Which e-reader is for you…
If you own a tablet or a large-screen smartphone, you
can read all your e-books on these devices with zero hassles. In fact, if you
love comic books and graphic novels, then a tablet is the way to go. On the downside,
the backlit display of these gadgets can cause eye strain over long periods of
reading, and this is why, e-readers are a better option.
E-readers use non-reflective monochrome e-ink
paperlike displays that are not harsh on the eyes. Besides, the text rendered
on their screens are legible even under direct sunlight.
In India, Amazon is the only brand that retails
e-book readers. These Kindle devices are tightly integrated to the Amazon
bookstore. That said, you can also load books that you have downloaded from
other ‘free’ websites onto them.
The Kindles are equipped with Wi-Fi connectivity (and
some models even support mobile data) to allow user to access Amazon’s e-book
store. They are also extremely frugal power consumers, and this means you can eke
out weeks of reading on a single charge of their batteries. Here, we would
recommend…
Kindle Oasis ₹21,999 (8GB storage, Wi-Fi) ₹ 28,999 (32GB storage,
Wi-Fi+3G): This is the newest top-end e-reader in the Kindle series.
It boasts of an aluminium build that carries an IPX8 rating, which means it is
waterproof for up to 60 minutes at a depth of two metres. You get a large
7-inch ‘front-lit’ touchscreen display that casts illumination on the text and
not on your eyes, thus allowing you to read in the dark without any strain on
your peepers. The Oasis is also equipped with an ambient light sensor that
automatically adjusts screen brightness. Dedicated page turn buttons on the
front let you flip pages easily, while its built-in storage is enough to store
thousands of e-books. Models with 3G connectivity allow you to use an internet
connection – for free – to download books even when you’re not within Wi-Fi
range.
Kindle Paperwhite
₹10,999 (Wi-Fi) ₹13,999 (Wi-Fi+3G): Like the
Oasis, this device is also equipped with a front-lit 6-inch e-ink touch
display, so you can read even in pitch darkness without screen glare. Despite
the smaller screen, you get the same highquality display resolution to render
sharp text at different font sizes.
Kindle (₹5,999): If you
are on a tight budget then this one is for you. You get a 6-inch touchscreen
and 4GB storage. However, it does not have a built-in light so you will not be
able to read in complete darkness. Note:You get the same set of
services from the Kindle ebook store, irrespective of the e-reader you choose.
The devices also let you connect to your Goodreads account for book
recommendations, reviews and ratings.
CONVERT E-BOOKS
Amazon’s e-readers support the proprietary Kindle
formats like AZW3 and AZW. If you have e-books in other DRM-free formats, then
you can convert them to the unprotected MOBI format on toepub.com, before
mailing them to your Kindle email ID.
TOI16DEC17
1 comment:
waterproof for up to 60 minutes at a depth of two meters...wow technology came a long way in such a short time.
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