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Which reader to get? the choices for people who want to move to a cheaper way of reading and at the same time save the environment are becoming wider and wider.. and because we have more choice, it is going to be difficult to make the right decision. We like to help! First question when going e-reading, do I want an "open" model or a "proprietary" system? this is the first and hardest decisions you have to make, do it wrong and you will regret it for the rest of your reading time! Open models
Open models are often more expensive because they are not linked with specific bookshops. you can put any document you like on it, and if you can get your hand on free ebooks, this device will cost you a bit more in the beginning, but will save you money in the long run. Because you use open formats like epub, mobipocket, txt, pdf you can shop around to get the cheapest books. In Australia it is easier to buy Australian books. Choosing your books in an open format will prepare you for the future, they can be read on new readers which haven't been developed at this time! A good example of an open model is the BeBook, or the Cool-er proprietary models
More often the proprietary models are better looking and lower cost and definitely look like a good deal! And in many cases they are. They have a 3g or Wifi connection which give you the option of getting your books as easy and quickly as possible. The great thing about these devices is that you can almost get them at cost price, because the producers will know that once you own the device, you will come back to their books shop, to buy new books. Since they don't allow you to take the books to any other readers, they know that once you have decided to go for one brand, that unless you want to "dump" your entire book library there is no option for you to change brand. (but only to continue shopping) a good example of such a device is the Kindle, where you can shop on Amazon or the Nook , which let you shop at barnes and noble Combined Open / closed models
Producers like Sony have started in a proprietary model, but have quickly realized this could not be maintained, they have opened up the device so it can read EPUB documents, unfortunately Sony does not hold a EPUB license for Australia because Sony has decided not to sell it's readers for Australia. |
