Whenever the Apple iPad is brought up in conversation, it doesn’t take long before people begin to compare the device with ebook readers, namely the Kindle 3.

As an iPad owner, these comparisons have never bothered me for one big reason. I have always bought books on the iPad using the Kindle App. It makes a lot of sense to buy books within the Kindle App, rather than the iBooks app for these two reasons alone:

Multiple device reading – It doesn’t matter what device i’m using at the time. Whether I am on my Laptop, Desktop, iPad, iPhone or Kindle, I can continue to read a book.

You can not currently buy books in the iBooks store in Australia! – I am glad apple was slow in doing this, as it forced me to kindle book buying. It makes a lot more sense when using multiple devices.

I have had my new Kindle 3 for about a week now and have to say, it really does beat the iPad for reading! One of the big shocks with the Kindle 3, was integration with audiobook service Audible. Actually, it makes sense, due to the fact that Audible is now an Amazon product. Using the Kindle to listen to audiobooks, when my eyes are tired, is amazing. In fact, listening to an Audible book on a Kindle beats my experiences I have had on every other device (iPad, iPhone, iPod, Laptop, Desktop).

Yes, that right, as an iPad and Kindle owner, I can safely say that reading books on the Kindle wins, in my books (pun not intended). There are a number of reasons for this. The Kindle does two things really well. It plays audiobook and it lets you read books with ease.

The biggest issue I had with the iPad was the fact that there were so many other applications in the background, waiting to take my attention. It was way too easy to become distracted by playing Angry Bird, check Twitter, or play Words With Friends.

When I am reading a book on the Kindle, I am immersed in the book. It is the closest experience to reading a book you are going to get, before you have to…. pick up a real book!

Its biggest positive is also its biggest negative. No backlit screen! It so nice to be able to take your eyes away from looking at an illuminated screen, though it is annoying when you are in a dark room!

Its really easy to say, “Screw you iPad, you cost ten times more than the Kindle AND your reading experience isn’t even as good!”. But the fact is the iPad and Kindle cannot be fairly compared. Its like comparing apple and oranges. Oranges aren’t good for making apple pies, because they aren’t apples, although, you can make some pretty awesome meals with oranges. The iPad can be put in the ebook category, but I think its not its best use. The iPad is a swiss army knife. The device I use to quickly check my Twitter, read some RSS feeds and play some games.

The Kindle is great for reading books and in an age where we are all coming down with a case of ADD, focussing on one thing, isn’t so bad.