wow e-ink technology is soo bad compared to ipad screen

[Phil A.]

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I've got an iPad and absolutely love it, but could never get on with reading novels on it: nothing to do with eye strain (I've read on my phone for years), but rather that it's physically much bigger than a normal paperback and it just didn't feel right.
It was for that reason that I also got a kindle and, in my opinion, it is absolutely perfect for the single purpose of "curling up with a good book". Amazon claim their design aim for the kindle was to make it "disappear" during use so the reader forgets they are reading an electronic book and IMO they have got pretty close to that aim: it really is the most immersive e-reader I've ever used.

 

[RobNor]

I bought a Kindle recently, and love it. I don't see how they get the text to be so clear with a 800*600 screen. It looks better than the retina display.
The only thing that could make the Kindle better in my eyes are:
A more white background. Does anyone know why they can't do this?
A sort of side-lighting (as opposed to backlighting) that can make the text more readable. It could be turn on or off at your discretion.

I agree,a whiter background would improve reading in medium light levels,it's excellent in good to very bright conditions.Text looks much better on the Kindle than the ipad

 

[grahamnp]

E-ink screens are sufficient for reading. They are meant to be close to the experience of reading an actual book. Make them look like the iPad's screen or any other LCD like the Nook Color has and you lose their battery life advantage.

 

[PhoneI]

Why would you dispute that? The iPad gives me a headache when reading, not because of the light, but because of the piss poor resolution. I see far more space between pixels, than actual words.
The text of the kindle is beautiful and smooth, even better than that of the iPhone 4. There really is no comparison.
Also, when reading on iPad, I get distracted by the frilly animations and background. The kindle is like a real book, with outside distractions approaching naught.
The only time when the kindle distracts me is when the author recommends a book. I often check it out in the kindle store( if it's free or check) for later reading.

Did you ever think that just maybe not everybody gets headaches from using the iPad?

I would think the extremely annoying flashing of text on the kindle whenever you turn a page would be worse.

 

[PhoneI]

E-ink screens are sufficient for reading. They are meant to be close to the experience of reading an actual book. Make them look like the iPad's screen or any other LCD like the Nook Color has and you lose their battery life advantage.

I never read an actual book that flashed every time I turn a page

 

[Rodimus Prime]

Did you ever think that just maybe not everybody gets headaches from using the iPad?

I would think the extremely annoying flashing of text on the kindle whenever you turn a page would be worse.

I never read an actual book that flashed every time I turn a page

It is pretty clear between these 2 post that you have never used any type of ereader.
Also I might like to point out close is not exact. The flash is a limitation of the techology as it is a very easy way to clear to screen.
Also that flash is not as bad as some are making it out to be. It last as long as the page turn takes on the iPad. After a few times most get used to it and it no longer is an issue.

I love my kindle I got for Christmas and I already finding my self reading it just like I would a book. Same lighting conditions which are not the greatest when I am in bed at night. It is a lot like reading a book compared to reading on my phone or iPod it does not give me a head ache in the dark and i can read on it longer.

 

[Rodimus Prime]

Comic books, magazines, newspapers, children books, books with pictures at all look so much better on the iPad. You can also throw in a whole bunch of interactive books from the app store. Maybe the Kindle is a better plain text reader (but I dispute even that).

umm newspaper to me is more like Text but then again when I read the paper I tend to read the articles and pay little attention to the few pictures.

As for childrens books sorry not going to leave the book format to go to something like the iPad for nor would I do it for comic books. Magazines you have a point but very little.

As soon as you say app store you have left ereader so not a valid argument in these case.

Most books are just plain text btw. You choose the minor cases for your argument. Like I said the iPad is at BEST an ok ereader. Kindle is a great ereader.

 

[Night Spring]

Like I said the iPad is at BEST an ok ereader. Kindle is a great ereader.

I'm sure that is true, ffor you. Peraonally, I prefer reading on the iPad. And apparently, I'm not alone in feeling this way. Can't we just accept that what might be best for one person might not be the best for someone else?

 

[PhoneI]

It is pretty clear between these 2 post that you have never used any type of ereader.
Also I might like to point out close is not exact. The flash is a limitation of the techology as it is a very easy way to clear to screen.
Also that flash is not as bad as some are making it out to be. It last as long as the page turn takes on the iPad. After a few times most get used to it and it no longer is an issue.

I love my kindle I got for Christmas and I already finding my self reading it just like I would a book. Same lighting conditions which are not the greatest when I am in bed at night. It is a lot like reading a book compared to reading on my phone or iPod it does not give me a head ache in the dark and i can read on it longer.

I have two Kindles in my house and an iPad. Just because I have a different opinion than yours its no reason to act like a fool.

My kindle has been relegated to beach use only because I feel the iPad is a far superior ereader.

 

[PhoneI]

umm newspaper to me is more like Text but then again when I read the paper I tend to read the articles and pay little attention to the few pictures.

As for childrens books sorry not going to leave the book format to go to something like the iPad for nor would I do it for comic books. Magazines you have a point but very little.

As soon as you say app store you have left ereader so not a valid argument in these case.

Most books are just plain text btw. You choose the minor cases for your argument. Like I said the iPad is at BEST an ok ereader. Kindle is a great ereader.

I read the Wall Street Journal, NY Times, and NY Post on my iPad everyday. The experience is just like reading an actual newspaper. Its something the Kindle just can do nearly as well.

So your not willing to "leave the book format" for children's books or comic books. If all I had was a Kindle, I probably wouldn't want to either. The new children's section of the iBookStore is awesome. My kids also love the interactive pop up books and interactive disney books that once again the Kindle cant even dream of doing.

Stuck on an airplane last week waiting for take off, I downloaded Mens Health magazine and Maxim magazine. Full pages with pictures and everything. Again, the kindle cant do it.

So yes, the kindle makes an ok plain boring text reader. So does the iPad, and it does so much more.

 

[Dumbledorelives]

It is pretty clear between these 2 post that you have never used any type of ereader.
Also I might like to point out close is not exact. The flash is a limitation of the techology as it is a very easy way to clear to screen.
Also that flash is not as bad as some are making it out to be. It last as long as the page turn takes on the iPad. After a few times most get used to it and it no longer is an issue.

I love my kindle I got for Christmas and I already finding my self reading it just like I would a book. Same lighting conditions which are not the greatest when I am in bed at night. It is a lot like reading a book compared to reading on my phone or iPod it does not give me a head ache in the dark and i can read on it longer.

I however, DO own a kindle and I am here to agree with him. The page flashing is incredibly annoying, personally I can't stand it. While I realize that it isn't so for some people, you have to realize that for some, perhaps a lot, the page turn is a real annoyance.

I can't read my kindle in the dark. Period. I'm not going to go get a flashlight so I can use my ELECTRONIC book. No thanks - I'll just go grab my iPad, the makers of which were smart enough to include a LIGHT. I turn the brightness down nice and low - no headaches, no eyestrain. I can read the paper, I can read a magazine, I can read my favourite novel. And then I can go post on some forums. Does a kindle do all of those things? I thought not. To me, for my uses, the iPad is a far superior reader in the fact that it's not just a reader. Because it's not just a reader, i find myself carrying it around more often. In cases where I would have just left my kindle at home because it wasn't really needed - i bring my iPad because I'm going to do some coffee shop browsing a and then i have the ability to read anywhere I want, without the extra weight of a dedicated E-reader.

And the page flash is still annoying.

 

[ExnomenDei]

I, I, I, I, I, I...

Guys. Guys! We're not all the same! People have preferences and differences and all that.

Whether someone likes the iPad screen or the Kindle screen more isn't some life's conviction and nor is it something that requires dispute. Let's remain calm and carry on enjoying whatever we think is best.

Enjoy!

 

[appleguy123]

I however, DO own a kindle and I am here to agree with him. The page flashing is incredibly annoying, personally I can't stand it. While I realize that it isn't so for some people, you have to realize that for some, perhaps a lot, the page turn is a real annoyance.

I can't read my kindle in the dark. Period. I'm not going to go get a flashlight so I can use my ELECTRONIC book. No thanks - I'll just go grab my iPad, the makers of which were smart enough to include a LIGHT. I turn the brightness down nice and low - no headaches, no eyestrain. I can read the paper, I can read a magazine, I can read my favourite novel. And then I can go post on some forums. Does a kindle do all of those things? I thought not. To me, for my uses, the iPad is a far superior reader in the fact that it's not just a reader. Because it's not just a reader, i find myself carrying it around more often. In cases where I would have just left my kindle at home because it wasn't really needed - i bring my iPad because I'm going to do some coffee shop browsing a and then i have the ability to read anywhere I want, without the extra weight of a dedicated E-reader.

And the page flash is still annoying.

The extra features of the iPad aren't up for debate. The iPad costs near 5x more than the Kindle, so it had better have more features than just reading.
Many of us own iPads and Kindles, and think that this set up is best.
Personally, I think that Apple's flashy page turn animation is far more distracting, and even takes longer than the Kindles black flash.

Oh, and tip to kindle users: If ghosting bothers you (it does me), press alt+g, to refresh the page to a cleaner slate!

 

[Dumbledorelives]

The extra features of the iPad aren't up for debate. The iPad costs near 5x more than the Kindle, so it had better have more features than just reading.
Many of us own iPads and Kindles, and think that this set up is best.
Personally, I think that Apple's flashy page turn animation is far more distracting, and even takes longer than the Kindles black flash.

Oh, and tip to kindle users: If ghosting bothers you (it does me), press alt+g, to refresh the page to a cleaner slate!

And, who the hell are you to decide what's up for debate?

Apples flashy turn page animation? You mean, kind of like what happens when you turn the page in a REAL book? Real books don't flash white and black before turning pages - the page sweeps across to seamlessly reveal more text. That's what the iPad does. Sorry if you find turning the page in a book distracting - apparently you have the concentration of a gnat.

 

[appleguy123]

And, who the hell are you to decide what's up for debate?

Apples flashy turn page animation? You mean, kind of like what happens when you turn the page in a REAL book? Real books don't flash white and black before turning pages - the page sweeps across to seamlessly reveal more text. That's what the iPad does. Sorry if you find turning the page in a book distracting - apparently you have the concentration of a gnat.

I thought that we made it quite clear that we are only talking about the reading experience.
If the Kindle costed $500, then that might be a valid complaint.
Yes, like a real book page turns. But the iPad isn't a real book. It's a pixelated iPad screen. When I'm trying to read a book I don't care about whatever novel transition Apple can come up with.

 

[CoreyMac]

People complaining about not being able to read your kindle in the dark or anything but well lit areas......Do you live under a rock? The Amazon Kindle Lighted Case.

 

[Dumbledorelives]

I thought that we made it quite clear that we are only talking about the reading experience.
If the Kindle costed $500, then that might be a valid complaint.
Yes, like a real book page turns. But the iPad isn't a real book. It's a pixelated iPad screen. When I'm trying to read a book I don't care about whatever novel transition Apple can come up with.

Yes, and the rereading experience is greatly improved by the ability to read comics, newspapers, and interactive books. Not to mention actually having the device with you when you need it.

And I don't care about whatever piece of **** bad technology amazon has can come up with. The goal here is to emulate reading a real book while being digital. Apple did that by copying the page turn in a real book, with incredible
Realism. Amazon didn't do that at all, they have some crappy flash thing.

 

[annk]

I however, DO own a kindle and I am here to agree with him. The page flashing is incredibly annoying, personally I can't stand it. While I realize that it isn't so for some people, you have to realize that for some, perhaps a lot, the page turn is a real annoyance.

I can't read my kindle in the dark. Period. I'm not going to go get a flashlight so I can use my ELECTRONIC book. No thanks - I'll just go grab my iPad, the makers of which were smart enough to include a LIGHT. I turn the brightness down nice and low - no headaches, no eyestrain. I can read the paper, I can read a magazine, I can read my favourite novel. And then I can go post on some forums. Does a kindle do all of those things? I thought not. To me, for my uses, the iPad is a far superior reader in the fact that it's not just a reader. Because it's not just a reader, i find myself carrying it around more often. In cases where I would have just left my kindle at home because it wasn't really needed - i bring my iPad because I'm going to do some coffee shop browsing a and then i have the ability to read anywhere I want, without the extra weight of a dedicated E-reader.

And the page flash is still annoying.

Yes, and the rereading experience is greatly improved by the ability to read comics, newspapers, and interactive books. Not to mention actually having the device with you when you need it.

And I don't care about whatever piece of **** bad technology amazon has can come up with. The goal here is to emulate reading a real book while being digital. Apple did that by copying the page turn in a real book, with incredible
Realism. Amazon didn't do that at all, they have some crappy flash thing.

We get that you don't care for reading on the Kindle as compared to your iPad. That's fine. So when you want to read, you'll do so on your iPad. Some will only use our e-readers for reading, and some will use both iPads and e-readers.

The thread title is about e-ink as compared to the iPad screen. The point here isn't necessarily to agree; it's interesting simply to discuss and hear how other people experience it all.

*shrug*

 

[yamabushi]

eink is nice in bright sunlight.

 

[muu]

the ipad definitely has advantages on everything except for an actual novel/book. You can certainly alleviate the situation by using black BG / white text, but I still do not try and use the ipad for extended reading.

I do agree that the resolution is at least one reason for the eyestrain; iphone4's screen seems a lot friendlier on the eyes. Other drawbacks like battery life and weight notwithstanding, ebook readers will have to try a little harder to justify their existence if ipads ever become equipped with higher-res displays.

 

[Rodimus Prime]

Yes, and the rereading experience is greatly improved by the ability to read comics, newspapers, and interactive books. Not to mention actually having the device with you when you need it.

And I don't care about whatever piece of **** bad technology amazon has can come up with. The goal here is to emulate reading a real book while being digital. Apple did that by copying the page turn in a real book, with incredible
Realism. Amazon didn't do that at all, they have some crappy flash thing.

Yet apple fails to have it act like real paper.

The flash is a side effect of the tech but once it is one there eink is by far closer to real paper than the iPad.

Most people read books and do not have all that extra color stuff. Color eink I have read is coming but still have a little ways to go.
Apple did its eye candy to emulated a page turn but LCD tech can not emulated tech on a page.

 

[Uofmtiger]

Magazines you have a point but very little

I think it is a major point if you want to read magazines. I have several subscriptions on the Zinio app and I hate reading magazines on the Kindle. Black and white just doesn't cut it for magazines. Along those same lines, one of my main interests is photography and reading them in black and white would take away from the experience...same with Art books or any book with color photos. Also, I have many hardback books that weigh more than an iPad, so that argument is not the reason I bought a Kindle.

I needed something for the beach and the backyard and the iPad just shows too much reflection in bright light... Also, it can get overheated and need to be taken inside. Other than that, I would take the iPad over the Kindle (thanks to the fact that I read a lot of photography books) any day of the week.

I will try turning off the wifi on the Kindle. It is a major pain having to plug it in all the time. I use my iPad as a clock, so it is not a problem to plug it in at night. I would guess you could really extend the battery life of the iPad if you wanted to turn wifi off every time you used it for reading, too. It might help with the distractions, too.

 

[handsome pete]

The goal here is to emulate reading a real book while being digital. Apple did that by copying the page turn in a real book, with incredible
Realism. Amazon didn't do that at all, they have some crappy flash thing.

No, the goal is to offer the best reading digital reading experience possible. I doubt many actually give a **** about a page turn animation.

What people care about is resolution, weight, portability, screen brightness, content, glare, etc. You know, things that actually affect the reading process.

I've read on my iPad, iPhone4, and Kindle. I still prefer the Kindle for 90% of my reading material. The other 10% I use my other devices for. That's obviously different for other people. But to argue over a crappy page turn animation is beyond retarded.

 

[PhoneI]

Most people read books and do not have all that extra color stuff.

Yes, I call these people Kindle owners.

 

[Rodimus Prime]

Yes, I call these people Kindle owners.

I was talking about normal books. I have boxes full of books and the only color on them is on the cover.

No, the goal is to offer the best reading digital reading experience possible. I doubt many actually give a **** about a page turn animation.

What people care about is resolution, weight, portability, screen brightness, content, glare, etc. You know, things that actually affect the reading process.

I've read on my iPad, iPhone4, and Kindle. I still prefer the Kindle for 90% of my reading material. The other 10% I use my other devices for. That's obviously different for other people. But to argue over a crappy page turn animation is beyond retarded.

When I keep reading his page turn stuff I going to say I think he is lieing about owning a kindle and just bashing it because he trying to justify his iPad.

Anyone I have seen complain about it they list it as a minor issue but his entire argument just seems a little fanboyish to me and I do not think he owns a kindle.