Some good, some bad
There's been enough discussion about the Kindle already, but here goes...
The Good:
Amazon came out with this - they have the online clout to drive e-book sales.
FREE wireless - available just about everyplace you can get a cellphone signal, and there are no monthly fees. And subscriptions are sent directly to the device - no syncing with a computer needed.
E-Ink - Low power, great screen, easy to read
The Bad:
$399 - way too expensive.
E-ink - yeah, I know I listed it as a positive, but it also can't be used in low-light conditions, and the screen annoyingly flashes when you turn the page.
Lack of file support - Only supports Amazon's proprietary e-book file format, and ignores PDF, Microsoft Word doc files, and the newer XML-based format. Heck, even the iPod can play the ubiquitous MP3 file format AND iTunes-favored AAC.
The Ugly
The unit itself. It doesn't have a design to sell itself like an iPhone, iPod Touch, etc.
In my opinion:
Cut the price by half, open it up to support multiple file formats, improve the screen technology a little, and use a more appealing design.
In other words- a nice try, but this device is not as revolutionary as Jeff Bezos wants it to be.
I don't know if some of these things can be corrected in the current device (is the firmware upgradeable?), but the approach Amazon should be taking is that any e-book reader needs to COMPLEMENT a computer or other consumer electronic devices.
The problem I have with the Kindle is this device is trying to lock in customers to Amazon's e-book service, instead of trying to see how consumers could fit it into their lifestyle. Reading is fundamental, so how about a device that helps me manage all my personal and professional documents, along with a convenient way to purchase new reading material? It either needs to do a lot more for its $399 price, or cut the price to $100-$200 and sell it for what it is - a proprietary Amazon product.