eBook Readers

An e-book is an  electronic book published in digital form; this term is used both to indicate the digital version of any publication and the devices used to read them.

But it’s more correct to refer to such devices as Ebook Readers, or eReaders. The term reading an electronic book is simplistic, because an e-book can give much more information than what is just written as text.

An ebook Reader is a not backlit device using a e-Ink technology which allows readers to upload a large number of texts, readings and researches. The most advanced of them enables a connection via Wi-Fi or 3G through which downloading new titles. Generally the ebook Readers permit to take notes, underline  or highlight texts, draw and insert bookmarks in the pages.
The screen sizes range from 5 “up to 9.7″ in diagonal, corresponding roughly to the size of a paper book.

The best ebook Readers: Kindle, Sony, Cybook, Nook

Among the best ebook readers now on sale, there are Amazon devices: Kindle 3 (keyboard equipped), Kindle 4  and Kindle Touch (touchscreen display). Amazon’s policy of reducing prices has assured a good price/quality ratio  for these devices qualifying them as the top ebook readers of the year; for more informations, take a look to the review of the Kindle 3 and the other reviews about the new Kindle.

Another interesting product is the Amazon Kindle DX which differs from the precedent for a much larger screen, 9.7’’, ideal to read PDF files and digital newspapers. Find here the review of the Kindle DX.

Moreover, Sony too is a very active company in the ebook readers market; very appreciated are: the last born Sony PRS T1 -the first device equipped by a multi-touch screen, as an iPad - and Sony PRS 350 easy handling for its compact size.  The new brand PRS T1 is also an ewriter: the handwriting program and the provided stylus enable for writings, highlightings and taking notes just like on paper. Such features make this device suitable for study.

Even the e-Reader series of Cybook Booken are actracting their share of market,  in particular the new Odyssey features an uncomparable speed in  page refresh.

Barnes&Noble too are active in the ereader war: their Nook Simple Touch Reader (Nook2)  is a very compact and ergonomic device, with its touchscreen display and high page refresh standards.

Last but not least, there is the tablet category, which the iPad deserves a mention, or the iPad 2 by now. The tablets are not real ebook Readers, although they have this feature inside: they don’t have e-Ink screens but a normal LCD screen with color display, similar to a laptop. It’s an attractive touch-screen device, enabling not only e-book readings, but also running multimedia applications, known as apps.

Almost all the great ereader companies have enterred the tablet market: Sony has just launched its Sony tablet S, Amazon is going on with its Kindle Fire and B&N with its Nook Tablet.