eReader Review

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Ranked #11 in Books, #863 overall

What is an eReader?

A hand held electronic device that is used to display ebooks. eReader is shorthand for ebook reader. Generally these devices are optimized to minimize eye strain by using special displays/modes which replicate reading a real book or newspaper. The advantages of eReaders are numerous, the most compelling being the cheaper book cost, the ability for the reader to change font size, having a number of books available anywhere you go (a library worth on the device, given network options nearly unlimited!). The major limitation is Digital Rights Management. You can't simply lend your ebooks to your friends after reading.

There are a number of highly popular eReaders available on the market: Barnes&Nobles Nook, KindleDXKindle 2, Sony PRS-700BC, jetbook, iRex iLiad 2nd Edtion, and even the iPhone & iPod touch are eReader capable. After finishing this brief eReader Review you'll better understand the strengths and limitations of each of the devices.

There's a pretty hi end full color eReader available in Japan at the moment, read more about it here: Color eReader.

If you enjoy the site, and like reading free ebooks, please consider reviewing my first ever, 3 Steps to Satisfaction. It's a short study on the benefits of matching our passions and our daily labor. In addition there's a section Social Media Evolution detailing some of the amazing changes that are taking place with communication via the web.

Victus Spiritus (my blog) 

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Barnes and Nobles Nook 

One of the most compelling features of the Nook is the dual screen approach. The reader page, which is black and white, is easy on the eyes by using E Ink technology. It also has a full color screen touch screen on the bottom of the reader for control. Another great feature is the ability to lend books to friends 14days at a time (a big plus for social readers like myself that enjoy cajoling friends into reading great finds).

From the Barnes and Noble source, "Store as many as 1,500 eBooks, newspapers, and magazines on your nook, so you'll never be without your favorites. And with an added memory card you can keep up to 17,500. eBooks download in seconds. Many bestsellers and new releases are just $9.99, and thousands of titles are free, so you can enjoy more for less."

Nook Video 

Nook: Barnes & Noble ereader

A tutorial explaining the features of Barnes & Noble's new ereader device, the Nook, which is designed to directly take on Amazon's Kindle.

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Large Screen Kindle (Kindle DX) 

The exciting large screen Kindle DX reader will be available this summer. The major upgrades include:

  • a 9.7" viewable screen (better for magazine or newspaper page reading)

  • native PDF reader

  • more memory, carries up to 3500 books, periodicals and documents

  • auto-rotating screen


  • Expect the Kindle DX to be a big hit with readers due to the added storage and native pdf reading utility. That translates into high demand for the Kindle DX, so make sure to get your ORDER in fast (first come first serve).

    For more information enjoy the Kindle DX page.

Kindle DX Video 

Kindle DX: Amazon's 9.7" Wireless Reading Device (Latest Generation)

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Amazon Kindle 2 eReader 

What Amazon Has to Say About it's favorite eReader
"With a sleek and thin design that makes Kindle 2 as thin as a typical magazine and lighter than a paperpack, the new Kindle has seven times more storage and now holds over 1,500 books. It has a longer battery life and faster page turns. An advanced display provides even crisper images and clearer text for an improved book-like reading experience. And Kindle 2 even reads to you, with "Read to Me", our new Text to Speech feature.

With Kindle 2 we kept everything readers love about the original Kindle-the convenience of reading what you want, when you want it, the immediacy of getting a book wirelessly delivered in less than 60 seconds, and Kindle's ability to "disappear" in your hands so you can get lost in the author's words. We're also excited to announce that the Kindle Store has over 230,000 ebooks available. "

You can read more about the Kindle 2 on my Kindle 2 Lens or at Amazon's Info Page. I've also recently started a Kindle 2 group which is chock full of information about the Kindle, as well as eReader reviews.

Kindle Introduction Movie 

Amazon Kindle 2

Here is a first look at the brand new Amazon Kindle 2. This new e-book reader from Amazon is more lightweight, features more shades of grey and has a slightly different interface, better battery life and more memory for storing e-books. Price of unit is $359.00 and will release February 24th 2009.

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SONY PRS-700BC eReader 

Here's Sony's eReader self review:
"Begin a new chapter with the PRS-700BC Reader Digital Book. Boasting an impressive 6.0-inch, touch screen display, this Reader uses paper-like E Ink® technology which makes it easier to read, even in bright-light situations. In addition to a built-in light, there's an interactive touch screen that lets you turn pages with the slide of a finger or activate the bookmark. You can also create annotations with a virtual keyboard, highlight text with a stylus pen, search for text in your digital book, and easily adjust the font size. A faster processor gives you quicker response times when opening content or turning pages. Ideal for travelers or people who like to read while on the go, the PRS-700BC holds approximately 350 digital books."

Sony PRS-700 Video 

Sony Reader PRS-700 Review

http://twitter.com/mullahadi a Short video review of the Sony Reader PRS-700 and the screen contrast.Recorded with Samsung TL34HD.more info at this link: http://www.kuwaitvista.com/?p=578

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eReader Revolution 

A thirty day publicity focused challenge, where Dave Farrow read in a small window area. For each page read an elibrary of 100 classics was donated by Sony to a school to promote reading.

Welcome to the Reader Revolution

Dave Farrow is teaming up with Sony, and will be living in a storefront window on 5th Avenue in Manhattan. He will spend every waking hour reading on a Sony Digital Reader, and for every page that he turns, Sony will donate an eBook classics library of 100 eBooks to a school or learning institution in the US. You can watch Dave, and join the cause by taking an online demo, at sony.com/reader

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jetbook eReader by ectaco 

From Ectaco's jetbook eReader site:
"E-books have been around for a while but it is only with the ECTACO jetBook that they have truly come of age. The newest generation of handhelds offer all the latest advances in the world of e-reading including the most advanced display technology. jetBook not only turns pages but provides a crisp, clear image on a larger display screen that is easier to read than any paper book ever was. jetBook also offers everyone incredible opportunities for translation and learning with its pre-loaded translating dictionaries. An mp3 player rounds out the advanced features to let you listen to your favorite audio files as you read. jetBook is fully compatible with both Mac and Windows-based PCs. The ECTACO jetBook e-Book Reader supports .txt, .pdf, .fb2 and .jpg file formats."

jetbook Review 

ECTACO jetBook

Universal portable reading device

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iRex iLiad eReader 

From iRex technologies homepage info about their eReader:
"What is the iLiad?

The iLiad is a portable device that lets you read and write as you do on paper everywhere you go.
the iliad

Everything you like to read, like books, newspapers and documents, you can now take along on a device as small and light as a single book. Even in bright sunlight the display of the iLiad offers you perfect readability. With the iLiad can you also send, receive and share documents with family, friends or business colleagues.

More than just reading

Just as with normal paper, you're able to make notes and annotate existing documents, but unlike paper your annotated documents and notes can easily be transferred to a PC or another iLiad. Your friends and colleagues can also add remarks or edit your notes and return them to you. The iLiad is not just about serious stuff, you can also do Sudoku and Crossword puzzles, read comics and sketch or draw on it.

What can you do with the iLiad?


  • Anything you can print from your PC can be read on the iLiad. You can also download books and other information from the internet. You can even receive digital subscriptions to international newspapers on an iLiad.

  • The iLiad has a wireless connection to automatically download content and updates over the Internet. You can also connect the iLiad directly to any PC with a USB cable. The iLiad Companion software enables you to easily transfer and manage the documents between your PC and the iLiad.

  • The iLiad can hold dozens of books and documents. Memory capacity can be increased simply by inserting a Compact Flash or MMC card, just as with digital camera. You can even insert your USB-stick into the iLiad to quickly read content.



Easy on the eyes, easy on the environment

The paper-like display of the iLiad produces a stable image, unlike a flickering PC screen. So the reading experience with the iLiad is much more comfortable, enabling you to go on for hours without tiring your eyes.

The display only consumes power when a page is turned so the power consumptions is very low. And just think of the paper you can save. You no longer need to rely on printed editions of newspapers, books or your own printed documents and notes!

iRex iLiad eReader Movie 

iRex iLiad eBook reader

At the O'Reilly TOC conference, a rep from iRex gave me this demonstration of the iLiad eBook reader.

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iPod Touch, iPhone, or the Large iPod Touch (rumored) as eReaders 

The apple touch and iPhone both run the iPhone OS or operating system.

Here are a couple of ways to get started using an iPod touch or iPhone for reading eBooks.

From Wired blog network (thanks to Charlie Sorrel):
"First, head to the App Store and grab the free download of Stanza. It comes with one book: H.G. Wells' The Time Machine (well worth reading if you haven't already). Using the application is as easy as you'd expect. At left you see the library page. Here you pick your book, listed by author or title. Click on one and the text slides across to fill the screen. Font size is controllable while you are reading, but to change fonts and colors you need to visit the iPhone's central settings section."

From How to Read eBooks on your iPhone (thanks KingTaj):
"Manybooks.net addresses the bookmarking issue by naming each page header uniquely, so that when you're on page 31 of The Old Man and the Sea, the page header indicates that you're on page 31. This allows you to bookmark the page, and easily get back to were you left off. Now on to the general process:

First, navigate to the mobile version of manybooks.net: mnybks.net

Second, browse either by Author, Title, Categories, or Recommendations until you find an eBook that interests you.

Third, read the eBook, and when you're ready for a break, just add a bookmark. As mentioned, the bookmark will include the page number and will take you to the exact page you left off. To keep your iPhone bookmark list cleaner, consider creating a folder for the eBook and adding all related "bookmarks" here. Alternatively, consider just naming each bookmark the same, in effect keeping only the latest place in the eBook. "

Google eReader for Mobile Devices 

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eBooks, food for your eReaders 


Google Books

Kindle Book Store

Sony's eBook store

Many Books.net


(thanks to Polifemus for posting the creative commons bookstore pic)

What's your favorite eReader? (Plexo) 

Ectaco Jetbook E-Book Reader Graphite Black - Ectaco JB5B

Ectaco Jetbook E-Book Reader Graphite Black - Ectaco JB5B

Ectaco Jetbook E-Book Reader Graphite Black - Ecta more...0 points

Sony PRS-700BC Reader Digital Book - Windows

Sony PRS-700BC Reader Digital Book - Windows

Imagine holding a library of books conveniently in more...0 points

iRex iLiad eReader 2nd Edtion ER0141-002-000

iRex iLiad eReader 2nd Edtion ER0141-002-000

The iLiad is a personal electronic device that sto more...0 points

Apple iPod touch 8 GB (2nd Generation)

Apple iPod touch 8 GB (2nd Generation)

The iPod touch has always been an amazing iPod. An more...0 points

Apple iPod touch 16 GB (2nd Generation)

Apple iPod touch 16 GB (2nd Generation)

The iPod touch has always been an amazing iPod. An more...0 points

Flickr eReader Photos 

苹果板儿 by myuibe

苹果板儿

Barnes & Noble Nook e-reader is tiny! by Todd Barnard

Barnes & Noble N...

Papyre 6.1 by catorze14

Papyre 6.1

Papyre 6.1 by catorze14

Papyre 6.1

有礼 有节 流云 行板 by myuibe

有礼 有节 流云...

Nook counter at Barnes & Noble by karen horton

Nook counter at Barn...

Eating Animals & Nook display at B&N by karen horton

Eating Animals &...

My Kindle 2 now works sideways by jc.westbrook

My Kindle 2 now work...

Updating my Kindle 2 by jc.westbrook

Updating my Kindle 2

Updating my Kindle 2 by jc.westbrook

Updating my Kindle 2

automatically generated by Flickr

YouTube eReader vids 

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Nintendo e-Reader Review

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e-Reader Problem with No$GBA.....

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Issuu Android ereader for Maga...

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Platic Logic E-Reader Prototyp...

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Shiny Review: BeBook E-Reader

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Nook: Barnes & Noble ereader

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Sony eReader vs iRex iLiad

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Barnes&Noble Unveils New E-rea...

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e-Reader - Jumping Doduo

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automatically generated by YouTube"

Other eReader Review sites 

eReader HQ
While the Kindle 2 may be wildly popular right now there's some hefty competition (SONY, iRex, Ectaco, iPhone/iPod) fighting for reader attention. A community of squid members focused on supplying accurate up to date information about current eReaders and supporting accessories, eBooks, and free eLibraries
Electronic Book Readers - Kindle 2 VS The Rest
Why would you want to consider purchasing an Electronic Book Readers? Well for starters, they are convenient and you have a choice of books to read that would put a small library to shame.
Amazon Kindle 2
For those familiar with the Amazon Kindle, you already know that this device has revolutionized book reading. It is an eReader, a natural evolution of the book. The Kindle 2 is a hand held electronic device which provides clear and crisp readable text, and is capable of storing an entire library.

Reader Feedback 

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by messel

Heyo! I'm Mark Essel a systems engineer of 14 years gone web author/entrepreneur. My quest is to rediscover my life's passions, and leverage that driv... (more)

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