Book Sanctuary

With the increasing popularity of eBooks as a reading medium, I thought it was time to take a look at the two most prominent eBook reading devices and give an opinion on which provides the better reading experience. It goes without saying that the best-selling eBook readers are the Apple iPad and Amazon Kindle, so below are some pros and cons for each.

iPad

Ok, so this isn’t a dedicated eBook reading device. It’s a multipurpose tablet computer, of which the ‘iBook’ app is one part. I’m regarding this as an eBook reader for two reasons; many people do use the iPad for reading eBooks, and the Apple marketing for both the iPad and iPad2 has placed an emphasis on the reading experience offered by the device.

For one thing, reading an eBook on an iPad is similar to reading on a PC or Mac screen, in terms of how it feels on the eyes. With a backlit screen, that does mean that you can read in the dark, but has the flip-side that your eyes will tire, as they would reading a PC screen for too long. In that sense, reading on the iPad doesn’t replicate the feeling of reading a print book.

However, the touch screen and processing power of the device does allow iBook eBooks to provide a different experience. On a basic level, changing page is done with a simple swipe of the finger, and moving around an eBook is nice and intuitive. There is also a developing industry of ‘interactive eBooks’ or ‘enhanced editions’, which include features such as audio clips and videos. Some releases even have the option of the ‘audio book’, with a famous voice reading the text to you. It is clear that eBooks on the iPad have the potential to be much more than a block of text, which is particularly appealing in genres such as children’s writing.

In terms of the ease of purchasing a book, the iBook app includes a store, very strongly resembling iTunes in layout. It’s fairly intuitive, and places the focus on enhanced editions in particular.

We would say that the iPad and iPad2 are both fairly sizeable, basically due to their functionality as multi-purpose tablet devices. Unless you’re carrying your iPad for other purposes, it can seem a bit heavy and bulky for an e-reader.

Kindle

Unlike the iPad, the Amazon Kindle is a dedicated eBook reader. As a result, it isn’t multi-functional and doesn’t have the bells and whistles of an iPad, but does come at a significantly lower price point.

It isn’t a touch screen, but this makes sense in light of the fact that this device utilises ‘e-ink’ technology. This basically means that this isn’t a standard LED backlit screen, but displays text in a different way. Without attempting to understand the science behind the technology, the basic result is that the Kindle screen closely replicates the experience of reading a printed page. You need to be in a well-lit area, but the screen and text does not strain the eyes any more than a normal book. This e-ink technology does mean that the screen is in grey scale, so images and covers are in black and white. However, you can read the Kindle in bright sunlight without any screen glare disrupting your visibility, a problem that occurs on iPads, computers and smartphones.

As this is a reading device, without the screen or processing power of a tablet device, there are few other functions beyond reading. There are ‘experimental’ options, as Amazon have called them, that allow you to browse the web, play MP3 music files or have a computerised voice read text. None of these features are great, but aren’t important in the context of the device. It must also be said that eBook on this device are basic eBooks. There is an interactive Table of Contents, you can highlight text and apply your own bookmarks, but ultimately it is all about reading the text, without audio and video clips getting in the way. Just like the iPad you can zoom the text to your preference, and despite everything being done with buttons it is fairly intuitive.

There is the option to buy eBooks directly from the Kindle Store on the device. This is a platform that includes most best-sellers and also allows smaller publishers to sell their eBooks, Book Sanctuary included. It’s well constructed and fairly easy to find what you’re looking for, though at times the navigation can be slightly slow.

In terms of size, the latest model of the Kindle is small, thin and very light. The dimensions are slightly smaller than a typical paperback, and much thinner. It’s easy to carry around, making it a convenient option for commuting and travelling.

Conclusion

The iPad and Kindle are very different devices, both offering eBook experiences in a developing market. I would say that, in terms of the best option for reading eBooks, the Kindle wins. The iBook app is a nice feature on the iPad, but the portability and e-ink of the Kindle makes it an excellent reading device. Rumours of a Kindle ‘tablet’ to challenge the iPad are doing the rounds, but hopefully the availability of specialised e-readers such as the Kindle will continue for years to come. If you want the convenience of eBooks with a printed book feel, Kindle and similar e-ink devices are, in my opinion, the best option.

Until next time,

Thomas