Originally Posted by
tuff
Two questions: are e-book readers (such as the Kindle or Sony Reader) actually worth getting or would it just be another gadget for me to lose?
Secondly, presumably you can't use them during take off or landing which is one of the main times I read so I would have to take a real book anyway?
I don't think it's a "fad". My experience with e-books started in 2001 and I've never looked back. 1st device I used was the Rocket eBook - a dedicated device. Gemstar TV Guide bought it and killed it after a couple of years. I still miss that device and am still boycotting TV Guide. Did I mention I can hold a grudge?
Moved on to a Dell pda and content from various online stores - including Barnes and Noble who started then stopped and now have started pushing e-books again. I was skeptical about the small screen and my baby boomer vision but it's never been an issue. Through a series of M&As, BN now owns what started out as a Palm-centric e-book retailer - my primary source. I've got around 450 books on my bookshelf on their site. The site/software supports my iPod touch.
I'll give a big 'thumbs up' to the iPod touch as an e-book reader after using it for almost two years. As noted, Kindle has an app and I have that on the device as well. My biggest gripe is content - not everything I want to read (mainly fiction - eclectic taste, everything but Westerns and Romances) is available in e-book form. It's getting better with the advent of the Kindle.
A magazine or two takes care of take off and landing.
It's SOOOOOO nice not dragging around ten pounds of books every time I travel. My idea of Hell (other than Chuck E. Cheese) is being stuck anywhere, except driving a car, for more than five minutes with nothing to read.