The iPad Tablet As an eReader

The iPad is selling like hotcakes -- an estimate of 2000 units per hour. The people who buy the iPad all have a wide range of interests. Some buy it for gaming, some buy it just to be the first on the early adopter train and some are still undecided whether they should invest in one. This article will examine the iPad as an eReader device and it will list the pros and cons of using the iPad as your main eReader.

The Pros. The iPad can support a wider variety of file formats: cbr, pdf, doc, docx, ppt. You have a paper you need to read before Monday? No problem. Need to read the new manga or comic book that came out? No problem. The only downside to this is that the ability to read a multiple range of formats is not built in. One must buy an external App for this. Do not like paying for an app that does what should have been present on the iPad by default? The iPad comes with an iBooks app. This is an.epub based store, which is so far supported by Penguin Books, HarperCollins, Simon & Schuster, Macmillan Publishers, and Hachette Book Group USA. The advantage of using the.epub format is that there is support for "interactive books". One can rotate images, watch videos and even communicate with other user, all while reading a book. If you are visually impaired, the iPad iBooks app can read books out loud for you.

The Cons. The iPad uses a backlit LCD display. Unlike the e--ink displays, the iPad can irritate the eyes over prolonged reading. The two ways to prevent irritation: blinking and following the 20/20/20 rule (every 20 minutes look 20 feet away for 20 seconds to allow your eyes to refocus) are quite an annoyance. The iPad also doesn't have a native pdf/doc/cbr/ppt viewing app and spending money on what should have been a default feature can be an annoyance.

Should you buy a traditional e--ink eReader (kindle, Sony Reader) or wait for an iPad? If you are just looking to read books and do not need any fancy features then I would recommend you buy a traditional eReader. However if you want to read books and experience the power of mobile computing, then I would recommend the iPad. The iPad only has a 10 hour battery life, but nobody reads a book for 10 hours straight. With the iPad's advanced media and Internet Browsing Capabilities - the iPad is worth the extra money

William is an avid fan of using eReader devices. Visit his website to read articles on how to use the iPad Tablet as an eReader device. Visit the site for the latest (and daily updated) news, rumors and other interesting tidbits on Apple's iPad

iPad Versus Kindle - Which eReader is Right For You?

The past couple years have been an interesting time for book readers. We have seen quite a few eReader devices released from companies like Amazon, Sony, and Barnes and Noble. Now that the iPad has been released, another major player has entered the eReader market.

Ultimately, choosing an eReader is a matter of personal preference. All devices have pros and cons. This article will take a look at some of the differences between Amzon's Kindle and Apple's iPad.

1. Full Color Vs. Black and White

While the Kindle utilizes an e-ink black and white display, the iPad uses a full color computer display. The e-ink display is easier on your eyes. However, the iPad display, is certainly much more attractive. It will also be possible for authors to include extras in their books that would never be possible with a Kindle. You might expect exclusive author interviews or a full-color interactive map of Middle Earth when you are reading Lord of the Rings.

2. Battery Life

One thing that has contributed to the rave reviews of the iPad is its long battery life. You can use the device for up to ten hours at a time. While this is pretty good, the Kindle's battery life is even better. The Kindle can hold a battery charge for up to 2 weeks as long as the wireless connection isn't turned on. Ten hours will probably be plenty of battery juice as long as you can charge it up every night, but if you often take long vacations off the grid, the Kindle may be the better choice.

eBook Selection: Quantity Counts

This has always been perhaps the most important factor in an eReader. If you don't have access to the book you want to read, then what is the point of having an eReader? This has also been the primary reason that Kindle has always been number one. After all, Amazon is the world's #1 bookseller, so it is natural that they would have the largest selection of books for the Kindle. However, the iPad book selection is practically guaranteed to surpass that of the Kindle. The reason is that in 2009 Amazon developed a Kindle App for Apple. This app allows users to access the Kindle Store and download books directly to their iPod Touch, iPhone, or iPad. iPad users will not only have access to the Kindle store, but they'll also have access to Apple's new iBookstore. If an iPad user can't find the book he wants in the iBookstore, he can simply peruse over to the Kindle store to find it. Kindle users won't have this luxury.

eBook Prices: Deals and Steals

For much the same reason as above, iPad users will always be able to get the best book price. While Kindle users will be forced to pay the price at which Amazon offers the book, iPad users will be able to compare prices between the two stores. The App Store also allows free downloads, an option not available in the Amazon store.

Weight: Lugging Around Your eBooks

The Kindle easily wins this one. One thing many iPad users have noticed is that the device is heavier than they expected. While much of this can be attributed to the quality of the device, the fact is that your arms and hands may grow weary from holding 1.5 lbs in front of you for a long period of time. The Kindle weighs less than half as much as the iPad, and it is much more comparable in weight to a standard sized paperback.

Conclusion: Choosing the Best eReader

Although there are pros and cons to each device, each user must prioritize their needs to decide which device is best for them. Overall, the iPad is probably a better value for most readers. The battery life isn't much of an issue, and the book price and selection is a huge factor for the heavy reader. Additionally, while the Kindle is a dedicated book reader, the iPad is a multimedia device for complete entertainment where users can watch videos, run applications, and browse the full Internet.

Find reviews on all the best iPad apps at AppCraver.com, a website dedicated to app reviews for the iPhone, iPod and iPad devices.

How Is the iPad Considered As an E-Reader?

As everybody knows iPad is not purposely designed as an E-Reader but it considers as a good option for E-Reading since there are numerous number of eBook apps available for iPad already. The trend is towards E-Generation rather than conventional type hardcover books. It is no secret that every major company targets to crown the throne in that emerging market. So what is the place for the iPad in the world of E-Readers?

A recent research conducted in the UK, with over 1000 participants, has shown that 41 percent of them preferred using their iPad as their E-Reader. Moreover, 31 percent admitted that iPad is their preferred way of reading magazines and newspapers. That is a quite significant factor since there is not much time passed after the release of the iPad to the market.

There are numerous iPad apps designed for e-reading, and owners who got the applications are utilizing them. Zinio, E-magazine publisher, has calculated that iPad users are spending nearly 80 minutes or even more for reading digital magazines which is greater than twice the length of time readers are putting in reading digital matters on computers. That is a real significant fact. Also Cond? Nast has noted that iPad consumers utilizing the GQ application spend nearly 60 minutes reading magazines. Moreover, MRI data demonstrates that readers of conventional print magazines commit about 70 minutes of reading the magazines. Advertisers will consider the length of time that the readers spend on reading magazines. The better for the advertisers, the more the readers spend time on the magazines.

One advantage that iPad posses over the rest of the e-readers is its color screen which tends to be more interesting for the readers. But the conventional type readers such as the Kindle which has eInk displays is much more convenient for the eyes of the readers rather than LCD displays like iPad have. Those eInk displays are much more comfortable in direct sunlight. However, there is a close competition prevails in between those two types of displays since iPad has a much larger and clear display with IPS technology and also with the touch screen technology which always takes the attraction of the consumers.

IPad does support the ePub format which will enhance the access to a larger collection of reading materials provided by Macmillan, Penguin, Simon & Schuster and Harper Collins which will be another added advantage to iPad lovers. The collection of books grows with the apps such as Kobo app, Kindle app, eReader app plus many more apps available.

Cost wise e-readers such as Kindle cost less than iPad. It is no need to mention that iPad is not a mere e-reader which allows only reading. It is a versatile tablet which is fully equipped with lots of other fascinating features for the consumer. So the choice is on the hands of the users. He/she will have to make the choice after a careful consideration of his/her actual requirements. But the iPad certainly provides value for the money you spent on it.

For more information visit my iPad blog and you could find handful of iPad app reviews, news, tips and tricks and many interesting things.