In the past weeks I had the chance to use three of the most popular ebook readers: the
Sony PRS 505,
Amazon's Kindle and
iRex's iLiad.
Earlier, I reviewed the Sony Reader PRS 505, which I use now. For the review
click here. This time I'll compare the three most popular ebook reader devices.

The criteria I use are: connectivity, availability of contents, usability, and price.
Sony's PRS 505 ('Sony Reader')ConnectivityIn contrast to the other readers, the PRS 505 does not have a wireless connection. Contents are first downloaded on your computer. A USB connection connects your computer with the reader.
In my opinion, this is not too much of a disadvantage, unless you want to read daily or weekly publications. That would require you to connect your computer to the internet and your reader every time you want to read.
The reader's battery is also charging while being connected to your computer.
ContentsProbably the biggest drawback to the PRS 505 is the fact that Sony's bookstore has relatively few titles. Sony introduced its own ebook format '.bbeb' , which can only be read through Sony's software. Although, Sony has a contract with some publishers, for instance Routledge, and, Penguin, the quantity does not compare with Amazon's Kindle.
The PRS 505 is compatible with more document formats than Amazon's Kindle (i.e. .txt/.rtf/.pdf), however, it does not read the popular 'mobipocket' format. Up until now, Sony does not have a contract with news publishers. Online newspapers are not available on the PRS 505.
Personally, I would like to see Sony introducing a news feature. However, without wireless connectivity, it will be annoying to have to log on to your computer first every time you want to read the news. (You might as well read it on your computer)
UsabilityThe Sony Reader looks great. The device is very easy to use. Bookmarking pages is just a simple click. Some PDF renderings are too small, but the landscape function allows you too read most PDFs. For most documents three letter sizes are available, for PDFs two. Documents are automatically adjusted to fit the screen.
PriceThe Sony PRS 505 is not yet available in Europe. Sony plans to introduce its reader this year. The US price for Sony's reader is $ 299. Sony recently released a dark blue version, and a James Patterson Special Edition at the same price.
Order at:
Sonystyle.comiRex iLiad
ConnectivityThe iLiad comes in two versions. The book version does not have wireless connectivity. Connection to the internet is similar as with Sony's reader. The more popular (and expensive) standard edition of Iliad has wireless connection. This wireless connectivity allows for quick (news) downloads.
ContentsiLiad, in contrast to the other two devices, does not have its own online bookstore. The systems runs on Linux and therefore much content is independently created. Content availability will thus depend on user activity and popularity of the device. Of the featured ebook readers, the iLiad reads most formats, including the popular mobipocket format. Therefore, iLiad already has quite an impressive content availability. iLead also has a contract with the Dutch daily 'NRC Handelsblad' and the French 'Les Echos'. More news feeds are in the making.
iLead is produced by the Dutch iRex corporation, and seems to focus on Europe as its main market, while the other devices are mainly focusing on the US. Much of the content available for Sony and Amazon's Kindle are therefore not accessible for the European audience. iLead is therefore - contents wise - still the best choice for European consumers.
Content supply is likely to take a flight, now
that iRex Technologies reached an agreement with UK bookstore 'Borders' to sell the device in its stores.
UsabilityiLiad has, by far, the most features of all ebook readers. However, the complexity of the many features, does not make the iLead more usable. For instance, the many letter sizes available can be handy, but since the size is not automatically adapted to the screen size, it will often require to a lot of scrolling.
iLiad also has the unique note making feature. The touch screen allows writing on the device. This is a very promising technology. However, at this point making notes is not possible in every document. Moreover, the notes are not easily exported to other devices, such as your computer. Notes are stored in a separate document from the document you make the notes for.
The iLead is the largest of the three devices. This is certainly not a drawback, since it makes the device the most readable. Moreover, the 16 color grey scale allows for the best contrast of all ebook readers.
Technologically, the iLiad is by far the most advanced of the three most popular ebook readers. However, the usability suffers from a unnecessarily complex and not so intuitive menu.
Price'The world's most complete e-book reader' comes at a hefty price. The standard edition (ed. 2) costs $ 699. The book edition (without wireless connectivity) costs $ 599. European prices:
€599/€ 499. Order at:
iRex Technologies.
Amazon's Kindle
ConnectivityAmazon's Kindle comes with wireless connectivity, comparable to the iLiad's standard edition. Probably, Amazon will introduce faster connectivity soon. Wireless connectivity allows quick downloads of the many news titles available with Amazon.
ContentsAmazon, being the biggest online book seller, uses (or abuses) its position to introduce its own format that can only be read by the Kindle. This allows for a huge library that is only accessible to the US consumer. However, Kindle also reads PDF now. The popular mobipocket format (also by Amazon) is also supported.
There is a bulk of newspapers and magazines available for the Kindle, among them: The International Herald Tribune, Le Monde and The New York Times.
At this point Amazon's Kindle is the absolute winner if it comes down to the availability of content. (That is, when you're living in the States.)
UsabilityAlthough not being as slick as Sony's reader, the Kindle is actually not as ugly as is sometimes suggested. Its menu is clear and the instructions are very intuitive. The contrast of the screen is high. Highlighting and note making is easy through the side bar and the keyboard.
PriceThe Kindle is not yet available in Europe. Amazon has not yet announced the introduction in Europe. The US price is $ 359.
Order at:
amazon.comConclusionAlthough I use Sony's PRS 505, I have to say that Kindle is probably the best choice for US consumers, and iRex's iLiad seems to be the best choice for Europeans. The iLiad reader is technologically the most advanced, however the usability suffers from technological complexity. Moreover, the iLead comes at a hefty price (although the book edition is $ 100 cheaper). Amazon's Kindle is the winner when it comes to contents, although for the European consumer much of the contents is not available (due to rights issues).
Finally, I sum up the advantages and disadvantages of the three devices:
- Sony PRS 505: Connectivity -- / Contents --*** / Usability ++ / Price ++
- iRex iLiad: Connectivity ++* / Contents -+** / Usability -- / Price --
- Amazon's Kindle: Connectivity ++ / Contents ++*** / Usability ++ / Price +-
---
* iLiad standard edition
** for the European market iRex definitely has most to offer
*** Amazon's and Sony's online titles are only available in the US.iLiad,
Sony Reader,
Kindle,
iRex,
ebook readers,
comparison