E-reader
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E-Reader
A handheld device specialized for reading electronic books. Unlike tablet computers, one of the major advantages of e-book readers is their extremely long battery life, up to a month in some cases[1].
Construction
E-Readers are essentially screens in cases that house memory and a battery. Some e-Readers have physical buttons, others have touch screens, and many have both functionalities. There are E-readers with e-ink screens, such as the Amazon Kindle and the Sony eReader. These screens use power to change the screen image, an so their battery life is more extensive than that of more traditional backlit LCD screens, as found on the Barnes & Noble Nook Color e-reader.
E-Reader Brands
Brands of e-readers include Aluratek, Amazon, Augen, Barnes & Noble, BeBook, EnTourage, Kobo, Sharper Image, Sony, Spring Design, and ViewSonic[2].
Amazon's Kindle and Apple's iPad In late 2007, Amazon.com revolutionized the e-book market with the introduction of its Kindle e-reader and e-book inventory. The Kindle was the first e-reader to offer free, wireless access to download e-books and search the Web.
In early 2010, Apple introduced the iPad tablet, featuring "iBooks" downloadable over a Wi-Fi or 3G connection[3].
Pros and Cons of E-Readers
Pros
- mobility
- easy access to many texts
- environmentally friendly? (recyclable?)
Cons
- purchased texts can be removed without notice
- battery life depends on screen type (e-ink versus LCD)
- readability in bright or dark lighting conditions may be harsh or impossible (screens that are glossy in a sunny place have a lot of glare; e-ink displays have no built-in lighting, similar to print materials)
- potentially insensitive controls
- note-taking capabilities are limited by the programming of the e-reader
- durability issues
- likely not recyclable, becomes electronic waste
