I’ve been trying as many different e-book reader platforms as I can since first getting my Droid phone. The one I like best so far is the Kindle app. It has the best features on both of my computing platforms, Mac and Droid. Unfortunately it does not have a Linux reader application. WTF, is Android not built on Linux? Does it not use Java to build the Android app? What seems to be the issue here is that I’m the only reader who uses Linux. Sigh.
I also like the Kobo reader app, but it has a very limited selection and that, in the end will doom its use for me. The other app that I really like, but that has no cloud storage, is Aldiko. I have many free books on that app, but unless I manually transfer them to my computer, I have no access to them except on the Droid. The idea of having my book marks stored in the cloud, so that I can continue reading from any device is what has won me over on the Kindle app. As soon as their e-reader device drops sub $100 dollars, I’ll buy one. Despite how horrible it looks with that chick-lit keyboard. I’m holding out for the Kindle 3 due out in another month or so.
The Borders app might be good, but its just a Kobo app underneath. I could not recall my password and so it’s useless. Besides, there is no e-book reader device for it. Still absent from the market is an Android version of the B&N e-reader app. The Nook is one sweet e-reader device. I really like it. But without a way to read on my Droid, no sale.
The recent patent award to Amazon for any device with two screens one of which is for reading and the other for navigation, puts the future of the Nook in danger. Hopefully Kindle designers will not sue them and just copy the design. It makes more sense than the silly keyboard on the Kindle.
Since nearly all of my income as a writer is coming from Kindle sales, it makes sense for me to go with a Kindle. Despite the e-reader’s lack of design savvy. It does have a cute ad jingle though.
So what about the iPad, you may be asking. So what is my answer. E-readers and tablets are two entirely different things. I’m not looking for a tablet computer here, I’m looking for an e-book reader. If I won’t even buy a Kindle for $189, why would you think I’d pay $500 for an iPad? I’m not ruling out getting a tablet computer some day, but at my current income level, with two kids to feed and cloth, it’s not even on the horizon. Several years from now, when the market is flooded with cheap, good quality Android based tablets I might be tempted. But probably not. Unless I start selling way more e-books or suddenly get promoted several pay grades, I won’t be in the market for a tablet.
I totally spaced the Sony readers. I used to have books on my compter, but I never really read them. Still don’t. I get free books on my phone using Aldiko, I don’t actively seek them out on the internet.
Be interesting to see how my habits change after I eventually get a dedicated reader.
Nothing pertinent, just an interesting observation.
I work Aldiko the other way, actually. I get the e-books to my computer, then when I synch my Droid to my *shudder* Lookout calendar, I also transfer any books to my Aldiko import folder on the Droid, if I have any I want to transfer at the time.
You’re right about the cloud and bookmarking. I’m not happy putting stuff in the cloud, but I also see advantages to using it. One of these is definitely tracking where you are in your book so that you can read it wherever you want. That’s a shared issue with the Sony e-reader and Aldiko. The end result is that I read different books on my devices, Sony and Droid and laptop, except for some reference materials and study guides where it doesn’t really matter where you are in the e-book.