Want an ebook reader but can’t stomach the prices either for the devices, the data plans, or the ebooks?
See, we all know the biggest objection to all the other devices on the market: Too expensive for a one-trick pony that you’re not even sure you like the trick anyway.
There are the lesser-known problems (until you encounter them): Kindle (could get your library taken away from you, and what if you really don’t like reading on an eInk device?). Nook (apparently shittastic all the way around—if the device can’t read EPUB, it’s an epic fail, trust me). Sony (I’ve heard various and sundry objections to this, so I’ll let you do the googling).
Then there are the people who are waiting on technology to work itself out before they pop for any device, and some of these people are waiting on the iTablet or MSCourier. They still might like to have an ebook reader, but can’t stomach the cost:limitation ratio of any current devices, so they’ll wait until technology catches up to their needs.
Now, it is true that LOTS and LOTS and LOTS of people read ebooks on their BlackBerry et al and iPhone/iTouch. It’s my opinion most people don’t want a one-trick pony device. They want a multifunction device. Why? Because *I* want a multifunction device and EVERYBODY is like me, right?
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But…since I’m a cheap bitch and don’t want to fork over for the dataplan for a smartphone, I have a one-trick pony device, and you know what? I love my one-trick pony device. Mike Cane mocks me for it, but the more devices I see rumored, debuted, trashed, complained about, the more I fall in love with my little workhorse. Worse! He sees ebooks (currently) as little more than tarted-up text files (which is true).So you know what’s so lovely about my little workhorse? It’s $90. That’s right. Know what you give up for that $90? You have to spend a little time learning A) which formats to buy for it and B) perform a few software gymnastics to get it on the device. I mean, for little more than a tarted-up text file, it’s absolutely the most perfect device ever, especially for the price.
Want a starter ebook reader that is ergonomically divine? Backlit so you can snuggle under the covers in the dark and read while staying all warm and toasty? That you can eat and read at the same time? That has a bunch of the same bells and whistles all the expensive devices do, like highlighting, notetaking, mp3 capability (audiobooks), search, long battery life, and the ability to put your own documents on it.
Get the eBookWise.
Really.
I don’t care how sophisticated it’s not. It’s a dream.
I have no connection to this company other than I love its product. I very rarely get so excited about a product and if I do, I very rarely maintain that excitement because eventually its flaws will make me pissy. I’ve had my eBookWise going on 2 years now and I love it more now than I ever did.
I swear, until such a time as A) the iTablet/MSCourier actually appears and B) ebooks cease to be little more than tarted-up text files, I see absolutely no reason to pop for anything else. I’m not anti early adopter. I’m anti early adopter of very expensive but ultimately deficient products in the very thing they are created to do.
And yes, I still have and love my Asus Eee PC, but um…it kinda sorta got appropriated by Hero, which is perfectly okay.
UPDATE: Mike Cane’s mockery continues.
He sent me to this picture:
The eBookWise is the one on the far right. It is a blimp, isn’t it? That is exactly why my hands love me for using it instead of anything else (including print). It’s also why it can stand up on the table, propped against a drinking glass, to enable me to read while I’m eating.
Actually, the Nook device itself can read epub.
The B&N programme for *other* devices is the one having an issue. I have read that this will be fixed, but it does seem rather odd that the B&N reader for your computer cannot read formats other than B&N.
You’ll shoot your eye out, kid!
I hope the hell these people give you a dozen as thanks for pimping them so vociferously. As one of those stubbornly waiting for Apple, I have to admit you’re even starting to wear me down. Kinda hard *not* to justify that kind of expense, if it’s cheaper than a GameBoy–and easier to see in bad lighting. . .
Hm.
A dozen would be nice. Drama Princess wants one BAD, and I’m sure Calvin’s not far behind in his wanting-ness.
I briefly downloaded that PoS (software! software!) and it took about 5 seconds to figure out it was worthless.
It takes a lot of effort to shoot one’s eye out with a BB gun.
Damn. Now that I see the blimp is just made for leftiness, it makes even more sense. . .
Au contraire, mon frere (sue me). You can flip the text to use it in your right hand, too.
Sweet.
So how Mac-friendly is it, do you suppose?
Huh. I was waiting for the Apple. But that hefty honking thing is looking kinda good. I think it’s that big on purpose. For the tweeners who aren’t quite sure they want to make the jump from the sensual heft of a book.
The weight and the curvature of the thickest part is just so perfectly suited to your hand. Whoever designed this was a genius and/or had carpal tunnel syndrome.
Dude needs to clarify. Dude began using the Asus Eee in order to allow the kids to use the desktop. The girl got a taste during summer school prior to the start of 1st grade. Dude kept getting asked”DaddyDude, do you have KidPix on your computer?, Why not? Can you download it?” So we decided that since we wanted a netbook anyway, Dude bought one and hooked it up to an external monitor and keyboard for us to use upstairs. Dude uses a desktop customized and upgraded with primo parts for main use. But Dude digresses….So the kids on the desktop did not work out for long. The boy, aka 3.5 yr old GadgetBoy, wouldn’t stop clicking on stuff he wasn’t supposed to. Even changing the avatar on the windows login screen. Mrs Dude (MoJo) got fed up with “mommy can you fix this” while she was trying to work, and banished it to a storeroom. Dude can perfectly well give up the Asus and go back to the other desktop if MoJo wants to use it.
A Question: I read that .prc was the native format for Ebookwise and that the makers of it no longer support drm-ed .prc in their firmware – wouldn’t that make it difficult for people who buy from ebook stories as a lot of the big publishers want DRM?
Having a Sony PRS-505 myself with which I’m very happy, especially the fact that I can read my manga on it, quite apart from the books – I’m just repeating hearsay.
IMP is the native format for eBookWise. There is no other format it’ll read. There is a piece of software that will convert DOC, RTF, and HTML to IMP so you can get it on your reader.
Honestly? It’s not the easiest device to get ebooks for, or get them on it, but for $90, IMO, it’s worth it, especially as a starter device.
I LOVE my eBookwise 1150, same reasons as the blogger – my 8 year old just stole it away (to read the complete works of Edgar Rice Burroughs and the complete Hardy Boys series, all available online) so I’ll probably be ordering another one. While I still want a reader that does PDF (my tablet PC will have to serve til something comes out thats lighter and has longer battery life) for reading text there’s nothing to beat the 1150!