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Convergence devices like tablets and smartphones are great because they eliminate the need for having a million different gadgets whose performance is only marginally better. But there are some instances when dedicated devices make more sense. As the NY Times points out, reading books is one of those instances.
Fear not, this is not a militant rallying cry for physical books; those are fine, but overall, I’m rather ambivalent about what medium a novel arrives in. Rather, this is an argument about the virtues of the dedicated eReader. And it appears I’m not alone in this sentiment, as the NY times has stats to back it up.
But there are signs that publishers are cooling on tablets for e-reading. A recent survey by Forrester Research showed that 31 percent of publishers believed iPads and similar tablets were the ideal e-reading platform; one year ago, 46 percent thought so.
“The tablet is like a temptress,” said James McQuivey, the Forrester Research analyst who led the survey. “It’s constantly saying, ‘You could be on YouTube now.’ Or it’s sending constant alerts that pop up, saying you just got an e-mail. Reading itself is trying to compete.”
The times is spot on in highlighting the distracting nature of the tablet device. Our emails, IMs, and apps are perpetually notifying us about new things. And nothing is worse than being immersed in the world of a novel or non-fiction work and being yanked out of by an email from some family member asking how to use a USB cable.
I love the tablet for flipping through magazines and reading 500-1000 word articles. And yeah, textbooks make sense. But when it’s time for some hardcore reading, my eReader is the tool of choice. The phone is set to silent and turned on its face. The computer lid is closed. And for the duration of my time spent reading, I am uninterrupted from the words in front of my face.
Sure you can turn everything on your tablet off, but the distraction is still lurking under the surface in a more immediate manner. All those apps are a button away in those moments where you’d normally just stare out the window or take a short break to collect your thoughts.
And let’s not forget about the many hardware virtues of the eReader. It’s lighter, more portable, more durable, has a longer battery life, and has a screen you can read in direct sunlight. These pros far outweigh the con of having to have a second device.
So yeah, when it comes to books, screw the tablet. Get an eReader instead. Even if its just an old one you found on eBay for £30. [NY Times]
Image via Lifehacker
I completely agree, I own an iPad 2 and I find its biggest flaw for me is that it does too much. I can’t stay using it for only one thing for any length of time because there are 101 other things I could be doing instead on the iPad. More choice doesn’t make me happier. For that reason I have found a buyer for my iPad. It has been sitting on top of my wardrobe for a couple of weeks as a trial run without it, and I find I’m happier having one less device to choose from, and I am enjoying reading real books without distractions.
I have a reader and a tablet. I tend to use both with the reader winning out when I am out and about as long as it is loaded with the book I want. Main disadvantage is the reader is an old one without wifi(still great Sony PRS-700) and the tablet connects to my calibre web server so can access all my books anywhere in the world.
I actually used my tablet to get new books while I was working in Cyprus last year it was very handy.
I tend not to get distracted the nice thing about android tabs is you get more options for disabling things and removing the distracting apps. At the moment I don’t get notifications while reading at all and I have removed most of the media and news apps. Basically all I use it for is reading and working at the moment will probably save this current image in clockwork and make a play ROM image with all the fun stuff so I can switch about.
Reading on a tablet = Distracted by constant notifications and thoughts of going on the internet.
Reading on an eReader or an actual book = Distracted by the fact that you have a tv and computer in the house and thoughts of watching that tv or going on the internet.
What’s the big difference again?
I agree, App button vs opening laptop, phone on silent – but probably buzzing away on the desk? Not a great deal in it.
What’s wrong with ‘Aircraft’ mode and/or simply a good dose of old fashioned discipline and concentration?!
The distractions are just one click away on a tablet, with the tv or computer you probably have to move and get to the computer or tv and turn it on etc. It’s only a small difference but it does matter. It’s like high street shops in winter that don’t close the door even though it costs them more money in heating, because they know that small amount of extra effort (opening the shop door) will significantly reduce the number of customers. If that makes any sense..
If you’re getting distracted that easily you clearly aren’t enjoying the book very much. If I’m reading something I’m genuinely into no amount of notifications is going to draw me away.
I prefer audiobooks in most cases. I like the fact that I can ‘read’ while walking or exercising. Killing two birds with one stone, especially when it helps take my mind off what I am doing i.e. running. I’ve read so many more books since I turned to audiobooks, about one a week. There are some downsides but I find the pros far out way the cons.
If I were to read an ebook, I’d read it on my iPhone. it’s much lighter and the only downside is that you have to turn the page more often. I can live with that.
I don’t own an iPad or dedicated eReader. The only thing I’d prefer to do on an iPad over the iPhone which I suspect would be considerably better would be reading comics. That’s not enough of a justification at present so my iPhone remains good enough for most of my needs.
You’ve missed the big advantage of reading on tablets/phones. It’s much less disturbing to your partner when reading in bed at night. An eInk reader is lovely, but it needs waaay more light to work in that situation. I also like the fact that I always have my phone with me, so can always carry on reading when I choose.
Otherwise, I agree with the advantages of ereaders, they have their good side too. But not distractions, that’s just a mind over matter thing.
Reading on a tablet is horrid just because the display, even a “retina display” (roll eyes, groan etc) doesn’t have the DPI or contrast of the printed page.
I use a 2nd gen Kindle at work for technical manuals and it works reasonably well for that; searching is very useful as is bookmarking and annotation. Access to instantaneous downloads is also a killer feature when you need information immediately.
However, I still find the contrast ratio isn’t good enough, the screen is very grey, like reading a book printed on recycled bog roll. The balance is top heavy too and you’re forced to have your thumb almost vertical rather than diagonal like you would with a book. The new Kindle may be better however.
I would still buy a novel as a physical printed book, a secondhand printed book for that matter.
VAT on ebooks that you can’t lend to a friend for as long as you like or rent from the library or donate to/buy at a charity shop?
No thank you.
If you’re being distracted by IMs, emails or apps turn off the 3G/WiFi. Simples.
I do agree about the battery life and the eReaders being lighter, though.
I could never read ebooks on a tablet. I own a Asus Transformer, and it’s a fantastic bit of kit, does everything I want of it, and more besides, it’s a true iPad killer (not that the Apple fanboys even know about it), but ebooks are the only thing I wouldn’t do on it.
For that, I have a Sony PRS-T1, and again, every pleased with it, the touchscreen is superb, and I wouldn’t buy an e-reader without one (I wouldn’t touch a Kindle with a bargepole either, due to the content lock-in to Amazon, which is a REALLY bad thing). I considered the Kobo, as I know a couple of people that have them, and when I tried them, I was very impressed, but I liked the REALLY light feel of the Sony, and it was only a £20 premium in price over the Kobo touch.
If I had two devices, then yes, I would opt for reading on a dedicated eReader – However, I don’t! I have an iPad 1 and am more than happy with reading my books on that. Given the choice, most people would choose the dedicated machine as usually, this offers a better experience.
Although reading it on holiday last year in the scorching sun did result in it over-heating.
Now, I’ll tell you what is dumb – reading books on a smartphone! I’ve a GSII and trying to read my Kindle books on it is laughable.
I agree whole heartedly.. I’ve tried reading on my phone, a tablet, my desktop monitor and even on a Palm handheld for a while. They all really bothered my eyes and nothing I’ve tried compares to a dedicated eReader. I still like real books but sadly just dont have the space for an ever-growing library.
This never occurred to me. I only use my smartphone to read articles while waiting for something else. I do all the serious reading on my Kindle. Maybe we can solve this by having some sort of “Don’t Distract” mode where the device won’t bug you with other stuff while reading… at least on tablets (so there are no incoming calls/SMS to be anticipated).
i find the idea of reading book on a backlit screen ****ing stupid.
Not only stupid, but difficult – It’s tiring to look at a back-lit screen for long periods. The e-INK screens are 100% better. What is important when using a back-lit screen is that the ambient light is good also.
totally agree. don’t know why the article doesn’t really mention this, but instead states distraction as the most limiting factor to reading books on a tablet! I would have gone for burning your eyes out.
What is dumb is writing a dumb article like this. Are you so easily distracted? I read a lot of technical and academic material on my tablet (one of the better ones) and I don’t find anything a distraction at all! I love it, I think it is brilliant. I have also decided to move as much as I can from my ‘real’ library to my tablet. It saves a lot of space. Wonderful!
The article adequately highlights the low concentration and focus levels of people.