Ebooks continue to increase in popularity. The current two most popular ebook readers are the Amazon Kindle
So what will be used most? Ebook readers or Cellphones?
Here is a table comparing the two devices.
| Ebook Readers | Cellphones |
| Inconvenience: Having an ebook reader means you have to carry round an extra device. | Convenience: You don’t need to carry round an extra device in order to read your ebooks. |
| Good Reading Experience: Screens around 15cm (on the diagonal) mean reading doesn’t strain your eyes. | Poor Reading Experience: Much smaller screens on the iPhone, G1 and handheld computers could strain your eyes. |
| Purchase Price: Kindle costs $359 and Sony Reader costs $270. | No Purchase Price: Free (the software is free, you obviously need to pay for the phone). |
| Book Price: Tens of thousands are free. Paid ones on Amazon are normally $9.99, price varies. | Book Price: Tens of thousands are free, some have to be paid for ($0.99). |
| Fast Usage: Kindle is faster to use than the iPhone and downloads books wirlessly | Slower Usage: iPhone isn’t as fast to use as Kindle. |
There are even more factors that can be considered to see what will be favoured as the main ebook reader. I haven’t considered things like memory, ease of use etc. Which if you are going to buy a device to read ebooks do need to be considered.
Conclusion – It Depends On Your Requirements
If you want to read an ebook now and then you may as well just use your iPhone. If you don’t have one make sure your next cellphone is based on the Android Platform or is an iPhone. However if you plan on heavy usage then the reading benefits make the extra cost worthwhile!
I think there is place for ebook readers and the ability on cellphones to be ebook readers. Time will tell which will be used most for reading ebooks.
Related Resources: Free E-Books for Kindle, Books on iPhone
Image credits: jblyberg, katielips. Sources used to write this article: RWW, ET, dvice
Add Your Comment Now!
@John Rutsi Different peoples eyes obviously have different tolerance. Personally I can’t read on an iPhone for more than half an hour, so for me I would class heavy usage as “reading for more than half an hour”. But other people will be able to read on an iPhone for much longer without their eyes hurting, say 3 hours. If you are going to be reading for 3 hours plus every time I would definitely say get an ebook reader because I can’t imagine many people being able to read on an iPhone for that long without their eyes hurting!
The key factor is “strain your eyes”.
What do you mean by “on heavy usage”…..3 hours? 5 hours? more?
I’m confused as to why anyone would buy this device for $350 when you can buy a fully loaded netbook computer with color LCD for the same amount? Take a look at the MSI Wind for example. I can tell you first hand this netbook is a far better investment.
I’m really confused which one to buy.E-readers are really expensive but they are so tempting.But as Chad said,I can buy a notebook instead.Or with a N97 I can have an E-book reader,a handy notebook,and good camera for the same amount.But we (Iranians)have a proverb which says:the more simpler the better it will work!My be I shall buy one!!