Kindle vs. Sony eReader.

[legalsea]

Here is a link to a guy named Bufo Calvin who has a blog called “I Love My Kindle” (which I subscribe to on my Kindle). This link is to the internet version.

Bufo not only writes about the Kindle, but he writes and compares the other e-readers. Good source for information.

http://ilmk.wordpress.com/

[lovesmurfs]

I really wanted a Kindle, but now I'm leaning toward the Sony eReader -- with the Sony I would be able to download books from my library and read on it, rather than have to purchase outright like the Kindle requires.

[TDC Nala]

I got the Sony because you can download library books.

However, there is some sort of problem with the software used by the libraries, and if you upload more than one library book at a time to your reader, and there are two on there using different formats, none of them will work. Then you have to remove EVERYTHING from your reader, reset it, and reload the library books one at a time. I'm currently having to finish one and completely delete it from the reader and all the software before uploading the next one. It's said they are trying to fix the software, but it's a pain.

[legalsea]

Originally Posted by lovesmurfs

I really wanted a Kindle, but now I'm leaning toward the Sony eReader -- with the Sony I would be able to download books from my library and read on it, rather than have to purchase outright like the Kindle requires.

However, with the Kindle you can download lots of free books. You are not limited to the Amazon books (although Amazon does run lots of specials for free books). You may download free books from several websites like:

Gutenberg: http://www.gutenberg.org/wiki/Main_Page

Manybooks: http://manybooks.net/

mobipocket: http://www.mobipocket.com/en/HomePag...sp?Language=EN

You simply hook up the Kindle to your computer (these are all 'public domain' books).

There is also a way you can load the mobipocket website onto your kindle, and so browse the site, without being connected to the computer, and download the free books.

Again, Amazon offers lots of free books. For instance, right now you may get, for free, several books from Don Brown (Treason, Defiance, Black Sea Affair), as wel as "Not Your Mother's Slow Cooker" (a cookbook). I also recently got "Red Mars" by Kim Stanley Robinson, "By Reason of Insanity" by Randy Singer, "Assassin's Apprentice" by Robin Hobb, and "Magic Kingdom for Sale- Sold" by Terry Brooks.

Many current authors allow Amazon to give away their earlier books so as to get people interested in their current offerings.

Here is a link to the current "Kindle Best Sellers". Note that virtually all of the top ten books are free.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/bestsellers/digital-text/

[jrmasm]

I do not own a Kindle. I have the Kindle app on my phone. Is it possible to read the books I've downloaded for my phone on my computer?

Thanks

[RitaE]

yep - assuming your computer is a PC and not a Mac. The Mac version is coming soon.


http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.htm...cId=1000426311

[jrmasm]

Originally Posted by RitaE

yep - assuming your computer is a PC and not a Mac. The Mac version is coming soon.


http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.htm...cId=1000426311

Sweet! The phone is a little hard on my eyes.

Thanks!

[RitaE]

Originally Posted by lovesmurfs

I really wanted a Kindle, but now I'm leaning toward the Sony eReader -- with the Sony I would be able to download books from my library and read on it, rather than have to purchase outright like the Kindle requires.

I kind of go up and down on my opinion of the Sony Readers. I like the Overdrive library system and checking out books BUT Sony's prices in their bookstores are so high - much higher than both Amazon and B&N. Their recent switch to ePub at least means the users can shop around at other stores which is nice.

I want to see the Sony Daily Edition eReader which will probably be delayed until next year as it has wireless access and the larger screen. I'm not fond of the smaller Pocket reader because the 5" screen is just too small for me. I'm not sure about the Touch - I don't see much glare on the screen the way some people complain but I wonder how dirty those screens get with fingers all over them.

Target recently clearanced the Sony 505 readers down to $139. If I could have found one at that price I definitely would have bought it to use as a back-up and for library books. Right now I'm just checking out Overdrive books and reading them on my laptop and Kindle.

[lovesmurfs]

Originally Posted by RitaE

I kind of go up and down on my opinion of the Sony Readers. I like the Overdrive library system and checking out books BUT Sony's prices in their bookstores are so high - much higher than both Amazon and B&N. Their recent switch to ePub at least means the users can shop around at other stores which is nice.

I want to see the Sony Daily Edition eReader which will probably be delayed until next year as it has wireless access and the larger screen. I'm not fond of the smaller Pocket reader because the 5" screen is just too small for me. I'm not sure about the Touch - I don't see much glare on the screen the way some people complain but I wonder how dirty those screens get with fingers all over them.

Target recently clearanced the Sony 505 readers down to $139. If I could have found one at that price I definitely would have bought it to use as a back-up and for library books. Right now I'm just checking out Overdrive books and reading them on my laptop and Kindle.

You've made some really good points. Thanks!

[Mom2Ashli]

So if I get an ITouch it will do the same thing as the Kindle and/or Sony Readers?

[bumbershoot]

Originally Posted by my3sonsagn

While we're on the topic of e-readers, how available are older books for them? Most of the books I look for are based on others' recommendations and are frequently 5, 10, 15 or more years old. I'd love to have one, but I'm not sure how practical it would be for me.

It's all up to the publishers, and if they want to put it in e format.

And sometimes the authors...for instance, JK Rowling has said that her books won't be available in e-format. To me it seems silly, as the Kindle appears to be magic to me! Seems it would be PERFECT for her books, sort of like the Marauder's Map, but she said something about how she wrote her books in longhand and wants people to read the actual book....of course that leaves out the whole *how it got published and printed* machinery aspect of the whole thing, doesn't it?

[RitaE]

Originally Posted by Mom2Ashli

So if I get an ITouch it will do the same thing as the Kindle and/or Sony Readers?

Well - the same in that you can download books to your iTouch -yep.

It isn't as nice as the Kindle or Sony though because the screen is backlit and tiny. But I still read on my iPhone often when I'm in waiting for the kids to get out of practice or whatever mode.

[jrmasm]

Originally Posted by RitaE

yep - assuming your computer is a PC and not a Mac. The Mac version is coming soon.


http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.htm...cId=1000426311

Ok, I am amazed. I downloaded it and it magically knew where I was reading on my phone. That makes me very, very happy!

This might be the best darn invention EVER!

[SpecialK]

I'm getting a Kindle for Christmas after considering the Nook and the Kindle. I like the prices at Amazon, and I think I would find the strip at at the bottom of the Nook screen distracting. I also like the fact that the Kindle has been around for awhile. (Though I like the look of the Nook better.)

[Mom2Ashli]

Originally Posted by RitaE

Well - the same in that you can download books to your iTouch -yep.

It isn't as nice as the Kindle or Sony though because the screen is backlit and tiny. But I still read on my iPhone often when I'm in waiting for the kids to get out of practice or whatever mode.

Thank you.

I want both the Sony Reader and the ITouch. But wasn't sure if I really NEED both of them.