. The Kindle has many advantages over the iPad, and one of them is size. I have my iPad and its a little too big to hold in one hand and stand in the subway.

Some people do it, but you can see the kindle folks certainly are more comfortable.

 

[palpatine]

If you are getting an ereader, I would definitely get the Kindle.

But, it's August (when the K3 came out last year). I would wait a little longer for the next Kindle update. Strangely, Amazon is still putting out ads for the Kindle 3 (current version), so it is unclear. I suppose it depends on how urgently you need it.

The Nook is definitely a better ereader today, but the Kindle likely will be tomorrow, and you'll definitely benefit from buying books through the feature-rich Amazon system.

 

[maflynn]

The Nook is definitely a better ereader today

How so? To be honest, I have more confidence in amazon over Barnes and Nobel at this point and the Kindle seems much much more popular then the Nook.

The only thing I've seen the nook being craved for is, hackers wanting an inexpensive tablet to mess around with android.

 

[palpatine]

How so? To be honest, I have more confidence in amazon over Barnes and Nobel at this point and the Kindle seems much much more popular then the Nook.

The only thing I've seen the nook being craved for is, hackers wanting an inexpensive tablet to mess around with android.

the op has an ipad, so i assumed they were talking about e-ink ereaders. i don't consider the nook tablet thing to be worth talking about

the nook (simple touch) is clearly superior to the kindle as a piece of hardware: 2 months of battery life (K3 has 1), a touch screen (K3 has keyboard), smaller size, and lighter than the Kindle. consumers who walk into stores and look at them will recognize this immediately.

but, as i suggested above, that is only a result of product release cycles that don't match up. the next kindle will likely be better, and as i said, the amazon system is far better.

 

[rbrian]

I've played with Kindles, but I just can't stand the flickering when turning the page. It's extremely distracting. The Kindle app on my iPhone is much easier on my eyes, in night mode at least. YMMV.

As for magazines, the Text mode in Zinio makes it surprisingly adequate on the iPhone, though not as good as on the iPad.

 

[maflynn]

the op has an ipad, so i assumed they were talking about e-ink ereaders. i don't consider the nook tablet thing to be worth talking about

the nook (simple touch) is clearly superior to the kindle as a piece of hardware: 2 months of battery life (K3 has 1), a touch screen (K3 has keyboard), smaller size, and lighter than the Kindle. consumers who walk into stores and look at them will recognize this immediately.

but, as i suggested above, that is only a result of product release cycles that don't match up. the next kindle will likely be better, and as i said, the amazon system is far better.

My post was in reference to the nook vs. the kindle. My point is that the only folks who lusted after the nook were hobbiests looking to play with android. I didn't know what the nook has over the kindle though

 

[palpatine]

My post was in reference to the nook vs. the kindle. My point is that the only folks who lusted after the nook were hobbiests looking to play with android. I didn't know what the nook has over the kindle though

you do know that there are two nooks, right?

there is a nook color (the tablet you are referring to) and the nook reader (the e-ink one i am talking about). i suspect most people trying to decide between a kindle or nook are thinking more about the e-ink versions, because the color nook is a different beast entirely. many people lust after the nook color because it provides a color reading experience (the Kindle is gray) that is much more affordable than the ipad, and many lust after the nook reader because it is clearly superior to the current Kindle reader as an e-ink e-reader. if you read the kindle, nook, or other forums you'll see that there is a broad swath of people interested in the nook (for good reason).

anyhow, i think that if you look beyond the hardware and take into account the Amazon environment, i think the Kindle (particularly an updated K4) would be a great purchase. for instance, i am overseas now using the kindle 3g without any problems. i can download books and even access the internet for free. pretty incredible, if you ask me.