Digital e-readers as Gifts?

Eeny, Meeny, Miny, Moe

Not a great way to choose your

new digital e-reader!

Digital e-readers can be a very difficult purchase for so many.  I was on the phone with my sister-in law Sunday for an hour or more; plus texting back and forth this past month with questions and answers. 

Her concerns were; buying a unit she hadn't held before, which size, 7" or 9.7" Kindle, iPad or the new color Nook, and cost vs. size. Wow, its really not easy.   Each digital reader has its own pros and cons.

We discussed this purchase

 like buying or car. 

1-What would you use it for? Textbooks, novels, newspapers, magazines, blogs, games, email?

2-Who else might use it?
3-Would you use it for school, pleasure, work? All three?
4-Is 3G important or is Wi-Fi ok?
5-Cost?

Once you answer these questions for yourself; call, email or text your friends that already own a digital

e-reader.  Ask them how they like it and what they use it for.  Make a "Pros and Cons" list on paper and you'll get your answer.

We have archived several posts on this blog with links to other sources on many digital e-readers as they have arrived on the show room floor or online.

Good luck with your new purchase! 

Happy New Year 2011

http://www.multyshades.com/2010/12/30-superb-happy-new-year-2011-wallpapers-feel-the-joy/



Student Critique of iPad in the College Classroom

Like  &  Dislikes

http://www.apple.com/ipad/

Last week my colleague asked a student to critique the iPad for us.  The student was already familiar with the Kindle DX.  It was very kind of Vaughn to take the time to evaluate how this helps or hinders his work while taking a class here at Palm Beach State.  Below find a summary of his remarks.

What he likes:
Ability to integrate professor's online notes and textbook material while in the classroom

Ability to take notes and relate these to the lesson plans

Using online materials for instant references when using textbooks and listening to professor's lectures. This is a great feature for visual learners.

What he dislikes:
Using the Kindle app on iPad gives the look and feel of using a Kindle

As a business major, I'm not able to use some business apps such as spreadsheets.

Not able to load learning websites such as myspanishlab.com which is used for Spanish 1 & 2

Vaughn's Overall Comments:
I think the iPad is a great investment for the college that offers a wonderful and unique learning tool for students.  I would certainly suggest that the college get more of these units.

When Vaughn returned the iPad and Kindle DX, he also made these verbal comments. This is my summary of our conversation that day.

He said it was wonderful to be able to zip back and forth when studying from his textbook on the iPad and getting references and the ability to verify his resourses from the our library online to complement his work.  He really enjoyed using the iPad in class to use notes from the teacher's website.  Vaugh said the glare wasn't bad during the day, but was noticeable at night. 

Thank You!

 Thanks again Vaughn for sharing your review of the iPad and letting

us post your comments on our blog:]

E-Textbooks expected to grow by 11% by 2013

E-textbooks:
11% growth by 2013
4% by this end of this year

See link below for new info about e-texbooks and the projection for growth in the near future.
Article from Reuters, US Edition
Sept. 15th, 2010


http://alturl.com/yehuq

Samsung Galaxy Tab-Sneek Preview

http://alturl.com/pcpte

Entering the European markets September and October

[According to the site above, none of these stats are confirmed]

1.0GHz ARM S5PC110 processor 

 Android 2.2 Froyo doing OS duty

 7 inch screen 800 x 480 pixel

  3.2 mega pixel rear camera and tiny front-facing shooter

 Swype keyboard, Flash along with WiFi, Bluetooth and GPS

http://alturl.com/efot6

Both picture-taking and video chat with front and back mounted cameras

 Weight 380 grams (0.8 pounds) is considerably less than the iPad

iPad weighs 680 grams (1.5 pounds) without 3G and 730g (1.6 pounds) with it.

Samsung says the Galaxy Tab will run Adobe Systems' Flash Player 10.1,

[more games available over the Web]

High-definition video for at least 7 hours on a single charge and

 perform less strenuous tasks for much more than 10 hours

 Android 2.2, called Froyo, but will be upgradable to 3.0, called Gingerbread

http://alturl.com/ocgsa

No launch date- No pricing-No network announced yet

 7-inch capacitive touch screen with a 1,024x600 Wide Super VGA (WSVGA) resolution

 Android 2.2 (Froyo), the complete Google apps Market, Flash 10.1, 16GB or 32GB of memory, GPS

Plus integrated sensors, such as a gyroscope, accelerometer, light sensor, and geomagnetic sensor

Promises, Promises!

We'll have to wait to see how this compares to iPad.

It looks like we might see this item in the US near the end of the year. It's going to be crazy for new buyers to make a decision during the holidays for gift giving. If you are interested in e-readers for your library, you might want to browse our older posts.

Review iPad's 1st Interactive Book

Not Impressed" was my colleague's 1st comment after browsing this new multimedia item, Pillars of the Earth. I have to agree with her on this assessment.  The first 47 pages I read, had one short video, and no pictures or audio clips. I guess we were expecting fireworks. We planned on watching the 1st episode of the mini-series Friday at home, [July 23rd] but the pay-per view put a halt to that at $14.99 for each Friday showing. Although, Starz  reports ‘The Pillars of the Earth Draws 690,000 For Premiere Between Starz & Encore." http://alturl.com/wj95h The final episode is this Friday, Aug. 27.  Apple.com "Costumer Ratings" and "Reviews" rates this iPad app for Pillars of the Earth at 2 stars. http://alturl.com/mw3hu

This is quite a marketing tool actually, matching the iPad app [$12.99] and the pay-per-view mini-series for 8 weeks. The interactive book came out 4 days before the mini-series. We'll see more of this in the months and years ahead for sure. What we really want to see is how this "model" moves towards an excellent production of "interactive textbooks" for students in the near future.  Also 1.6GB is a large program to load and this app is supposed to be updated each week at another 1.6GB.   We have not updated our app because of the space this program requires. [Our iPads are the 16GB models.]

This 1st version of an interactive book reminds me one of the 1st "LaserDisc technology" programs using Pioneer CLD-V2400 LaserDisc players.  These units interacted with the PC software for social studies middle school classrooms in the 90's and replaced hard copy textbooks, some of you might remember. It looks slick, but got boring real quick. Even the teachers were perplexed and wanted to return to their old textbooks. I do understand the science and math programs at the time were much more appealing. We hope the 1st generation of student textbooks has a little more "pop" for the money.

In 1995 the LaserDisc technology was projected positively by Palm Beach County School District in Florida, to "enhance classroom instruction with full-motion audio, true-to-life images, easy operation and adaptability to any curriculum and increase technology-based education capabilities at every grade level".  http://alturl.com/yu9kx

We can only hope that the long awaited interactive textbooks for iPad are keeping up with the technology of the 21st century in education.

The Amplified Edition on iPad July 20th!

Ken Follett's novel, "The Pillars of the Earth" was released yesterday on iPad as an Amplified Edition. What does this mean? Full text with a truly integrated multimedia experience!

Combines text, film clips and music
*Contextual video clips at corresponding points in the book

*Interviews with the author

*Video diary from Mr. Follett

*Audio clips

Also included:

*Sketches of the set where the miniseries was filmed

*Selections from the soundtrack

*Family tree with background of different characters

*Video clips of actors discussing their roles

This is a Penguin-Starz project with Apple, giving readers extensive excerpts from the TV production from the miniseries that begins this Friday, July 23. Readers will get a chance to see the imagery, architecture, music and clothing from this time period.

Each week of the miniseries, you can download new content to your iPad, iPhone or iPod, as the TV mini-series continues. Downloads are $12.99 from iTunes. Reese Marino from the San Jose Book Examiner says it's like an "e-book on steroids".

This 1st Amplified Edition will give us a sneak preview of what multimedia/interactive textbooks will be like for our students. This is an exciting time to be in education on both sides of the desk:]

What's next? Textbooks on steroids?

Prices "slashed" on e-readers!

Not a surprise!

Kindle2's are now $189, originally $259.

The original Kindle1's were $359 in their beautiful marketing box.

Barnes & Noble's NOOK dropped their price to $199, originally $259.

They also introduced a new Wi-Fi version, minus the 3G for $149.

Pros and Cons Digital e-Readers May 2010

iPad pros
-Ease of use, color & graphics are exceptional,
back lit for night time reading
-Internet on iPad; no comparison to Kindle’s drab web browser
-Vibrant and cool looking icons/apps, very “alive”, giving user many choices

-Purchase a book with our password only
-Low end iPad with 16GB memory at $499 with Wi-Fi,
compared to Kindle DX/K2 with 4GB memory for $489

iPad cons
-Monthly fee $14.99 250MB data/ $29.99 unlimited data service 3G wireless
-Glare on the glass, eye strain
-battery power 10 hrs
-Wi-Fi card is not as strong as our laptops, connection can be difficult inside library
-Patrons can set a password lock on unit, IT has to reset upon return of unit- solution: put a 4 digit number for password before 1st check out, patron needs our password to change

Kindle DX/K2 pros
-Downloads wirelessly, free Whispersync, via Sprint, under 60 second purchase
-Wireless download "click to purchase", receiving 1 to 6 copies of each book
-Battery power 7 days with the wireless on
-Very easy on the eyes, no glare, no complaints about eye strain
-Text-to-Speech

Kindle DX/K2 cons
-No expandable memory [except original K1]
-No color
-No back lit feature
-No replaceable battery -[except original K1]
-Easy for patrons to order items without approval

Sony pros
-Finding and opening a book is easy, stylus is very handy
-Staff downloads ALL e-books via the PC using a USB cable
-Compatible with Mac and PC
-Compatible with multiple eBook stores
-Purchase via password account

Sony cons
-Turning the pages by 'whisking' the index finger does not work efficiently
-"Touch" & "tap" feature is not always productive
-Eyestrain from glare on glass, ink is very light gray with any font size
-Use USB cable connected to PC for all downloads, no wireless feature
-Awkward for patrons to download free e-books via USB cable

Nook pros
-Free wireless downloads, 3G & Wi-Fi via AT&T
-Color touch screen for navigation
-Digital lending for 2 weeks
-Purchase via password account
-Memory expansion, 16GB card up to 17,500 eBooks
-Replaceable battery

Nook cons
-Color feature on touch screen only for navigating, small narrow screen
-Books are in black/gray, not color
-Hard to use the small “touch” keypad, very sensitive
-Digital lending for 2 weeks, not approved by all publishers
-Awkward power on/off button

iPads are great fun and educational!

It's been really fun using the iPad!

It's great to hear all the ohhh's and awwwh's from students, faculty and staff, over the ease of use, terrific graphics and all the fun apps.

I have not read any of the books we purchased, and would like to see if it's as easy to read several chapters on the iPad as it is with the Kindle without eye strain.

Hopefully this weekend, time will permit spending some quality time with the iPad.

We loaded 3 books for a variety; Stones in Schools by Greg Mortenson, Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen, and a little sci-fi by Jim Butcher, Storm Front.

Some have noticed quite a glare from the glass, and that's the only complaint. The Wi-Fi card is not as strong as our laptops, so we don't find a quick connection at every area of the library. If we go outside to get connected, and walk back inside, it usually stays. Our next set will have at least one 3G unit.

Only problem we have run into is loading iTunes on our PC's. Why? We have Deep Freeze on our PC's, which prevents us from downloading new software. We used our MacBook Pro, but it had an older version of iTunes, and we needed Ver. 9.1. IT came to our rescue and loaded the new version on the MacBook Pro and within minutes we had our update, iPads connected, configured and up and running with 3 books purchased. I would also suggest charging up the iPad for at least 1 hour before you get started, using the power cable, not the USB cable, as the USB takes longer to charge.

Good News for libraries: To purchase a book, we have to use a password, not a '1-click' to buy, like the Kindle. Once you're in the store and purchase one book with a password, you can keep ordering books for that session. This process will help us keep track of our inventory. Patrons can browse the store for books and download samples, but they can't purchase.

It was a crazy morning getting the equipment set up, for our raffle, before the first patrons could borrow the iPads. If you are about to set out on this journey or purchasing any other digital e-readers, please give yourself plenty of time to set these up without being in a rush.

We hope in the very near future, Apple will have more news about the 5 major publishing companies and e-textbooks to help students defray the cost of books for their college education.

iPads Have Arrived!

There will be a drawing for 1st check out, April 14th, 12:30 pm, during National Library Week, here at Palm Beach State, LLRC, floor 2. Three lucky patrons will be the first to check out our iPads.

April 3rd iPad arrives!

Did you pre-order your iPad?

We did! We hope to receive our shipment Saturday April 3rd or Monday, April 5th. There is a limit of 2 in the pre-order and then the rest will arrive hopefully in May.

We will be giving demonstrations on all our digital e-readers during National Library Week, in April. The theme this year is "Communities Thrive @ your library". What a wonderful time to introduce the iPad, Kindle, Nook and Sony Touch e-readers to patrons.

This will be an exciting time at Palm Beach State College:]

iPad vs. Kindle DX "itis" and Education

There are so many blogs on iPad vs. Kindle DX, that this will be more about the 'education' side rather than personal use and preferences. We don't have an iPad to physically compare yet, so we will go with the stats that Apple has provided through the media.

There are several good blogs out there, but with our new Windows 7 installation, I'm not able to copy/paste or type these long links correctly at this time. Hopefully they will load to the right of the blog on the 1st page. The various blogs are rather good reading if you are a library/college institution and trying to decide; "Yes, to e-readers, but which one is best for our students".

Basically if you have a Kindle DX with 4GB memory for $489 and an iPad with 16GB memory at $499, it's a no-brainer...and you get all that other techno stuff with the iPad.....right? Yup! Other than this, the pros & cons are split. The main 2 comments concerning drawbacks with the iPad are the battery power; 10 hrs with iPad and also wireless charges. Kindle DX, on the plus side has 7 days with the wireless on and no wireless fee.

The power issue might not make a difference in student loans, as we'll have power cables with their check-out. I don't see a downside there, as we have laptops we loan for 3 hours with about 2 hour battery power; check out includes a power cable. We are presently discussing the iPad loan time for a 3hour check-out, not a 7 day like the Kindles/Sony/Nook.

Adding a monthly wireless service fee from AT&T on each unit is a minus for iPad for library budgets. The Kindle and Nook are free wireless. As you read the mainstream blogs, the other comments center on E-ink vs. LED backlit.

The iPad will be a big hit with students and teachers for e-textbooks; color pictures, interactive, charts, diagrams; as e-textbook publishers will be able to add video, like having a CD-ROM without the disc. Sounds very user friendly for education:] On the other side, if you are a student that reads endlessly for class, the Kindle might be easier on your eyes.

Looks like the field is wide open to new models next year. Right now our popular e-readers are the K1 and K2, 6" size for fiction and non-fiction titles. We have many teachers with a required reading list for students. If the hardback copies are all checked out, we are able to purchase many of these titles for our e-readers. The students have been very receptive to using the 6" Kindle and 9.7" Kindle DX for textbooks, [same size as iPad].

Also, here are a few patrons' comments comparing the Kindle with the Sony Touch:

Sony seems to have a glare and the ink is gray compared to the Kindle's bold black text...this is a very important area; eye strain on readers. We have registered our Nooks, and found this to be a very frustrating process using their 'touch screen keypad'. If you are use to "touch" phone technology, you'll be ok. We'll have to just wait to see how innovative the iPad is and their improved iTouch technology. Some techno blogs have said iPad improved their iTouch technology and will not have the problems some people have complained about. We have not loaded any books on our Nook with their 'touch' keypad. More on that later.

We'll have more comments soon from students, faculty and staff comparing the Kindle, Sony-Touch and Nook for student use. This April, we'll have most of our e-readers loaned out for the 2010 Read Together Palm Beach County Campaign.

http://www.literacypbc.org/ [still hand typing http site] then click blue link for "read together".

The five books that are being voted on now are:

Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet, The Things They Carried, Run, The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society and The Book Thief. We have loaded these on a few e-readers for voting and will purchase the winning title for the "read together", hopefully, for all our e-readers to enjoy.

We have found that students request a particular e-reader, depending on why they need it. I can see libraries having a variety of these fascinating digital e-readers to compliment their hardback/paperback collection and textbooks on reserve.

Happy E-reading:]

Kindle or-iPad ? Kindle or iPad ?

iPad or Kindle


See the link below for a front page local newspaper story, about the iPad, including Palm Beach State College. [mixed reviews]


http://www.palmbeachpost.com/money/south-floridians-greet-ipad-with-mixed-reviews-198213.html


[http://www.apple.com/ipad/features/ for picture above]

Sony eReader good, bad, & ugly?

3rd day of exploring our new Sony Touch edition

The Sony Touch feels heavier than the Kindle, 1st generation.

I changed the 'orientation' to landscape and this is much more comfortable for reading; distributing the weight between both hands. Landscape mode still gives me easy page turning on the left side of the unit.

Finding and opening a book is easy, but turning the pages, by 'whisking' the index finger is very frustrating, and resulted in using the page turning buttons on side. Sometimes in other areas I find the stylus is very handy, as the "touch" & "tap" is not very productive with fingernails or fingertips.

It's nice to 'touch' books on the screen, then from the list choosing a previously opened book, bringing me to the last page read, rather than the Kindle way. The Kindle, when turning it on, opens in the last book and page read. This is ok, if you're not reading 5 different Kindle books at a time. [A very minor thing!]

As far as lending the Sony to students, we find that this will be great for the library. Why? Because our staff has to download ALL e-books to the unit via the PC using a USB cable, no wireless; giving us more control over what we purchase on the units. This is more time consuming, but more organized. This can get very messy with over 40 Kindles.

The Kindle has a wireless download and the purchase comes via "click to purchase" through our Amazon account for all registered Kindles. With the Kindle we receive between 1 and 6 copies of each book we purchase. Example: The Lost Symbol-$9.60 gave us 4 copies. With Sony, we receive only the one item.

The Sony has been checked out more than 'in-house'. We have not played with it since we returned to school for the spring term. Most patrons are enjoying downloading free e-books. They seem to be very comfortable with using the USB cable and browsing.

Presently, I like the Kindle more, for ease of use. Some tell me I like the Kindles better, because it was our 1st digital e-reader and we've been experimenting with them since May 2008. We are awaiting the Nook to arrive the end of January. This will be another digital e-reader that will be very popular with students, staff and faculty.