Thread: Wireless Reading Devices

Hi Cove

I've heard of the BeBook and it seems pretty good. From tis site:

Read any pdf*, mobi, lit*, epub*, html, txt, prc, fb2, jpg file and over 300.000 of free rss newsfeeds from your BeBook. Including Mobipocket Digital Rights Management support. (*non-drm)

The important formats there are pdf and epub. So, like the Sony, it caters for the emerging 'industry standard' whilst also working with a DRM system called Mobipocket. Amazon bought Mobipocket a couple of years ago and the Kindle format is actually based upon the Mobipocket spec. However, I couldn't tell you whether that means the BeBook can read Kindle files in theory.

The other caveat here is the small print above saying epub and pdf support is non-drm. Many publishers are wrapping their epub files and Adobe eBook files (pdf) in DRM -- the big question is, will the BeBook also be able to handle those file formats when wrapped in DRM?

Suggest you contact BeBook and ask them those two questions. It would be a nice bonus if BeBook could read Kindle files, but not a deal killer if not. However, I'd advise that you really want a reader that can handle Adobe DRM-wrapped files too, because those DRM formats are market leaders.

With respect to hardware, all eReaders like this (Kindle, Sony, BeBook, iRex, and at least a dozen more) use the same eInk screen technology, and therefore the same battery life. So there's very little to tell between them other than actual screensize. In fact, the only reason in my mind for buying an eReader is for the eInk technology -- it really is like reading ink on paper. Nice and easy on the eyes. But if you don't mind reading on a screen that radiates light (LCD) rather than reflects (eInk), then people should consider one of those ultra-small netbooks. You can read ebooks on them which may link out to websites, video, audio, make annotations on the page, etc.

You should look at eReaders as no-frills book substitutes, reading content from cover to cover. But for studying, textbooks, research, rich media, interactivity, etc. there's only one way to get the most out of ebook technology -- read it on a computer! For example, our books are academic/college books. If you buy an ebook tor ead on your PC, you will have access to url links and all manner of extra functionality (highlighting, bookmarking, annotations, searching, reference linking, etc.). But if you opt to buy a format for an eReader, then the same title will not have those added functions -- you'll essentially have a paper-substitute and no more.

As someone working in this industry, it depresses me that we still make it so difficult and complicated for the customer!