Iphone/Ipod as a book reader

[madh83]

I was thinking of getting a new phone (droid or iphone) or even an ipod touch and use it a book reader. I was wondering if anyone's done this and how well it works?

 

[finbarqs]

The problem with having a back-lit reader is that it severely strains the eye after some time of reading.. Hence most all e-readers use "e-ink" which isn't even lit at all! So it'll be the BEST in direct sunlight!

 

[dguy6789]

The N1's screen is great for reading books. I've read for hours without any eye strain. I couldn't say how well a phone that uses an LCD screen would be for reading though.

 

[homerunkevin]

i wondering how the Dell Streak will play as Ereader when there is 3G access. I was wondering does the 3G allow them surf the internet anywhere without monthly fee or just allow them to access the ebooks?

 

[Deeko]

i wondering how the Dell Streak will play as Ereader when there is 3G access. I was wondering does the 3G allow them surf the internet anywhere without monthly fee or just allow them to access the ebooks?

The Kindle line has free 3G that can also be used for the internet. Granted, the current Kindle browser kinda sucks.

 

[Lumathix]

The problem with having a back-lit reader is that it severely strains the eye after some time of reading.. Hence most all e-readers use "e-ink" which isn't even lit at all! So it'll be the BEST in direct sunlight!

This.
That's a big fat negative to using an iphone/ipod as a reader. back-lit display is a no-no. It's also to freakin small!

I use the Barnes & Noble "Nook" personally. http://www.barnesandnoble.com/nook/index.asp

 

[Muadib]

This.
That's a big fat negative to using an iphone/ipod as a reader. back-lit display is a no-no. It's also to freakin small!

I use the Barnes & Noble "Nook" personally. http://www.barnesandnoble.com/nook/index.asp

I can't disagree about the size, as I would like it a tad larger. However, using a black background takes your back lit issue out of the picture. I have no eye strain issues using it. If you don't like black, then change it to sepia.

If the iPhone kindle would read to you like the real kindle does, it would be close to perfect.

 

[pm]

I have been reading more or less all of my books for the last year on an iPhone. The screen is a bit small, but it's made up for the fact that I can take all the books that I want on international trips and not have to pack anything more than the iPhone that I was going to be bringing anyway. I have the font upsized quite a bit so there's not a lot of words to the page, but I have read about 15 or so books on it without a problem.

As far as eyestrain, I spent my entire day reading off of a backlit display (the LCD screen on my monitor)... I agree that e-ink looks better and is a huge improvement over a backlit display for reading in bright sunlight, but I would bet the primary advantage of e-ink for an e-book is not the picture quality, but the fact that it only uses power when it changes the screen image and thus you can achieve a battery life of weeks compared with a battery life of hours with an LCD. I know what eyestrain headaches are like and I've never gotten one from reading on an iPhone. On the other hand, I won't buy an e-ink display because one of the big advantages of a backlit display for an e-book reader is that I can read in the dark when my wife goes to bed and read in comfort in low-light conditions - like a night flight on an airplane.

My only complaint with an iPhone as an e-book reader is the size of the screen, and the resolution of the screen. I'd like a higher resolution, larger screen.

 

[mmntech]

The Kindle line has free 3G that can also be used for the internet. Granted, the current Kindle browser kinda sucks.

Which is why it's free.

I'd definitely go with the eInk. Backlit screens are ok with short stints or if there's stuff moving on the screen. Staring at a static display will bother your eyes. iPhone is a definite no-no since the screen is too small to read comfortably.

How much reading do you actually do? If you don't do a lot, I'd just stick with paper books.

 

[akugami]

I can't disagree about the size, as I would like it a tad larger. However, using a black background takes your back lit issue out of the picture. I have no eye strain issues using it. If you don't like black, then change it to sepia.

If the iPhone kindle would read to you like the real kindle does, it would be close to perfect.

I also think the iPhone screen size is a tad smallish for ebook use but it's not too bad. I use Stanza and like you, I have my ebooks set to use a black background. My text is set to white.

To the OP. Obviously a more book sized screen like the Kindle hardware is more ideal as is e-ink but the iPhone is not a terrible ebook device. Especially considering all of the other functionality of the iPhone. I have not used the Kindle app for the iPhone but I think it should have similar functionality as Stanza since both apps are owned by Amazon.

 

[syke555]

If you have considered the iPod, why not look at the iPad?

 

[TheWart]

I have read for a few hours straight (while flying) on my iPhone and have yet to experience any eye discomfort or strain. That is not to say I never got up to go to the bathroom or chat with my neighbor, but while traveling I regularly read using the NYT app or stanza with no adverse side effects.

 

[Pliablemoose]

There was a recent study that showed high quality backlit LED screens were fine for reading users had no more eye strain than those using e-ink displays.

 

[Deeko]

There was a recent study that showed high quality backlit LED screens were fine for reading users had no more eye strain than those using e-ink displays.

Was it sponsored by Apple? Or maybe a book publisher that is gung-ho iPad and anti-Kindle's prices?

Anyway, I never really bought into the eye strain thing - I read an LCD monitor all day, I don't get eye strain (yea, I realize reading code/websites isn't the same as reading a book, but still). However, I do still enjoy reading the Kindle screen more than an LCD screen. More like reading paper...which it is.

 

[TheWart]

Was it sponsored by Apple? Or maybe a book publisher that is gung-ho iPad and anti-Kindle's prices?

The article in the NYT quotes profs from Cornell and MIT...what they say sounds reasonable and far from some industry-paid shill.

http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/02/12/do-e-readers-cause-eye-strain/

 

[Deeko]

The article in the NYT quotes profs from Cornell and MIT...what they say sounds reasonable and far from some industry-paid shill.

http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/02/12/do-e-readers-cause-eye-strain/

Anyway, I never really bought into the eye strain thing

..k

 

[dguy6789]

Pretty sure the eyestrain thing is just uninformed people spouting nonsense. A CRT screen will cause eyestrain because the backlight is constantly flickering on and off. An LCD screen has a constant stream of light that is unchanging. I believe people who say an LCD isn't good for reading have both never tried it and are not aware of that difference between CRTs and LCDs.

 

[Spoooon]

Pretty sure the eyestrain thing is just uninformed people spouting nonsense. A CRT screen will cause eyestrain because the backlight is constantly flickering on and off. An LCD screen has a constant stream of light that is unchanging. I believe people who say an LCD isn't good for reading have both never tried it and are not aware of that difference between CRTs and LCDs.

My eyes start to get tired when I'm using a glossy LCD for extended periods of time. Matte monitors give me zero problems.

Of course, I'm at work when using the glossy so there are other factors at play...