The iPad as an ereader

After my Kobo had to go back to the shop to be replaced (I’m still waiting for a new one!), I turned to my iPad as a replacement ereader.
So far, the iPad has been a pretty good ereader.

Positives

1. Content from various ebook providers can be accessed and read, thanks to the various iPad apps – I’m using Borders, Kobo, Stanza, and Amazon. In effect I have a Kobo and Kindle in one. I don’t need a Kindle to get access to Amazon ebooks – all content (at least content that is accessible to Australian readers) is available. (NB: I also have iBooks which is the iPad-specific app but content via iBooks currently provides public domain material only. The pictures show iBook.)
2. Wireless connectivity means that in many cases I can download and start reading a book almost immediately.
3. Ability to carry many books on one device. This was brilliant when I went to Melbourne recently – no more dilemmas over what book to bring with me.
4. Ability to read PDFs. The Kobo, with its small (6”) screen, did not display PDFs particularly well. This is not a problem on the iPad, which does a great job. In fact, I no longer have any need to print off PDFs – I just open such documents on the iPad. Others are also finding the iPad very good for reading PDFs.
5. Backlit screen means I can read without having to switch any lights on. This means I don’t disturb M if I wake early and feel like reading in bed.
6. Navigation is simple and quick. On the Kobo the need to click, click and then click again to get to relevant menus can be annoying at times.
7. Page turns on the iPad are very easy and intuitive – a light touch on the right of the screen for the next page, or the left for the previous page. This is contrasted with the Kobo button, which requires a bit of pressure to activate. The clicking noise the Kobo button makes can also be mildly irritating for others in the room.
8. Ability to set bookmarks in the iPad ebook apps. While the Kobo remembers which page you got up to, that’s the extent of its bookmarking capacity. If you let someone have a look at your Kobo and they flick through the particular book, you lose your page. Because I was showing the Kobo to friends, family and colleagues, this got a bit wearing after a while. (also related to points 6 and 7 above.)
9. Battery life – ~10 hours – is quite adequate for a day’s reading. It’s easy enough to charge the iPad up overnight.
10. I am finding that I just want to read, and read, and keep reading… Mind you this is not iPad specific, I had the same impulse with the Kobo. I am assuming this is due to the novelty factor, and will fade eventually.

Negatives

1. Distractions. Being able to connect to the Internet means that I can veer off to look things up (definitions, more information about a place, person, event, concept). Playing games with others and receiving an alert that the other person has made their move and it’s now my turn – right when I am in the middle of a juicy bit. (I suppose I could turn the alerts off.)
2. Backlit screen means that I find it very unpleasant to read in sunlight. Even bright lighting indoors can be a problem – if you hold the screen just so, the light can reflect off it, and can be distracting.
3. Battery life is definitely not as good as the Kobo, which can go up to 2 weeks without needing a charge.
4. Content, lack of. I seem to be reading a lot more “classic” titles, as the availability of titles continues to be an issue for us in Australia. Project Gutenberg titles, which were not attractive to me on a desktop-bound computer screen, are suddenly very good and valid reading choices. The most frustrating thing is when something is available on Amazon but not available to Australians.
5. Weight. It’s not a big deal, but the iPad can be quite heavy. I don’t find it comfortable to hold in one hand while reading. The Kobo on the other hand is very light and pleasant to hold – and won’t cause injury if you fall asleep while reading in bed and drop it on your face. The iPad could give you a black eye!

Having said all that, I am still looking forward to receiving my replacement Kobo. Its lightness, the lack of distractions (all you can do with it is read), and the fact that eInk is very comfortable on the eyes are all huge positives for me. I expect I will still be using the iPad, for Amazon material and PDFs. Talk about spoilt for choice!