The Nook Vs Kindle 2 Vs Sony Reader Touch Edition – And the Winner Is?
Kathy Erickson asked:
If you are thinking of buying an ebook reader, then it makes sense to compare the 3 big boys on the market, the Barnes and Noble Nook, Amazon Kindle 2 and the new Sony Reader Touch Edition. Here’s a detailed comparison of all three to help you choose.
Firstly, let’s examine the similarities in all 3 ebook readers.
Display Screen- The Nook, Kindle 2, and Reader all take advantage of the cutting edge display technology called “E-Ink”. This isn’t your run-of-the-mill computer screen with pixels. This screen displays the text and pictures (gray-scale) right up against the bottom of the display glass. This allows you to see the crystal clear text even at extreme angles and lighting situations.
Text can be changed to different sizes for all 3 models as well.
Audio Support- All 3 devices allow you to download and listen to mp3 songs while reading.
Pricing- Pricing is comparable between the 3 devices.
Differences between the 3 devices.
Wireless and 3G- The Nook and Kindle 2 allows you to access the web to download new titles and publications. The Sony Touch does not, instead you need to hook up the reader to the computer via USB and download the books. It should be mentioned the Sony Reader Daily Edition will have Wireless and 3G when it is released. This model will be more expensive than the Nook and Kindle 2 by quite a lot, so that is why this model was not included in this comparison!
Color Navigation Screen- The color navigation below the display screen on the Nook sets it apart from the other ebook readers. You can peruse color pictures of book covers. This has been reported by many to be slightly slow, definitely slower than, say, the iPhone in responsiveness.
Sony Touch Screen- The Sony has a touch screen (hence the name!). Page turning is done by swiping the finger across the screen, whereas page turning is by the push of a button for the Nook and Kindle 2. The Nook’s color screen doubles as a touch screen, but again, only on the navigation screen, not the display screen.
Memory For the Devices- The Nook and Kindle 2 both have a default memory of 2 GB of memory. This allows up to 1,500 books to be added to the device. The Sony has 512 MB of memory that allows up to 350 books.
International Capabilities- The Kindle 2 is the only device that provides International service with 3G and wireless downloads of books and publications. Amazon says the Kindle 2 will work in over 100 countries.
Lending Feature for the Nook- The Nook allows you to lend out books for 14 days to others that have the Nook, or Nook compatible device.
The Bottom Line- There are numerous differences in these 3 most popular ebook reader devices. We are in a stage right now where each device is trying to differentiate itself with different features. They will definitely start stepping more in-line with each other as time goes on.
For instance, as the EPUB file becomes more popular with public libraries across the nation and world, each ebook reader will support the use of these no doubt.
If you are thinking of buying an ebook reader, then it makes sense to compare the 3 big boys on the market, the Barnes and Noble Nook, Amazon Kindle 2 and the new Sony Reader Touch Edition. Here’s a detailed comparison of all three to help you choose.
Firstly, let’s examine the similarities in all 3 ebook readers.
Display Screen- The Nook, Kindle 2, and Reader all take advantage of the cutting edge display technology called “E-Ink”. This isn’t your run-of-the-mill computer screen with pixels. This screen displays the text and pictures (gray-scale) right up against the bottom of the display glass. This allows you to see the crystal clear text even at extreme angles and lighting situations.
Text can be changed to different sizes for all 3 models as well.
Audio Support- All 3 devices allow you to download and listen to mp3 songs while reading.
Pricing- Pricing is comparable between the 3 devices.
Differences between the 3 devices.
Wireless and 3G- The Nook and Kindle 2 allows you to access the web to download new titles and publications. The Sony Touch does not, instead you need to hook up the reader to the computer via USB and download the books. It should be mentioned the Sony Reader Daily Edition will have Wireless and 3G when it is released. This model will be more expensive than the Nook and Kindle 2 by quite a lot, so that is why this model was not included in this comparison!
Color Navigation Screen- The color navigation below the display screen on the Nook sets it apart from the other ebook readers. You can peruse color pictures of book covers. This has been reported by many to be slightly slow, definitely slower than, say, the iPhone in responsiveness.
Sony Touch Screen- The Sony has a touch screen (hence the name!). Page turning is done by swiping the finger across the screen, whereas page turning is by the push of a button for the Nook and Kindle 2. The Nook’s color screen doubles as a touch screen, but again, only on the navigation screen, not the display screen.
Memory For the Devices- The Nook and Kindle 2 both have a default memory of 2 GB of memory. This allows up to 1,500 books to be added to the device. The Sony has 512 MB of memory that allows up to 350 books.
International Capabilities- The Kindle 2 is the only device that provides International service with 3G and wireless downloads of books and publications. Amazon says the Kindle 2 will work in over 100 countries.
Lending Feature for the Nook- The Nook allows you to lend out books for 14 days to others that have the Nook, or Nook compatible device.
The Bottom Line- There are numerous differences in these 3 most popular ebook reader devices. We are in a stage right now where each device is trying to differentiate itself with different features. They will definitely start stepping more in-line with each other as time goes on.
For instance, as the EPUB file becomes more popular with public libraries across the nation and world, each ebook reader will support the use of these no doubt.
Product Review – Amazon Kindle Strengths and Weaknesses
Tracy Falbe asked:
The high profile ebook reading device from Amazon called the Kindle has caught the attention of readers. But then the gadget’s cost, ranging from $350 to $400, gives people pause. This product review will introduce you to the features of the Kindle and my opinions about its strengths and weaknesses.
What the Kindle can do
The high profile ebook reading device from Amazon called the Kindle has caught the attention of readers. But then the gadget’s cost, ranging from $350 to $400, gives people pause. This product review will introduce you to the features of the Kindle and my opinions about its strengths and weaknesses.
What the Kindle can do
E Reader Review Terms
The Nook Vs Kindle 2 – and the Winner is?
Kathy Erickson asked:
Barnes and Noble will now sell the “Nook”, their addition to the eBook Reader market, dominated largely by the Kindle and the Sony Reader. What’s so special about the Nook according to Barnes and Noble?
The Nook Unique Feature #1- The Nook eBook Reader boasts a lively color navigation screen. This means full color when you are scrolling through your ebook title covers, newspapers, magazines, etc. The Kindle 2 is still a gray-scale screen. Is this a positive for the Nook?
The Nook Unique Feature #2- The Nook is boasting the ability to lend books to other people who have the “app” on their smart device. So the lendee doesn’t necessarily have to have the Nook, but only the app. This app works on iPhone, Blackberry Touch, etc… The person who lends the book can do so for up to 2 weeks, and will not have access to the book while they lend it. Advantage or not even a feature?
The Nook Feature #3- The “E Ink” screen is a key technology on this new device, and is also a feature on the Kindle 2. This screen display technology is “clearer than actual book text” according to the folks at Barnes and Noble. You can make the font as large and small as you want as well.
The Nook Unique Feature #4- The Nook has the ability to sync with almost any smart-device on the market today. The Nook is powered by the Google software, “Android”, and is compatible with over 100 other electronic devices on the market. So there are four ways the Nook is a unique addition to the eBook Reader market.
All these features are unique to the Amazon Kindle 2.
The Kindle 2 doesn’t have a color navigation screen, but does have the same “E-ink” screen, so this is comparable.
The Kindle doesn’t yet give you the ability to lend books like the Nook does. We will see if this feature is something the consumer embraces, or if it is an overlooked feature.
The Kindle does however have a “text to speech” feature so you can switch to speech while driving in the car. The Kindle has the ability to sync with a few devices, but will not compete with the fact that Nook will sync with 100′s of devices. Android software is not a proven system however, and we will have to see how the developers embrace Google’s new platform.
Barnes and Noble will now sell the “Nook”, their addition to the eBook Reader market, dominated largely by the Kindle and the Sony Reader. What’s so special about the Nook according to Barnes and Noble?
The Nook Unique Feature #1- The Nook eBook Reader boasts a lively color navigation screen. This means full color when you are scrolling through your ebook title covers, newspapers, magazines, etc. The Kindle 2 is still a gray-scale screen. Is this a positive for the Nook?
The Nook Unique Feature #2- The Nook is boasting the ability to lend books to other people who have the “app” on their smart device. So the lendee doesn’t necessarily have to have the Nook, but only the app. This app works on iPhone, Blackberry Touch, etc… The person who lends the book can do so for up to 2 weeks, and will not have access to the book while they lend it. Advantage or not even a feature?
The Nook Feature #3- The “E Ink” screen is a key technology on this new device, and is also a feature on the Kindle 2. This screen display technology is “clearer than actual book text” according to the folks at Barnes and Noble. You can make the font as large and small as you want as well.
The Nook Unique Feature #4- The Nook has the ability to sync with almost any smart-device on the market today. The Nook is powered by the Google software, “Android”, and is compatible with over 100 other electronic devices on the market. So there are four ways the Nook is a unique addition to the eBook Reader market.
All these features are unique to the Amazon Kindle 2.
The Kindle 2 doesn’t have a color navigation screen, but does have the same “E-ink” screen, so this is comparable.
The Kindle doesn’t yet give you the ability to lend books like the Nook does. We will see if this feature is something the consumer embraces, or if it is an overlooked feature.
The Kindle does however have a “text to speech” feature so you can switch to speech while driving in the car. The Kindle has the ability to sync with a few devices, but will not compete with the fact that Nook will sync with 100′s of devices. Android software is not a proven system however, and we will have to see how the developers embrace Google’s new platform.
What are people saying?