July 3, 2010

It takes longer to read books on a Kindle 2 or an iPad than as a printed book. These results are derived from a recent usability survey conducted by product development consultancy Nielsen Norman Group. Participants were given short stories to read by Ernest Hemingway in print and on iPads, Kindles, and desktop PCs. Hemingway was chosen because his work utilizes simple language and is "pleasant and engaging to read." The narratives took an average of 17 minutes and 20 seconds from start to finish, enough time to get readers fully "immersed" in the stories. After reading, participants filled out a brief comprehension questionnaire to make sure no one had skimmed through a story. The study found that reading speeds declined by 6.2 percent on the iPad and 10.7 percent on the Kindle compared to print. Participants also complained about the weight of the iPad and the Kindle's weak contrast.