Comments on: Looks Like the Kindle Is Not for Me http://www.mcelhearn.com/2009/10/23/looks-like-the-kindle-is-not-for-me/ Writings about more than just Macs, by Kirk McElhearn Wed, 08 Feb 2012 13:27:48 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Brian Burtt http://www.mcelhearn.com/2009/10/23/looks-like-the-kindle-is-not-for-me/#comment-1475 Brian Burtt Mon, 26 Oct 2009 13:30:09 +0000 http://www.mcelhearn.com/?p=824#comment-1475 I have similar vision issues, and feared that I would have that kind of experience with an ebook reader. So it's helpful that you made this discovery first--that's what tech writers and bloggers are for! :) I have similar vision issues, and feared that I would have that kind of experience with an ebook reader. So it’s helpful that you made this discovery first–that’s what tech writers and bloggers are for! :)

]]> By: kirk http://www.mcelhearn.com/2009/10/23/looks-like-the-kindle-is-not-for-me/#comment-1437 kirk Sat, 24 Oct 2009 14:19:39 +0000 http://www.mcelhearn.com/?p=824#comment-1437 Yea, B&N has never had the international reach that Amazon has, and I doubt they'll be selling to those outside the states. Amazon is coming out with a reader app for PC and Mac as well, but I truly believe that Apple will kill them both with a tablet that is like a big iPod touch. Instead of being just for reading ebooks, it'll offer a full range of apps. However, Apple may not get into the bookselling business, and simply let people use Amazon's Kindle app for that. Yea, B&N has never had the international reach that Amazon has, and I doubt they’ll be selling to those outside the states.

Amazon is coming out with a reader app for PC and Mac as well, but I truly believe that Apple will kill them both with a tablet that is like a big iPod touch. Instead of being just for reading ebooks, it’ll offer a full range of apps. However, Apple may not get into the bookselling business, and simply let people use Amazon’s Kindle app for that.

]]> By: Jim http://www.mcelhearn.com/2009/10/23/looks-like-the-kindle-is-not-for-me/#comment-1436 Jim Sat, 24 Oct 2009 14:16:40 +0000 http://www.mcelhearn.com/?p=824#comment-1436 It doesn't look like the Barnes & Noble reader ("Nook") will be available in Europe. The images on the advertising don't give me the idea that it would be easier to see than the Kindle. The only plus is that they have some kind of reader for the PC / Mac, which one might be able to adjust so you can see it, but it defeats the portability. Hard to read a PC lying down! It would seem like Apple could sell e-books through the iTunes store if they were so inclined. It doesn’t look like the Barnes & Noble reader (“Nook”) will be available in Europe. The images on the advertising don’t give me the idea that it would be easier to see than the Kindle. The only plus is that they have some kind of reader for the PC / Mac, which one might be able to adjust so you can see it, but it defeats the portability. Hard to read a PC lying down!

It would seem like Apple could sell e-books through the iTunes store if they were so inclined.

]]> By: kirk http://www.mcelhearn.com/2009/10/23/looks-like-the-kindle-is-not-for-me/#comment-1433 kirk Sat, 24 Oct 2009 13:55:07 +0000 http://www.mcelhearn.com/?p=824#comment-1433 Yes, I use a pretty large font size, in part because my eyesight isn't great and it's much more comfortable. But that doesn't change the background. It's great in strong light - well, it's ok - but in the usual settings where I read it's too bland. I've used the app on my iPod touch. In spite of the small screen, that's the best way so far to read ebooks. Yes, I use a pretty large font size, in part because my eyesight isn’t great and it’s much more comfortable. But that doesn’t change the background. It’s great in strong light – well, it’s ok – but in the usual settings where I read it’s too bland.

I’ve used the app on my iPod touch. In spite of the small screen, that’s the best way so far to read ebooks.

]]> By: Jim http://www.mcelhearn.com/2009/10/23/looks-like-the-kindle-is-not-for-me/#comment-1432 Jim Sat, 24 Oct 2009 13:47:25 +0000 http://www.mcelhearn.com/?p=824#comment-1432 Tough deal, Kirk. I like the Kindle for the portability - on a recent trip to Europe I could take lots of books with me only having to carry, in effect, one. Did you try messing with the font size? You can make the letters quite a bit bigger. But you can't do anything about the contrast. I like the fact that it has a sync capability with the iPhone or iPod. There's a Kindle app. It works perfectly. Tough deal, Kirk. I like the Kindle for the portability – on a recent trip to Europe I could take lots of books with me only having to carry, in effect, one. Did you try messing with the font size? You can make the letters quite a bit bigger.

But you can’t do anything about the contrast.

I like the fact that it has a sync capability with the iPhone or iPod. There’s a Kindle app. It works perfectly.

]]> By: Karen http://www.mcelhearn.com/2009/10/23/looks-like-the-kindle-is-not-for-me/#comment-1411 Karen Fri, 23 Oct 2009 14:51:55 +0000 http://www.mcelhearn.com/?p=824#comment-1411 I'm also sorry to hear that Kirk. I've got the Sony PRS-300 and while it has good contrast on screen, it also doesn't have a backlight - so isn't really usable in low light. You can get a little case that also holds a light for darker situations, but as you say there still isn't the contrast you'd get with the iPod touch/iPhone screen. I’m also sorry to hear that Kirk. I’ve got the Sony PRS-300 and while it has good contrast on screen, it also doesn’t have a backlight – so isn’t really usable in low light. You can get a little case that also holds a light for darker situations, but as you say there still isn’t the contrast you’d get with the iPod touch/iPhone screen.

]]> By: David Toub http://www.mcelhearn.com/2009/10/23/looks-like-the-kindle-is-not-for-me/#comment-1410 David Toub Fri, 23 Oct 2009 14:37:25 +0000 http://www.mcelhearn.com/?p=824#comment-1410 Sorry to hear this, Kirk, but I'm not surprised. I'd suspect the lack if backlighting would be a huge issue. Sorry to hear this, Kirk, but I’m not surprised. I’d suspect the lack if backlighting would be a huge issue.

]]>