Monday, December 27, 2010

The Pandigital Novel: Not a Run of the Mill eReader

A look at the Pandigital Novel by eReader Review HQ

The Novel's case is entirely plastic and is available in black and white. It does nevertheless possess quite a sturdy feeling to it and was designed with attention to detail in mind. This device is heavier than some other eReaders at 16 ounces and its dimensions 5.5 x 7.5 x 0.5 in. are certainly thicker than other devices available. You will nevertheless most assuredly forget these kinds of tiny inconveniences when you start playing around with it. This is an Android-powered system using a 7-in. high-resolution colored screen and contains touchscreen display technology. Yet wait, there's a lot more because it has multimedia, Wi-Fi as well as email capability. For $169 that looks good and it can run numerous third-party applications, has a web browser and stereo loudspeakers.

You can expand its 1GB memory by using optional SD storage cards. You can also link via USB as well as WI-FI. It's definitely not as highly effective as an iPad but at less than half the iPad's price we feel you can forgive the problem that you can't stream video clips on the Novel. It really is great for night reading though as it can switch from black-print-on-white to a white-print-on-black background. One more feature it does share with the more expensive device is the auto-rotate, the actual page adjusts to the alignment you are holding it.

On the flip side which are the things that could possibly present you with second thoughts about buying this eReader? Sad to say that the glass touch screen is quite reflective, because of this it is hard to read in direct natural light. And just like the iPad, the colored screen drains energy at an accelerated rate. The Novel can only last 6 hours when compared to the 6 days other eReaders last. Also in terms of weight avid readers might find holding the unit with one hand a bit of a chore as some other eReaders now weigh as little as 8 oz.

In our opinion, it is a compromise device, but for that price tag, and most of the features you could ever want - you will want to buy a Novel.

For more views and reviews, head over to eReader Review HQ and feel free to leave us a comment.

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Practicality and superb value in an eReader? Border's Kobo may be the answer!

eReader Review HQ brings you a review of the Kobo eReader by Borders.

Mega bookstore Borders launched its Kobo eReader many months ago as a practical choice to its customers at a wallet pleasant price starting at $119.99. But there's much more, because it comes preloaded with a hundred public-domain ebooks. We're all for a no-frills device due to the fact there are particular products better suited for our other requirements. Occasionally what you want in an eReader is simply to be able to load your eBooks in it and hit the ground running.

The Kobo is easy to carry, because of its book like dimensions of 4.7 x 7.2 x 0.4 inches and light weight of less than 8 ounces. Its external shell is all plastic and sports two tones, white at the front end and a grey non-slip quilted back (we love this particular feature). The battery lasts 2 weeks or around 8000 pages before it requires charging and thank heavens for a simple 4 way D-Pad and center select navigation.In addition there are 4 buttons on the left side (Menu, Home, Back and also Display). The only thing we don't like in regards to the navigation system is that it is not intuitive for left-handed people, as the D-pad is at the lower right hand side of the Kobo.

They do employ E Ink technology meaning, unlike the ipad there isn't any glare or reflection that may hinder reading outdoors. Another feature we love is that it is already pre-loaded using the desktop app for Borders in order to instantly download content from your PC to your Kobo using a USB cable. You are able to increase the Kobo's 1GB (about 1,000 titles) memory to 4GB via an SD card slot. This can carry a lot of books but some still would like what other eReaders can provide which is 32GB SD card. It supports several file formats namely Adobe DRM, ePub and also PDF so you have a little flexibility with which files you are able to download.

Some would likely feel that since the Kobo has no 3G or WI-FI features it immediately shall be dismissed from ones' Christmas list but we believe otherwise. Were you that strict in your specifications when you were buying old fashioned literature? The fact is a great eReader is simply designed to deliver that functionality of being able to store information as well as let the owner read several books in a tiny unit. We think that the Kobo delivers on that fundamental need and then some for $120. If you?re looking for an alternative to the Kindle 3, the Kobo is worth a look.

eReader Review HQ is your independent source of ereader reviews, top picks, ereader accessories and videos. You can follow us on Facebook or Twitter too!

 

Sunday, December 19, 2010

The Perfect Cover For The Kindle

eReader Review HQ brings you the low-down on the Kindle Leather Cover...

Choosing the right cover for our precious Kindle is a difficult task as there are huge amounts of great products being offered in the market. One that emerges as the finest in comparison with all eReader covers is the Kindle Leather Cover that is supplied online at Amazon.com. It is rated a staggering 4.5 stars from customer reviews of more than a thousand.

This cover delivers both style and sufficient protection for the Kindle. The material used is top grade genuine pebble grain leather and its inside is lined with the softest charcoal-gray micro fiber suede, which provides the screen superb protection against scratches. The leather is so supple; it allows the cover to be bent backwards to ensure that you can hold the Kindle just like a conventional publication. As it is genuine leather, you can be assured that it'll always look great as it is broken in over time. A satisfying plus for this Kindle cover is that the leather comes in various great colors. We can have deep red or perhaps be more subtle in brown. Green, blue, black and of course pink are available too.

The Kindle Leather Cover is certainly lightweight which makes it a perfect match to our preferred eReader. It is also compact, so that bringing it anywhere we go will never be a hassle. The hinge in the Kindle Leather Cover is an extremely functional and well-designed feature, which firmly secures our eReader in place. The hinge will not prevent the view of the display, allowing us to read without any disruption.

Here's a summary of the excellent features of the Kindle Leather Cover:

  •  Made from the finest pebble-grain genuine leather that comes in 7 shades.
  •  Lined with soft gray micro fiber suede to guard Kindle from scuff marks.
  •  Features a hinge that will fix the Kindle in place.
  •  Lightweight and compact, ideal for taking along anywhere.
  •  Priced at only $34.99

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Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Seriously Cool Covers For The Nook

An eReader Accessory review from eReader Review HQ.

Nook fans like us are now able to get a taste of fabulous and functional custom accessories for our well loved eReaders. Many reviews have been enthused about the Kate Spade Canvas Bella Library Cover and for genuine reasons. It adds more fun and elegance to the Nook while protecting it from moderate bumps and scratches. This great Nook cover is a collaboration of artist Bella Foster along with the well-known designer label Kate Spade New York, solely for Barnes and Noble. The illustration is elaborate and also artistic, great for vibrant and sassy women who crave a little color along with gadgets. The picture is an interpretation of places in which we like to read books, for example, the New York City public library.

The inside fine detail is equally as fabulous, using the striking all red pattern. As it is produced by Kate Spade, the quality of design is first class. You can expect this product to be in good use for a long time.  The material is made of canvas, which feels comfortable to touch. It makes the eReader feel like a proper book. Do not be fooled by the interesting design and style, the Canvas Bella Cover is cushioned more than enough to give good defense against minor falls and bumps; everyday normal things that happen to our own beloved gadgets

It also comes with an elastic band inside, which secures the Nook in place. All necessary ports are free of any obstructions, making it easy when charging since the eReader does not have to be removed from the cover. It is really a good companion and protection for our Nook.

Some more features of the Canvas Bella Nook Cover include:

  • Made from 100% cotton
  • Dimensions are 8.3 inches x 5.9 inches.
  • Includes a slip pocket within, which is ideal to keep small notes or even business cards.

Life's serious enough without needing to make our gadgets look stiff and uninteresting. The Canvas Bella by Kate Spade combines fun, creativity and functionality in one superb cover.

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Monday, December 13, 2010

The Barnes & Noble Nook Wifi and Wifi+3G

eReader Review HQ gives its opinion on the Nook Wifi and Nook Wifi +3G

Let's quickly present the Barnes and Noble Nook Wifi to you. At just $149 this product features the 6in, E-Ink display and a color LCD. It features a 1.3 GB internal memory compared to the current 1 GB typical among the other eReaders, nevertheless its memory is extendable so you've no worries there. It weighs a bit more than other devices at 11.6 ounces - most of the competition tend to be way below that at 8 or 9 oz. Additionally, there is a more expensive model costing $199, which adds 3G to the mix. Visually the Nook is a mixture of two colors, battleship-gray and off-white but you can change it by adding different colored backs, for those that prefer more color in their lifestyles. Among Nook's trademark characteristics is a set of screens: one is the essential E-Ink screen and the other a LCD color touch display that is Android-powered.

Like the Kindle, the Nook is a system instead of just a device, capable of easily browsing and making one-click acquisitions and downloads from Barnes & Noble's vast store of ebooks, newsprint and magazines. What's more, the Nook's Wifi connects automatically to help you to read free excerpts from any ebook while you are sampling a nice hot tea at your favorite B&N retailer. You can also lend or even borrow books free of charge, for up to 14 days. Based upon the book you're perusing, the Nook is capable of showing text in as much as 16 different languages. For travelers, the Nook has an airplane mode that allows you to switch off 3G and Wifi while traveling by air, so as not to annoy the cabin staff by ignoring their safety warnings. The readability factor of the Nook goes over and above other products having 16 diverse shades of gray, 3 kinds of fonts and 5 assorted sizes. That's a bunch of combinations and we're sure you'll find one that is ideally suited to your needs. Also, another great way to customize the device is by installing virtually any photo by means of USB and designate it as your screensaver.

On the downside, it's a bit slow when it powers up and unlike other eReaders you can't rotate the written text, which is ok perhaps since a regular book does not do that, but it's still quite odd they left this out. Web browsing is also really slow. The touchscreen can also be a mite difficult so if you plan to use the virtual keyboard you may find it frustrating. What some buyers will love though, since other eBook stores don't allow it yet, is that you may loan or be lent ebooks with others who own a Nook. Unfortunately it's a one-time offer therefore keep this for your bestest friend!

There are accessories a-plenty for the Nook - check out a review of some of them at our dedicated eReader Accessories page. eReader Review HQ is an independent source of eReader and Accessory reviews, Top Picks and Videos.

  Nook- the award winning Barnes and Noble eReader with 3G and WIFI

Friday, December 10, 2010

The Libre eBook Reader Pro by Aluratek - A No Frills eReader

A review of the Libre eBook Reader from eReader Review HQ:

The Libre eBook Reader Pro by Aluratek isn't quite the lowest priced eReader on the market; it's however the lightest at 7.6 oz, narrowly defeating Kindle's 3rd generation device at 8 oz. Additionally it is the smallest with measurements of only 4.3 x 6.0 x 0.6 inches.

It features a high-impact plastic black case, which we think is a great idea, but its design is a bit irregular as well as unusual. At the back of the Libre a rechargeable lithium battery pack is built in and because of this the underside features a tapered rectangular shape. This particular odd shape however allows you to leave the device upright on your bedroom table at nighttime after you read a page or two of your favourite book or even when you are charging it.

One thing that makes people resistant to first purchasing an eReader, as opposed to traditional paperback books, is the lack of a physical link when you turn the actual page. Pushing a control button is just not as user-friendly or enjoyable for some reason. Aluratek have tried to address this issue in the Libre simply by placing a 2.75-in. long slide on one side of the device. If you press down on it you are able to flip the page, press upward and you return to the prior page. To us this feels more satisfying to use than regular buttons, but it might appear a bit unnatural to many.

In the eReader's front lower left are two switches that can also switch the page if you prefer the standard button flip of other eReaders. There is also the left and right arrows on the D-pad button that do the same. Around the D-pad are also buttons that can enlarge the font up to 6 different sizes, rotate the written text, back and forwards along with the function switch. The function switch accesses the settings menu, bookmark listing, dictionary, bookmark this page, jump to page and find. On the right side of the device are 8 buttons that are alphanumeric. These 8 buttons execute different functions according to which mode is picked. They can also be used to enter data much like when you are texting on your phone.

At the bottom of the gadget is the MP3 audio jack port and the on/off key. At the top is a Micro USB port and also an SD storage position under a pullout cover. The key selling point for the Libre is that it is simple and responsive. The menu system is actually quite straightforward and easy to use after you learn which button is made for what function. This device is able to read many different file formats particularly JPEG, PDF, ePub, PRC, RTF, TXT, FB2, BMP and GIF. This in a way makes it functional enough to become suitable for the different web based ebook stores in addition to public domain libraries. It is also similarly comfortable for right and left handed people to make use of single handed.

There are a few difficulties with this product, in particular the somewhat slow installing of ebooks. The display screen display is kind of dull and sadly you can not use it while it is charging. Overall it functions as you would anticipate for a basic eReader. It is a device that could suit many people who are not heavy consumers and you could probably get it for your parents due to the simplicity of use. The original offer price of $170 was way too high and would have been a deal breaker for many people. However the latest sale price of $99 that Amazon (for the black version) is offering may attract you to give it as a surprise to a family member or friend.

 For more eReader and accessory reviews, Our Picks and Videos, head to eReader Review HQ!

Monday, December 6, 2010

Is the Entourage eDGe sharp enough to cut through the competition?

eReader Review HQ brings you a review of the Entourage Edge:

Within every person there's conflict taking place between what's functional and what will look awesome. The Entourage eDGe is billed as the market's first dualbook: an ereader, tablet, notepad and media player in a single gadget. It is available in bright red, midnight blue or ice blue, dark red red as well as the standard piano black or glacier white.  From afar you might think, when closed, it appears like a spiffy netbook, but after closer inspection though you'll observe dual-screens and maybe the reflection from the smug look on your face.

The left screen is a great sized E-Ink display that's touch-enabled. The right display screen is yet another touch screen display, this time LCD. The right display screen is where you will manage applications like a internet browser and email. It can hook up via WI-FI or using the SIM card slot machine for its own broadband internet connection. It is also equipped with an audio player, webcam and microphone.

This clever gizmo is marketed for college kids. They will be able to keep the left ereader screen active while taking notes during a lecture on the right display screen. And for those who can't seem to be able to rid yourself of the paper pocket book you can hand write information in the E-Ink tablet too.

An additional plus about this tablet device is that the left-handed people out there can rotate both screens to be able to hold the reading display on the right and the LCD screen where you type or take notes on the left. The pop-up software keyboard is very 'Trekkie' and a cool feature. You are also provided with an integrated stylus but if that still does not float your boat then you can also plug in a computer keyboard to the USB port.

So, now let's look at this from a purely eReader standpoint. The E-Ink screen screen has 8 grayscale contrasts that make readability adjustable with regards to the surrounding illumination. In terms of downloading books into the device it is a breeze since you can WI-FI it from the LCD area. The types of files it supports unfortunately isn't as numerous as the the new Sony Reader - the Edge reads only PDF and ePub formats. The internal memory space is big in comparison to other readers with a hefty 4GB internal memory and in addition it has SD card position should you need to browse the encyclopedia. Page turning is snappy and easy. The large display is also an option for those who love their extra-large paperback books.

The cons however (and this is why it's a tug of war between functionality and desire) do keep you from purchasing the gadget. The eReader's function is comparable to others but it is just too large at 3 lbs and it's bigger than a netbook. Another issue, and some might say the deal breaker would be the price, a whopping $499. Yes, it costs as much as an iPad and we all know which gadget consumers may pick if they had the $499 to shell out. The company is going to release a pocket edition though. If it costs $220 or less it has a chance of being more widely adopted but we'll have to wait and see!

More eReader reviews are available on our website as well as eReader Accessories, Video and Our Top Picks for those who are serious about their ebooks.  Check us out at eReader Review HQ!  Alternatively, let us bring the news to you: Join Us on Twitter, or Facebook

Friday, December 3, 2010

Belkin Clip-On Reading Light For Kindle

Another great product review from eReader Review HQ:

The Belkin Clip-On Reading Light is one of the classics amongst all the other eReader accessories for the Kindle. As it does not have a backlight, having a reliable exterior light source is important to fully take pleasure in the Kindle. The Belkin Clip-On Reading Light gives off a powerful comfortable light, which comes in two settings. It is possible to adjust the level of lights according to how much is needed for comfortable reading. Even on the minimum settings, the three LED bulbs give off enough illumination to read from your Kindle without being disturbing to someone who is beside you.

The Belkin Clip-On Reading Light's minimalist and stylish style makes it a perfect match for your Kindle. It may look delicate but it provides serious performance. This product has a slim flexible head that can be modified to achieve the best glare-free browsing. It is also designed to not interfere in any way with your reading enjoyment.

The clip-on base of this product is wide enough to have a solid grip on the Kindle, making it much easier for you to move it around and even lie down on your side whilst reading. And since it is intelligently designed, the base does not interfere with our view of the display.

Another great feature of the Belkin Clip-On Reading Light is its use of three AAA batteries instead of the flat watch batteries you annoyingly find in some other products. It is much easier to find a triple A battery lying about the house than a watch battery. Plus, it has no awkward screws making battery changing an easier process.

The batteries may give our Kindle additional weight but with the conveniences of longer lighting lifespan and simpler maintenance, it is a small price to pay. This particular eReader accessory also features a switch that can be tucked safely away when stored; it will prevent the light from unintentionally turning on and will conserve a lot on its battery life.

Highlights:
Compact designed yet powerful reading light source.
Three LED bulbs provide robust, warm lighting.
Can be easily stored.
Dimensions are 76.1x4.2x1.4 inches and weighs 4.3 ounces.
Requires three AAA batteries.
Color white

eReader Review HQ is an independent source of eReader reviews, buying guides, eReader accessories and video.

Tuesday, November 30, 2010

A Full Color Nook eReader from Barnes and Noble

eReader Review HQ brings you another does of eReader goodness!

Barnes & Noble are offering the latest Nook eReader this Christmas season at a pricey $249. Why the cost jump? Well, it has a full color touch screen! The company anticipates it could become a favored stocking stuffer for Christmas since it is believed to have more game titles, electronic books, magazines, etc. Based on this, a electronic Newsstand is on its way for magazine and newspaper subscribers.  This particular move is probably responding to the iPad stepping into the eReader niche. The colored eReader is also believed to have got its own app store, internet browsing as well as music streaming. This bold move by Barnes and Noble has undoubtedly upped the ante for eReader capabilities.   

The device was unveiled mid-November just in time for purchasing before Christmas. In our judgment it's definitely a good alternative to the iPad as an eReader. B&N have improved and added functions but its major thrust remains the reading experience and it did not get lost along the way trying to become an iPad aspirant. When taking a chance on a new device it is usually a balancing act in relation to cost and capabilities. Here Barnes and Noble will not have wanted its prospective purchasers to consider just adding a few more dollars for an iPad. Rather they still wanted them to purchase an eReader with Nook extras.   

The new Nook Color has a 7 inch backlit touch screen capable of producing 16 million colors. IPS or In-plane switching permits approximately 178 degrees viewing angle. Therefore even though it’s tipped a bit the display screen won't immediately fade away on you. Additionaly this new Nook Color has an extraordinary 8 GB built-in memory so that you actually may not use the microSD slot for its expandable memory. Wi-Fi functionality has stopped being a luxury feature in the eReader industry and users expect to have it as standard - the Nook Color doesn’t fail there.

Although it doesn't come with 3G functionality, it has a web browser and the trademark Lendme book function that allows the book buyer to loan a book to one friend for a limited length of time. It can also be used in either portrait or landscape setting. We are expecting that the battery life tests will not be comparable to the days or even weeks of battery life in E-ink eReaders until different technology is introduced. 

Insiders say that the company is reaching out to different application makers for the device’s "Nookextras" and that Pandora is currently part of the team. What other surprises await? Stay tuned….

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Nook Wifi - 300x250

Friday, November 26, 2010

Sony's Fresh eReader Choices

A review from eReaderReviewHQ.

The eReader marketplace is growing and growing and becoming more aggressive. The previous ten months we've noticed this market moving at a frenetic pace with new products, capabilities, and price reductions. Every few weeks a new kid arrives on the block. Although Sony eReaders have always been in the top three shopper and tech review options, along with the Nook and Kindle, now is not the moment for Sony to relax, what with the iPad trying to switch into the eReader marketplace.

It's purely aesthetic, but the initial point that struck us with the Sony Reader Daily Edition, Reader Touch Edition and Pocket Edition is the basic fact that they look incredibly stylish. EReaders are renowned to be very drab when it comes to its plastic-type cases. Black or white are commonly your only options with a little grey mixed in between. The new Sony eReaders now come in silver, pink, black not and firey red! Owing to the fact that they have got touch screen technology and also have minimized the buttons it now appears much more streamlined. The Sony eReaders currently include a 2GB device storage that can hold up to 1200 books even without external SD memory cards.

One more fantastic feature is that a stylus allows users to create notes freehand or alternatively using the PC style keyboard on-screen. The touch screen interfaces tend to be also far more sensitive because Sony managed to remove a particular type of glass overlay that dulled the display and made it less sensitive. Also the current models locate the placement of your finger on the screen utilizing infrared technology. They also have improved readability due to the application of E-ink pearl displays which boasts a 50 percent enhanced contrast ratio. We also observed that these devices are generally fantastically light and pretty comfortable to operate.

The price ranges are as follows: The Pocket Edition is at $179, this has a display of 5 inches. The drawback for that model is no expandable memory, but in reality we think 1200 books is adequate for a lot of people. The Touch Edition is at $229 and has a 6 in. display which is standard in comparison with alternative eReaders. It's a bit more costly but it also has additional features like having the capacity to play AAC and MP3 audio files and add expandable storage via SD media slots. Last and yet surely not least is the $299 Daily Edition that not only has a 7 inch display but also has WI-FI and basic web browsing capability. The only negative aspect seems to be that it only comes in one color, silver.

The two less costly models do not have WI-FI capability even though eReaders from some other vendors do have it for a less expensive price tag. One of the capabilities of Sony eReaders that has often swung the decision in their favor is that it can read several different formats. After all it may not be just books users will be reading on it. Reports and other documents can be loaded as well thanks to the various formats it can service. To summarize they are all very good gadgets but in the recent price reducing conditions we are currently in, we're really not sure how competitive they really are compared to the Nook and the Kindle 3

eReaderReviewHQ is an independently owned and operated review site containing buying guides, reviews and recommendations.

Saturday, November 20, 2010

Do you need to have another eReader if you have an Apple iPad?

A look at the iPad as a serious eReader from eReader Review HQ

As substantially as the Apple iPad has fueled our gadget-loving spirit, we need to establish if the iPad is really a worthy eReader. After all, given its well-known versatility would it be advisable to buy an another eReader if you already happen to have an iPad? Above all is it practical? We can, as you know, judge practicality in far more ways than just its value. eReader users are folks who are either book lovers or need to study a lot of material just to keep them up-to-date for some reason.

An eReader is like a printed book, in that it is taken all over the place. They're our companions in dental offices, airplanes, to bed and while on vacation. So from the perspective of an avid book lover is it practical to carry an iPad with you everywhere you go? The tiniest Kindle is now 7.5 by 4.8 by 0.3  inches and weighs an amazing 8.5 ounces. The Apple iPad on the other hand is 9.56 by 7.47 by 0.5 inches and weighs 1.5 to 1.6 pounds. In our opinion, using the iPad as an eReader would ultimately depend on your reading habits: if you simply read a handful of pages before you go to sleep an iPad will do the trick but if you're a voracious reader then utilizing a device that you can operate single handedly for an lengthy period of time would be most suitable.

One more feature we must consider is its readability. Does staring at the screen for hours hurt your eyes and is it "readable" in different lighting circumstances. The Kindle 3 may not have a colored screen capability, however it appears to strain the eyes of the reader much less than the Apple iPad, thus allowing the individual to use the Kindle for a longer time. When tested for readability under several lighting situations, the e-Ink technology has revealed itself to be of greater quality for almost all reading activities in natural light. The iPad on the other hand performs better when artificial light is employed in the evenings.

The real kicker though might be the price.  The iPad starts at about $500 while the new Kindle 3 is a measly $140.  We can hear you say that an iPad is able to do a lot more, play videos, surf etc. and you would be correct and for the leisure reader an apple iPad can meet all your needs as long as you don't read in direct sunlight. However, from the point of view of an devoted reader we'd recommend a proper eReader with eInk technology.

For more views and reviews, head over to eReader Review HQ and feel free to leave us a comment.

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Why should you buy a Kindle 3?

A review of the Kindle 3 from eReader Review HQ.

Those initial days of the eReader era have passed and Kindle is no longer the sole eReader device available place. Competition of course, as some say helps to keep everyone on their toes and drives people to successfully innovate. Therefore, because of the other available choices open to you, just what grounds would you have for sticking with things as they are? Amazon Kindle dominated this market at the beginning of this particular competition. In recent times however increasingly more competitors have joined the eReader battle. When Kindle was released a couple of years back the high price of roughly $400 did not really discourage users from selecting the gadget. These days there are readers that cost less that can also perform the job.

In the 5 top eReaders for PCworld magazine lies Kindle 3, Sony Reader Pocket Edition, and Barnes and Noble's Nook. As we pointed out earlier competition produces better service and Amazon Kindle really did step up to the plate. To start with and for some the most important, Amazon cut the Kindle's selling price. Today the purchase price has fallen from  $400 to the now reasonably priced $139 for the Kindle 3 Wi-Fi. Another enchancment which buyers might appreciate will be the scaled-down over-all size. It's actually 21% more compact, from 8 by 5.3 by 0.36 inches of the previous version to the 7.5 by 4.8 by 0.34 inches of Kindle 3. The brand new functionality that Kindle 3 has now, that Barnes and Noble's Nook previously had in its 2nd generation gadgets is Wireless Technology. Once again competition pushed Amazon Kindle to develop instead of resting on its laurels. Now the Amazon Kindles have got wireless capability, this allows owners not simply search for ebooks but furthermore download content wherever they are. The readability was also developed by improving the contrast on the screen. This helps the user read in different kinds of light. We also enjoy the Text-to-speech functionality and the Kindle's built-in audio. These are fantastic if you wish to be lulled to sleep.

The Kindle 3 is not without its challenges, even though Amazon does have more than 350,000 titles that you can easily download, Barnes and Noble wins that round with almost half a million electronic books, newspapers and magazines available for their owners. Last but not the least is the battery. According to Kindle if you use wifi a full charge can keep going for fourteen days while not making use of that functionality stretches it to four weeks.

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Thursday, November 11, 2010

Alex Dual Screen eReader review

eReader Review HQ brings you a review of the Alex Dual Screen eReader by Spring Design

The Alex might not be amongst the big three (Nook, Kindle and Sony) if you're considering the eReader market but it's certainly noteworthy because of its design and functionality. From your initial glance the first thing that enters your mind is that it undeniably has a few tricks up its sleeve. Then your thoughts go to a more familiar eReader which appears to be alike in many ways. Afterwards you have a light bulb moment and think "oh" it's also for navigating the eReader just like in the Nook". Spend more time with the Alex and you may recognize that you are in for a big surprise.

At the time they designed the Alex, Spring Design quite possible visualized a hip student and her/his requirements on a daily basis. We're speculating that the designers probably interviewed this demographic much more than any other. While looking at the Alex one cannot deny that it's eye candy. It looks elegant with its dual screens, lends an air of "coolness" for the all-black models and "crispness" for its all-white one. This eReader has two displays: an EPD and a 3.5-in LCD. The perfect sized LCD display is the main reason the eReader is longer than its other competitors. With the dimensions at 4.5 x 8.9 x .6 inches it might not fit a compact handbag but it will lie comfortably in a high school or college student's backpack. Weighing 16 oz. it may look heavy for an eReader but I'm sure the additional functions will make the additional weight worthwhile. The primary screen is much like any normal eReader at 6 inches long; E Ink technology ensures great readability in artificial as well as natural light. The secondary LCD screen is an Android powered 16-bit color touch screen. Not everybody is crazy about the device's ergonomics because it only has a sole forward page turn button and one backward button , one on either side of the reader. This makes working with it challenging when reading single handedly.

The functions that the Android supported LCD screen has are multimedia and browsing capabilities. You can view news clips, movies, Flash videos or MP4s. Listen to music, news broadcasts and lectures whilst you read using the built-in MP3 media player and speakers, or connect earphones to listen in private. The fact that you can browse the internet while simultaneously using the eReader screen is awesome. Another feature is its energy saving settings. Unlike other readers that have a colored screen and whose battery life is only a couple of hours long, the Alex means that you can read offline for as much as 2 weeks. The sole down side we see would be the price, a whopping $399! This high price would hinder a prospective buyer mainly because if he or she adds another hundred dollars they would have an iPad. In our opinion, for the Alex to be high on a Christmas list would not be difficult;but for the parents to shell out the money to buy them one is another story!

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