With the advancement of technology, many people will read on mobile devices. However, for those who love reading, the blue light on mobile phones or tablets will greatly increase eye fatigue after long-term use. The birth of e-book readers is a great boon to people who read a lot. They are lightweight, instant and can relieve eye discomfort. In the field of e-book readers, there are mainly two types of systems: open and closed. So how do you choose?
When buying an e-book reader, should you choose an open or closed system?
Closed system or open system, which one should you choose?
In terms of system classification, e-book readers currently on the market are divided into two camps: closed and open. Each has its own characteristics and representative manufacturers, advantages and disadvantages. Next, let’s discuss it in depth.
closed system
The main representative brands of this type of system are Kobo, Kindle and mooInk. As the name suggests, closed means that you can only buy books from the bookstores of these brands on these brands of readers. For example, you can only purchase and read books purchased from Kobo’s own e-book platform on Kobo’s reader. Although some models have built-in support for library borrowing and other functions, the use is not so smooth, and it is possible that the book you want to read is too unpopular or old, so the publisher does not provide an e-book version.
Although the closed system has a single way to obtain books, the operation is relatively simple and easy to use. In addition, the brand will regularly maintain and update the system, so the overall system performance is stable, and the price of purchasing books is usually a little cheaper than the open system. If you are new to using an e-book reader, a closed system will make it easier to get started.
open system
The main representative brands of this type of system are HyRead Gaze, Aragonite BOOX and Xiaomi. Currently, open readers on the market are mainly powered by the Android system (not the latest version, but it is sufficient). You can download applications from various e-book manufacturers from the built-in Google Play store without being tied to the reader manufacturer. For example, you can install applications such as Kobo and Kindle on the same reader. However, since each application is usually designed with a mobile phone or tablet interface, the performance and experience on the reader will be slightly compromised, and you will need to spend some time getting familiar with and adjusting.
The biggest advantage of an open system is that it can accommodate applications from multiple platforms, so if you can’t find a book on platform A, you can find it on platform B. In addition, if the files are stored in the cloud drive, they can also be downloaded and read directly from the app without additional transfer. If you’re already a seasoned reader user, open systems offer a more flexible way to play.
E-book reader, paper book, or mobile phone?
E-book readers vs. paper books
As for why you should buy a reader, here we first understand the advantages and disadvantages of e-book readers and traditional paper books:
| type | e-book reader | paper books |
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The biggest concern for users of e-book readers is the same as digital games. The books you purchase online only have the right to use them, not the ownership. Therefore, when the store decides to end the e-book business, the right to use them is likely to be affected. For example, in April 2019, when Microsoft ended its e-book business, it took back all user rights and refunded users.
E-book reader vs. mobile phone
Well, since mobile devices such as mobile phones can also be used to read e-books, and they can also be used to read wherever you go, why do you need to use an additional e-book reader? Below, the author also lists the advantages and disadvantages of the two electronic equipment products:
| type | e-book reader | cell phone |
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The biggest problem that many people have with reading on mobile phones is the high power consumption. The author’s own experience is that when I use my mobile phone to read all day long and the total reading time is long, the screen must be turned on for a long time, causing the mobile phone to consume very quickly, which will be a big trouble for people who have no way to charge outside all day long.
Written at the end…
In the stereotype of many people, readers are compared with tablets and mobile phones, and they feel that its system and screen are slow and laggy. However, in the modern era of constantly updated technology, e-ink technology has become more mature and advanced than in the past. Although based on market and price considerations, most readers on the market use mid- to low-end processing and hardware configurations, and the response speed cannot be compared with mobile devices. However, based on the author’s years of experience in reading on various devices, there is actually no difference in reading efficiency, and it is even better than mobile devices. On a reader, you can focus more on reading without being distracted by other trivial matters, and you don’t need to suffer the sore and swollen eyes that follow after you are immersed in a book for a long time. Wouldn’t it be great to absorb knowledge while taking care of your physical health?
Source: KOCPC Chinese