Set at a more affordable price than many eReader competitors, the Lookbook eReader has a lot to offer. The first thing that stands out is the 7″ color screen. Colors appears vivid and the picture quality looks good. This is not a touch screen model but does have a full QWERTY keyboard and the keys [...]
The Velocity Micro Cruz reader is a rather unique package for around $100. It has an Android operating system and is a full color reader. The touch screen display is easy to navigate and offers numerous built in applications to help improve the quality of your experience. The dictionary, notepad, games, calendar, alarm clock, and [...]
The Sony Pocket Edition reader is a high quality reader that doesn’t lock your purchasing power into a single bookstore. The initial price of the unit is higher because of this, but with ePub support and the ability to download from the store of your choice, you actually may be getting a better value depending [...]
The Skytex Primer 7 color eReader and media player is a low cost device to help you ease into the digital ereader world. There is a lot of competition in the market and while some companies are pumping out the highest quality devices others are trying to make it more affordable. The big question on [...]
This might sound like a stupid question I can here you all say. Ereaders are selling really well; Amazon is making a killing from them with the Kindle Fire adding to their ever growing turnover figures. Over at Barnes & Noble they aren’t too bad either with sales of Nooks holding up fairly well, even though they don’t scratch the surface with Amazon.
Everything is looking good then for eReaders, well let us hope so as this web site won’t continue for much longer if everyone decides to stop buying them, but currently with a 1/3 of British people owning an eReader I think things are looking fine for now.
The Future of eReaders
What about the future though, what happens when a small unheard of company like ‘APPLE’ decide to get competitive on their pricing and create a downgraded version of their iPad to become price competitive with Amazon’s Kindles? Well this is sure to happen at some stage as Apple are no fools. If they see that a third of the UK’s population own an eReader then they will want a piece of that pie, but not a small piece, they will want to stuff their faces until they feel ill.
Can Apple Dominate Everything?
Apple has monopolized the Smartphone market with sales of the iPhone making up around 50% of the total. That’s crazy to think that every other Smartphone sale is an iPhone, that’s what is called great business.
Apple aren’t just content with domination the Smartphone market, in 2012 their iPad is expected to take up 61% of tablet computer sales, that’s an even larger percentage than with the iPhone. Amazon is providing some decent competition with their Kindle Fire, but it’s still far off the iPad. The Fire is dominating the Android tablet market, but people love the simplicity of Apple’s operating systems hence the huge popularity in their product sales.
Well don’t be too surprised when Apple launches their own dedicated eReader priced at around $100 to compete with Amazon. There is no doubt that when they feel the time is right they will pounce on Amazon like a starved tiger, making a fatal cut to the jugular of Amazon’s business model.
All Apple need to do is just slim down their iPad, nothing more. It’s going to be easy for them with the resources they have at hand and the expertise of their product development team. Put some lower end components into an iPad, reduce its size down and hey presto – an instant eReader hit!
After they spend a few million dollars promoting their new eReader then sales will boom and it will be an interesting time to see how Amazon fights back. They are now slouches either in the business world and you can’t blink once without seeing an Amazon ad on Google or appearing in the search engine results.
So Apple are you ready to make the next move? Are you going to take a swipe at Amazon? Well it’s going to be interesting to see who will be the victor and just remember you read it all hear first.
Are you looking for a Kindle as a gift? Perhaps you just want to know where to buy a Kindle from? Well the best deal you can get on a Kindle is going to Amazon.
Kindles are what first made eReaders as popular as they are today. They come in a range of different models that will suit forevery budget out there. As the more basic Kindle models sell for under $100, this makes them perfect for gifts and for Xmas presents.
What makes a Kindle such a great gift is that they can given to all age ranges. Children nowadays are very savvy when it comes to technology, so they should have no problem in picking up how to use a Kindle. Adults should find it quite easy too and older ages people should not find it too difficult to get to grips with the ereaders after a few attempts and some help from a family member would be even better.
The great thing about owning a Kindle is the fact you can do so much more with it then you would ever think possible. Most people thing ereaders are just for reading eBooks, but you can use them to surf the internet, play games, watch movies and listen to all of you music library too. This makes them so versatile it is almost the same as having a laptop computer and you can use your eReader for basic tasks that you can perform on a normal cimputer. In fact Kindle’s are so useful you might find you stop using yur computer most of the time and just stick to your eReader.
Here is a breakdown of some of the Kindle models that you can buy:
Kindle Original
The cheapest and original Kindle. This model has been updated four times now and the latest 4th generation Kindle is the fastest and smallest yet. The Kindle Original makes a great present as it costs under $100 which makes it an affordable option.
The Kindle Keyboard has a full QWERTY keyboard that you can find on computers. The main benefit with the eReader is you can quickly type on the keyboard which makes tasks like writing emails and even written a document so much quickly than with a toch screen eReader.
This is the super size Kindle from the Amazon range with a large 9.7″ inch display. This is a great choice for those peopel that may find reading for hours at a time difficult due to poor eyesight or just general reading fatigue.
If you want to join the tablet computer revolution and buy an Apple iPad 2, it’s available and waiting for you to purchase and to start having fun. Whether this is a brand new venture into the world of Apple iPad’s or actually upgrading to the iPad 2 from the original iPad, then you wont be disappointed in this great product.
You will be happy to know that you no longer need to go to just the Apple store, as there may not be one near to where you live, in fact they are usually only in the larger cities that attract the flag ship stores.
These days the options of where to buy the iPad 2 are wide and varied, though the cost pretty much remains a universal same. There are lots of options to buy the iPad 2 in your local shopping district, so it’s best to do a local search on Google to see which shops come up in your local area as these will differ dependent on your country of residence.
However there are many places in which to shop on the internet this gives you the option to shop from home with little effort on your part. Be mindful of the delivery costs and make sure that you choose a seller that delivers for free as in general the prices for the iPad 2 are the same so you wouldn’t want to lose out by having to pay an extra 10 or 20 dollars on the postage.
Amazon, Play.com and many more internet sellers are good choices to buy from as they are reputable companies that you can trust, click direct through my link to take you to Amazon’s iPad 2 page for your purchase.
iPad 2 Cases, Covers and Sleeves
And whilst you’re there in the store why not shop for iPad 2 cases as you’ll want to have a brand new lovely iPad cover to protect the device from the very moment that you receive it. There are loads of choices available from leather ipad 2 cases to silicone, neoprene Apple cases and many more. If you’re feeling daring then choose an outrageous patterned protective case or go for a hot pink iPad 2 case.
Remember the iPad 2 is a smooth operating machine that is fine on design and has great ease of operation, it’s perfect and so I’m sure you would wish it to stay the same over time. So an iPad 2 screen protector and an iPad 2 case are the perfect accompaniment for you purchase.
Did you know it’s possible to download loads of free eBooks for your ereader, including many of the great classics. There is nothing illegal about downloading these books as many of them no longer hold their copyright due to their age, or some authors just simply offer their works for free as a self promotion exercise.
If you want to download the best classic novels of our time then a useful list is Open Culture. Their list includes many novels by all time greats such as Charles Dickens, Jane Austen and William Shakespeare.
Another great site for free eBooks is Scribd which is a community based document sharing web site. Here you might some more unusual eBooks by small authors looking to make a break in the industry. Not only novels, Scribd offers many other documents, perhaps you fancy an eBook on the 100 best bread making recipes, how to build a bridge, gardening books or the many other great resources for you to read.
KnowFree is another community based site where people share educational resources such as manuals, guides and video training on a variety of different topics.
If you search online for ‘free ebooks’ you can find hundreds of different web sites. One word of warning is that you should make sure what you are downloading is not copyright theft and you are actually allowed to download the eBook legally.
There has been a lot in the news recently about how many people are using peer to peer file sharing applications to illegally download eBooks. Some eBooks can be found on these unscrupulous web sites even before they are released for sale to the general public. Downloading eBooks illegally has a detrimental impact for the livelihoods of authors. If you were to work for a year in job with the assumption that you would get paid at the end of the contract, then all of a sudden your employer said “Sorry we put your wages online and everyone shared them for free” then you wouldnt be best pleased would you?
So dont be selfish and use these sites mentioned or there are loads of places where you can downlaod quality eBooks for free if you really cant afford to buy them, so there’s no excuse to be naughty.
Set at a more affordable price than many eReader competitors, the Lookbook eReader has a lot to offer.
The first thing that stands out is the 7″ color screen. Colors appears vivid and the picture quality looks good. This is not a touch screen model but does have a full QWERTY keyboard and the keys feel quite robust. If you are looking for an eReader for browsing the Internet then look elsewhere, but what the built in Wi-Fi does do is connect to the Kobo bookstore that has a huge online library of over 2 million ebooks.
The user controls feel to be quite friendly and makes navigating through this eReader straightforward. Most eBook formats can be read such as ePub, PDF, TXT and several others. Storage space is 512mb of internal memory expandable to 8gb with a memory card. If you fancy being a bit creative you can choose from many custom design options for the interface including different bookshelves, typefaces and fonts.
Battery life is not the best out there but it can provide you with around 6 hours of continuous reading which will last for a day or two if you are a keen reader. You can adjust the brightness of the screen and the night mode feature is a cool gimmick.
The Lookbook eReader comes with 150 free digital books which should get you started, however they may not be the best titles out there, or perhaps you can choose your own 150, this is not clear.
Watch out Apple with your iPad and Samsung with your Galaxy Tablet, this beauty can run applications and games a whole lot faster and is capable of speeds found on full size PC’s and laptops. Winner of the CES 2012 people’s voice award, Razor’s Project Fiona Tablet is one remarkable little machine.
No longer will you need to load up your PC to play the latest games, the Fiona Tablet can run most of the latest PC games with no need change any in game settings. What makes this possible is Fiona’s Intel i7 processor that is currently only found in high end PC’s. This super processor is great, however the tablet does not have a separate graphics card which makes it slightly inferior to a PC with a slower processor but with a decent separate graphics card.
What makes Fiona great for playing games is the integrated game pad which takes the form of two large handles that come out from either side of the tablet. In addition it has a built in gyro and accelerometer for motion detection gaming.
The multi touch screen is a decent size of 10″ and has a resolution of 1280×800.
Although not finally confirmed, it should have a Windows 8 operating system under the bonnet which would run at good speeds given its specifications.
The Velocity Micro Cruz reader is a rather unique package for around $100. It has an Android operating system and is a full color reader. The touch screen display is easy to navigate and offers numerous built in applications to help improve the quality of your experience. The dictionary, notepad, games, calendar, alarm clock, and contact list help keep you connected and on the go with everything you need for a lot less than other devices.
One of the stand out features of the Velocity Micro Cruz reader is that the user can change the lithium battery. Unlike other readers and tablets that have to be shipped back or taken to a certified store, the rechargeable lithium battery is accessible and replacing it does not void the warranty.
As a multimedia device you can download MP3 songs and take them with you, read documents, download eBooks, or magazines and newspapers from all over the world, and keep pictures in JPEG, PNG, GIF, or BMP formats.
Videos, music, and books can be accessed through the Cruz Market. The Velocity Micro Cruz reader offers ePUB, TXT, and PDF platforms. While there is a pre-installed 4 GB memory card, there is a slot that is easily accessible to increase the memory. It can be expanded to 256 MB, including internal storage.
With Wi-Fi it’s easy to make sure that you’re staying in touch and on top of business while making use of the reader. It’s easy to enhance the device by downloading cool games and applications that are likely to blow your mind.
The US based tech support is available 24/7 to help new users get accustomed to the new reader and existing users with any problems that might come up. The ease of personalization is certainly noticed among new and seasoned eReader fans. Each of the major chains (Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Border) can be accessed through a simple application. This gives you cross platform access to all of the books and book stores you want to have access to without spending more than $100 on the device.
The overall rating for the Velocity Micro Cruz reader is 4 out of 5 stars and while the screen is hard to keep clean and there is not a full user manual included in the purchase (must use customer support) the typical consumer is happy with the purchase. With ample features and a reasonable price, it’s an excellent unit for breaking into the eReader world.
The Sony Pocket Edition reader is a high quality reader that doesn’t lock your purchasing power into a single bookstore. The initial price of the unit is higher because of this, but with ePub support and the ability to download from the store of your choice, you actually may be getting a better value depending on your download selections.
There is no Wi-Fi connection for web surfing enthusiasts. Most people find that eReaders do not maintain the same quality connection as their home or office computers do, so many avid eReading fans may not miss this feature.
The Sony Pocket ereader is one that allows you to borrow library books. This program has become vital to supporting local libraries and has become an important feature for those who are into eReading. If you only purchase a few books a year but read a lot through exchanges and libraries then you’re going to find this right up your alley.
The touch screen is of good quality and the gray background actually makes it easier to read. The 2 GB of memory carries about 1200 books. Multiple platforms are supported including ePub and PDF.
There is no MP3 platform so there is no way to carry music files. There are 12 separate dictionaries that come pre-installed, each is a different language. The 5 inch screen can display in both directions but the font is not changeable like most other new readers on the market. The screen size does not lend itself well to a lot of images, and can be difficult to size properly.
Most people find that the Sony Reader Pocket is easy enough to slip in a pocket, unless your pockets tend to be smaller than average. For instance, women’s clothing pockets are not suitable for pocket carrying and there is no case for the reader unless you buy one separately.
The quality of the touch screen is actually high enough to impact the reading experience. The clean lines of the screen and its easy to use interface make it clear, comfortable, and simple. Text highlighting and other simple features are included.
The overall rating for the Sony Reader Pocket is 3 out of 5 stars. It gets high marks for quality but it gets low marks for not having additional applications, features, or capabilities that the competitors offer, often at a lower price. If you just want to read books it’s an excellent product. If you want a multifunctional device it’s best to look elsewhere.
The Skytex Primer 7 color eReader and media player is a low cost device to help you ease into the digital ereader world. There is a lot of competition in the market and while some companies are pumping out the highest quality devices others are trying to make it more affordable. The big question on consumer minds is whether you can get good quality while paying less.
The Skytex Primer 7 color eReader has an LCD color screen. The screen quality is reasonable and while the unit itself doesn’t have that sleek techno-feel, there are a lot of fun things happening with devices like this. The browser will retain the information on 10 open books at once. Wherever you left off on any of them you can return to with just one touch. With the addition of music downloads, you have a constant companion that will provide you with interesting material no matter where you are.
You start off with 2GB of memory with the capacity to add another 16 GB. You can have instant access to books, music, and carry all of your photos on this little device. The Skytex Primer 7 supports nearly all of the platforms for eBook publishing. This includes ePub, PDF, HTML, and TXT, plus more. You can watch downloaded movies as well as connect to FM radio.
The note-to-self feature allows you to record your voice while making those ever important notes for later. A simple digital Dictaphone device is installed so that you can capture important information and help keep your life well organized.
The speakers are not great. With many eReaders and tablets the speakers are generally placed where they fit and often are not the highest quality. However, in a pinch you still get music on the go.
There are some concerns with the battery. You need to set the memory of the battery, which means that you have to fully charge and discharge it several times in order to get the full life span. This is common practice for many devices. However, the charge time allotted for the empty to full charge is more than 24 hours. This creates a problem for people that want to use the device they recently purchased.
Overall, the Skytex Primer 7 color eReader does an awful lot for less than $100. With 4 out of 5 star reviews and a good warranty plan Skytex has shown that you don’t have to spend a fortune to get a multimedia device that delivers.
The Pandigital Novel 7 Color eReader packs quite a bit into a package that is less than $100. It’s multimedia capabilities make it great for on the go entertainment while its color TFT-LCD screen provides excellent clarity for text. The 7 inch screen boasts 800 x 600 resolution. The Wi-Fi capability makes it easy to pick a book off the virtual shelf of your favourite book store, get free content, or borrow a library book.
The built in memory is only 1GB. With a mini speaker you can listen to your favourite tunes while reading. The web browsing is intended for light browsing, not for heavy memory intensive downloads. You can find card games and other little fun applications that come with the Pandigital Novel eReader.
The unit is a little over two pounds, which can be uncomfortable to hold if you’re reading for extended periods of time. A little creativity with a new case or even a pillow could provide a simple solution for those who sit for marathon reading sessions. Since all of the popular files are supported and you are unrestricted in your book store options, you may find yourself becoming a fan of marathon reading sessions.
The quality of the digital display is great for photo slide shows and other media interaction. Image quality is excellent for this type of display. The easy to use interface makes switching from one media to the next so simple. All of the interactive features on the Pandigital Novel eReader are easy to use and intuitive.
The battery life is not competitive with other ereaders on the market. It can be charged in four hours. Yet for continuous use you may find you get two hours or less from the fully charged battery. If you only use the Wi-Fi when necessary you can extend the battery life, and it is expected that there will be new battery options soon.
Overall, the Pandigital Novel 7 eReader offer a good quality experience with access to the media you want. The screen quality is excellent and you will find that the price gives you more than you would expect. While it has a few issues and isn’t quite perfect, it is rated 3 ½ stars out of 5 for performance, quality, clarity, and ease of use. The Pandigital Novel eReader comes in white and black, plus there are loads of apps for it to make it your own. Anyone who wants to have a good reader for less money would benefit from becoming familiar with this one. Your experience can be great without breaking the bank.