Amazon Kindle Touch: The Apple iPad Can’t Touch It for Reading, Says David W. Martin

Here’s why aNewDomain’s senior commentator on Apple, David W. Martin, isn’t reading on an Apple iPad anymore.

Photo Credit: David W. Martin

To understand why I’m trading in my Apple iPad for an Amazon Kindle Touch as my main reading device, you’ve got to know the kind of reader I am.

As a kid, I dominated my public library. I checked out so many books I literally had to take home each two-week supply of books out of there in a box. I devoured whole series —  The Hardy Boys, Nancy Drew, The Three Investigators, and countless sci fi books. I could devour some of those, averaging 250 to 300 pages at least, in a day or even in just hours.

Fast forward to the present. Now maybe it’s because I’m on the Internet so much, but these days I don’t read nearly as much. I tried to renew my reading pleasure when I bought my first Apple iPad, but it was arduous.

I first read Stephen King’s thriller Under the Dome on the iPad and only barely endured the experience. Loved the book. But I definitely did not love reading on the Apple iPad.

Now my new Amazon Kindle Touch e-reader has me e-reading again. Here’s why.

Photo Credit: David W. Martin

Why am I gung ho about the Amazon Kindle Touch e-reader and reading a lot again? Simple. The Touch is a reader and only a reader — period. It feels like the closest thing to a real book I’ve ever encountered.

As light as some paperbacks, it’s small size is optimal — much better for a book reading experience than what the Apple iPad offers. You can read your books with just one hand, a tougher trick to accomplish with the larger Apple iPad. The Kindle Touch feels light and airy.

The late Apple CEO Steve Jobs once dismissed tablet devices with screens smaller than that of the iPad. I think, for the most part, he was right. But so far it looks like Apple’s missed its shot to come up with a truly decent e-reader. It’s okay by me.

My new Amazon Kindle Touch is what I’ve been holding out for all along.

 


1 Comment

  • Yes. I agree. I actually started trying to use an Acer Iconia Android tablet to read reference material and books on, then I decided that was hopeless so I tried an Apple iPad. Just as hopeless. Then, hoping it would be the answer, I tried the Kindle (the price was right). Out of the three the Kindle is by far the best reading experience and the long-lifetime of the battery (due to e-ink not needing to draw power to keep the page up) is a huge bonus.