Thinking about buying an ebook device, but not really sure what they are or how they work? Lots of people are confused by this new technology. Put simply, electronic books are a method of storing and transporting information in a device like a small computer. They weigh nothing and take up no more space than the device itself, and there are plenty of options to choose from. Whether you prefer the Nook, the Kindle, or one of the many other ebook devices on the market, you’ll soon find that you can read just about anywhere – just make sure you’ve got a fully charged battery.
Ebooks have been around for more than two decades, but they weren’t always available on their own readers. Instead, they had to be read on your computer screen – something that’s not really all that comfortable. That makes it hard to read a book for fun. That’s where a good ebook device – a special hardware and software platform dedicated to displaying digital media – can be a big help. The very first readers came about in the late 1990s, but it wasn’t till Amazon launched the Kindle that things really got going.
Since the Kindle came onto the market, all kinds of companies have started producing their own readers. These devices use a type of “digital ink” that makes them readable in just about any lighting, unlike a laptop screen. You don’t just have to read at your desk or in an office environment. Unfortunately, the majority of current ebook readers are still black and white, and can’t display the most detailed images. There are a few that can do full color display, however.
Ebooks may come unecrypted, or use DRM encryption to maintain the publisher and author’s copyrights. Some of the readers on the market can read nearly any format at all, but others are limited to just a few varieties of ebook. Some let you create backup copies of your book. Others are limited by the DRM to just one copy. Critics note that this could cause you to lose your book, that the DRM lets the publisher or the ebook reader company control whether you can read your book, and note that current ebook readers may quickly become obsolete. Ebooks are still getting more popular, nonetheless – they currently make up about three percent of the market.
Is an ebook device what you really need? That depends on who you are and what your priorities might be. Paper books can be really heavy and cumbersome, especially if you’re away from home or the office. If you like reading onscreen, and want to access your information wherever you go, this type of reader might do the trick. Spend some time looking at all the ebook devices on the market, and you’ll almost certainly find one that’s right for you.
