Do you love your e-reader? You are not alone

A new survey indicates that most e-reader owners are quite happy with their devices.

Mark Lennihan/AP/File

February 4, 2010

Would this be good news or bad for Steve Jobs and the new Apple iPad? A recent survey by NPD Group shows that most people who already own e-readers – 93 percent of the group queried – are either “very” or “somewhat" satisfied with them. Only 2 percent of the group of more than 1,000 e-reader owners surveyed said they were dissatisfied.

In the long run, it's probably good news for everyone connected with e-readers. (The survey did not reveal what kind of e-reader the users surveyed owned.)

"Both the display technology and available content on e-Readers are optimized for those interested in books," Ross Rubin, executive director of industry analysis at NPD, said in a statement.

However, as PCMag.com points out, the survey also indicates that the "good news for those entering the market" is that "though people are generally pleased with their e-book readers, they are still looking for improved features."

The improved features most often mentioned included more book title availability (mentioned by 42 percent of users surveyed), longer battery life (39 percent), and color screens (34 percent).

Three in 10 e-reader owners said that they also use devices like PCs and smart phones for reading e-books.

All of which would seem to add up to a big, wide, open field with plenty of eager consumers.

Marjorie Kehe is the Monitor's book editor.

Do you own an e-reader? Are you a happy customer – or are you still seeking improved features? When it comes to e-books, what features matter most to you? Join the discussion on Facebook.