An eReader is a handheld device that allows you to read digital books (‘e-books’), magazines, newspapers or documents.
Reading material is downloaded from online stores such as Amazon, Waterstones or Barnes and Noble via a wireless or 4/5G connection. You can also download books to a PC or Mac and then transfer them to your eReader via a USB cable.
One of the great draws of an eReader, is the ability to download free samples, to see if a book is to your liking before committing to pay. Amazon also offers Kindle owners a ‘Lending Library’ for free to premium (‘Prime’) members of the website. There are a large number of free ‘out of copyright’ classic books available to fill your library at no cost.
Key benefits and features of an eReader:
- Most models store at least 1,000 books.
- Screens allow you to read even in bright sunlight without glare.
- Some models include a built-in light for night-reading.
- Clear text and fonts, and a sharp display. Some later models allow you to customise the fonts that you see.
- Adjustable text size.
- Built-in Wifi or, in some cases, 4/5G connection.
- Battery life of at least a month on most models if Wifi is turned off.
- Page-turning function so you feel as if you’re reading a real book – with turning buttons for left and right-handed readers.
- eReaders do not heat up like a laptop.
- Books can be categorised or stored as collections.
- Readers can make notes and highlight pieces of text.
- Your own documents can be saved to your eReader.
- Screen can be rotated for better viewing of pictures, diagrams, maps, etc.
- Also able to read newspapers, magazines and web pages.
- In-built keyboard or on-screen keyboard enables searching within a book, a library or online.
- You can add your own annotations to the text.
- Automatic bookmark.
Last update June 2023