08-04-2011, 02:05 PM | #1 |
Hanger on
Posts: 148
Karma: 1355233
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Dorset, UK
Device: Kindle 3, Galaxy S, Sony PRS-505, Sony tablet
|
Are smartphones the future?
The UK telecoms regulator Ofcom says that one in three adults in Britain now uses a smartphone, according to a BBC news story today.
Amazon are tight-lipped about the actual number of Kindles in use, but doesn't this make smartphones the effective platform of choice for e-reading? |
08-04-2011, 02:09 PM | #2 |
Runs With Scissors
Posts: 115
Karma: 1173596
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: USA
Device: Kindle Voyage
|
Not for me. Reading on those screens for long periods gives me a headache.
|
Advert | |
|
08-04-2011, 02:11 PM | #3 |
PHD in Horribleness
Posts: 2,320
Karma: 23599604
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: In the ironbound section, near avenue L
Device: Just a whole bunch. I guess I am a collector now.
|
It is not an either/or option.
Do people who live in cities drive cars and ride motorcycles, or do they ride public transportation? Which is it? |
08-04-2011, 02:29 PM | #4 |
Grand Sorcerer
Posts: 27,877
Karma: 198099188
Join Date: Jan 2010
Device: Nexus 7, Kindle Fire HD
|
Casual readers? Sure; phones might work great for them. But there's always going to be a need for book-sized (approximately) screens... especially for those who read for several hours a day on average. And lots of overlap between those two demographics as well. I just don't see "one type of device to rule them all" ever happening... or even needing to ever happen.
|
08-04-2011, 02:33 PM | #5 |
eBook Enthusiast
Posts: 85,544
Karma: 93383043
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: UK
Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6
|
It's a case of using the right device for the right job. For web browsing, a Smartphone is the right choice - I'm writing this on my iPhone. For reading novels, my Kindle is much better.
|
Advert | |
|
08-04-2011, 02:35 PM | #6 |
Grand Sorcerer
Posts: 27,877
Karma: 198099188
Join Date: Jan 2010
Device: Nexus 7, Kindle Fire HD
|
Besides... I hate having to answer my book when it rings.
|
08-04-2011, 02:36 PM | #7 | |
Wizard
Posts: 1,262
Karma: 2979086
Join Date: Nov 2010
Device: Kindle 4, iPad Mini/Retina
|
Quote:
|
|
08-04-2011, 02:37 PM | #8 |
Wizard
Posts: 3,025
Karma: 11196738
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Piper College
Device: Samsung A21
|
Speaking as an avide book worm that uses both a smart phone and Kindle for reading books I must say from experience that the small screen does not bother me that much, simply necessistates more screen changes then otherwise necessary. However the real difference between the smart phone electronic books and the ones of the readers, that I can see, is instances where space is going to be an issue. If I am going to and from working with big packs in hand and a lot of things in my gym bag then I am going to go from the berry otherwise I would preferr to go with the Kindle since it has a larger screen then the berry does.
I can see where smart phones would be the defacto starting platform for electronic book reading since most of the phones out there these days are smart phones and since they are already paying for the phone might as well make it do everything that it can for you. |
08-04-2011, 02:55 PM | #9 |
lost in my e-reader...
Posts: 7,870
Karma: 54866998
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: sunny southern California, USA
Device: Android phone, Sony T1, Nook ST Glowlight, Galaxy Tab 7 Plus
|
I have no problem reading for long periods of time on my smart phone (Xperia X10). I love the fact that it is backlit (great for reading in bed), that I can have multiple e-readers on it (fbreader, Nook, Kindle, Kobo, etc.), and that I can pull it out of my pocket anytime, even just for a couple of minutes standing in line. Even though I also have the small Sony PRS-300, which I really like too, it doesn't really fit in a pocket, although it fits great in my backpack. Yeah, yeah, I know it's lame to whine about the effort to open my backpack, but that's just the way it is.
For me, the PRS-300 is now pretty much reserved for reading in the sun (one of my favorite restaurants has a great outdoor patio) and for trips or other occasions when I need to conserve the battery life on my phone. For me, the smartphone IS my primary e-reader now. |
08-04-2011, 03:01 PM | #10 | |
eBook Enthusiast
Posts: 85,544
Karma: 93383043
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: UK
Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6
|
Quote:
http://venturebeat.com/2011/06/30/ni...ice-purchases/ most (62%) phones in the US market are currently "dumb" phones, although smartphones do now account for the majority (55%) of new sales. |
|
08-04-2011, 03:07 PM | #11 |
Grand Sorcerer
Posts: 27,877
Karma: 198099188
Join Date: Jan 2010
Device: Nexus 7, Kindle Fire HD
|
My cell phone was so dumb that I eliminated it entirely. Quite liberating actually. Not to mention all that extra money for books each month.
|
08-04-2011, 03:12 PM | #12 |
Fanatic
Posts: 504
Karma: 780086
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: ny
Device: Kindle DX Graphite
|
i would not want to own a cell phone. that's why i went with the dx.
|
08-04-2011, 03:19 PM | #13 |
Guru
Posts: 880
Karma: 7556602
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: UK
Device: Kindle PW, Win 10 thinkpad 8in
|
Un-surprisingly none of the people listed reading on Smartphone as one of the uses! Or maybe it wasn't even in the question.
din |
08-04-2011, 03:23 PM | #14 |
Guru
Posts: 880
Karma: 7556602
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: UK
Device: Kindle PW, Win 10 thinkpad 8in
|
It will be interesting to see these percentages against all the devices. That may give a better indication. On its own, Smartphone is supposed live up to its name. So this survey shows nothing new in terms of usage.
|
08-04-2011, 03:26 PM | #15 |
Old Git
Posts: 958
Karma: 1840790
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Switzerland (mostly)
Device: Two kindle PWs wifi, kindle fire, iPad3 wifi
|
When it comes to technology, "the future" (as in the title of the thread) tends to be of short duration.
I remember back in 1980 being quite excited by my IBM PC with its single floppy drive and I didn't have a mobile phone at all or the internet. |
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
Android-Smartphones - Kaufempfehlungen? | Svenni | Android | 10 | 11-04-2011 11:03 AM |
Six technologies endangered by smartphones | Viseguy | News | 166 | 08-24-2010 11:03 PM |
Mobipocket Reader for WM Smartphones Doubt | ccpraveen | Reading and Management | 2 | 10-21-2009 04:24 AM |
Why are smartphones disappointing? | Bob Russell | Alternative Devices | 11 | 07-24-2006 01:44 PM |