eBook Hardware: an "Executive" Decision
By Gigi Reynard
I am a reader. To call me a voracious one, my friends would say is an understatement. And then there is technology, of which I have an obsessive-compulsive love-hate relationship. Then, of course, there is the blatant fact that I have a passion for potential and very little patience.
Over the last five years I have been alternately amused and frustrated as I have evaluated various eBook readers. Some,like RocketBook, HieBook, Franklin Reader and Cybook are no longer sold.
Today the most prevalent eBook reader is the eBookwise-1150. It resembles a paperback book – heavier, but about the same size. The monochrome screen is backlit so you can take it to bed and turn out the lights. For straight reading it works well, but don’t try to look at pictures -- the graphic quality is poor. The price is right; around $100. The real problem is that it is maddeningly proprietary and only reads books in Open eBook format or basic universal formats like html and Word.
This is a good place to take a detour into the arcane world of reading software. As you read this, remember that the success of CDs and DVDs is in large part due to standards that ensure discs can be read on any reader; brands do not matter. Unfortunately, not so with eBooks.
With eBooks each hardware manufacturer makes a decision about which formats to include with the operating system. There are the popular favorites – Adobe PDF, Microsoft LIT and the Palm eReader. There are simple universal formats such has html, Word and RTF. There are proprietary formats like HieBook and Franklin. And finally there are two competing standard initiatives – the Open eBook standard and the Open Reader format.
Some machines use a version of Microsoft Windows that allows readers to use a type of Adobe PDF or the Microsoft reader. The eBookwise-1150 has a proprietary operating system and has opted to follow the Open eBook standard.
Back to reading . . .The PDA (personal digital assistant) is the most widely used reading device today.
The Blackberry, which displays PDF files, was the first widely-used handheld device to read electronic documents. Palm introduced their own version of a PDA (the Palm Pilot) in the late 90’s followed by Pocket PCs. Today, if you sit in any public place you will see many people (mostly young) staring into their little devices and reading. It took me about two weeks to decide that no matter how convenient it seemed, my eyesight was more important.
In the last year the outlook for eReading has changed dramatically. The catalyst was the introduction of a new screen technology, the Electronic Paper Display – also known as eInk. eInk is a thin light display that has a paper-like high contrast appearance and uses ultra-low amounts of power. It gives the viewer the experience of reading from paper.
The first announcement came from iRex Technologies, a Netherlands company; they introduced the iLiad as an eReader that exploits the eInk technology. The screen is about the size of a paperback (4.5 x 6.5 inches). And like all new electronic products, is a very pricy piece of equipment – almost $800. It is extremely light (13 oz) and thin. The ergonomics are great. The eInk screen is not back lit, no reading in the dark, but the technology works great in bright light so you can actually read at the beach.
So what is there not to like? Plenty as it turns out. First the setup: vague and convoluted. Even as an experienced technology person I found it frustrating. Once it was set up and I started trying to read there were other problems: it froze, the PDF viewer did not work well, and there were numerous software bugs. Most of the problems I experienced can be chalked up to the fact that this was an early release; the price you pay for being an “early adopter”. My other complaint: very limited available content that could be read by the iRex.
Last month with great fanfare, Sony released the Sony Reader PRS-500. The price point is much better: only $350.00. The screen is slightly larger (5 x 7) and the device is slightly lighter (9oz). There are about 10,000 books available but in true Sony tradition the eBook format is proprietary and you must buy books through the Sony Connect Store.
The one thing that both readers have in common is the painfully slow refresh rate on the screen. . . for non-techies this means it takes a loooong time to turn a page.
There are other alternatives available. A tablet PC works well at about $600. And for those with good eyes the Nokia cell phone is a popular device. There are reports that approximately 50% of book sales in Europe are to cell phone users. And then finally, there are the intrepid iPod readers.
Over the next six months Hitachi, Jinke and Panasonic will be releasing eInk-based readers. There are rumors that Amazon, Hewlett Packard and Apple will all be creating new eBook readers as well.
I am, however, holding out for the new OLED (organic light-emitting diode) technology. I will refrain from giving a long technical explanation. Let’s just say that it was created by Kodak as an alternative to LCD. The display is fast, light and has high contrast. The screen is so thin that it can actually be rolled up like a scroll. Evidently everything old is new again. Cell phones, MP3 players and video cameras have already incorporated this technology and there are reports that eBooks are coming soon.
So, I’m waiting (still) for technology to live up to its potential. eBook hardware is experiencing growing pains and there are no clear winners. But the momentum has started and it is a matter of time until eBooks become common electronic devices.
What eBook reader should you buy?
My answer: if you are young, get a Pocket PC to use as a reader, organizer and cell phone. If you are older or want a more book-like experience, spend the money and buy a tablet PC. Of course at $600 you can get a great laptop complete with keyboard; you just won’t be taking it to bed.
Gigi Reynard is the Executive Director of eBooks About Everything.
I am a reader. To call me a voracious one, my friends would say is an understatement. And then there is technology, of which I have an obsessive-compulsive love-hate relationship. Then, of course, there is the blatant fact that I have a passion for potential and very little patience.
Over the last five years I have been alternately amused and frustrated as I have evaluated various eBook readers. Some,like RocketBook, HieBook, Franklin Reader and Cybook are no longer sold.
Today the most prevalent eBook reader is the eBookwise-1150. It resembles a paperback book – heavier, but about the same size. The monochrome screen is backlit so you can take it to bed and turn out the lights. For straight reading it works well, but don’t try to look at pictures -- the graphic quality is poor. The price is right; around $100. The real problem is that it is maddeningly proprietary and only reads books in Open eBook format or basic universal formats like html and Word.
This is a good place to take a detour into the arcane world of reading software. As you read this, remember that the success of CDs and DVDs is in large part due to standards that ensure discs can be read on any reader; brands do not matter. Unfortunately, not so with eBooks.
With eBooks each hardware manufacturer makes a decision about which formats to include with the operating system. There are the popular favorites – Adobe PDF, Microsoft LIT and the Palm eReader. There are simple universal formats such has html, Word and RTF. There are proprietary formats like HieBook and Franklin. And finally there are two competing standard initiatives – the Open eBook standard and the Open Reader format.
Some machines use a version of Microsoft Windows that allows readers to use a type of Adobe PDF or the Microsoft reader. The eBookwise-1150 has a proprietary operating system and has opted to follow the Open eBook standard.
Back to reading . . .The PDA (personal digital assistant) is the most widely used reading device today.
The Blackberry, which displays PDF files, was the first widely-used handheld device to read electronic documents. Palm introduced their own version of a PDA (the Palm Pilot) in the late 90’s followed by Pocket PCs. Today, if you sit in any public place you will see many people (mostly young) staring into their little devices and reading. It took me about two weeks to decide that no matter how convenient it seemed, my eyesight was more important.
In the last year the outlook for eReading has changed dramatically. The catalyst was the introduction of a new screen technology, the Electronic Paper Display – also known as eInk. eInk is a thin light display that has a paper-like high contrast appearance and uses ultra-low amounts of power. It gives the viewer the experience of reading from paper.
The first announcement came from iRex Technologies, a Netherlands company; they introduced the iLiad as an eReader that exploits the eInk technology. The screen is about the size of a paperback (4.5 x 6.5 inches). And like all new electronic products, is a very pricy piece of equipment – almost $800. It is extremely light (13 oz) and thin. The ergonomics are great. The eInk screen is not back lit, no reading in the dark, but the technology works great in bright light so you can actually read at the beach.
So what is there not to like? Plenty as it turns out. First the setup: vague and convoluted. Even as an experienced technology person I found it frustrating. Once it was set up and I started trying to read there were other problems: it froze, the PDF viewer did not work well, and there were numerous software bugs. Most of the problems I experienced can be chalked up to the fact that this was an early release; the price you pay for being an “early adopter”. My other complaint: very limited available content that could be read by the iRex.
Last month with great fanfare, Sony released the Sony Reader PRS-500. The price point is much better: only $350.00. The screen is slightly larger (5 x 7) and the device is slightly lighter (9oz). There are about 10,000 books available but in true Sony tradition the eBook format is proprietary and you must buy books through the Sony Connect Store.
The one thing that both readers have in common is the painfully slow refresh rate on the screen. . . for non-techies this means it takes a loooong time to turn a page.
There are other alternatives available. A tablet PC works well at about $600. And for those with good eyes the Nokia cell phone is a popular device. There are reports that approximately 50% of book sales in Europe are to cell phone users. And then finally, there are the intrepid iPod readers.
Over the next six months Hitachi, Jinke and Panasonic will be releasing eInk-based readers. There are rumors that Amazon, Hewlett Packard and Apple will all be creating new eBook readers as well.
I am, however, holding out for the new OLED (organic light-emitting diode) technology. I will refrain from giving a long technical explanation. Let’s just say that it was created by Kodak as an alternative to LCD. The display is fast, light and has high contrast. The screen is so thin that it can actually be rolled up like a scroll. Evidently everything old is new again. Cell phones, MP3 players and video cameras have already incorporated this technology and there are reports that eBooks are coming soon.
So, I’m waiting (still) for technology to live up to its potential. eBook hardware is experiencing growing pains and there are no clear winners. But the momentum has started and it is a matter of time until eBooks become common electronic devices.
What eBook reader should you buy?
My answer: if you are young, get a Pocket PC to use as a reader, organizer and cell phone. If you are older or want a more book-like experience, spend the money and buy a tablet PC. Of course at $600 you can get a great laptop complete with keyboard; you just won’t be taking it to bed.
Gigi Reynard is the Executive Director of eBooks About Everything.
posted by Alice Helen Keyes | 11:37 AM
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