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Amazon Enters Gadget Market with Kindle, an eBook Device
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Well, that's the sort of thinking that allows this device to even be in production, but are the two anything similar?
Putting every single book you own onto one device so you can easily skip among every page and read your favorite chapters in your own order, repeatedly if you desire, doesn't exactly sound like features that would reinvent literate (really the best reason to have a digital catalogue of anything).
Purchasing books from the device itself does sound like a much better selling feature, but don't assume that just because an analog medium exists, it would be better as a digital medium... or that you can shoehorn paradigms so easily across products...
Though, textbooks would definitely be better in digital, but those would probably be better stored on student's laptops than a dedicated device...
Just like Sony's eReader.... it will be an overwhelming failure. Just like the Foleo as well. Too little functionality in a package too large; i.e. if I am going to carry that thing around it better do more than just hold books and display pages for me. It better be an ultra mobile PC as well.
If all it can do is read books than Amazon better pull the plug on that thing soon... take a page out of the book of Palm Foleo and save themselves a grip of corporate cash.
And it's ugly.
If all it can do is read books than Amazon better pull the plug on that thing soon... take a page out of the book of Palm Foleo and save themselves a grip of corporate cash.
And it's ugly.
But, it's another device to carry...
One of the biggest attractions of the iPhone was that it combined several devices: phone, iPod, Internet Browser (portable computer); into one, portable device.
Ditch the iPod, Cell Phone, impromptu Camera, Laptop... carry an iPhone-- It doesn't do everything, but it does "enough" 90% of the time.
Personally, I would prefer a somewhat larger size iPhone that:
1) replaces my wallet (ID, Credit Cards, etc).
2) better Camera, VideoCam
3) Open OS X environment
4) eBook reader with annotation*
*There are 3rd-party (free) apps for the iPhone that provide an eBook reader and on-screen drawinging (Sketches).
Like the iPhone, this "somewhat larger device" does not need to be best-in-breed for every function (phone, eBook reader, etc)... just better than most, intuitive, high-quality, fun to use-- eh, Apple-like!
I suspect that Apple will announce such a device in January.
Our life is frittered away by detail. Simplify, simplify.
- Henry David Thoreau
If you want the iPhone to replace your wallet then you must live out in the middle of nowhere. I wouldn't mind having my wallet imbedded into my skin but inside of an iPhone that is slightly bigger than the current model and just as attractive to thieves is a bit of a problem for anyone that lives in a major city.
Some things should just remain separate. And I personally would never consider the iPhone a replacement for a laptop until I can run Adobe CS3 on it. Now carrying the iPhone as a replacement and all-in-one device for my cell, iPod, PDA, and misc. gadget thingy is not bad... but laptop.... nope sorry that's still coming with me.
Good lord, I never knew it was possible to design such an ugly looking gadget.
On the plus side, I suppose it has some retro appeal, like a late 80s laptop. Who reads ebooks anyway?
On the plus side, I suppose it has some retro appeal, like a late 80s laptop. Who reads ebooks anyway?
I'm on the "would rather read a book" bandwagon on this one. I haven't seen an electronic device yet to deliver text that doesn't give me a headache after reading for a couple of hours. The ability to have multiple books to have and choose from sounds cool (NOT in the current style that Amazon is suggesting...ugh
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I live in the SF Bay Area.
Here's the scenario:
I go to Barnes & Noble, In-N-Out Burger, Safeway, the gas station, etc...
everywhere I buy something, I have to dig out my wallet, get a credit card, swipe it, enter pin number, accept the, transaction, sign the receipt, show my ID.
I should be able to do that all electronically... from my secure iPhone to the vendor's secure "cash register".
Currently, If I am standing in line & decide I want to pay for something with my ATM debit card, I can go online and check if I have enough in my checking account to cover the transaction. If not, I can transfer money from my savings to checking...
Ironic: I can move the needed money (and much more) around to make it available... but I have to do this 19th-century rain-dance to move the manna from me to the seller.
To replace the wallet assumes a secure iPhone (or, whatever) that cannot be used by anyone else. Done properly, losing the iPhone would be less of a security disaster than losing your wallet.
As to the laptop: There are times when it makes sense to carry a laptop, too.
But for me, most of the time it is extra baggage:
1) Hiking
2) Music/Sports events
3) shopping
4) grandkids Soccer Practice/games
5) yadda, yadda, yadda
"Pretty soon now" you will be able to do CS3 online-- this won't entirely satisfy your needs, but may be good enough to use in a pinch... Maybe one less reason to carry your laptop, case, extra batteries, cables, adapters/chargers everywhere you go.
This device I think would be great for a truly avid reader. Just like music fans are going digital, going digital for books/magazines makes quite alot of sense.
However, with the Kindle, I guess I don't understand why there's a keyboard. I think if Apple were to make one, they should include a click wheel like the iPod to scroll through the books/magazines in their library and and they could each be bookmarked. Next to the click wheel would be a numerical pad if you wanted to jump to a certain page.
Another needed feature would be the ability to sync to a computer and/or an external hard drive. Like I had said, this would be great for an avid reader who would no doubt have LOTS of material for this device.
For me personally, I am not an avid reader. I only read a couple of magazines and I tend to re-read about a dozen book series every few years. So dishing out a few hundred dollars just doesn't make sense.
However, with the Kindle, I guess I don't understand why there's a keyboard. I think if Apple were to make one, they should include a click wheel like the iPod to scroll through the books/magazines in their library and and they could each be bookmarked. Next to the click wheel would be a numerical pad if you wanted to jump to a certain page.
Another needed feature would be the ability to sync to a computer and/or an external hard drive. Like I had said, this would be great for an avid reader who would no doubt have LOTS of material for this device.
For me personally, I am not an avid reader. I only read a couple of magazines and I tend to re-read about a dozen book series every few years. So dishing out a few hundred dollars just doesn't make sense.
To quote Perry White from the first Spiderman movie: "Crap, crap crap. ... I'll give you $500 for it."
It's ugly, poorly spec'd, and it will sell - unfortunately. Apple will introduce the eBook Tablet Mac in a year with no buttons and minimalist design and it will be huge, and this clunker will be long forgotten (thankfully).
It's ugly, poorly spec'd, and it will sell - unfortunately. Apple will introduce the eBook Tablet Mac in a year with no buttons and minimalist design and it will be huge, and this clunker will be long forgotten (thankfully).
Sorry e-book proponents, today's technology isn't even close to making e-books ready for prime time mass appeal. No color, relatively extreme initial investment, no way to make margin notes as well as on print documents, no way to flip through pages with as much effectiveness as print documents, no way to easily (photo)copy portions to share with people, not as durable as print, no way to have different books open to read from at the same time, has a battery limit that makes your books disappear when it runs out, etc. etc. etc.
One day e-books probably will indeed become a product with mass appeal. Today is not that day.
One day e-books probably will indeed become a product with mass appeal. Today is not that day.
This device would be great for engineering students. Some of my textbooks are 1400 pages long! Imagine if I was able to take this one device instead of 4 back breaking textbooks around - great. The other thing that would be amazing is the ability to quickly search through books. There are many times when I just need a quick definition or a fast equation lookup. Search could cut homework times in half!
P-Worm
Imagine if I was able to take this one device instead of 4 back breaking textbooks around - great. The other thing that would be amazing is the ability to quickly search through books. There are many times when I just need a quick definition or a fast equation lookup. Search could cut homework times in half!P-Worm
But that reasoning doesn't hold water because if you just needs a fast equation lookup or definition then all you need is a web connected device, which are ubiquitous today.
Hey Kindle! 1987 called...
they want their Knowledge Navigator back!
Almost amazon, almost...
And please Jeff, don't try to be Steve. I know he's so cool that everyone wants to be him, but you look quite scary.
EDIT: Gosh, I just realized this is the beginning of Bubble 2.0!
they want their Knowledge Navigator back!
Almost amazon, almost...
And please Jeff, don't try to be Steve. I know he's so cool that everyone wants to be him, but you look quite scary.
EDIT: Gosh, I just realized this is the beginning of Bubble 2.0!
I'd buy one if I read books. But I just don't have the time anymore. The only free time I have where I could read is travelling on train or bus, but I get horribly motion sick if I'm looking at a screen or book
A nice machine though. I'd probably get my girlfriend one.
A nice machine though. I'd probably get my girlfriend one.
Wow! The Knowledge Navigator looks awesome! Now THAT'S a product with mass appeal!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HGYFEI6uLy0&feature=related
The date in that simulation shows that in 1987 this is what they thought technology would be like in the year 2009. In some ways they were really close! But in many more ways it seems like they were wildly optimistic.
ebooks - ick. But it's hard to perfect on what is so near a perfect form - portable, no batteries required, dog-eared and thrown in a bag as a paperback, cared for and art in itself as a hardcover.
Really?
What if you aren't reading to "escape"?
What if you're reading for information? For news? Reading textbooks or journals?
if the spec's are true and if the wifi/internet compatibility is good then it's a sure buy for me.
i hope it also has and audible player on it (can't see why not). then you can have all your audiobooks, books, magazines and pdf's in one place.
add a powerpoint viewer, excel viewer, small text editor, google calender and i finally have the PDA i ever wanted.
that means i will give the OLPC XO laptop to my nephew and buy one of those for myself!
if it comes true and there is no too hefty monthly fee on it (max ~$10) then i'm sold.
to all who say it's ugly: who cares. after two month of use it's scratched up, full of smudges, "personalized" with stickers and shortcuts written onto it anyway.
i hope it also has and audible player on it (can't see why not). then you can have all your audiobooks, books, magazines and pdf's in one place.
add a powerpoint viewer, excel viewer, small text editor, google calender and i finally have the PDA i ever wanted.
that means i will give the OLPC XO laptop to my nephew and buy one of those for myself!
if it comes true and there is no too hefty monthly fee on it (max ~$10) then i'm sold.
to all who say it's ugly: who cares. after two month of use it's scratched up, full of smudges, "personalized" with stickers and shortcuts written onto it anyway.
I'm not crazy about the form factor, but I could see using this for all my tech books ... rather than constantly dragging them back and forth between the office and the house. For real book reading ... I'm sticking with paper ... call me old fashioned.
Apple need to do something like this, but it can't JUST be for eBooks.
Make it a tablet computer that also let you read eBooks. Kinda low powered, but very functional. eBooks could be bought through the iTMS, but also on the iTunes WiFi Store. Not only that, work out deals with Barnes and Noble, Books-a-Million, etc. to let you buy digital books from their stores...kinda like how you can go to Star Bucks and buy their music.
The eBooks should NOT cost as much as a physical book. For instance, if the physical book is $10, the eBook should be around $6 or $7. You SHOULD be able to let someone borrow an eBook via Bonjour, WiFi, USB, BlueTooth, etc.; but it will be gone from your device until they "give" it back...or better yet, they can put expiration dates on borrowed items. You can set it to let someone borrow a book for a week. Your book would be "gone" or "disabled/invisible" until the expiration date arrives. Then you would have access to your book again and it would be deleted from the borrower's device. You shouldn't be able to make copies of eBooks either.
This device should read PDFs.
You should be able to do presentations with this device.
Also, this device from Apple should probably use *gulp* a stylus. You can write notes on pages and such. If it doesn't use a stylus, I guess typing on it like the iPhone will have to do.
You should be able to get magazine subscriptions via iTunes also for this Apple device. The subscriptions should also be cheaper than physical ones.
This device should be more than just an eBook reader. It should also have Safari built in, iSight for video conferencing, play music and videos (of course), receive email, and other things like the iPhone and iPod Touch.
There should be a version of iWork that works on this device. It should be able to connect to network printers also. Perhaps even iLife could run on it, but I don't know about powerful software like Adobe CS3. That's a bit much. No one would really want to try to run something like that on a slightly limited device. It should be more powerful than an iPhone, but less than a MacBook.
It should have perhaps around a 32GB SSD. 1GB of RAM. It should be as thin as an iPhone, but maybe a 7x5 in. screen.
iChat should also work on this device.
Other applications should be available for this device also. Doctors should be able to use it, moms should be able to use it, people working out should be able to use it. People will find reasons to use it.
The price of this device should be between the top iPhone and the MacBook. Maybe around $599 - $699.
Maybe it could be called iPad, iNote, or just Newton.
Make it a tablet computer that also let you read eBooks. Kinda low powered, but very functional. eBooks could be bought through the iTMS, but also on the iTunes WiFi Store. Not only that, work out deals with Barnes and Noble, Books-a-Million, etc. to let you buy digital books from their stores...kinda like how you can go to Star Bucks and buy their music.
The eBooks should NOT cost as much as a physical book. For instance, if the physical book is $10, the eBook should be around $6 or $7. You SHOULD be able to let someone borrow an eBook via Bonjour, WiFi, USB, BlueTooth, etc.; but it will be gone from your device until they "give" it back...or better yet, they can put expiration dates on borrowed items. You can set it to let someone borrow a book for a week. Your book would be "gone" or "disabled/invisible" until the expiration date arrives. Then you would have access to your book again and it would be deleted from the borrower's device. You shouldn't be able to make copies of eBooks either.
This device should read PDFs.
You should be able to do presentations with this device.
Also, this device from Apple should probably use *gulp* a stylus. You can write notes on pages and such. If it doesn't use a stylus, I guess typing on it like the iPhone will have to do.
You should be able to get magazine subscriptions via iTunes also for this Apple device. The subscriptions should also be cheaper than physical ones.
This device should be more than just an eBook reader. It should also have Safari built in, iSight for video conferencing, play music and videos (of course), receive email, and other things like the iPhone and iPod Touch.
There should be a version of iWork that works on this device. It should be able to connect to network printers also. Perhaps even iLife could run on it, but I don't know about powerful software like Adobe CS3. That's a bit much. No one would really want to try to run something like that on a slightly limited device. It should be more powerful than an iPhone, but less than a MacBook.
It should have perhaps around a 32GB SSD. 1GB of RAM. It should be as thin as an iPhone, but maybe a 7x5 in. screen.
iChat should also work on this device.
Other applications should be available for this device also. Doctors should be able to use it, moms should be able to use it, people working out should be able to use it. People will find reasons to use it.
The price of this device should be between the top iPhone and the MacBook. Maybe around $599 - $699.
Maybe it could be called iPad, iNote, or just Newton.