I’m no expert on e-book reading but I’m a big e-reader. What I mean by that is that I read electronic content all day long but I don’t read many books. I’ve been working my way through the Adventures of Tom Sawyer on the SmartQ7 and have tried to continue on the Archos 5 but I don’t get very far before I’m distracted by an email or twitter notification and then I’m off into one of those enjoyable but never-ending web journeys.
Based on my experience with the Archos 5, its form factor, hours of using Google Reader (Android formatted) and the web browser I’d say that the form factor lends itself perfectly to 1hr reading sessions and that due to the weight (smartphone weight) and screen characteristics (200 ppi and well-aliased fonts and adjustable back-lighting) many people will end up doing more. What effect that has on your eyes is unknown to me but it certainly feels more comfortable than smaller screens I’ve tried.
I can’t really show you the quality of the screen on a video but you might get an idea of how you might use this device to read e-book content in the video I’ve prepared for you below. You’ll see FbreaderJ with a mobipocket-formatted e-book and Aldiko and an epub-formatted book with online download. One thing missing is commercial content. It is possible to convert encrypted and even DRM-protected content but I’d like to be able to link directly into books from commercial stores like Amazon and Mobipocket without all that hassle.
Don’t forget to watch in full-screen and hit the ‘HQ’ button for the higher quality version.
I’ve shown you Social Messaging, HD video playback and now Ebook reading on the Archos 5 IT but there are at least two other usage scenarios that I want to show you. Next week i’ll be highlighting the Web browsing experience and the navigation experience and that will probably round-up the Archos 5 IT coverage for a while.
If you have experience with dedicated e-book readers, let us know how you feel about this LCD reading experience. How would you feel if the Amazon Kindle software was ported to the Archos Tablet?
P.S. Anyone know if there are commercial audiobook apps for Android? An Audible app would be awesome!
More info on the Archos 5 Internet Tablet here.
October 7th, 2009 at 8:04 am
E-book Reading and the Archos Tablet. (Video) @aldiko @fbreader http://cli.gs/NdLGb
October 7th, 2009 at 8:07 am
RT @chippy: E-book Reading and the Archos Tablet. (Video) @aldiko @fbreader http://cli.gs/NdLGb
October 7th, 2009 at 10:34 am
how about as a comic reader chippy? or anyone else tried?
at the moment i use my m912 which in many ways is perfect. but if usable the archos would be more portable and have better battery life.
October 7th, 2009 at 12:57 pm
What format are we talking about?
800×480 isn’t the best for full-screen page viewing so image degradation on scaling could be the issue here.
October 7th, 2009 at 1:42 pm
Gosh, put a trasreflective screen and you have a almost perfect business reader.
October 7th, 2009 at 1:51 pm
Archos 5 really got me interested! Hand held devices like these are perfect for the stuff like RSS reader and ebook reader. Still as i mentioned before transreflecive screen version like with PixelQi would be superb round the home/office environment.
October 7th, 2009 at 2:26 pm
Reading ebooks on Archos Tablet with #Aldiko http://cli.gs/NdLGb (via @chippy)
October 7th, 2009 at 2:27 pm
Reading ebooks on Archos Tablet with #Aldiko http://cli.gs/NdLGb (via @chippy) @mikecane @Hadrien
October 7th, 2009 at 3:26 pm
GJï¼Aldiko ePub 閱讀器在 Archos 5（螢幕4.8"，系統為Anodroid）上的表ç¾å¾ˆä¸éŒ¯ï¼Œæ›¸æ«ƒé 的比例似乎還有調整的空間，但從影片ä¸çœ‹åˆ°çš„閱讀功能確實ä¸éŒ¯ï½žè¤‡åˆè¨å‚™ä¸Šçš„é›»å書接下來應該會很好玩ï¼
http://tinyurl.com/ybwlxvg
October 7th, 2009 at 3:50 pm
I don’t own an e-book reader, but after seeing them in person, IMO e-paper is not really so big a deal that e-paper based e-book readers will push out other mobile devices. Currently e-paper is not quite as readable as real paper, and the long latency of the display really prevents effective annotation. If LCD technology developers can reduce the power demands of LCD screens, a multi-functional device will displace the e-paper e-book readers to some degree.
In general, the main limitation these days is always battery life and battery technology, IMO. The benefit of a dedicated device (mp3 player, e-book reader) is primarily that using one doesn’t drain the battery on your phone/internet device. If smartphones had a 24h battery life instead of a 5 or 6h battery life, having additional, more dedicated-function devices in addition would seem a lot less appealing.
October 7th, 2009 at 4:03 pm
I read on another forum that you named this the World’s Greatest e-book Reader. I must have missed something because nowhere on here do I read that you have named the Archos as the greatest of anything. Or is someone in fantasy land? Since you recommend waiting on this device I assume you are being cautious about it.
October 7th, 2009 at 4:49 pm
No, someone else called it the worlds greatest and linked to my video!
I quickly commented on that post!!!
October 7th, 2009 at 5:36 pm
Yep, I did read your reply on that other forum. Pretty rude to misquote you. The other guy seems to think anything with Archos on it is the greatest thing ever made. Not very objective I’d say.
Thanks for your down to earth reviews.
October 7th, 2009 at 9:55 pm
Haha that’ll be Charbax. He is a well known Archos fanboy.
October 9th, 2009 at 8:33 am
Video featuring #Aldiko running on the Archos 5 #Android tablet http://bit.ly/2DmeG5