E-readers

Pew: E-readers outpacing tablets

The percentage of American adults who own an e-book reader has doubled over the past six months, outpacing the growth of tablets, according to a new survey from the Pew Research Center.

E-reader ownership climbed to 12 percent in May from 6 percent last November, marking the first time that the adoption of these devices in the U.S. has reached the double digits. Over the same period, growth in tablet ownership slowed a bit following a previous surge. In May, 8 percent of the adults surveyed by Pew said they owned a tablet, compared with 7 percent in January … Read more

Nook guide: Get daily news, custom screensavers, free e-books

The Nook Simple Touch is out, and while it's touted as Barnes & Noble's simpler, bare bones e-reader, we think it's nonsense to call any gadget "simple." Nook Touch (and Nook Color) owners should know that their devices can do a lot more than just read books from B&N--we're here to show you how.

With your Nook in front of you (and an enthusiasm to get creative), follow this guide to make your Nook a little more useful, fun, and worth every penny you spent.

Review: Kobo Touch Edition eReader

Touch is all the rage these days in the e-reader market, and just as Barnes & Noble has moved to a touch-screen interface for its latest Nook e-ink model, so, too, has Kobo with its 2011 eReader Touch Edition.

If you've run across any of Kobo's previous e-readers, the Touch Edition doesn't look so different from last year's Kobo Wireless, though it certainly has a more refined design. It's understated yet it looks sleek, with a quilted back, and is overall slightly smaller and lighter than the Nook Touch (and Kindle). It comes in a … Read more

New Nook Simple Touch Reader review

Is the new Nook better than the Kindle? That's what a lot of people are asking and the short answer--at least at this moment--is arguably yes.

No, it doesn't have an audio jack for MP3 music playback or a built-in basic Web browser, but it does have one thing the Kindle doesn't: a touch-screen interface--and it's a good one.

How does the new Nook perform compared with the Kindle?

Read the full review of the 2011 Nook to find out.

Hands-on with new Nook: Better than the Kindle?

Note: CNET's full review of the new Nook is up now.

The day after Kobo served up a new $129.99 touch-screen e-reader, Barnes & Noble, as expected, unveiled its own touch-screen e-ink Nook, which it's branding as "The Simple eReader."

We had a very good idea what the new device would be prior to the launch, but before we get to the initial impressions, here's a quick rundown of the new Nook's key specs:

Touch screen with Neonode "responsive" zForce infrared touch technology 6-inch Pearl e-ink screen (same screen as Kindle'… Read more

Compact new Nook gets touch screen, lower price

Barnes & Noble today unveiled a smaller, relatively inexpensive Nook e-reader.

Like the original Nook, the $139 "Simple Touch Reader" has a black-and-white screen for reading books. Unlike it, though, it's got a touch screen.

While that option starts nudging the e-reader closer to the tablet market, dominated at present by Apple's iPad, the new Nook doesn't have tablets' characteristic ability to run apps, something the company's Nook Color can handle. The Nook Color has a touch screen.

CEO William Lynch unveiled the new reader in New York today. For a blow-by-blow look, check CNET's live blog. … Read more

Tavoletta gives new meaning to iPad lap dance

From time to time we like to highlight a project spotted on funding platform Kickstarter. This month we bring you the Tavoletta, an iPad/Kindle stand accessory that lets you prop your tablet device on your lap--or other body parts.

The folks behind the project are John Albano, Craig Robertson, and Geoff Strawbridge from Williamstown, Mass. (home of Williams College). They've spent a couple thousand bucks prototyping the Tavoletta, and are now looking for $30,000 in pledges to produce it (our headline's a wee bit snarky, but these guys are very serious, as evidenced by their Kickstarter video).

Here's what they say about the product: … Read more

Kobo unveils Wi-Fi Touch Edition e-reader for $129.99

The day before Barnes & Noble is expected to announce a new e-ink e-reader, Kobo unveiled its own new e-ink model, the Kobo WiFi Touch Edition, for $129.99.

As its name implies, the new e-reader has a touch screen and uses the same Neonode infrared technology that's found in Sony's touch-screen e-readers. It also has E-Ink's latest generation Pearl e-ink screen.

Here's a look at the key specs:

Touch screen with Neonode "responsive" zForce infrared touch technology (Kobo is calling it "Real Touch") 6-inch Pearl e-ink screen (same screen as Kindle'… Read more

Google Books now finds, defines, translates text

E-book aficionados who use Google Books will find a few enhancements waiting for them the next time they open their favorite book.

As of yesterday, Google lets you search for any word that appears in the text of one of your books as well as letting you highlight text to ask for a definition or translation. You can access the new features by opening a book in your Google Books library through any desktop browser. Double-clicking on or dragging your mouse over any piece of text then opens a pop-up menu with a series of choices.… Read more

Nook Color app downloads hit 1 million

Barnes & Noble's Nook Color application marketplace appears to be catching on with users.

Barnes & Noble announced today that 1 million applications were downloaded from its marketplace in the first week of availability. Not surprisingly, Angry Birds was the most popular paid application, followed by Drawing Pad and Solitaire, the company said. Aces Jewel Hunt and Astraware Mahjong rounded out the top five paid apps. Fliq Calendar and Fliq Notes were the most popular free applications in the store.

Barnes & Noble released a major update to its $250 7-inch e-reader late last month. The update delivered a … Read more