E-reader: Difference between revisions
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Any device that can display text on a screen may act as an e-book reader, but specialised e-book reader designs may optimise portability, readability (especially in bright sun) and battery life for this purpose. A single e-book holds the equivalent of many printed texts with no added mass or bulk. |
Any device that can display text on a screen may act as an e-book reader, but specialised e-book reader designs may optimise portability, readability (especially in bright sun) and battery life for this purpose. A single e-book holds the equivalent of many printed texts with no added mass or bulk. |
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==Overview== |
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An e-book reader is similar in form to a [[tablet computer]]. A tablet computer typically has a faster screen capable of higher refresh rates which makes them more suitable for interaction. Tablet computers also are much more versatile, allowing one to consume multiple types of content, as well as create it. Technologist [[Michael J. Saylor]] has predicted in ''[[The Mobile Wave: How Mobile Intelligence Will Change Everything]]'' that eventually the e-book reader will be absorbed by the tablet computer, negating the need for users to carry both an e-book reader and a tablet computer.<ref>{{cite book |title=The Mobile Wave: How Mobile Intelligence Will Change Everything |last=Saylor |first=Michael |year=2012 |publisher=Perseus Books/Vanguard Press |isbn=978-1593157203 |page= |pages=304}}</ref> |
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| ⚫ | The main advantages of e-book readers are better readability of their screens especially in bright sunlight and longer battery life. This is achieved by using [[electronic paper]] technology to display content to readers. Electronic paper is currently only commercially available in black and white and it cannot display video content. |
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Many e-book readers can use the internet through Wi-Fi and sometimes have a relationship to a digital e-book seller, allowing the user to buy and receive digital e-books through this seller. In this way, the books owned by the user are managed in the cloud, and the e-book reader is able to download material from any location. An e-book reader may also download material from a computer or read it from a [[memory card]]. |
Many e-book readers can use the internet through Wi-Fi and sometimes have a relationship to a digital e-book seller, allowing the user to buy and receive digital e-books through this seller. In this way, the books owned by the user are managed in the cloud, and the e-book reader is able to download material from any location. An e-book reader may also download material from a computer or read it from a [[memory card]]. |
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Revision as of 14:24, 13 June 2012
An e-book reader, also called an e-book device or e-reader, is a mobile electronic device that is designed primarily for the purpose of reading digital e-books and periodicals.
Any device that can display text on a screen may act as an e-book reader, but specialised e-book reader designs may optimise portability, readability (especially in bright sun) and battery life for this purpose. A single e-book holds the equivalent of many printed texts with no added mass or bulk.
Overview
An e-book reader is similar in form to a tablet computer. A tablet computer typically has a faster screen capable of higher refresh rates which makes them more suitable for interaction. Tablet computers also are much more versatile, allowing one to consume multiple types of content, as well as create it. Technologist Michael J. Saylor has predicted in The Mobile Wave: How Mobile Intelligence Will Change Everything that eventually the e-book reader will be absorbed by the tablet computer, negating the need for users to carry both an e-book reader and a tablet computer.[1]
The main advantages of e-book readers are better readability of their screens especially in bright sunlight and longer battery life. This is achieved by using electronic paper technology to display content to readers. Electronic paper is currently only commercially available in black and white and it cannot display video content.
Many e-book readers can use the internet through Wi-Fi and sometimes have a relationship to a digital e-book seller, allowing the user to buy and receive digital e-books through this seller. In this way, the books owned by the user are managed in the cloud, and the e-book reader is able to download material from any location. An e-book reader may also download material from a computer or read it from a memory card.
Research released in March 2011 indicated that e-books and e-book readers are more popular with the older generation than the younger generation in the UK. The survey carried out by Silver Poll found that around 6% of over-55s owned an e-book reader compared with just 5% of 18 to 24-year-olds.[2]
According to an IDC study from March 2011, sales for all e-book readers worldwide rose to 12.8 million in 2010; 48% of them were Kindle models, followed by Barnes & Noble Nook devices, Pandigital, Hanvon and Sony Readers (about 800,000 units for 2010).[3]
It has been reported that there are differing levels of dissatisfaction among owners of different e-book readers due to the inconsistent availability of sought-after e-book titles. A survey of the number of contemporary and popular titles available from e-book stores revealed that Amazon.com has the largest collection, over twice as large as that of Barnes and Noble, Sony Reader Store, Apple iBookstore and OverDrive, the public libraries lending system.[4]
eReader applications
Some of the major book retailers have free eReader applications for the PC and Mac desktops as well as iPad, iPhone, Android, and Blackberry devices to allow reading eBooks without their respective devices - Amazon Kindle, Kobo, and Barnes & Noble Nook.
See also
References
- ^ Saylor, Michael (2012). The Mobile Wave: How Mobile Intelligence Will Change Everything. Perseus Books/Vanguard Press. p. 304. ISBN 978-1593157203.
- ^ "E-book popularity set to increase this year". Retrieved 4 March 2011.
- ^ Nearly 18 Million Media Tablets Shipped in 2010 with Apple Capturing 83% Share; eReader Shipments Quadrupled to More Than 12 Million. Press release by IDC, 10. March 2011.
- ^ King, Sammy. "Survey of Kindle, Nook, iPad, Sony and OverDrive eBook Store Collection Size". eBookReaderGuide.com. Retrieved 13 March 2011.