ereading

Ereading, or electronic reading, describes reading digital text on electronic devices such as e-readers, tablets, and smartphones. It covers e-books, digital magazines, news articles, and other digital publications.

Common devices include standalone e-readers (for example, Kindle, Nook, Kobo), tablet computers, and mobile phones. File formats include EPUB, MOBI/AZW, PDF, and HTML, with EPUB 3 supporting reflowable text and fixed layouts, and DRM common for many commercial titles. Libraries often lend titles via apps or platforms using digital lending models.

Advantages: portability, large catalogs, adjustable typography, search, annotations, note-taking, syncing across devices, built-in lighting, or e-ink for low glare and long battery life. Limitations: glare on LCD; eye strain for some; DRM restrictions; price differences; limited support for complex layouts or multimedia; dependence on devices and battery.

Reading experience and accessibility: features such as adjustable font size, line spacing, margins, dyslexia-friendly fonts, text-to-speech, screen readers, high-contrast modes, and audiobooks. Personalization includes bookmarks, highlights, and progress tracking across devices.

Market and impact: the e-reading market supports digital libraries, self-publishing, and the distribution of magazines and articles. Environmental comparisons with print vary by production and use, and concerns about e-waste and device lifecycles persist. Ongoing improvements in e-ink technology, color displays, and accessibility features, along with privacy and licensing considerations, are shaping the industry.