Ready for the iSlate?

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Originally Posted by ginny

ok ok ok ... fine. The technophobe weighs back in... Knotted, does it hurt your eyes to read from a backlit screen in a dark room? It is pleasant to read that way? When I work on my computer a lot (which I don't do unless I'm writing a paper or a proposal), my eyes sting and are dry and I think it's because I don't blink much. But, writing a paper or a proposal is VERY different from reading for pleasure. I would like to hear people's experiences with these reading devices - outside in bright light? in the dark? is the screen too little to get much per page (with the iTouch - and probably the Kimble or whatever it's called)...

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I haven't tried this research yet, but surely the federal agency for occupational health and safety should have info. on computer ergonomics, which could include recommended practices to prevent eyestrain and computer screens.

For several employers, was always vigilant about computer ergonomics for staff since I had to undertake redesign in layout of libraries..which meant ensuring position of workstations did not encounter light/sunlight glare. Did hear from an ergonomics expert at that time.

Personally I no longer want to read anything on a computer screen any size or watch tv in the dark/very low lighting. It seems to cause eyestrain after awhile.

And no computer screen reading for me in bright sunlight. I have in other workplaces drawn the window blinds to block a gorgeous view because of this problem.

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Originally Posted by ginny

ok ok ok ... fine. The technophobe weighs back in... Knotted, does it hurt your eyes to read from a backlit screen in a dark room? It is pleasant to read that way? When I work on my computer a lot (which I don't do unless I'm writing a paper or a proposal), my eyes sting and are dry and I think it's because I don't blink much. But, writing a paper or a proposal is VERY different from reading for pleasure. I would like to hear people's experiences with these reading devices - outside in bright light? in the dark? is the screen too little to get much per page (with the iTouch - and probably the Kimble or whatever it's called)...

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Reading from the backlit screen: no, it doesn't hurt my eyes, even in a dark room. The iPod Touch has a brightness control that goes from soothing and dim to crazy bright. I'm one of those folks who can get a massive migraine from bright light, and I'm constantly turning down the brightness on computer monitors. (then the next person has to turn it back up, oh, they loooove that...) I have no problem at all reading on my iPod in a dark room, nor outside, nor in a lit room, nor on the bus where the lights go on and off when the doors open (the iPod has an auto-brightness feature. I have no idea how it works, but it brightens and dims the screen as lights go on an off). The FreeBooks ereader, which I use the most, has a gentle parchment background. (FreeBooks is a $2 app, and the 24,000 classic and out-of-copyright books are free.)

Little screen: it's kind of like reading off an index card. I thought it would be distracting having sentences full of line breaks, but it isn't at all. Each line at the font size I like holds about 7 words. Page turns are intuitive and fast. I get so caught up in the story that I completely forget what I'm reading on. You can change font sizes on the fly, which is nice; especially if you've forgotten your reading glasses, or you're on a bumpy bus ride, or your eyes are just tired.

Pleasant to read: oh, this is the BEST way to read in bed! Since the iPod fits in the palm of your hand, you can contort yourself into any position you like and still read comfortably. You don't have to struggle to hold the book open while lying on your side, you can use just one hand to read, and the blankets don't shift around every time you turn the page. If you fall asleep while reading, the iPod turns itself off and remembers what page you were on. If you wake up during the night you can just grab the iPod and start reading again without turning on a light. (quite nice if you don't want to wake anyone else up, too)

IPod vs. Kindle: I want a Kindle, I want an iPod, I want a Kindle, I want an iPod, oh no what shall I do! I was *this* close to buying a Kindle, but I couldn't justify $250 for something that really only was a reader. I wanted to keep my calendar on it, do some email on it, maybe have an internet browser, too. The only reason I wasn't jumping at an iPod immediately was my concern over the screen size. That has turned out to be a non-issue, as I actually love the screen size in many ways. I love that I can get to my bus stop and just jam the iPod into my pocket. I love that I can use my iPod for a zillion other things besides reading. The app store is great fun, lots of free apps. One that I really like is a free app from the Louvre with video tours and extensive info about various works of art. Oh, yeah, watching video on the iPod is a blast! It's amazingly clear. Email is easy, you can write letters which the iPod will save and then send automatically when you get within range of a trusted wifi. It will also automatically download your incoming email and store them so you can read them any time. Learning to type on the screen keyboard with my thumbs took about 5 or 10 minutes. The vertical orientation gives you a smaller keyboard, but even the smaller keyboard is quick and easy.

Kindle app: the Kindle app (from amazon.com) for iPhone/iPod is free. I thought it was $10 once upon a time, but it's free. You can buy books from Amazon and read them on your iPod, so you have access to all the same books someone with a Kindle has. So far I've been using FreeBooks, because I really want to read the classics... and those are free free free! I'll probably get the Kindle app eventually.

Back up: anything you have on your iPod is backed up on the computer you use with it. (you can also use it even if you don't have a computer, but you will have to buy a wall charger for it since it only comes with a USB charger.) All your books and apps and songs and videos and calendars are in the computer, so if you lose or destroy your iPod you can load it all into its replacement.

Price: I bought my iPod Touch for $180. Apple has refurbished ones for $150, and I think the new ones at Apple are $199. A friend of mine got a new one at Target for $150, so look around for good prices.

Bottom line: I'm very happy with my iPod, which I use probably 80% of the time as an ereader.

well, what an awesome thorough answer to my question! Thanks! You practically have me running out the door to buy an iPod Touch... thanks, Knotted! :D

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Originally Posted by ginny

well, what an awesome thorough answer to my question! Thanks! You practically have me running out the door to buy an iPod Touch... thanks, Knotted! :D

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You're welcome!

I've had my iPod for a couple weeks now, and don't regret a thing. It's proven itself far more useful than I would have imagined. (I call it my "external brain.") The iPhone was appealing, but I'm glad I got the iPod instead. I like having my phone and camera separate from my iPod, and I like that my iPod only connects to the outside world by cable or wifi.

I am telling everyone right now that the iPad is definitely a failure, first indication is that apples stock was going up right until the release of the iPad. As soon as it was announced and for another few days their stock has been going down. Also, you CANNOT do multiple tasks at once with it. Example, you can't listen to music while you surf the internet, you can't read and listen to music etc. That is a huge step backwards. There are tons of reasons why this is a failure, but it would make this post way too long. one more would be that you CANNOT add your own programs that you like to use, for example, if you prefer to use firefox instead of safari, well thats too bad you can't download firefox your stuck with safari. What a horrible idea.

Knot:

I'll have you know that I have decided to buy an iPhone if they ever are carried by Verizon.... I know you said you like the iPod and phone separate, but I'm such a simpleton that combining gadgets into one device is an appealing thought to me... this is all your fault you know :D

No mobile device (short of a full-sized netbook or laptop) offers a choice of browser. And stock is always "buy on the rumor, sell on the news." That's why it's a cliché - because it's usually true.

Now that someone else posted about prepaid phones, more and more I'm liking the idea of having one strictly for emergency/athletic use. I know it still means I'll have to own two devices, but I won't have to carry both of them all the time, and I won't have to try to run or ride hills with a four-ounce iPhone or Droid bouncing at the small of my back. I know we had quite a discussion last year about why flip phones aren't safe for emergencies (because it takes so long to physically remove it from its sweatproof plastic bag or other container, and you can't dial out without opening it - half the time if my phone rings after I get home but before I've taken it out of its bag, I can't even get to it in eight rings before it goes to voicemail), but since all the compact phones are flip phones, I think I'll take that risk.

With a pre-paid phone, you will be limiting the financial damage when the phone is lost. With most other plans, YOU'VE GOT TO CALL IN AND SHUT DOWN YOUR SERVICE!!

As for the phone in the pack, would you want a phone case with an arm band so its on your upper or (lower) arm? Velcroed so that you can rip the phone off your arm to answer..

@Oakleaf --
Opera Mini is available for most smartphone platforms. It's way better than the proprietary blackberry browser.

Ah, my mistake. However... now that I look, yes, there are several third party browsers for the iPod/iPhone (not Opera though) - and supposedly all iPhone apps will work on the iPad.

So... not a valid criticism of the device.