But what of the ereaders like the Amazon Kindle and the Sony Reader?  The ereader has slowly become a mainstream consumer device, with the Kindle getting the lion’s share of the market. Seeing the promise of such a device however, a lot of similar ebook readers have also been released of late, with most of them sporting practically the same attributes as that of the Kindle. Now with the introduction of tablet PCs like the iPad which can also ably function as an ebook reader, the gadget demand may perhaps shift  to multi-functional devices. Can the iPad really make a major dent on the ebook reader industry? Let’s weigh the significant factors.

First off, the negatives. The iPad will only be associated with Apple’s own ebook store. While this makes sense for those who are still considering buying an ebook reading gadget, if you already own a ton of ebooks, you won’t be able to access these in the iPad. Actual ebook prices are still for confirmation, but there’s word that buying iBooks in the Apple ebook store is going to run you around 12.99 dollars and 14.99 dollars. These rates can be a little pricey for those who have to start from scratch. Plus, Amazon’s ebooks continue to retail at 9.99 dollars apiece.

Notwithstanding, buying an iPad has its own set of benefits, as it’s a device that can serve many functions. You can use this big iPhone clone, sans the “phone”, to stream high-def movies, watch your favorite TV shows, do online browsing, and have fun with games on a 9.7 inch IPS touch screen. True to Apple standards, the clarity and color is superb, and the package includes your choice of 16-GB, 32-GB or 64-GB internal storage. With such storage capacity, the Library can hold a lot of books, which are cleverly displayed on a “book shelf” design. With one simple tap, you may pick out your ebook, and read it on the high-resolution, LED back-lit screen. Depending on your memory and connection preferences, prices start out at 499 dollars and end at 829 dollars. It does run special apps developed specially for the iPad, and you’ll have access to many of the 140,000 other apps at the App Store.

On the other hand, the Kindle is a device designed for the user’s most comfortable and convenient reading experience in mind. Unlike the LCD monitor of the iPad, the Kindle, like the present batch of ebook readers, is equipped with e-ink display, which many say, is unarguably best for reading for longer periods of time. The Kindle’s battery can last up to two weeks without recharging, so it could also make the right traveling companion. The 6-inch model is priced at 259 dollars, while the 9.7-inch Kindle DX costs 489 dollars.

So which gadget gets our thumbs up in this Kindle vs iPad comparison? Definitely for the gadget geek, the iPad will go perfectly alongside his MacBook Pro, AirPort Express, Magic Mouse and its smaller counterpart in looks, the iPhone. Jobs and his staff have come up with yet another brilliant product for the hardcore Apple user. But for the bookworm just looking to read in the most conjucive “environment” and have little need for all of the other extra features, the Kindle ebook reader is still your best option on the market today.

But what of the ebook readers like the Amazon Kindle and the Sony Reader?  The ereader is fast becoming a mainstream consumer device, with the Kindle getting the bigger share of the market. Seeing the potential of such a device however, many such ebook readers have also been released of late, with most of them sporting practically the same features as that of the Kindle. Now with the introduction of tablet PCs like the iPad which can also ably perform as an ebook reader, the gadget need may swing  to multi-functional devices. Can the iPad really make a major dent on the ebook reader industry? Let's take a look at the significant factors.

Let's start with the cons of the Apple device. The iPad will only be associated with Apple's own ebook store. While getting an iPad is a smart move for those who are still considering buying an ebook reading gadget, if you already own a lot of digital books, you won't be able to access these in the iPad. Actual ebook prices are still to be confirmed, but there's word that purchasing iBooks in the Apple ebook store is going to cost you around 12.99 dollars and 14.99 dollars. These rates can be a little steep if you have to start from scratch. Plus, Amazon's ebooks continue to retail at 9.99 dollars apiece.

Notwithstanding, getting an iPad has its own set of benefits, being a device that can perform many functions. You will be able to use this big iPhone clone, sans the “phone”, to stream high-def movies, watch your favorite TV shows, browse the net, and play games on a 9.7 inch IPS touch screen. True to Apple standards, the resolution and color is amazing, and the package includes your choice of 16-GB, 32-GB or 64-GB internal memory. With such storage capability, the Library can hold tons of books, which are ingeniously displayed on a “book shelf” design. With an easy tap, you can choose your ebook, and read it on the high-resolution, LED back-lit screen. Depending on your storage and connection preferences, prices start out at 499 dollars and end at 829 dollars. It does have special apps developed specifically for the iPad, and you'll have access to most of the 140,000 other apps at the App Store.

On the other hand, the Amazon Kindle is a device intended for the user's most relaxing and convenient reading experience in mind. Unlike the LCD monitor of the iPad, the Kindle, like the present batch of ebook readers, utilizes e-ink display, which many say, is unarguably best for reading for longer periods of time. The Kindle's battery can last as long as two weeks without recharging, so it could also make the ideal traveling companion. The 6-inch model is priced at 259 dollars, while the 9.7-inch Kindle DX costs 489 dollars.

So which gadget gets our thumbs up in this Kindle vs iPad matchup? Definitely for the gadget geek, the iPad will fit perfectly alongside his MacBook Pro, AirPort Express, Magic Mouse and its smaller counterpart in looks, the iPhone. Jobs and his staff have come up with yet another brilliant product for the hardcore Apple user. But for the booklover just aiming to read in the most conjucive “environment” and don't require all of the other extra features, the Kindle ebook reader remains to be your best option on the market today.

Perhaps the best example is the iPod. It’s a web browser, music player, phone and has an enormous range of “Apps” which can vary from games to sightseeing recommendations. It even has a Kindle app which allows users to read Kindle books on their iPod.

The Kindle reader itself could be considered to be a multi-functional device. Over and above its primary function as an e-book reader, it can be used as a web browser. Whilst the functionality is limited, chiefly due to its display which is black and white and not well suited to showing video due to a somewhat slow refresh rate.

On the other side of the coin, it is the Kindle’s e-ink technology display which makes it so much more pleasant to read on than either a computer screen or the iPod. Due to the fact that it is not back-lit, it produces much less eye strain in use than using a standard LCD type of monitor.

A further advantage of e-ink technology displays is the fact that they only require power when the screen is being rewritten. What this means is that e-book readers can go for a long time on a single battery charge. It’s the perfect scenario for a battery operated portable item. Typically, e-book readers can last for several thousand “page turns” between charges. For the average reader, that will equate to anything between four and six weeks of use.

So, the very thing that makes e-book readers such ideal devices to reading books on – the e-Ink display – is placing a limitation on their ability to perform other tasks, such as video display or surfing the web. In the future, color e-Ink displays will almost certainly become available, with a more rapid refresh rate. Hardware devices like the Kindle will then become better video players and web browsers.

In the meantime, based upon the fact that e-book readers are very much the hot gadget of the moment, it does look as if there is still a place for devices which do one job only. Just so long as, like the Amazon Kindle, they do that one job very well.

Electronic books are not a recent idea however.  E-books have been around a good long time now, and while traditional publishing is still the main driving force in the industry, there’s a notable and consistent increase in interest in reading on handheld devices.  Many globally renowned newspapers, magazines and websites are syndicated to handheld devices each day, offering the same contents as within their print versions lacking the harm to the ecosystem that printing physical copies is able to have. 

In addition, e-book readers are capable of storing a huge deal more content than you would generally be able to carry in its real form.  Purchasing ebook readers has additionally never been simpler as you will get these things from all the main outlets like Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Waterstones and naturally the Apple iTunes app store. 

Some classes and schools are also turning to E-books to solve the problem of constantly updating textbooks for scholars.  This is something that is becoming really beneficial to education, as it compacts the massive amounts of content a student desires to take in, onto one single practical device instead of large reams of papers. 

Ebook readers are also amazing for travelling, as you can have a variety of books, books, mags, papers, blog content and more in the middle of your hand.  Additionally, devices like the iPod touch and the Amazon Kindle offer wireless connectivity all over the world, meaning you are able to update your publications and download more to enjoy. 

The digital publishing industry is something that will grow in importance over the approaching years, as paper stocks decrease and manufacturing expenses rise, many publishers and readers are turning to digital handheld devices over the standard paper publications in order to uphold superb output without needing to stint on excellence.  No matter what you would like to read, there are ebook readers for you, and there’s also a variety of amazing widgets available to help you just do that.  Check out the best ebook readers that are to be had on the internet and check out which one of them will most closely fit your requirements.

During the 2009 festive season, the Kindle became Amazon’s “most gifted” product ever and, on Christmas day 2009, Amazon sold more Kindle books than they did traditional printed volumes. Of course, that was probably due to all those lucky people who had received a Kindle as a Christmas gift. It seems likely that, having unwrapped their gift, happy new Kindle owners would want to test their new toy. That would probably have involved connecting to the Amazon website and downloading a Kindle book or two.

Nevertheless, selling more Kindle books than paperbacks and hardbacks is still a significant milestone. If some feel that the method of achieving this was slightly artificial then perhaps that simply underlines how well the Kindle fits into Amazon’s business model.

Needless to say, Amazon’s competitors have been enviously eyeing their success and taking steps to ensure that they secure a share of the new e-book reader market. The list of companies who have their own new e-book readers currently under development reads like a who’s who of consumer electronics manufacturers. Apple, Samsung, Sony and Microsoft are some of the competitors who will be going head to head with Amazon in 2010. Not to overlook Barnes and Noble who have now entered the market with their new Nook reader.

A lot of the next generation of e-book readers will include features which will make the current Kindle seem dated. Color displays, touch screen controls and an industry standard e-book format which will let users lend e-books to family and friends or even to borrow books from digital libraries are just some of the features which users can anticipate.

You can be sure that Amazon will not rest on its laurels while their competition enters the market which Amazon has worked so hard to develop. The current Kindles, as innovative as they were just a few short months ago, probably bear little resemblance to what e-book readers will be like in the (very) near future. Amazon probably already has their next generation Kindle under development (the Kindle 4?) and, based upon the level of innovation and drive they have displayed so far, Amazon will be anticipating further success during 2010. Kindle users can look forward to an updated, enhanced Kindle packed with new features – probably in the first half of 2010.

The Kindle currently has a 60% share of the U.S. e-book reader market. The Kindle 2.0 recently launched internationally. Even if Amazon don’t achieve the same high level of success internationally – although it’s difficult to see why they wouldn’t – the increased size of the market is going to help Amazon to even better results in 2010.

There are some who maintain that a lot of the Kindle’s success up to now has been a result of a lack of genuine competition. Whilst it may be true that there weren’t many e-book readers around to go head to head with the Kindle, it would probably be nearer the truth say that the Kindle’s success was chiefly due to the fact that it was an innovative, market changing product.

There are certainly enough alternative readers available today – or due for release in the near future. The lengthy role call of competitors who either have their own readers on the market or programmed for imminent release is a clear indication of the level of growth which is forecast in the e-book reader market. Despite the fact that the market is new and is still in development, it has received support from a number of different sources – including the world of academic publishing and various political bodies. Rapid growth looks inevitable.

A further strong indication of the high level of growth predicted for this sector is the volume of third party goods available to accessorise, protect and customise ebook readers. At the moment the majority of these items are intended for Amazon’s Kindle reader. If you want a Kindle cover, Kindle reading light or a spare charger then there are plenty of independent manufacturers ready and willing to meet your needs. Accessories for new readers, such as Barnes and Noble’s Nook and the Sony Daily Edition reader will gradually expand as their popularity grows.

Just as 2009 was a good year for Amazon, we can expect 2010 to see ebook readers in general become more and more popular. Amazon’s dominance will be challenged and increased competition will drive prices lower – perhaps to the point where such readers enter the mainstream consumer electronics arena.

There seems to be a general agreement amongst business analysts that a price of approximately $ 150 is required for this to happen. Bearing in mind the high level of competition in the market, it’s not too fanciful to suppose that this price point may be achieved during 2010.

The list of manufacturers who have e-book readers in development – or in some cases, ready for release in the near future – is impressive. Asus, iRex, Sony, Plastic Logic, Barnes and Noble – not forgetting Microsoft and Apple – are all queuing up and fighting for their share of the market.

There’s not much doubt about the current market leader of course. The Amazon Kindle reader has not only dominated the market, but has been pivotal in its development since it was launched in November 2007. Now into its second generation with the Kindle 2 and the large display Kindle DX, Amazon has a 60% share of the US e-book reader market. The Kindle reader is now their number one product and, on October 19 this year, after what seemed like a long wait, they started shipping the international Kindle 2 to over 100 countries worldwide. In a way, it’s a kind of backhanded compliment to Amazon that almost every new e-book reader that is announced (and there are plenty, the list above is far from exhaustive) and which shows any promise whatsoever, is immediately named the “Kindle Killer”. At the moment the Kindle is the standard which must first be matched, and then exceeded, in order to assure success.

Just in case anyone thinks that the Kindle’s current leadership position is bordering on unassailable, it’s probably worth remembering that Amazon were a late entrant to the market when the Kindle was launched. The first e-book reader is generally held to be the Franklin eBookMan which launched in 1999 – a decade ago. The Sony PRS was also available prior to the Kindle’s 2007 launch.

The Kindle was such an outstanding success for Amazon because of a number of factors. First of all, Amazon had a strong association with books, being among the largest online retailers. They also had a huge selection of books available for download – they currently offer over 300,000 titles on their Kindle store. The option of wireless connectivity – with no ongoing fees – was another big selling point.

Just as Amazon came from nowhere to secure the number one position, one of the other contenders could do exactly the same – and in the short term. For example, Barnes and Noble have more than one million titles available for download to their new Nook e-book reader. They will also adopt the ePub format – which most readers under development seem to be using. The Kindle mobi format is proprietary. Purchase a Kindle book – read it on your Kindle.

The Nook will also let you “lend” books to your family and friends for a fortnight. During this period, the borrower will be able to read it and the lender won’t have access to it on their Nook – just like lending a “proper” book actually. The only difference is that you will be guaranteed to get it back.

The latest Sony reader – the Sony Daily Edition – is going to have a large display format, just like the Kindle DX, but unlike the DX it will have touch screen control functionality. It will also let users download e-books from participating public libraries on loan. Again – just like a real book.

The other readers in development generally incorporate features that may well make them more appealing than the Kindle. Amazon certainly have a fight on their hands – and it seems certain that they won’t give up their number one position without a fight. Given their innovating role in the development of the market thus far, and considering the importance of the Kindle ebook reader to their business, it seems reasonable to expect them to have a few new ideas yet to be unleashed.

Given the high level of activity among the various manufacturers, it looks as if the e-book reader market is about to enter a period of rapid growth. Hopefully the rampant competition that seems about to be unleashed will force prices downwards and take e-book readers out of the high tech domain and into mainstream personal mobile tech market.

For most people looking to get a digital version of their book, only MS Word or PDF versions are available. This is because most digital documents are set up to be read mainly on desktop computers. PCs and Macs can read these documents very easily or come with programs which can quickly convert files. Unfortunately, the Kindle does not have a native PDF reader and can only take a limited variety of files, most of which you will not find commonly.

Fortunately, there are some ways to deal with these problems. The most common thing people are doing is sending their documents to Amazon and paying to have them converted. While it isn’t extremely expensive, converting dozens or even hundreds of files can require time and money that a college student just doesn’t have. Nickels and dimes do eventually start to add up. If you are computer-savvy you may find it easier to download file conversion programs and do it yourself. It still requires time to do and has a learning curve that might put some people off.

But the mere fact that students and professionals are interested in switching to the Kindle for their reading needs must mean that there are benefits to this move. An obvious one is the size and portability. No more heavy textbooks, no more bulky backpacks, no more sore backs. It could also save you money. How, you may ask, when the Kindle 2 costs a few hundred dollars? You’re forgetting that digitalized versions of books are priced lower than their printed copies so while the purchase might cost more upfront, you will get to see the savings over time. And in this digital age, many college professors are giving PDF materials for students to study. Instead of browsing it on the PC, why not on the Kindle?

You have to weight the pros and cons to determine if making the switch to the Kindle 2 is worth it for you. If you are put off by the thought of converting you files, you may not be interested in the Kindle. But if lugging your paperwork everywhere is starting to take its toll, it may be worth the extra effort to save yourself from the burden. And there is always the option of upgrading to the new Kindle DX, which comes standard with the ability to read PDF files.

The most important thing you can do to narrow down the choices is to set a budget. You are going to be spending at least a couple hundred dollars even on the  cheapest of ereaders. But if your budget allows, you can spend upwards of 1,000 dollars. Don’t always let the features decide which ereader you buy, that is a good  way to spend a lot more and end up with a product you aren’t happy with. Make a budget and stick to it. There are great ereaders in any price range.

Another aspect to consider when buying the best ebook reader for you is your lifestyle. Examine your day-to-day activities and see where an ebook reader may fit. Do you do a lot of traveling? If so, then you may be better off not getting the Kindle DX. Its big screen and advanced technology makes it a perfect companion on the couch, on the bed, and even in the coffee house, but it’s not exactly portable. If you’re a student or a professional who uses PDF files, then you should check first which file types are supported by a particular ebook reader. There are many file formats used on documents, and different readers support different files.

If you are planning on using your new reader for utilitarian purposes such as class or work, you will want one that lasts you long enough. Having your reader  die on you during class is basically the same as not bringing your book with you. And if you are in the middle of working when the battery runs out, your  performance could be in jeopardy. While some very fancy readers offer a lot of features, they may not have the battery life you need. For instance, the Amazon Kindle is able to work for 4 days without a charge. Turn off  WiFi and it is extended to about 2 weeks. While it may be an older model, that long life and lower price can be especially appealing to students.

If you are armed with the knowledge of exactly what you need from an ebook reader, you are more confident in looking over the options available. Ebook readers can also be packaged in the most attractive ways, so you could get sidetracked from getting the best ebook reader for you. Other models may have seemingly better add-ons, but may also come with a steeper price. In a nutshell, finding the best ebook reader isn’t just about the great features, but it’s finding the one that has everything you need at the right price.

You may have heard about some leather covers that ironically have caused the damaged to the Kindle but rest assured, you would have none of that with the M Edge Kindle cover.

What the M Edge does guarantee is a leather cover that has a high quality feel as compared to other covers with the same price. There may be other leather covers that can compete even with brand name handbags but for that, you might end up shelling out about one-third the price of the Kindle itself. Some people could stand a scratch or two if that’s how steep the cover is going to be. The M Edge on the other hand, offers a reasonable protection at a reasonable price. The good thing is, the lower cost doesn’t actually show.

Using a cover for the Kindle has its own drawbacks. For one, you lose its slimness which is part of its sleek look. Even while it does the job protecting the device, the leather cover unfortunately, also manages to make it appear bigger and more bulky, and adds weight to the otherwise light ebook reader. If the slim, sleek appearance of the Kindle means a lot to you, you might need to make some tough decisions.

But if you are looking toward buying the Amazon leather cover, you may be persuaded back when you find out that the Amazon cover actually poses a threat of damage to the Kindle. While the hinge system on Amazon’s cover is very unique, in rare situations it can damage the Kindle. The M Edge Kindle cover does not have the advanced spine of the Amazon cover, but it will protect your favorite ebookk reader just as well.