Tuesday, April 5, 2011

People who follow Safari Books Online prefer using the iPad for e-reading

I just got some interesting information from Safari Books Online. According to a recent poll they conducted on their blog, eBook readers prefer to use the iPad for e-reading.

Safari Books Online asked participants to select the devices that they use to read eBooks and other online content, 40% of respondents selected the iPad. 691 votes were received, and the full results are included below.

What devices do you use to read eBooks and other online content?

iPad - 40%
Desktop/Laptop - 24%
Smartphone - 19%
Kindle - 13%
Nook - 2%
Other - 2%

These are interesting results because most surveys so far found that the Kindle is the most preferred e-reader. Here are two examples:

Kindle wins e-reader battle versus iPad: survey
- "Amazon’s Kindle scored strongly over Apple’s iPad as an e-reader, according to a survey by news navigator One News Page. In a survey of over 1000 US and UK users, almost two thirds preferred Kindle to iPad, though the users admitted the iPad was “more compelling” because of its multi-functionality." (Entertainment & Stars, Sept 2010)

Impact of the Apple iPad vs. the Amazon Kindle on the e-Reader Market - The Amazon Kindle (47%; down 15-pts) is hanging on to a rapidly diminishing lead over the Apple iPad (32%; up 16-pts) among current e-Reader owners. However, the iPad’s share of the overall market has doubled since the last time ChangeWave surveyed e-Reader owners in August." (InvestorPlace, Nov 2010)

The results of Safari are presenting the preferences of the people who follow Safari, which is an on-demand digital library that delivers expert content in both book and video form from the world’s leading authors in technology and business. Still, I wonder if it has also some further meaning, other than just saying that Safari's followers are big fans of Apple's iPad. Is the dominance of the Kindle as the preferred device for e-reading in danger? What do you think? I'll be happy to hear your thoughts.

Yours,
Raz @ Eco-Libris

Eco-Libris: Working to green the book industry!

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

I believe this has more to do with the fact that safari books online works better on the iPad than the Kindle. From what I have read, the navigation (next page) is significantly worse on the Kindle. I would prefer to use a Kindle but until safari update their mobile site, I'll be sticking with the iPad.