The eMerging eReader #2: Devices

As I mentioned yesterday, one of the biggest hurdles on my road to enjoying eReading was finding a device that fit my style. Although I got my first dedicated eReader in 2009 and my second just a year later, I wasn't a fan. Among other problems, I was disappointed with the features and frustrated with the DRM issues. I realize now that only part of my failure had to do with the technology; the other part was not having a clear idea of my needs.

It took me almost four years after I put my first eReaders to pasture to understand my own particular requirements. I wanted a monotone dedicated reader with eInk technology, wifi, touch screen, and built-in lighting. I wanted to buy my books from a variety of stores, and I wanted to check eBooks out from the library. But, and here's where things got complicated, I also wanted to be able to read PDF eGalleys and full-color graphic novels.

For me the answer was to get two different devices, which turned out to be the break-through moment that allowed me finally to become an eMerging eReader.

For my dedicated eReader, I picked the Kobo Aura HD, which is just about perfect. The responsive touch screen makes it easy to turn pages, the infinitely adjustable font size means I can read without glasses, the eInk is just what my eyes want after I've been working at the computer, the matte screen means I can read out on the deck, and the internal light makes it easy to read in bed. Plus it's a snap to highlight passages, bookmark pages, and search for words.

The Aura, however, has two negatives: it won't let me read full-color graphic novels, and it doesn't play nicely with PDFs. I solved those problems when I bought my first tablet.

I opted for an iPad because I have an iPhone, though any tablet would have worked for me. Over the last few months, I've tried a number of apps for the tablet (which I'll talk about in a future post), and after I found one that allowed me to read full-color graphic novels and beautifully formatted PDFs, I was hooked.

Unlike many of you, I wouldn't want the tablet to be my only eReader: the backlit screen is hard on my already tired eyes, the screen is difficult to read in the sun (outside), and it isn't as lightweight as the Kobo. On the other hand, the tablet was the link to the third piece to my eReader puzzle: taking advantage of a device I already owned . . . my phone.

I don't really use my phone as an eReader, but I love the fact that both my Kobo and my tablet synch to it. Isn't great that no matter where I am, I can access my current eBook?

I realize I'm probably not the average eBook reader. Most of you could be very happy with a single device or are still holding out for that magic all-in-one gadget. But my journey as an eMerging eReader began only once I had several devices in play.

In future posts (maybe once a week or so), I'll talk about specific software and apps, how I use my laptop (PC) as the master manager of my eBooks, and a number of other problems and issues I've overcome. And don't worry if you have different gadgets from mine, pretty much everything I've discovered is available across platforms.

Acknowledgments: Many kind people gave me good advice along the way. I want to give a huge shout-out to the wonderful people at Kobo's customer service (especially on Twitter) for helping me obtain my eReader. I was having technical issues with their website, and they went above and beyond to resolve them. Thanks to @Jennbookshelves and @SKrisha for sharing their experiences with different gadgets and answering my endless questions.