Paper-Like Screen
The top electronic readers today utilize this new high-resolution display technology called electronic paper. From Kindle, to the Sony PRS-505, to the Hanlin eReader Series, among others… all are now using this revolutionary e-ink technology. It provides a crisp black-and-white screen that resembles the appearance and readability of printed paper. The screen works using ink, just like books and newspapers, but displays the ink particles electronically. It reflects light like ordinary paper and uses no backlighting, eliminating the glare associated with other electronic displays. As a result, these electronic reading devices can be read as easily in bright sunlight as in your living room.The screen never gets hot so you can comfortably read as long as you like.

Portability
Many are now lighter and thinner than your typical paperbacks, and fits easily in one hand. Their built-in memory stores hundreds of titles and provides space for optional SD memory cards that allow the device to hold even more content.

Most offer access to online stores that are associated with the parent company. Some even allow you to back up your content on the your computer or the companies media center for future download. Backing up your content this way allows you to make room for new titles on your device.

Ease of content Delivery
Some devices allow wireless content delivery to your device, Amazon’s kindle, for example, utilizes Sprint’s national high-speed (EVDO) data network to enable you to wirelessly search, discover, download, and read content on the go.

Others like the iRex iLiad, utilizes WiFi technology, which is a little bit more restricted to “hot spots.” Of course, all of this wireless content access is free. Other devices such as the Hanlin and the Sony PRS series uses a USB/Computer combination for content download. So what’s best for you? It really does depend on where you are and what resources you have access to . For example, even though Amazon’s Kindle provides wireless coverage, it doesn’t cover the entire United States, nor is it available beyond US soil.

Wave of the Future
This is just my personal opinion but I believe that technology is so ingrained in our society and has taken such a strong-hold on us that I cannot see the future without a “good” electronic reading device in almost everyone’s hand. Just the simple thought of having a huge amount of content at your fingertips is something that simply cannot be ignored…think about it. I know that the majority of people have not yet caught on, but I think that when they do, you will see a surge in the usage of electronic reading devices. Right now the battle is on for who will provide the standard device and it will be very interesting to see who comes out on top.

That said, if you do decide to get one of these interesting devices, always remember to do your due diligence before you buy.

More later…

After spending months with my Kindle, I ‘ve found the following to be true. kindle’s is as good as advertised except in a few minor areas.

Thus far, I haven’t had to sit in front of the computer to download anything. All my content comes straight to me wirelessly in under one minute just as advertised – No hype there. Also, Amazon have so much interesting content, that I hardly need to go anywhere else…not to mention the fact that more is being added every day. Reading now is as close as a click to buy, click to download, and a click to read…that’s it. I mean in under one minute, I can enter a whole new world. All I have to do is grab my Kindle, press the “Alt” and the “A” key simultaneously to kick start it and I am there.

And what if I have a question while using my Kindle? Easy…I can just access the NowNow feature and ask my question or I can do a search in the Kindle guide which is right there on the device…and in no time I get an answer.

As for content, I like the idea that I can browse the Kindle store and read samples before I decide to buy. Thus far, I have bought a number of books this way simply because I was able to read sample. It’s just like going to a book store and browsing through to see what the book is all about before buying…Good Job Amazon.

What about battery life? Well, It doesn’t last as long as advertised, but it last long enough for me to take my Kindle with me and read for a couple days for about 3 -4 hours a day without recharge. And that of course depends on the font I use. The larger the font, the more page turns I make, and the more page turns I make, the more power I use, which leads to a shorter battery life…that’s good enough for me.

As for the newspaper, magazines, and blog download, I haven’t tried it. Honestly, I prefer to read my blogs free of charge on the computer, considering the fact that I have to pay for the feed. As for the magazines and newspaper, I haven’t had the need to get in on it yet. Already, I have enough to read. I wish I could read every content out there, but honestly I can’t. But, when the need arises, I will try them out. That of course could be anytime soon depending on my mood. After all, it right there for the taking at the click of a button.

Some other features that I love are the the word look-up, the bookmark, and the annotation features, They work like a charm…no complaints. In fact, I use the bookmark from time to time to find my place in a reading if for any reason I have to go somewhere else on my Kindle. I know that I don’t have to do this but I do it anyways. For me it’s the easiest way to get back to my place in the reading when I wander off somewhere else.

I also like the fact that I can convert my personal files and have them downloaded to my kindle for a small fee… no sweat. And when I travel overseas, I just load up my Kindle with reading content and I can read for days…All I have to do is make sure I have my battery charger readily available.

All in all though I am excited about this little device. I know there are others out there but for some reason, I am drawn to this one. Some say I am bias towards Kindle… and that’s okay…everyone is entitle to an opinion. No matter what though, I will continue to use my Kindle and tell others about it wherever I go.

By choosing to use the wireless Whispernet technology over Wi-Fi for kindle’s data transmission, did Amazon make the choice? To answer this question, let’s look at each technology in detail.

What is the WiFi Technology?
Wi-Fi, short for Wireless Fidelity, is a term coined to represents a wireless technology designed to improve the inter-operation among computers within a network that cover a small geographic area known as “hot spots.” This technology operates within a set of standards (IEEE 802.11a or 802.11b) which are used to transmit data from an internet connection to a host computer within the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz public spectrum.

Any computer or PDA properly equipped with a wireless receiver in a “hot spot,” can access the data via this Wi-Fi network either for free or for a fee.

The good news about this technology is there are “hot spots” just about everywhere. The bad news is these “hot spots” are normally confined to a very short distance from host located in homes, cafes, coffee shops, libraries, airports and other public places. This means that if you are not in a “hot spot,” more than likely you will not be able to access data via the Wi-Fi network.

What is EVDO Whispernet ?
EVDO, short for Evolution Data Optimized, is a wireless standard designed to provide high speed data transmission using the cellular approach. With this approach, a device can transmit and receive data via the same bandwidth or frequency due to its unique signature assigned by a complex mathematical technique. And, because the demand for bandwidth outweighs the amount available, it provides what seems to be the ideal solution for this kind of problem.

Any properly equipped electronic PDA can receive and transmit data via this network as long as it is in a coverage area.

Now, since Sprint and Verizon are the only two companies to have deployed this technology within the United States, coverage areas are restricted to their network areas.

Thus far, there are no coverage areas in Europe, Asia (except for Korea) and other foreign countries…And that’s the bad news. The good news, however, is that once you are in a coverage area, you are not restricted to “hot spots.” Your device can transmit and receive high-speed data at will.

So, what’s best for Kindle? Well, because of Wi-Fi “hot spot” limitation, the where and when of data transmission is severely affected. More specifically, if you find yourself outside a “hot spot,” you can expect data flow interruption.

The whispernet network, on the other hand, is not restricted by “hot spots,” but, is instead limited by coverage areas. That’s not good for Kindle either. This, however is a different kind of problem. What do I mean?

Well, regardless of which network you choose, Whispernet over Wi-Fi, you will still experience areas of data interruption. Whispernet interruptions, though, are far and few between, while Wi-Fi interruptions can be more frequent due to the short range coverage areas. So, the question is, would you prefer non-interruptions in a small area or non-interruptions in a large area? You make the call.

As for me, I would prefer no interruption, but for now I will take the latter – since there’s nothing better right now. With whispernet, I will at least be able to move about freely with my Kindle on a large “piece” of real estate and not worry about data interruption as opposed to being confined one small geographic area at a time without data interruption. All I would need to do is know where the coverage areas are and act accordingly.

So did Amazon make the right choice? I think they did, what do you think?

Leave a comment and let us know.