The Kindle is the rotary phone of e-readers. Similar to the rotary phone’s requirement of turning a dial for each number, so is Amazon.com’s joystick and non-touch screen. When I’m not engrossed in book, and I’m trying to navigate the system or content like a newspaper, I’m constantly annoyed by the limitations and slowness of the controls. I can’t help thinking how I wish I could just tap the screen to get what I want.

The iPhone has set the precedence for a portable, mobile device. The ability to easily access, navigate, and manipulate data with a tap or swoosh of my finger(s) has made a UI that relies on joysticks and giant buttons obsolete. I also find myself wishing for a more interactive and unique experience with the content. Instead, there’s no visual difference between any of the content. All books, magazines, and newspapers look exactly the same, and I can’t easily interact with the copy.

Apple is coming out with a tablet soon, and I have no doubt it’s going to include the interactive experience I’m longing for. There’s also a very good chance that it will include the ability to use it as an e-reader. Knowing Apple (as I do), this will most likely be a Kindle-killer (among other things.)

Even with the Apple tablet out of the picture, I’m still not pleased with the Kindle. I simply can’t get past its antiquated UI. And regardless of the fact that it offers the ability to live more simply by replacing the need to have hundreds of books on shelves, it’s not good enough to play a daily role in my life.

I’ve only had the Kindle DX for about three months, and I haven’t used it very much, so it’s still in excellent condition. The Kindle DX is also on backorder for 2-3 weeks at Amazon.com and used Kindle’s are selling for as much as $700. So I’ve decided to sell my Kindle on eBay and use the money to buy the Apple tablet when it’s released. That way I’ll make a couple hundred dollars profit off my Kindle and be able to put my money towards a product that’s relevant, modern, diverse and usable. Basically, a product I can integrate into my daily life.

The Kindle is Like a Rotary Phone is a post from: Mobile Meandering

Things I like about the Kindle DX

• The size of the screen is perfect. I couldn’t imagine using a smaller model.
• I’m not as bothered by the page refresh as I thought I’d be.
• Finding and buying books, magazines and newspapers is super easy.
• The speed and ease of downloading new content is fantastic.
• The clarity of the e-ink screen is impressive.

Things I don’t like about the Kindle DX

• It’s heavier than I would like it to be.
• The battery drains faster than I expected, but I’m trying to alleviate that by turning off the wireless mode.
• The e-ink screen is a little darker than I would like. I would prefer it be lighter to give more contrast from the copy.
• I don’t like the fact that I can’t cancel a subscription from the Kindle. Instead, I have to go to my computer, go to my Amazon.com account, and cancel there.

There are some things that don’t really matter, but are probably worth mentioning. I love the alternating screens that appear when you turn off the Kindle. They’re attractive and remind me of how cool e-ink is every time I turn it off. I also wish the color of the plastic was darker – kind of like how Mac makes the sides of their screens black – so it would create the illusion of making the screen brighter, and make the focus on the content sharper.

For the most part, I’m really happy with my purchase. It eliminates clutter and waste – which makes my wife very happy – and it’s easy to use. The controls take a little getting used to, but I think it has more to do with experience using the device, and less to do with usability.

First Impressions with Kindle DX is a post from: Mobile Meandering

Plastic Logic

Plastic Logic’s eReader has my biggest interest, because it has the features I want most in an eBook reader.

• The Largest Screen in the Industry
• Incredibly Thin and Lightweight
• Gesture-Based Interface & Markup
• First-Ever High-Quality Plastic Display
• Long-Lasting Battery
• Wired and Wireless Capability

iRex

iRex Technologies has developed different eBook readers to appeal to different audiences. While they have their iLiad reader, which seems to be targeted at business (and is a bit ugly), they also have the iLiad Book Edition. It has a large screen and is attractive, but the price very high. Regardless, I have no doubt they are using their experience to develop their own Kindle-killer.

Sony

The company competing to have the best eReader, and who also probably has the most resources, is Sony. Their reader is called the Sony Reader, which has been well received. They also have their own eBook store, but it doesn’t have anything close to the selection that Amazon.com does with their Kindle Store.

Asus

As I wrote about earlier, Asus is also getting into the game with a new foldable eBook reader. There’s much news about it yet, and I’m not sure how they’re going to pull off content distribution like Sony and Amazon.com, but they are a competent hardware company. Perhaps their device will be a hit and they’ll be able to partner with Sony to compete with Amazon.com.

eReaders to Keep Your Eye On is a post from: Mobile Meandering

Unlike current ebook readers, which take the form of a single flat screen, the Asus device has a hinged spine, like a printed book. This, in theory, enables its owner to read an ebook much like a normal book, using the touchscreen to “turn” the pages from one screen to the next. It also gives the user the option of seeing the text on one screen while browsing a web page on the other. One of the screens could also act as a virtual keypad for the device to be used like a laptop. Whereas current ebook readers have monochrome screens, the Asus would be full colour. The maker says it may also feature “speakers, a webcam and a mic for Skype”, allowing cheap phone calls over the internet.

I’m very interested to see how this style and format does in the marketplace. Right now ebook readers are in their infancy. The folding form factor will certainly go after the idea that people still like to hold books or magazines. While I certainly like the idea of having more screen, and therefore more content to view at one time, I don’t think that’s what people will ultimately want.

For me, the ideal ebook reader will be some sort of computer/reader hybrid. Possibly a color touch screen layered on top of an e-ink screen. I’m not sure if that’s even possible, but I like the idea of a low power mode that’s just for reading, and then a full power mode for actual computing. One can dream!

(picture from Techtree.com)

Asus to Debut Foldable Ebook Reader is a post from: Mobile Meandering

• Amazon AZW (.azw)
• Unprotected MOBI (.mobi)
• Unprotected PRC (.prc)
• Portable Document Format (.pdf)

While that list is short – and there are obviously many other eb00k formats – I found out that you can convert them to be compatible with the Kindle. For example, you can convert .lit files to PDF using a program called ABC Amber LIT.

What Formats Does the Kindle Support? is a post from: Mobile Meandering