[dMores]

arent't there dedicated ebook devices out there? franklin or something? those are pretty cheap, i think.

i'd also say that a b/w palm that's in the sub-$100 range might be an alternative.
i don't like palm, but if you have to watch your budget, you might want to consider one of those.

[dMores]

arent't there dedicated ebook devices out there? franklin or something? those are pretty cheap, i think.

i'd also say that a b/w palm that's in the sub-$100 range might be an alternative.
i don't like palm, but if you have to watch your budget, you might want to consider one of those.

[Martin I Pettinger]

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Hi

I've been reading this thread with interest. I haven't read an ebook for a while since MS stopped their free MS Reader promotion. Anyhow - is it possible to install a voice recognition program on a PDA and map a spoken command - i.e. turn to a button press = i.e. page down. I have an iPAQ 2210 and the D-pad or O-pad or whatever it is called is a bit sensitive and sometimes I jump forward a few pages rather than one.

Cheers

Martin
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[Jorgen]

I agree with those that find that a jog-dial is a must. My hp-548 has a very nice one. The up/down switch on my hp-568 is just about nearly as good. On my 1910, I have programmed the recorder button to page forward, but the button is a bit flimsy; ashame as the 1910 is the one I carry around!

Jorgen

[Jolard]

I have an Ipaq 1945, and I read ebooks constantly. I do admit however that a side jog dial would be VERY nice.

I use Mobipocket, and it has an option to allow you to map screen taps to page turns. I end up holding the PPC in my right hand with my thumb close to the screen. Then every page turn I simply tap the screen with my thumb. It works wonderfully, and I have read many books that way!

But if you can afford it, a scroll wheel would be nice.

[Tom W.M.]

I know that I'm a bit late to this discussion, but if all you want to do on your device is read eBooks, the I'd recommend getting a Handheld PC (cheap from eBay or www.usedhandhelds.com) instead of a Pocket PC. I have used both a 320x240 device and my NEC MobilePro 780 to read eBooks, and I must say that the experience is far more natural with the bigger screen (240x680, 8 in. diagonal), and plethora of ways to advance the page (jog-dial on H-VGA MobilePros, numerous keyboard shortcuts). If PPC-specific features like clear type and Microsoft Reader are a must, or if maximum portability is important, then go with a PPC, but as an eBook reader a Handheld PC is worth considering.

[dmacburry2003]

I've had the Franklin Ebookman. It was great for e-books, except there was no MS reader support. It was 49 dollars at J&R's Music and Computer World.

[zamus68]

Well i'm another late comer to this thread. But if your only looking for an e-book reader it's probably best to buy a used unit or a dedicated reader. I personally prefer my 4155 to my 3955 for reading books. The thing feels alot better in my hand. I think that's the key. Using the record button to page up and down has always seemed odd to me. I prefer being able to tap the screen to turn the page. More than likely this is due to my love of normal books. Reach up turn page (tap page).

But the key factors would be:

1. Screen. Is it easy to read in all lighting conditions.
2. Ergonomics. Is it easy to hold for extended periods of time.
3. Reader softare avail. I prefer Ubook then Mobi.

[Gee Mont]

I’ve been using an iPaq 3835 for almost two years. I think it’s pretty good for ebooks and never had a problem. I often have a cat sitting on me and demanding affection, so I’ve become proficient at reading one-handed, holding the PDA in the my right and using my thumb on the large button in the center to page forward or back, and petting the cat with my left. Only on occasion do I fat finger the key and jump ahead by more than a page.

Stay away from the Franklin Bookman, even though it is cheap as dirt now. Not only is it obsolete and unsupported, it is piece of a hobo’s merde. I got one as a gift in 2001 and could never get it to sync with ebooks, although it sync with Outlook fine. I returned it after a frustrating few week and no response from its customer service.

I’m reading this thread with interest. The battery life on my current iPaq doesn’t seem holding a charge the way it used to when she was young, (it could just be the 256MB SD I added last November), I’m may be in the market for a new PDA later this year. The Toshiba e805, for its 4” screen, is tempting, but I’d want to see one in action first, and haven’t been shopping around yet. The old Dame still has life in her

[portnoy]

Originally Posted by tanalasta

The toshi's have jog dials and whilst i've never seen the vga screen in action, i agree its probably going to very pretty! However, i wouldn't buy a pocketpc device just for reading ebooks! Not only can you use them for so much more, but its quite a lot of money!

A friend of mine bought a Toshiba e310 JUST for reading ebooks. I had a Handspring Visor Deluxe at that time and he was intrigued. He couldn't get it to sync so he returned it and actually bought a Sony NR70, just for reading books! Well, ok, he also plays a couple simple games on it but still has no idea how to create notes or phonelists or calendar entries on the thing.

Originally Posted by tanalasta

I usually navigate through ebooks using my stylus to click on the next buttons (or scroll buttons) but honestly, its not that much of an issue. Everyone has their own little personal preferences Actually though, i'm not a big fan of ebooks. The only one that i use now is pocketbible (laridian) and thats more a program than an ebook 8)

I generally use the D-Pad on my Toshiba e335 for turning pages. I keep the thing in a Belkin case, and that makes it hard to use the jog wheel unfortunately.

[senfeng]

I've been reading on my 2215 and though I long for a jog dial, its comforable in my hand. I recently got the Toshiba e805 and its got a jog dial, but its so dang big that I can't really use it for reading for more than a few hours. Now I'm a big guy with big hands, but my Toshi's just too uncomforable for long stretches of reading.