ipads, kindles and nooks--oh my!
TRANSCRIPT
Mike Oetting Reference Librarian
iPads, Kindles and Nooks, Oh My!An Introduction to eBook readers
Kindle 2 eBook ReaderAdapted from Jon 'ShakataGaNai' Davis’ Image.Original at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Kindle_2_-_Front.jpg
…and what are their pros and cons?
What are eBook readers…
What is an eBook Reader? *
It is a handheld device for reading books published in an electronic format.
Amazon’s Kindle 2 eBook Reader
*electronic book reader=eReader= eBook Reader
What are the benefits of eBook readers over print books?• Large capacity: a typical eBook reader can hold hundreds of titles in
the space of a thin hardcover book.• Ease of purchase: With wireless eReaders like Amazon’s Kindle, it is
quick and easy to buy and download books.• Inexpensive books: Priced cheaper than hardcovers.
Most current eBook readers can hold at least this many (~500) books Some can hold several times this many.
Indeed, current eReader owners seem to like them.
eBook Readers
93%
Somewhat to Very Satisfied
February 3, 2010 report from NPD. www.npd.com/press/releases/press_100203b.html
What are the downsides of eBooks?• Digital Rights Management (DRM)
• Can’t transfer ownership of books.• You may have to repurchase your eBooks down the road if you
change devices.• The bookseller can remotely delete eBooks from your device
without your permission (e.g., Amazon’s Orwellian debacle.)
1984
Features to consider
Multifunction vs. Dedicated Device
Is it better to buy a device that is pretty good at a lot of things or a device that is really good at one thing?
vs.
Features: in-depth
Display Technology: E-Ink
E-Ink Display Technology (eink.com)
• Usually Black & White• Excellent battery life
(up to a month)• Anti-glare screens• Slow page turns• Less eye fatigue than LCD• Usually no backlighting –
can’t read it in dark• Screen looks great in sunlight• Similar to an Etch-a-Sketch
Features: in-depth
Display Technology: LCD
Backlit LCD used in Apple iPadPhoto credit: http://www.engadget.com/photos/the-apple-ipad-4/#2656645
• Color• Relatively mediocre battery
life (less than 10 hours)• Often use glossy screens• Lightning-fast refresh rate
permits gaming and video.• May cause eyestrain during
long reading sessions• Backlit screen allows easy
viewing in dark• Not good in bright sunlight
Features: in-depth
Compatible with the Library’s downloadable eBooks?
• Amazon Kindle: NO• Barnes & Noble Nook: YES• Sony Reader: YES• Apple iPad: NO
Features: in-depth
Compatible with PDF?• A popular universal file format
for documents• You can use the Library’s color
printer to scan to a PDF then transfer the file to an eReader. It’s free!
Features: in-depth
• Amazon Kindle: YES• Barnes & Noble Nook: YES• Sony Reader: YES• Apple iPad: YES
PDF: Why does this matter?PDF documents have great versatility. • Business
• Meeting agendas• Presentation outlines
• Travel• Itineraries• Train schedules• Maps
• Education and Culture• Required readings for courses• Public domain sheet music from the
Petrucci Music Library (http://imslp.org/wiki/Main_Page)
Features: in-depth
What eReaders are available?
Amazon’s Kindle
This revolutionary product is the most widely known eBook reader.
Barnes & Noble NookNew to the market, this
reader features an auxiliary touch-sensitive color screen below the main screen for navigation.
$259
Sony’s ReaderTwo out of the three
current Sony Readers require a computer with the Internet to download and transfer eBooks. Only the top-of-the-line Reader Daily Edition has wireless access.
$180 $399 $299
HP SlateA stripped down computer
in a tablet format which runs Windows 7. It’s a multifunction device which is Flash compatible.
Less than $629
Image source: http://cache.gawker.com/assets/images/4/2010/01/500x_ballmernote43.jpg
Image Source:http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2010/03/03-08-10hpslate.jpg
Kobo eReaderA budget alternative coming
in May, 2010. Very thin and light. No wireless connectivity at all – must connect to a computer.
koboereader.com$149 CDN
enTourage eDGeThe best of both display
types? Has both an E-Ink display and an LCD display side by side in a clamshell design. Downsides? It’s much bulkier and heavier than the competition.
$499 to $539
The Game-Changer?Apple’s iPadA multifunction device with a
color touch screen and wireless connectivity, the device does much more than display books. Apple sold over 300K on first day and over 450K in first week. Apple iPad
$499 to $829
Kindle vs. iPadThe Champ vs. The
Challenger
Will the iPad biteinto sales of the Kindle?
“Yes. The iPad has Kindle's best features and then some”
or“No. The devices differ markedly
and will have their own fan bases”
65%
36%
% of ResponsesYes No
The Street Poll Results (4/12/2010)*
*www.thestreet.com/_yahoo/story/10722646/1/ipad-superior-to-kindle-poll-says.html
Apple iPad’s Market Influence?
http://www.investorplace.com/changewave-alliance/articles/changewave-survey-shows-apple-ipad-demand-striking-amazon.html
How much do eBooks cost?
Kindle Pricing Model• Amazon set an early standard of $9.99.• In January 2010, Macmillan forced Kindle to
raise prices to $12.99 to $14.99 for its titles.• Many Kindle readers became outraged
(an Amazon discussion called “Boycott anything over $9.99” had over 8,100 messages.)
How much do eBooks cost on other devices?
Walletpop.com looked at a bundle of 10 recent books after the Macmillan-led price hike.*
Relative to the Kindle bundle, the cost of:
• The Sony Reader eBooks bundle was 11.5% higher
• The B&N Nook eBooks bundle was 41% higher
*http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2010/03/01/battle-of-e-readers-shows-kindle-books-much-cheaper-than-nook-s/
Questions & Answers