A Novel Idea
Paperbacks are so last season. Pavan Shamdasani curls up with an eBook.
We’re living in a new era of technology. So what are you doing still reading this magazine on coarse, tree-killing paper? Enter the Kindle, Amazon.com’s e-book reader, said to revolutionize the art of reading as we know it. Or will it? It’s facing some stiff competition with some of the biggest brands having released numerous readers to rival Amazon’s paper-killer. Here’s the best of the rest.
Sony Reader PRS-505 T
Sony is often known to completely blow their chance in whatever tech arms race they enter into (excepting the PlayStation 3), but maybe they won’t do so bad this time, with this amazing little piece of hardware as their first offer. Sure, the lack of wireless connectivity is a noticeable damper, but it more than makes up for it with its freedom. Supporting cost-free PDF, TXT, RTF and DOC documents, not to mention complimentary RSS and blog subscriptions, it also doubles as an MP3 player, and has a dual memory stick/SD card slot.
The short of it: No internet, but hey, no extra charge either
Recommended price: $2,200
iRex Iliad Y
That price is deterring, without a doubt. But here’s an explanation: the Illiad is made for pilots, doubling as both that long-journey hardcover and a simple tablet PC that won’t rob your wallet. Built-in wifi, touchscreen and the ability to read almost any format imaginable takes the cake against its competitors, but the hefty weight (four ounces more than the kindle) and the 15-hour battery life makes the this ludicrously priced reader exactly that.
The short of it: Everything the Kindle can do, plus more – but too expensive.
Recommended price: $5,500
Hanlin eReader v3 U
Weighing just half an ounce more than the Amazon beast, Hanlin’s model will also save you a good $400 on its competitor, with a free SD card to boot. Again, there’s no wireless connection but similarly, there’s no cost for the vast range of readable formats: PDF, TXT, DOC, RTF, and the essential HTML. In all honesty, it almost seems like a Kindle rip-off, sans internet, but what makes it the reader’s choice? No DRM protection, so no messing about with locked files
The short of it: More readable formats and complete freedom
Recommended price: $2,500