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Read up on your options for electronic readers

The world of eReaders has exploded since 2007 when the Amazon Kindle made the world of electronic books more convenient and user-friendly. Today there are dozens of models out there, from no-name to big name.

What exactly is an eReader, and do you need one? If so, which one? Can you use them to read newspapers and magazines?

A fair amount of e-ink has been spilled online trying to answer these questions, comparing one eReader with another. Even though all eReaders have one basic purpose--to provide a portable way to store digital books and read them easily--they are not created equal.

What they all have

Let's start with the similarities. Most eReaders are essentially the same size--about as big as a medium sized book, though some brands now make large, medium and small. They are about as thin as your little finger, and weigh less than a pound. Most cost less than $200. eReaders are known for their black-and-white screens that mimic ink on a page, though color versions are beginning to appear. eReaders are made to be read indoors or out, and their batteries are made to last for days, and even weeks, if the Wi-Fi is off.

Most eReaders come with either 3G network capability or Wi-Fi or both, which allows you to instantly download books wherever you get a signal.

Generally, eReaders are becoming more like tablet computers. Some are coming out with browsers, color screens, and the ability to view other documents besides eBooks. The price goes up accordingly.

Added advantages

Letting go of the idea of holding a book and smelling the pages may be difficult for bookworms, but eReaders offer several advantages for older adults.

For those with arthritis, carpal tunnel or other ailments that make holding a book a challenge, most eReaders weigh about the same as a paperback. Anyone who loves to read in bed but has trouble finding a way to prop the book properly might find an e-reader easier to use.

Most eReaders offer variable font sizes. The book or other publication can be adjusted between small print and a large font format for easier visibility -- without the bulk of a large type book. Along those same lines the screens have come a long way from the first versions now offering high contrast e-ink and light adjustable screens.

For those who need even more help in the vision department, some eReaders even have technology that will read the text aloud to you.

The complicated part is the content. While libraries and sites like Google Books offer EPUB format digital books for free, some eReaders can only download and display content from the online store affiliated with the company that made/sold the device.

This is the case with the Amazon Kindle. You must buy Kindle books from Amazon only. Granted, the Amazon eBook store has 900,000 books, magazines and newspapers.

The other top eReader, the Barnes & Noble Nook, requires you download books from the Barnes & Noble NookBook store.

Before choosing one you will want to look at what is available for each. For example, Kindle offers 81 U.S. newspapers and 94 magazines and Nook has 25 newspapers and 118 magazines.

If you do buy a book on a Kindle or a Nook, you can read it on other devices, such as an iPad, iPhone/iPod Touch, Android phone, BlackBerry, Windows PCs, or Mac.

Other options

What about the other eReaders out there?Two popular models are the Kobo E-Reader and Sony Reader. (Keep in mind, you cannot buy books from Barnes & Noble or Amazon with these.)

The Kobo E-Reader is sold by Borders. It accepts books from the Borders eBookstore and the Kobo eBookstore. The Kobo E-Reader is also compatible with the EPUB format. (The Kindle does not support the EPUB format, which is something users have complained about.)

The Sony Reader has its own online bookstore. The device is compatible with the EPUB format, too. However, Sony Readers tend to be more expensive than other eReaders.

So be sure to do your homework before buying an eReader. Many stores have displays where you can hold the e-reader in your hands, play with the font size and get a sense for the ease of use. Each product's website also offers detailed demonstrations.

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