Choosing An Ebook Reader – Why Format Needs To Come First
Buying an ebook reader is very exciting! Finally, you’re going to be able to take your books with you everywhere in a convenient, small device. Before you get started, you do need to pay close attention to what kind of ebook reader you should get. There are different ebook formats out there that are supported by different readers.
Unfortunately, there are some readers that are severely restricted in what formats they will read. The companies that develop the readers often have their own format, which they hope will become the ‘most used.’ If you tend to buy or accumulate ebooks in other formats, you might need to look into a different reader.
The different reader formats include:
Adobe Reader Format (PDF)
If you’ve been on the Internet for any length of time at all, you’ve probably come across ‘PDF’ files. These have become the standard way people pass along or sell information and ebooks. The problem with this file format is it often doesn’t translate well to your reader due to size constraints. Luckily, both popular ebook reader companies, Amazon and Sony, offer ways to convert these files (Amazon’s is more of a ‘beta’ version.)
Mobipocket Format (MOBI)
Another popular format is MOBI. This is more of a standard, and does not limit its own use on devices (though devices can limit it.) MOBI software is a free download on your computer, and is included in the Amazon Kindle. MOBI is not available on Sony readers.
Amazon Kindle Format (AZW)
The Amazon Kindle is an incredible popular device that really set the standard for the others. Amazon is such a leader in this industry that they developed their own reader. This format is not available on other readers, but it works perfectly with the Kindle device if that’s the one you choose to go with. The AZW downloads are priced at $9.99 and under.
Sony Reader Format (LRF)
If you’re going to get a Sony Reader this is the file format you’ll become most familiar with. Sony has closed themselves off to some other formats to funnel the consumer into their store. Take the time to browse through their selection to see if they have the titles you’re interested in as their options are a bit more limited than others.
As you can see, choosing the right ebook reader has lot to do with committing yourself to a favorite file format. As the industry grows it’s likely we’ll see even more standardization in this area. For now, things are a little bit segmented, but you can still find most of the titles you’d want in any of the versions.
Take the time to look through reviews and commentary on the different readers. The chances are good that if people are consistently complaining about file formats on that device, you might want to look into something else. Despite the difficulty of making your decision, you can rest assured that you’re going to get tons of use out of your ebook reader because they are ultra-convenient in any format.
Compare the file formats and the pros and cons of the Kindle vs Sony Reader. These are the two hottest handheld ebook readers available today.
About the Author
ASTAK 5″ Pocket Pro ebook reader in 6 colors
|
|
Coby Kyros 7-Inch Android 2.3 4 GB Internet Tablet with Capacitive Touchscreen – MID7022-4G (Black) $100.00 Connect to the world through the touch of a fingertip. The Kyros MID7022 Tablet is a powerful and flexible Internet and Entertainment solution that features a generous 7 inch capacitive multi-touch screen with intuitive controls powered by the Android 2.3 operating system. Browse the web wirelessly or enjoy media on a sleek and stylish media device. Enjoy 1080P HD videos, photos, music, and more i… |
|
|
Archos 43 4.3-Inch 16 GB Internet Tablet with Android $249.99 Experience HD video playback and full Android connectivity with the Archos 43 Internet Tablet. Thin, light, and strong, the Archos 43 showcases a 4.3-inch high resolution touchscreen with a built-in HD camcorder for exceptionally sharp video capture and playback. Featuring an HDMI-out port for full connectivity with HDTVs, OpenGL 3D graphic acceleration for the latest 3D games, and an Android 2.2 … |
|
|
Coby Kyros 7-Inch Android 2.3 4 GB Internet Touchscreen Tablet – MID7125-4G (Black) $199.99 7″ resistive touchscreen with 800 x 480 (WVGA) resolution and 16:9 aspect ratioConnect to the Inter wirelessly with built-in WiFi 802.11 b/g browse the web check e-mail etc.Integrated flash memory with 4GB of internal memory expandable up to 32GB with microSDHC card slotBuilt-in microphone and front-facing cameraHDMI video output type C (supports 1080p and 720p)High-speed Telechip (Cortex A8) 1GHz… |
|
|
SCYTEX SX-EB700 2 GB 7 PRIMER COLOR EBOOK READER & MEDIA PLAYER-STEXEB700 SCYTEX SX-EB700 2 GB 7″ PRIMER COLOR EBOOK READER & MEDIA PLAYER2 GB INTERNAL MEMORY; 7″ FULL COLOR WIDESCREEN LCD DISPLAY; 800 X 480 RESOLUTION; INTERNATIONAL LANGUAGE SUPPORT; BUILT-IN FM RADIO; HIGH-CAPACITY BATTERY; OPEN EBOOK STANDARD DESIGN; MUSIC & VIDEO PLAYBACK; PHOTO VIEWING; ON-BOARD RECORDING; SUPPORTS ADOBE(R) READER MOBILE TECHNOLOGY; STORES UP TO 2 GB INTERNALLY & UP TO AN ADDITIONA… |
|
|
Pandigital Novel 7 Digital Book Reader PRD07T10WWH7 $79.00 The Pandigital Novel 7? Color Multimedia eReader will change the way you curl up with a good book. Whether buying the latest bestseller from Barnes & Noble, downloading free content from the web, or borrowing a book electronically from your library, the Pandigital Novel supports most popular file formats…. |
|
|
EPUB Straight to the Point: Creating ebooks for the Apple iPad and other ereaders (One-Off) $16.63 Almost overnight, EPUB has become the favored standard for displaying digital text on ereaders. The EPUB specification is a powerful method for creating gorgeous ebooks for EPUB-capable readers such as the iPad, Nook, and Kindle. Alas, it is far from perfect, with frustrating limitations, sketchy documentation, and incomplete creation tools. This extensively researched guide to creating EPUB files… |