I used to be the person who said I’m never going to give up buying physical books for digital options, no matter their benefits. And here I am today looking for the smallest size for e-readers so I can read my books anywhere conveniently. Some think that people will also ditch their mobile apps in favor of portable e-readers.
There is a lot of buzz online about whether e-readers can replace reading apps on your phone. This is why today we are discussing whether that’s actually the case.
People Adapted to E-Readers
If you don’t know, quite a few people were hesitant to adopt e-readers when they first came out in 1998. The Amazon Kindle was the first one that really took off in late 2007. Many print publishers thought that this would kill their industry, but that’s not what happened.
Today, you can also find apps where you can just read the book without having to purchase an e-reader separately. The only disadvantage here is the smaller screen size and not having the “book-like” black-and-white display that’s available on e-readers.
Key Takeaways:
- Some choose to buy physical copies while others choose e-readers.
- There is a growing trend of people looking to buy e-readers as small as possible.
Amazon Kindle Started It All
As discussed before, the Amazon Kindle is what popularized e-reader devices the most. The book-like graphics and the black-and-white display are some of the things that most users loved about it. They also started the Kindle app that shows all the Kindle versions of the books. It is important to know that some e-readers may provide mobile apps while others won’t.
Main Highlights:
- Some choose mobile apps because it’s a more convenient option. Others stick to their e-reader, as it often offers a bigger (paper-like)screen and is less distracting.
- People who like collecting books and are avid readers are often the ones who like collecting physical copies.
Best Choice For Your Reading Style
I’m the kind of person who only likes to read from my Kindle app. Carrying a phone is easier as it fits better than most pocket-sized e-readers out there. This is just a personal choice, and both have their pros and cons. If you’re someone who reads during long travel journeys, then it’s better to choose an e-reader, as they put less strain on your eyes. People who read too much on phones often choose to set screen limits on their devices.
How to know which brand to shop e-readers from?: Sticking to popular brands is usually the way to go if it’s your first time buying one.
Key Points to Note:
- E-readers make it easy to access your entire library. They are great when you’re trying to conserve your phone battery during long travel.
- You can install reading apps on your tablet(if you already have one) instead of getting an e-reader.
- Sometimes carrying extra devices(e-readers in this case) can slow you down.
- E-reader devices are more readable in direct sunlight compared to phones.
Reading Apps Aren’t Going Anywhere
Reading apps aren’t going anywhere, nor are e-reader devices. Contrary to what most people thought, e-readers have not made reading apps obsolete, as they cater to different user types. The market value for e-readers and e-books continues to grow at a rapid rate.
Platforms such as Amazon KDP allow anyone to publish an ebook/book and gain exposure to a global audience. Therefore, this has resulted in lots of published books without the need for traditional publishers.
Key Highlights:
- E-reader devices couldn’t even make books obsolete, let alone mobile apps.
- E-readers and reading apps both serve distinct purposes and have different target audiences.
- For some e-readers, the battery might last for days, if not weeks on end.
Do Your Research
Getting an e-reader doesn’t make any sense if you only read books occasionally. On the other hand, if you’re someone who has sensitive eyes or reads a lot during travel, then it’s better to get an e-reader from brands such as Xteink. I’d suggest you don’t rush buying decisions and do your own homework before purchasing. E-readers use E-Ink display technology, which mimics real paper. This helps avoid the blue light and glare that are common in mobile displays.
Xteink, Kobo, and Kindle are the popular options you’ll come across online. When it comes to prices, Amazon is known for not offering manually applicable coupon codes that most brands often do. Offering traditional coupons is still the most preferred way for brands to provide extra ways to save. Make sure you remember this when looking for an e-reader.
Key Highlights:
- Compared to the Amazon Kindle, the Xteink is better known for its smaller size.
- Make use of discount platforms such as CouponzGuru if finding deals becomes too time-consuming for you.
Final Thoughts
If I had to sum up the main point of the article in a few sentences: Whether a pocket-sized e-reader really replaces your reading app entirely depends on your reading style. Some prefer e-readers because reading too long on a phone causes eye strain. The E-Ink technology used in e-readers mimics the look of real paper without glare, hence leading to less eye strain.
