Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Amazon Announces New Kindles: $139 Wi-Fi, $189 3G

Used Kindle Store fairly well (about 20 books). Used a Kindle 2 for a couple of weeks (borrowed from a friend). Never saw a physical iPad (not available in India)

Convinced that Kindle Store is the way to go. Format doesn't bother me since all e-book stores are DRM'ed anyway.

Now the decision lies in choosing a Kindle vs. choosing an iPad. I feel iPhone + Kindle is a much better choice than an iPad.

I cannot speak for others but I am almost always close to a computer and in case I travel and need to do some basic work, I would still have the iPhone.

I do yearn for color e-ink screens but I think the only way I would consider an iPad again is if they release a 6 inch version at around $200 or $250 with the next iPad release.
 
nbharatvarma said:
Used Kindle Store fairly well (about 20 books).

I do yearn for color e-ink screens but I think the only way I would consider an iPad again is if they release a 6 inch version at around $200 or $250 with the next iPad release.
Click to expand...

go for the kindle, if u have your laptop or whatever close and an iphone and the ipad would be for reading why pay $500+ for something you could have a better expience on which is $100s less?

Though im biased towards my awesome kindle... I mean FREE internet ;)
 
ValSalva said:
This will cut into some iPad sales. How could it not? $139. Great price.
Click to expand...

Can't say that I see that myself. IMO, if you would buy this device for $139 instead of an iPad, you should have never even been considering buying a $499 iPad. If this device is what someone is looking for, why wouldn't they just buy the $189 Kindle?

If you read enough books or so much/often that you would pay $139 for the (alleged) advantages of a dedicated eBook reader, comparing it or weighing it against a $500 (minimum) tablet computer doesn't make sense.

I had a Kindle 2, and used it to read some books, and a daily newspaper subscription. When the iPad came out I sold my Kindle and bought the iPad, because it brought so many more of the features that I wanted/needed, and sufficed for the limited amount of reading that I do on it. On top of that, it gives me multiple outlets for book purchases (iBooks, Kindle app, B&N Reader, etc.).

Not bashing the Kindle, or saying that there's no reason to have one. Just don't see how a $139 or $189 dedicated e-reader can be direct competition to a $500 tablet computer.
 
I bought a Kobo for $149, $139 for a Kindle with WiFi is definitely attractive. However my Kobo is still a win for supporting industry standard ePub files while Kindle uses MOBI only.

I agree this isn't really front page news on a Mac site but although it's great that the iPad functions well as a book reader, I still love the ink on paper look of my Kobo. However the iPad does a lot of things great. Well I don't have an iPad but I love my iPhone and my Kobo!
 
kernkraft said:
The iPad can do a bunch of things, but to me it was never a real e-book reader. There's no point reading them with the screen of the iPad.

Besides, the Kindle is quarter of the price of the iPad and it's light. You may buy one and enjoy reading books. That's it, no games, no gimmicks, just books. But when you do that, you can actually see the letters without going blind.
Click to expand...

I'm reading my 4th book on my iPad and I love it. I will never go back to 'paper' books.

Different strokes for different folks. ;)
 
This is on the home page because it effects Apple's stocks. Almost every thing a competitor does effects their stocks.

Now back on topic,
I always liked the Sony Reader, mainly because I am a tad loyal to Sony, and I really want to like their product more due to it's open nature, but $139 and with wi-fi? I want a Kindle!
 
rdlink said:
Can't say that I see that myself. IMO, if you would buy this device for $139 instead of an iPad, you should have never even been considering buying a $499 iPad. If this device is what someone is looking for, why wouldn't they just buy the $189 Kindle?

If you read enough books or so much/often that you would pay $139 for the (alleged) advantages of a dedicated eBook reader, comparing it or weighing it against a $500 (minimum) tablet computer doesn't make sense.

I had a Kindle 2, and used it to read some books, and a daily newspaper subscription. When the iPad came out I sold my Kindle and bought the iPad, because it brought so many more of the features that I wanted/needed, and sufficed for the limited amount of reading that I do on it. On top of that, it gives me multiple outlets for book purchases (iBooks, Kindle app, B&N Reader, etc.).

Not bashing the Kindle, or saying that there's no reason to have one. Just don't see how a $139 or $189 dedicated e-reader can be direct competition to a $500 tablet computer.
Click to expand...

Sounds right on to me, good stuff. iPad isn't selling like hot cakes because of people who just want to read books. In most cases that's just the plus.
 
Amazon is still pretty nutty. Even at $139, it's not something you really need. If they were smart they would say--FREE WITH 100 BOOKS OF YOUR CHOICE(which you pay for first).

One day they'll get the idea.
 
kindles are fine and dandy. i wish the book publishing companies would realize that ebooks aren't just for america.

amazon are probably one of the better companies that actually support overseas stuff but there's such a large hole in availability in books available, especially in australia. last time i checked, ibooks is still only offering free stuff in our store.

sure, there's easy and simple ways to get the other amazon books, but it still shouldnt be such an issue by now...
 
This is actually a great deal. Just look at this:

Up To One Month of Battery Life: The new Kindle has up to one month of battery life with wireless off. Keep wireless on and your Kindle will have battery life of up to 10 days.

Free 3G Wireless: Kindle offers free 3G wireless, which means no annual contracts and no monthly fees.

Global Wireless Coverage: Kindle is the only e-reader that lets you travel the globe and still get books in under 60 seconds with wireless coverage in over 100 countries and territories.

New Built-In Wi-Fi: In addition to free 3G wireless, Kindle now has built-in Wi-Fi support. Kindle owners will now be able to connect to Wi-Fi hotspots at home or on the road. Readers who don't need the convenience of free 3G wireless can purchase the new Kindle Wi-Fi for only $139 and download content over Wi-Fi. Amazon is offering Kindle customers free Wi-Fi access at AT&T Wi-Fi hotspots across the U.S. for shopping and downloading Kindle content--no AT&T registration, sign-in, or password required.

And that for the price of a iPod Nano – iPod Touch. Not bad at all.

Also. Can we use the SIM card with our my iPad's? That'll make it an even better deal :p
 
ValSalva said:
This will cut into some iPad sales. How could it not? $139. Great price.
Click to expand...

If by "cut" you mean "paper cut," maybe, but no rational consumer buys a $499 iPad just to read books. The Kindle is only a book reader. If that is all a consumer needs/wants then it's a great choice, but it's not the one they will make if they want an eReader/Internet browser/music & video player/app-for-that device.

The $139 price might spur new sales, but I suspect Amazon will sell a lot of unit to previous Kindle owners. When you are dealing w/ eBooks its still a niche market -- not for Amazon, but, certainly big picture, industry wide, and publishers are still reticent about same day release for new etitles as their paper counterparts.
 
It's great how Amazon keeps charging ahead despite the iPad. They have a real chance at winning this war. Especially if they get a sub $100 Kindle in a major retailer.

The great thing is that Kindle book sales only help the iPad. If people want to read Kindle books on an iPad instead of the standalone reader, they can. Apple misses out on some book revenue, but they always say that their goal is to break even on digital downloads. So what difference does it make if Amazon supplies the software and some users choose Amazon hardware, while others choose Apple?
 
It looks like the Kindle now has a better price for a dedicated e-reader. I just don't get why 3G would be important for Kindle???? You're not going to surf the web with it and WiFi is available enough that if you had to buy a new book, it wouldn't take much to find a hot spot.

3G I think would be a must on an iPad... but Kindle? I don't get it. Either way, this will help Amazon stay in the game. Nice upgrade.
 
tod said:
It's great how Amazon keeps charging ahead despite the iPad. They have a real chance at winning this war. Especially if they get a sub $100 Kindle in a major retailer.

The great thing is that Kindle book sales only help the iPad. If people want to read Kindle books on an iPad instead of the standalone reader, they can. Apple misses out on some book revenue, but they always say that their goal is to break even on digital downloads. So what difference does it make if Amazon supplies the software and some users choose Amazon hardware, while others choose Apple?
Click to expand...

I think the Kindle will take away a few sales, but I think the buyers of a Kindle is different than an iPad. Someone who buys an iPad wants a mobile computing device that can display books, and someone who buys a Kindle wants to just read books.

In the long run, the challenge is on for Kindle hardware to survive as more and more people take on more tablet and other mobile devices that overlap their market.
 
I love the Kindle, but lamented the fact I can't use it without a light source. So to remedy that, I bought an iPad. Unfortunately, it's TOO bright to read in bed without disturbing the wife and I can no longer read it outside on the deck or by the pool.

So now I've just abandoned iBooks altogether, put the Kindle app on my iPad and iPhone (it handles black screen with white letters for use in dark areas), with the Kindle being the main reader and the other devices playing auxiliary roles.

For now, Kindle is still the superior reading experience in all flavors.

PS Yes, I know about inverting video to make iBooks a black screen....still too bright to use for me.
 
The only thing that's stopped me buying an eBook reader in the past has been the price but this new Kindle looks amazing (I much prefer the graphite colour to the white) and at just £109 I'm definately going to buy one now. I like to read in the park on a nice sunny day which you just can't do with an iPad. I'd rather use the iPad to play games, watch videos and access all the great app's.
 
nbharatvarma said:
...but I think the only way I would consider an iPad again is if they release a 6 inch version at around $200 or $250 with the next iPad release.
Click to expand...

Wasn't there a rumor recently about smaller (presumably cheaper) iPads in the works? A sort-of "iPad nano". Wonder if that'll be Apple's response to this?

I've avoided buying a Kindle up to now, but as an iPad owner who loves reading, $139 is very attractive. If I lose or break a $139 device, it's not the end of the world. I can use it poolside, leave it lying around a house full of kids, toss it in a backpack or take it to the beach and not worry too much. At that price, buying a couple of spares just for general family use is viable. A $500+ iPad is a different story.

And I'm not too impressed with Apple's bookstore: The selection of books is too limited.
 
By all accounts, the Kindle is a great eBook reader - easier on the eyes, huge battery life and better range of books available.

If you only want to read ebooks then an iPad would be overkill.

At $139, the Kindle is a great buy.

The iPad won't kill the Kindle ( and other ebook readers ).

The Kindle is ugly, but so what - looks aren't everything, especially when you sacrifice usability for looks ( i.e., iPhone, Magic Mouse ) and not everyone cares.
 
Lesser Evets said:
Even at $139, it's not something you really need. If they were smart they would say--FREE WITH 100 BOOKS OF YOUR CHOICE(which you pay for first).

One day they'll get the idea.
Click to expand...

Because the iPad is (at any price)?

Most people don't order 100 books from Amazon during their lifetime. For $139, you expect an e-reader and 100 books of your choice? Do you also want them to give you a horse to have something to read your e-books on?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back