The UMPC- Perfect E-book Reader?
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I read a lot of e-books, if you follow the Mobile Tech Manor column I do weekly, you know just how much I enjoy reading e-books. I have long been an advocate of reading books on my mobile phone, and I still read a lot on my phone, as it’s the one gadget that is always with me. Having recently picked up the Viliv S5 Premium UMPC, I can tell you that this handheld computer is becoming my favorite device for reading e-books. Let me tell you why.
I should first tell you what kind of reading I do. It is almost exclusively purchased content, novels specifically, either in the Kindle format (for the iPhone) or in eReader format. This content is DRM-protected, as all paid e-books tend to be, and as such, it requires the particular publisher’s program to read the books. I know there are tons of public domain e-books available that don’t require a special reader, but those aren’t the types of books that I read, so this is written from that POV.
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I have no qualms reading on the phone; it’s a good reading experience, and both the Kindle and eReader programs on the iPhone are pretty darn good. But once I started reading a lot on the S5 UMPC, I quickly came to appreciate how much better the experience is, given how much reading I do. The high-resolution display can put a lot of text on the page, and I can read it in any lighting condition, which is crucial. The UMPC is handheld, and while it is obviously heavier than the phone, it is not uncomfortably so, and reading in portrait orientation fits the hand nicely. I find I can read for long periods without any adverse vision effects, probably due to that big screen.
There is no Kindle program for Windows computers, which means I am restricted to eReader from Fictionwise on the S5. I hope that Amazon will produce a Kindle app for Windows, but I am not holding my breath to get one as the UMPC is really the only type of Windows PC that would likely be used for e-book reading, and it’s a small market for Amazon. Tablet PCs are also good readers, although not for extended periods due to the big size and weight, but even so, that market is small, too.
I enjoy eReader on the UMPC, although Fictionwise hasn’t really updated the program in a long time. I understand its concentration on the phone platform with the iPhone, Windows Mobile and BlackBerry versions. It’s also hard at work on an Android version of eReader which is nice, too. Because of this big push onto the phone, the company hasn’t updated the Windows version in a long time, and it shows. The reader itself is as full-featured on the UMPC as the phone versions, but it falls behind in the area of interacting with the online bookshelf. When I purchase a book from Fictionwise, the next time I access my bookshelf on the iPhone all new purchases are automatically pushed down to the phone and available with no action on my part. That is not the case with the Windows version — I must manually go to the Fictionwise site with my web browser, manually download any new purchases, and then manually add them to the UMPC bookshelf. Not a big deal, but not nearly as nice as the iPhone version.
Bookshelf access aside, I am thoroughly enjoying reading books on the UMPC for the reasons I’ve mentioned. It is a common site in my home or in local coffee shops to see me sitting in a nice, comfy chair with the UMPC in my left hand reading away. I will tell you that I get totally engrossed in the reading of the book on the UMPC and likely will be oblivious to everything around me. That’s the sign of a good reading experience.
You’re also likely to see me with earbuds in place, as I like to listen to music streamed by Pandora One while I am reading. I turn the volume down low enough that it doesn’t distract me from the book but provides a pleasant background to the reading. The Pandora One desktop app is great for this, and once it’s started, I minimize it out of the way and get down to the reading business.
I can tell you that reading e-books is the top usage I get out of the UMPC at this point. It’s not the only thing I do by a long shot, but I spend many hours reading. This has added great value to me with the UMPC purchase that I didn’t expect, quite frankly. The UMPC was worth the $600 I spent given the online work I do with it, and the many hours of reading I do is just icing on the cake. I am not suggesting that anyone should run out and spend hundreds of dollars for a UMPC just to read e-books; that would be silly. I am simply pointing out how I use mine, as it is not a use that most people think of when they start considering a mobile device purchase.
The fact that the UMPC is a full Windows PC is very important to me as I often take breaks from the reading to check my email and other online things. I like to take a break from time to time, and since I always have Firefox running, I just minimize the e-book and pop Firefox back up. I have four or five tabs open all the time with the web sites I access most frequently at my beck and call. I stop reading, check my email, check out jkOnTheRun to see if any interesting comments have been left by readers (of course, they’re ALL interesting), and I generally do anything I need to do. A few minutes of that, and I’m back in the book enjoying another great story.
Ha ha, thanks JK I didn’t know Child had a new one. I’ve been a fan of his from the first book.
I’m going to start it right now on my kindle.
I bought it a week ago from eReader. They email me when my favorite authors have a new book in the store.
P.S I had just checked Amazon just yesterday to see if he had one and I didn’t see it for some reason.
Also, I just noticed you have a Derringer disk. I remember I used to see him with J Winter back in the day. They were really something ( as stoned as I probably was)
I may pick that disk up also WTF.
I also had the S5 but It’s so easy with the kindle (which I really like if the lighting is good)
Actually that was the song streaming at that moment. I didn’t own the song then but I do now after hearing it. That’s the beauty of Pandora.
This is why I love devices like the Viliv. Sure, it might not be quite as convenient as say, a dedicated car GPS, or a Kindle, or an Archos for Video……..but it can do all this and more. I love the flexibility, one device to carry out the functions of a multitude of dedicated gadgets.
That’s why I hung onto my HTC Advantage for so long, the flexibility and convenience. It took something like the Viliv to come along and replace it.
A little bit out of subject, but :
Do you still use the HTC X7510 sometimes ?
I have pick one 2 weeks ago, I think it’s a fantastic device, also for ebooks (I use it in RealVGA mode).
(excuse my not so good english…)
I do in fact use the Advantage occasionally, although mine is the older 7501 and not the new one you refer to. It is an excellent e-book reader too.
“Tablet PCs are also good readers although not for extended periods due to the big size and weight” – Yes I agree up to a point. I’m running Windows 7 on an old Lifebook P1610 I had lying around – the screen is excellent for reading ebooks and the extended battery makes a wonderful grip. Reading is just about all I use the P1610 for but at least it has been resurrected from my old gadgets drawer.
Very nice. The P16xx Tablet PC is the exception to the statement I made due to the 8.9 inch screen. Most have at least 12 inch screens and weigh 4 pounds or more.
Ebook reading is one of the main things I’ve been using my tc1100 for, personally.
I have to agree though, that the current state of PC software is appalling.
I’m currently using calibre’s built-in reader, but it’s a huge compromise just like all of the other programs. How come there’s no good ebook reader that supports annotations for tablets? I realized there’s an MS Reader for Tablets, but even it is subpar.
One thing that helps though, is that personally, once I buy the ebooks, I always remove the DRM, so that I can use them in any format/program I want.
I also use the S5 as an E-Book reader and it is the best device I have found so far for that purpose.
I have been reading E-Books for several years, first on a variety of Pocket PC and Windows Mobile devices and then on my Q1 and found that each device had it’s own disadvantages. The small Pocket PC screens would end up causing my eyes to “bug out” after an hour or so and the Q1 was just a little too large to hold comfertably for a long period of time.
The S5 on the other hand is the perfect size for me. The high resolution screen also makes for extremely crisp readable text.
I tend to rotate the screen to portrait mode with the cursor jog control “up”. This allows me to rest the other end on my body and page with the same hand that I am cradling the device with.
JK,
We recognize the explosion of people reading on netbooks, tablets, and UMPCs of all kinds, and we will have online bookshelf connectivity features available on ereader for windows and other platforms soon because of that. We have greatly expanded our platform development teams since the BN acquisition, in order to continue to execute on our vision of “ereader everywhere”. Stay tuned! No platform will be left behind, it just takes a little while to get all the new developers going.
-Steve Pendergrast
That’s great news Steve!
IS there any way to sync the iphone and ereader windows edition? The one problem I have is figuring out where I left off if using both devices to read a book. This is a great function in the kindle.
JK,
Does the glossiness/touchscreen coating affect the readability of the s5 and is the experience comparable with e-ink screens such as the kindle ?
Glossy screens don’t bother me and this one is no different. You can’t really compare the two display technologies as they are so different. The contrast is much better on the UMPC than the Kindle.
BTW, I am on the S5 right now, taking a break from reading.
No Zune theme this time on the Viliv James?
Oh it’s on there, I switch back and forth as the mood strikes me.
Please share the list of applications on your Viliv, do you use the VZ application with the MiFi? and if so have you found a way to keep the device working as a hotspot when connected for charging to a computer?
I do not use the VZ application. I installed it on the S5 simply to activate the MiFi which is why it’s there. It’s not needed for connection since the MiFi is a router.
The MiFi will not work as a WiFi router when connected via USB to a computer. It is used as a simple USB modem in that scenario which is by design. VZ wanted to offer the ability to use the MiFi without the router function and this is how it’s done.
I intend to do a post soon about the applications I have installed as I am analyzing that now so I can build some new devices due to arrive soon.
Thanks, I had the same issue, I am using the tekkeon MP3450 to supplement my Viliv and the MiFi, as well as anything I may be carrying at the time. The problem seems to be that the computer recognizes the device and connects as a modem, if anyone has found a solution please share
what new device?
The UMID
Two devices actually and better than the UMID (at least for me).
Unfortunate you are using eReader as an example. I used to be a big fan but now, like most of your non-American readers I suspect, find eReader are unusable. Most ebooks are now regionally restricted. I know the fault is meant to lie with the Publishers but eReader are handling it really badly. I for one feel badly let down after years of being a loyal customer.
Any non-US readers got recommendations for alternatives?
I’m regretting not getting the Viliv S5 during the 2nd promotional event. Well now I’m trying to decide between the Fujitsu P1620 and the S5. JK, do you still use your P1620? If so what for?
My main usage will be web surfing and reading from the couch and also as a device I take with me on trips.
Cost wise the P1620 is similar is you go the Ebay route. I just don’t know if you really can get 6hrs on the P1620 or if the numbers are closer to 4hrs w/ the ext. battery. Any feedback would be great.
I bought an S5 as a direct result of the coverage here and think it’s great. I expected to use it for working when travelling to work (awkward combination of walking, waiting on platforms, several short train journeys). It’s very good for this – so I’m happy.
But I’ve also discovered it’s fantastic when linked to my Slingbox. Now I can watch Middlesex (my favourite Cricket team) lose anywhere in the house!!!
btw I also bought a Logitech diNovo Mini keyboard/trackpad to go with it. The combination works well.
still wondering if easy way to know actual page so can use viliv and iphone for same book