07-02-2010, 11:13 PM | #1 | |
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Jakob Nielsen: iPad and Kindle Reading Speeds
http://www.useit.com/alertbox/ipad-kindle-reading.html
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07-03-2010, 01:02 AM | #2 |
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I can believe that. People in general have more experience with books, so that might factor in. I too do not think speed should even be considered when choosing iPad over Kindle. Probably not much of a difference.
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07-03-2010, 12:23 PM | #3 |
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I wonder what kind of optimization they did. Did they keep the font size the same? I read faster on my iPhone and iPad primarily because I can set the font size and margins such that my eye doesn't have to travel as much.
I also found my iPad much easier to hold after I got the Apple case. Were they reading a large hard back....a small paperback? Lee |
07-03-2010, 12:26 PM | #4 |
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I think reading speed might be affected by the click-and-wait. Takes time to get used to that cycle when paging. Also, there is the zoom factor. If you zoom, you might find it an easy read but more click-and-wait.
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07-03-2010, 12:34 PM | #5 |
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It's never crossed my mind before that the speed at which you can read a book might be considered a benefit of a device. For me, reading has always been something to be savoured and lingered over, not rushed.
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07-03-2010, 01:12 PM | #6 | |
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I'm guessing the speed thing is just one factor they will test towards that goal. It really is only an issue if the speed or lack thereof (due to technical limitations) is perceived as a real negative by users. Maybe it is cumulative-some users may realize they just aren't getting thru an e-book as easily as they do a paper book, or that it takes more effort, and they decide to go back to paper. I think its great that someone is doing usability tests though-hopefully the manufacturers will benefit. |
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07-03-2010, 01:53 PM | #7 |
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One thing the study confirms my own experience is the difference between reading on an iPad and a computer. I can't stand reading long form on a computer but very much enjoy reading on the iPad.
Lee |
07-03-2010, 01:59 PM | #8 | |
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For me, the issue with reading on a PC isn't the oft-quoted "eye strain" from the LCD, but simply the fact that the screen is immovable. You need to be able to easily move the "book" around to get comfortable. |
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07-03-2010, 02:10 PM | #9 |
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I wear glasses, and I'm one of those who hate reading on a PC screen, and my ebook reading was exclusively on a Kindle DX. Before the iPad came out, I tried reading on a tablet (Asus T91MT) and it soon went back into its box. I can't be objective why, except my eyes did not "like" the screen appearance - even after playing with brightness, font, etc. I tried reading on the iPad (both the K4iPad and iBooks apps) and find it very enjoyable. I now use both the DX and iPad for reading - the choice depends on the ambient lighting and the book (photos, illustrations, typeface, etc) - and my eyes do well with both screens. Lately, I've shifted more to the iPad b/c I've found many books display better using the K4iPad app than on the DX.
I have pre-ordered the new DX and can't wait to see the "Pearl" screen - and compare it with the iPad screen. |
07-03-2010, 02:22 PM | #10 |
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I'm with Harry on this, I don't even see the point of worrying about speed. Plus there are so many unknown variables in this "study".
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07-03-2010, 02:24 PM | #11 |
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Sorry, just to clarify - I'm not saying that I think this study isn't useful; just that it hadn't occurred to me that reading speed could be considered a factor a device selection.
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07-03-2010, 08:24 PM | #12 |
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I'm a fast reader anyway, but I've always thought that I read even faster on my Kindle. I have a K1, and the line spacing is slightly greater than the average DTB, and I think that helps. Not to mention the ability to increase the font size to make reading easier for my bad eyes.
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07-04-2010, 06:28 AM | #13 | |
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I wonder what the percentage of comprehension was - like Harry, I read for enjoyment, and I like to absorb the author's words. Cheers, Michael P |
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07-04-2010, 10:32 AM | #14 |
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The study seems ok to me, although I'd like to see a bit more research at some point.
They sort of buried the finding that reading comprehension was equivalent across all 4 platforms. I'd be more interested in further research on comprehension rather than speed. |
07-05-2010, 02:48 PM | #15 |
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But they are not saying that. They are saying that your standard speed will be slower on an electronic book compared to a printed book. Which is not surprising because typography influence the speed since good typography will reduce the number of mistakes (e.g. loosing track of a line) you do. And it is the mistakes that reduces the speed.
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