E-books are digital books that can be read on a computer, phone, or other mobile devices that are specifically made for reading e-books, like digital e-readers.  This is changing somewhat with the advent of Apple’s iPad, which is a mobile media device more similar to a tablet PC or a giant iPhone than to a standalone e-reader.  The iPad has both an e-reader app and the look and feel of other e-readers like Amazon’s Kindle DX, Sony’s Reader, Barnes & Noble’s nook, and Spring Design’s Alex readers, but is able to do more than just read e-books, which gives it a slight advantage (and price difference).

Price Differences

While the Kindle, the nook, and The Reader from Sony all hover around $259, Apple’s iPad starts at $399 and goes up from there depending on how many features and accessories are added.  If you want just the essentials, that is all that you will get for $399, but this isn’t a review of the iPad.  This is an introduction to digital e-book readers and to the accessories and essentials that accompany them.

Accessories

E-reader backs, cases, covers, and frames: what is the difference between them? Backs are specialized to an e-reader and actually replace a back, such as to a nook, with a plastic, colorful back that protects the e-reader. Cases completely enclose the e-book reader and usually zip up. They are usually hard plastic, but can be made of soft nylon and sometimes come with a strap, which makes it a carrying case. Covers are like traditional book covers, or jackets. They are mostly made of leather, but can come in paper too, which makes it feel more like you are holding an actual book. And frames are like back covers in that they are specialized to the e-reader product type. For example, nook frames only work with nooks. Also like backs, they are made of plastic, come in different colors, and are made to protect the e-book reader and to keep your hands from sweating as much when the e-reader gets hot.

Essentials

E-readers don’t work well without the essentials: power, cables, lights, and storage. Some e-book readers have replaceable, serviceable batteries. Some e-readers charge with USB, others with proprietary adapters. There are adapters for normal AC wall outlets and for car cigarette lighter outlets. Most e-book readers use microSD flash cards for storage, which is becoming a sort of standard, probably because of their small physical size, but large storage capacity. Finally, USB or battery-powered LED lights light up the screen, which can be protected by film or other special covers. Find the accessory that is essential for keeping your e-book reader fully charged, connected, and protected at kinskins.net.