What do you think of eBooks? Do you have an eBook device?

I have been downloading books on my laptop through B&N recently but am not pleased with their eBook pricing. Seems to me if the book is out in paperback the eBook should either be the same price as the paperback and my member discount should apply or it should be a lower price because while there are conveniences with eBooks, there are also drawbacks.

I understand B&N is coming out with a device, possibly this week and I don't know if they will change their pricing model to generate sales of their device or not.

Amazon seems to price all eBooks at $9.99 - which is a great savings for hardcover - not so much for paperback.

Do you have a device and what do you think of it? I've read some bad feedback on the Kindle 2, don't know much about the Sony reader except you need to connect to your pc to download a book (vs Amazon whispernet wireless downloads).

Does your public library let you borrow eBooks? My library allows download of Audio books, though I haven't used it yet.

The pricing for books is mostly under $10 - and for paperbooks, even less. Most times, any paperback book I've bought for Kindle has been a little cheaper than the paper version.

Amazon also has a crapload of classic literature available for free - all of Shakespeare, some Fitzgerald, H.P. Lovecraft, Jane Austen, Dante, and so on.

The Kindle 2 is very light, easy to read, has a good sized screen, and is wonderful on airplanes.

I don't know if my local library has ebook borrowing, though I read an article in the WSJ a month or two ago about the issue, and how some libraries are handling it and working with Kindle and Sony and whatnot to establish the technology to make it feasible.

problems with the battery? One user stated that if the battery dies it cannot be user replaced, that the device needs to be shipped back to Amazon for replacement. I don't know if this is much of an issue or not.

I was pretty much sold on the Kindle 2 last night except for the battery issue if it is true. I might wait to see what B&N is offering with their device but eBook price will go into my decision and so far B&N loses.

however, I rarely read anything outside because of glare and because the sun pisses me off, so I can't really say for sure about that.

But the few times I read it outside, it seemed fine. I do remember sitting on a park bench one sunny hot-as-fuck day, and had no problem reading it, even with - I assume - my sunglasses on.

ONe thing that also sold me on the Kindle, besides being able to borrow my friend's and give it a test run, is that whatever books one orders from Amazon for it are stored on the Amazon servers as well, so that I can delete books (if it ever gets full), and then reload them later - or, if the thing gets stolen or broken, load everything up on the new one.

I love getting sample chapters for books to see if I like them before making a mistake and buying one I end up not liking. Its easier on the eyes than a regular book and makes even huge hardcover books feel like a paperback for ease of reading. I get the NY times every AM so I read it in bed and no longer have to throw out reams of newspapers. Also when I go on trips I no longer have to carry 4-5 books depending on what I may feel like reading - I can carry 200 or more in the space of a paperback

Also, for people who have failing eyesight - it allows them to increase the font size on any book making live alot easier for avid readers as they age.

He travels a lot so I got it for him so he'd quit saying "I have to get to the airport early; I'm almost done with my book." But it is easy to see, the font can be made bigger (he's thinking of getting his 85 y.o. mother one), the battery is long-lasting between charges, and yes, Amazon cuts you a good deal on books. And from my pov, since he's a compulsive sci-fi and mystery reader and we have downsized, the books don't take up huge amounts of space. I might just get one myself, though I'm a paper snob and like the feel of a book. He can also load his books onto my iPhone so I can read them. There's an app for that. All in all it's cool.

They will own and re-define the e-book market... Just like they did with the iPod and music.

The Apple Tablet device is rumored to run all iPhone apps, play music, video... and, Apple is rumored to be working deals with publishers to prepare for a big launch soon.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/33280386/ns/technology_and_science-tech_and_gadgets/

Does it have the same capability of say Adobe Acrobat...

If so then yes

I'd rather buy actual books that nobody can "remove" from my library without my consent, and that I can donate to someone less fortunate when I'm done with it.

Who wants to pay $9.99 for a glorified PDF file? They are saving the price of printing, materials, transportation and distribution, warehousing, etc. and it doesn't seem like a penny of it is being passed on to the consumer. Having already paid $279 for the reading device, it would then cost me around $3600 to replicate just one of my bookcases.

I'd rather wait a few weeks and pick up the real book at the library, or get a copy at a used book store for $3-4 (and then resell it and get most of it back... I've even turned a profit on a bunch of books buying them second hand and reselling them on Amazon).

I only have about 30 books on it so far, but it is a great device. I thought about getting the Kindle DX, but it seems too big (a little bigger than a magazine) and it's too expensive. I only charge the battery about once every two weeks, so it lasts a long time (if you keep the wireless off).

I love actual books. I love, love, love the library. I don't want my books replaced with an electronic device.

I have the Kindle reader for iPhone; I also downloaded Stanza (a different reader). I keep saying I'm going to buy the Kindle, but it's still kind of spendy, and I actually don't mind reading books on my iPhone. I have read quite a lot. I get a lot of the Kindle freebies from Amazon and different kinds of light fiction. I don't think I'd buy serious reference books or work related books electronically, though. I actually think it's much easier to flip through a physical book and read it asynchronously, you know, kind of jumping around looking for things, which is what I do with work-related books. I do enjoy reading fiction on the iPhone, though, and the price sure is right for many of the books!