Fry eReads; should I too?
(part of my ongoing Unexpected Literary References series)
The episode of Futurama titled Lrrreconcilable Ndndifferences featured a suspiciously eReader-esque device (pictured in the above screenshot, though the episode contained better images of the device), which got me thinking, yet again, about my inevitable adoption of an eReader.
I’ve held off so far for two main reasons:
- I simply like having books. Yes, possibly just to show off for my two friends who would be impressed by a bookshelf, but also because I feel that the nurtured associations of a book–the smell, the feel of the pages, the statement of class–are part of the reading experience and actually add to the overall gratification of a finished book.
- No single eReader delivers what I want.
And what do I want?
- Low price point. Overall, eReaders have recently dropped in price, which is encouraging. But still I feel that $149 is too much.
- E-ink screen. Fuck the LCD. This means no Literati reader. Sad, too, because I was really looking forward to that one.
- Ownership of files. Some people don’t realize that when you purchase a book for your Kindle, you don’t actually own the file. Amazon does. I want a copy on my local computer.
- Choice of storefront. Again, a fault of the Kindle. This device can only read .pdfs and Amazon files. I’m uncomfortable with being forced to suckle a single teet.
- Ability to read a variety of file formats. The Sony eReader and the Cool-er Reader can read many different formats including .pdf and the (slowly becoming) industry standard ePub format. But store options for purchasing the books are still limited.
I am getting closer. But come on industry! Give me what I want.
“Own” the file? Well, it’s just DRM, but you can also put it on your local computer, sure. And no one says you have to leave the WiFi turned on should Amazon turn Orwellian… The flip-side of that is that you can re-download your books anytime you want. But I don’t want to make excuses for them. Anyway, if you’re waiting for one device and file format to rule them all, it’s probably not going to happen for a long time, because while ePub may be the most available, Kindle’s wicked popular with the masses. So you’ll have to choose a side. And there are simple conversion tools like Calibre (if there’s no DRM). As for the single e-teat, yeah, when we’re talking brick-n-mortar that would suck(le), but online I pretty much only buy from Amazon anyway, so that’s fine by me. One man’s opinion.
I have ended the debate in my heart. The ability to download all kinds of classics for free has got me sold on an e-reader. (Kindle seems to be my default, but I’m willing to be convinced elsewhere.) Since I don’t buy much, I know I can’t buy this for myself, as my family wants to know what to get me for my birthday. I doubt my mind will change by the end of the year.
I’ll still buy books, but come vacation time, that little e-reader loaded with novels will make my luggage happy.
I just found out that the Sony eReader has access to all the google public domain books, and can read multiple file formats, and can store book files on your local computer. I think I am leaning toward this one. Plus, updated touch screen versions were just released for all three of the Sony versions.