Reading eBooks

[Dreadnaught]

Does anyone here read eBooks on their smartphones or tablets?

Today I was introduced to an Android eBook reader and a free copy of a book. I was frankly surprised at how readable it is.

I am currently reading a 500 page hardcover monster called Freedom. I have a number of business trips coming up soon and don't feel like lugging the thing around, so I'm thinking the unthinkable: double-purchasing for the eBook and just reading from my phone while traveling.

Has anyone read a book exclusively on their smartphone?

[littlelolligagged]

Yes, and from an old palm PDA before that...

I read so fast that the small screen size drives me mad, but it's entirely doable.

I've fallen in love with my nook from B&N, though (even if it will never replace the joy of paper books).

And I see nothing wrong with having multiple copies of the same book.

[Dreadnaught]

I just don't like spending money twice for the same book. Though I didn't actually spend money on the book, I was borrowing it from my mom and she wants it back after five days because everyone on the subway is reading it. Still, bugs me.

But I guess I'll try reading it on my phone and see what happens!

[Ominous Gamer]

I've spent some time with the Nook in the store, and the library gave me a Sony reader and Ipad today. The Ipad is maddening to use under the fluorescent lights. I kept ending up pulling off some sort of yoga stance to avoid the lights or seeing my own reflection. The ereaders on the other hand...I still can't get over how paper like they appear while reading.

The Nook and Sony's ereaders both support DRM free titles, so if you're that againist paying for your books twice, there are ways. And to show just how robust the underground is, Khan's book that he is having publisher problems with, thats even on TPB (the student book, not the answers). The Nook however requires an active and valid credit card because its basically an Android powered point of sale, although I do believe you can get away with using a gift card. The Nook also has a huge hacking community.

[Dreadnaught]

Why'd they give them out, out of curiosity?

Did you find your eyes straining with the Nook after a while?

I may end up borrowing the iPad I got my mom and reading the book on that while she takes back the paper book. But I also bought it for my phone just now.

[Ominous Gamer]

The library is starting to make a big push into digital offerings, like http://tblc.lib.overdrive.com/, and to do that the staff needs to know how to use the hardware, and troubleshoot over the phone, and the staff needs to be educated enough to push customers towards the correct hardware. The Kindle is very anti-library, as is the ipad is to a slightly lesser degree.

So a few of the experienced LTAs in the county got a gadget box of stuff; ipad, itouch, flip camcorder, sony reader, so we can wrap our hands around the devices and start class planning before christmas season.

I didn't notice any eye strain, but I'm not one to sit and read in one spot for more than an hour or so. However the eink ghosting messed with my head for a few minutes. I'm used to 2ms response times, and the different ereaders handle the much longer delay in different ways.

[littlelolligagged]

I haven't noticed any eye strain from the nook - and while the ghosting bothered me for awhile it quit doing so fairly quickly.

You should probably spend some time messing with what is available, either in stores or from your friends.

Oh, and I hear that toddlers love ipads.

[Dreadnaught]

Time for the ultimate test...can/do I enjoy reading this on the subway.

[Flixy]

Would that android ebook reader be Aldiko? It came with my phone but haven't tried it yet.

I just don't like spending money twice for the same book. Though I didn't actually spend money on the book, I was borrowing it from my mom and she wants it back after five days because everyone on the subway is reading it. Still, bugs me.

But I guess I'll try reading it on my phone and see what happens!

Not sure if that would be legal in this case - but I think that (over here) it's legal to download music you already bought, presumably the same applies to books. So if you already bought the book, maybe you can download it? I think it would be nice if they provided a free download with all hardcopies anyway, a lot of bands do that when they print stuff on vinyl.

[EyeKhan]

Does anyone here read eBooks on their smartphones or tablets?

Today I was introduced to an Android eBook reader and a free copy of a book. I was frankly surprised at how readable it is.

I am currently reading a 500 page hardcover monster called Freedom. I have a number of business trips coming up soon and don't feel like lugging the thing around, so I'm thinking the unthinkable: double-purchasing for the eBook and just reading from my phone while traveling.

Has anyone read a book exclusively on their smartphone?

I've read a couple books on my iPad and I had the same reaction you did. I thought I'd hate not having a paper book in my hands but honestly, I don't.

[Wraith]

Did you find your eyes straining with the Nook after a while?

The Nook uses e-ink like the Kindle, doesn't it? That display technology is equivalent with paper books for eyestrain.

One of the things that bothered me at first with the kindle was actually how perfect every page looked. I've gotten so used to seeing all those minor imperfections and printing errors that it was a bit jarring when they weren't there any more, especially since each page looked otherwise identical to a similarly sized book.

[Nessus]

One of the things that bothered me at first with the kindle was actually how perfect every page looked. I've gotten so used to seeing all those minor imperfections and printing errors that it was a bit jarring when they weren't there any more, especially since each page looked otherwise identical to a similarly sized book.

That's weird, you're weird

[Dreadnaught]

So far so good, read about 20% of "Freedom" on my Android. I can also transfer the file to my mom's iPad so I'm using that. But I actually like the Android phone version more for some reason, even though it has a smaller screen.

I have a work trip this week so I'm going to bring the iPad so I don't wear down my phone on the plane (as I need the battery charge when I'm off the plane going to meetings). We'll see how the iPad goes now...

[']['ear]

My father fell and broke his pelvis, so I got him a kindle and loaded it up for while he was recuperating in convalescent care (3 months away from home, total). While setting it up and loading it with stuff, I was pretty impressed by the eInk and whatnot. A decent device, IMO. He seems to like it a lot. For me, I tend not to hop on tech bandwagons until I really need it or until it is older and better-established technology, whereupon. IMO most of the "oh, this is so great" stuff is rationalization for people who get a charge from having the latest toy. I didn't even get a cell phone until May of 08, when I was listed for a transplant. I did have a safety one for the wife, and she upgraded when she became a nonprofit executive director (she very much needed it for work).