TECHNOFILE

Is this books’ iPod moment? JOHN “ROAD WARRIOR” TASKER takes E-book readers to task

Given the tightening controls on both checked and hand baggage, it has become a requirement to lighten the load. The usual heavyweights in our luggage are books and magazines. To help us shed a kilo or two, Amazon and Sony have come to the rescue with their recently launched E-book digital readers. The transition from paper to electronic format is rather like your first kiss – exciting with unknown long-term emotional effects. But, like all bookworms of the last 500 years, this reviewer enjoys the look, feel and design of dead-tree literature, so he knew the move e-wards would be fraught with trepidation. His fears, however, were largely unjustified

Amazon Kindle 2

The Kindle 2’s navigation took a while to get used to – I was still trying to turn the page with my finger rather than a side button. However, I soon settled into my latest read and found it a pleasant experience. Easy on the eye; the ink-like text is sharp, natural with no backlight or glare. There are 16 shades of greyscale to choose from, which suit varying lighting levels. Another instant like is the ability to modify text size. This Kindle is about 1cm thick, weighing in at just over 280g. Not bad for a gadget which stores 1,500 books and lasts for five days between charging – and, allegedly, up to two weeks if wireless is turned off.

The recharge takes about four hours, either directly to mains or via a USB connector. Available titles are downloaded at a minute a time on a 3G wireless browser. In the US this is free and unlimited – wait to see options in other countries as the global launch rolls out. Amazon currently has more than 270,000 and most New York Times bestsellers retail at US$9.99.

The “Read to Me” feature deserves particular praise – it literally reads aloud any newspaper, magazine or book. There’s a headphone connection for this feature, or MP3 background music and podcasts.

I would probably need some convincing to switch to the Kindle at home for my regular novel reading; however I’m dead set ready to use it for my magazine subscriptions.

US$359.00, www.amazon.com

Sony Reader (PRS-700)

Sony’s Reader is the more attractive of the two gadgets, though again it took a little time to get used to the navigation and the page-movement functions. Slightly lighter than the Kindle, at 260g, the Reader can take 160 novels on the go. Battery life on a full charge will give you more than 6,800 page views and charging takes about four hours via a USB connection, or two when connected directly to the mains.

Reading is hampered by the fact that you get a bit less than a page of text on each screen. But page presentation is of near paper quality – there’s no back light, no glare and no eye strain, eight levels of greyscale are available to choose from and there’s a 180° viewing angle. As with the Kindle, particularly helpful is the bookmark function that will open the Reader automatically at the last page viewed.

Books are browsed and downloaded via the eBook store (www.ebookstore.sony.com), though this requires an active internet connection. MP3 compatibility allows you to choose background music while you read.

Stylish and sophisticated, the Reader’s slight lag when turning pages is its only downside.

Starting at US$299.99, www.sonystyle.com