Kindle Typewriter Cover

EReader Features to Die For

Have you gotten your eReader yet? If you love to read and have not yet tapped into this new wireless reading device phenomenon, you really are missing out.

Think back to when you were set against buying a computer with a word processor because you didn’t want to give up your Olivetti ribbon typewriter and white-out strips. Don’t want to give up your bound books? You don’t have to. EReaders will complement your real books and bring your reading pleasure to new heights.

If you are interested in getting yourself an eReader, and don’t know where to start, read on for a list of eReader features you will want to enjoy and which are available in most good eBook readers (i.e., eReaders).

There are two features, primarily, that make eReaders a dream come true for book lovers: 1) they can hold thousands of books in a small, thin device you can carry in your back pocket or purse; and 2) you can read your favorite lines of narrative prose, dialogue, poetry, news, blog or magazine-talk on a clear, non-glare display that rivals the finest printed page.

Those two aspects of electronic book (i.e., eBook) readers are enough to make any ravenous reader drool over his keyboard. And they were enough to make me take the plunge and get one! In fact, you might be interested in examining what we found to be the top two eReaders during our research by reading the highly detailed Nook Review and Kindle 3 Review articles written recently.  

There really are a wealth of features that eReaders come with. And depending on what you are looking for or want, there is an eReader on the market that will fit your needs.

So here’s my list of most important features to demand of any eReader:  

Clear Display – Look for the 16-level gray scale display provided by E Ink® technology. Super contrast with no glare will practically eliminate eye strain and tired eyes. Love to get lost in a great book? Enormous consideration for folks who love to read for extended periods.

Storage capacity – Okay, how many times have you lugged around half a dozen bulky books while traveling because you couldn’t decide which one to read on the plane or in the rented beach apartment? EReaders can hold thousands of books. The Amazon Kindle 3 comes with out-of-the-box capacity of 3,500 eBooks. Is that enough for you? The Barnes and Noble Nook comes with smaller capacity but the ability to buy additional memory cards to build your personal eLibrary.

Battery performance - Longer battery life between charges is better, of course. There is quite a difference among some of the top eReaders, with battery performance ranging from several days to nearly a month before having to recharge.

Easy to use – No, it’s not easier than picking up a bound book and flipping to the first page. But the best eReaders are really easy to use. If you know how to use a computer or laptop to perform basic tasks, you’ll have no problem with the better eReaders. If it requires complicated instructions just to get started, you’re probably better off looking for a different model, unless, of course, you are a geek who enjoys complexity for complexity’s sake!

Convenient – You should be able to hold it comfortably in one hand without suffering wrist fatigue or pulling a muscle in your forearm. Carry it around in your purse or back pocket. Easy access to all buttons and controls.

Wi-Fi – This feature should be built-in to your eReader and allow you to download eBooks wirelessly from Wi-Fi hotspots. If you do a lot of traveling and want to download eBooks on the go, look for the optional supplementary 3G coverage, usually for an additional one-time charge of $50.00.

EBook accessibility – There is quite a debate raging about where eReader owners can access books. Amazon Kindle supporters claim that the Kindle Store with its proprietary eBook format offers more quality eBooks than you could ever want. Fans of other eReaders point to Amazon’s choice to go with a proprietary format as limiting their access options. They prefer the open ePub format used by the Barnes and Noble Nook, Sony eReader, and local public libraries. This debate is covered in greater detail in the Nook vs Kindle Review.

Extra Goodies – Ereader developers are coming up with more features all the time, and you will have to decide which ones you want or need or desire. Here are a few more to consider: MP3 player, sample books for free, built-in search tool and dictionary, ability to highlight, bookmark and annotate, ability to sync multiple devices (like iPads, laptops, etc.), ability to browse the web, do emails, read PDF files, and listen to books being read to you through text-to-speech capability.

Compared to other electronic devices such as the Apple iPad, you can get a great eReader that satisfies your reading hunger for under $150.00. That pays for itself very quickly as you will be able to download lots of free eBooks in minutes!  

About the Author

Melanie Belles loves to provide the kind of useful and incisive information readers are looking for. If you love eReaders, check out the eReader Comparison web site. If better skin is something you desire, see Melanie’s writings on practicing daily natural skin care.

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