Reader Apps: An Alternative to E-book reading devices

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We have talked about e-book reading devices on this blog, including Kindle, Kobo eReader, Sony Reader and Nook. Typically these devices are connected to the respective e-book stores run by their companies.  On Kindle, for example, you can buy books from Amazon’s Kindle store.

The prices of e-book reading devices typically start from $59 and go up to a few hundred dollars. If you want to buy a few books from each of these stores, this may seem like a lot of money to shell out. Or you might first want an experience of e-book reading before investing in the devices. Do you have an alternative?

Thankfully you do. Most of these companies also release their reading apps for various platforms. You could download these apps on your personal computer, tablet or mobile and read the books bought from their stores. These apps are typically free as well. Here is a list of reader apps which are alternatives to the readers we have covered:

  1. Kindle Reading Apps: Alternative to Kindle e-book readers, Kindle reading apps are available for
    • Windows PC
    • Mac
    • iPhone, iPod touch and iPad
    • Android smartphones and tablets
    • Windows smartphones and Windows 8 tablets
    • BlackBerry smartphones
    • Any browser (called Kindle Cloud Reader)
  2. Nook Reading Apps: Alternative to Nook e-book reading devices, Nook reading apps are available for
    • Windows PC
    • Mac
    • iPhone and iPad
    • Android smartphones and tablets
    • Windows 8 smartphones and tablets
  3. Kobo eReading Apps: Alternative to Kobo eReader, Kobo eReading Apps are available for
    • Windows PC
    • Mac
    • iPhone and iPad
    • Android smartphones and tablets
    • BlackBerry 10
  4. Sony Reader Apps: Alternative to Sony Reader, Sony Reader Apps are available for
    • Windows PC
    • Mac
    • iPhone and iPad
    • Android smartphones and tablets

So, you don’t need to wait for acquiring an expensive hardware device before you can get started on your e-book reading journey. Just download the apps for the devices your already own and read away.

Would you still want to own a dedicated e-book reader, given that apps are available for various platforms? If you are a voracious reader, the dedicated devices do give you some advantages. For example

  • E Ink screens are easy on eyes compared to the LCD screens of smartphones, tablets and computers.
  • You can read without distraction of facebook, e-mails etc. if you are on a reading device.
  • Unlike a PC or Mac, you can actually curl up in the bed with a Kindle or Nook reading devices and carry them around more easily.
  • Even large screen smartphones may not have screens large enough for serious reading.

But if you are someone who needs to do online research while reading, reading on a PC or Mac or a tablet might just be fine.

Options galore. Take your pick. Or try them all!

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