I'm wrong, Gizmodo says there is a basic web browser:
http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/amazon-k...+on-and-questions-answered-gallery-324375.php
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Amazon Enters Gadget Market with Kindle, an eBook Device
- Thread starter MacRumors
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
I'm wrong, Gizmodo says there is a basic web browser:
http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/amazon-k...+on-and-questions-answered-gallery-324375.php
Nice idea, but an ugly design.
Amazon and Apple should get together on this. Between Amazon's huge base of titles (and their "network" - whatever it is) and Apple's superior design capabilities, this could be a real hit.
The ideal design needs a touch interface, should have a color display (e-ink based, not LCD) and an ability to run a full web browser. And oh, the price should be under $300. When this happens I'm getting one. Until then I'm sticking with my PDA for eBooks.
Amazon and Apple should get together on this. Between Amazon's huge base of titles (and their "network" - whatever it is) and Apple's superior design capabilities, this could be a real hit.
The ideal design needs a touch interface, should have a color display (e-ink based, not LCD) and an ability to run a full web browser. And oh, the price should be under $300. When this happens I'm getting one. Until then I'm sticking with my PDA for eBooks.
yeah, i want one.
the books i read cost $60 a pop, if I can buy them in E format and save a significant portion of my purchase, the iBook (which im now calling it even if Apple dont) will eventualy save me money.
I totally agree; in fact, as the morning drags on, this reminds me more and more of the iPod launch.
Instead of Apple taking an exciting new piece of technology and appropriating it for the masses on a new device, making strides against established market competitors like Creative and Rio...
...we have Amazon taking a new piece of technology and appropriating it for the masses on a new device, making strides against established market competitors like Sony.
Both technologies had been around for a while but hadn't lived up to their potential. Both new pieces of hardware found their fair share of admirers and critics. Both were the brainchild of CEOs will very hands on approaches to management and proven track records.
But one of the most important aspects of the Kindle that didn't really apply to Apple is that it's a logical extension of the Amazon brand. This isn't Apple entering a new market, this is Amazon taking the next step in the book distribution model that they themselves revolutionized a decade ago...
totally absurd
First of all... ugly, really really ugly.
Second of all... at 400 smackers you would have to be really really stupid to buy this. It's as large as a real book, just bring the real book with you.
I can see this having a very small market, infinitesimal actually: some folks that need to cart many books around at all times might like this, but they might prefer to just have a laptop with them.
Third of all, to those who say it's good for the environment because saving trees... look at all that plastic! And the new draw on electricity.
Sux.
First of all... ugly, really really ugly.
Second of all... at 400 smackers you would have to be really really stupid to buy this. It's as large as a real book, just bring the real book with you.
I can see this having a very small market, infinitesimal actually: some folks that need to cart many books around at all times might like this, but they might prefer to just have a laptop with them.
Third of all, to those who say it's good for the environment because saving trees... look at all that plastic! And the new draw on electricity.
Sux.
Yeah, this is a really good point that most people are glossing over... unlike what we've seen thus far with audio and video files, Amazon seems to be offering some very significant savings on the list price of books. A flat rate of $9.99 for books that usually go for over $20 is a much better buy than a full album download on iTunes that only costs a buck or two less than the hard copy at BestBuy.
Maybe when Apple starts giving a $200 credit at the iTMS with the purchase of an iPod, they'll consider it. Until then, I think the free wireless access and chapter previews are a very nice bonus...
First of all... ugly, really really ugly.
Second of all... at 500 smackers you would have to be really really stupid to buy this. It's as large as a discman, just bring the real CD with you.
I can see this having a very small market, infinitesimal actually: some folks that need to cart many CDs around at all times might like this, but they might prefer to just have a laptop with them.
Sux.
It's 2001 all over again...
All I know is, this thread has opened my eyes to the concepts of what an eBook reader could be.
Some amazing sounding ideas were presented, and it makes me think I would snap one of these up if Apple made one.
The Kindle is a bit pricey, not to mention butt-ugly. It probably needs to be fairly sexy to sell, like the iPod. The fact that there's no monthly fee for constant connectivity is awesome.
Some amazing sounding ideas were presented, and it makes me think I would snap one of these up if Apple made one.
The Kindle is a bit pricey, not to mention butt-ugly. It probably needs to be fairly sexy to sell, like the iPod. The fact that there's no monthly fee for constant connectivity is awesome.
You are correct in thinking that the argument is incorrect. But the correct term is sophistry not tautology...
sophistry |ˈsäfəstrē|
noun ( pl. -ries)
the use of fallacious arguments, esp. with the intention of deceiving.
a fallacious argument.
tautology |tôˈtäləjē|
noun ( pl. -gies)
the saying of the same thing twice in different words, generally considered to be a fault of style (e.g., they arrived one after the other in succession).
a phrase or expression in which the same thing is said twice in different words.
Logic a statement that is true by necessity or by virtue of its logical form.
Or you could simply state...
Nope, that is patently wrong, they thought nobody would use phones either... Or you could accuse them of being a Luddite, or having Luddite behavior.
But me, I think they got more right than wrong with this device, and I am a version 2 buyer. (Apple has trained me well).
It sounds cool, but I like the smell of books. Weird, I know.
Perhaps the next version will have an optional new book spray--)))
one last post on the subject before i go make myself dinner...
I dont want E-ink, i have no reason to write on my iBook. The only market i can see Eink to be essential in is the education market.
But for the average user, writing with a pen is something that people just think they want, but when they get it, its awkward, and slower than typing... so whats the point.
Say no to E-ink. just a hi res lcd screen please Apple, and a on screen qwerty keyboard.
I had a competition with friends the other day, writing with various input devices. the pen driven miniature qwerty of my SE p9901 was extremely fast. and definately faster than my handwriting.
I dont want E-ink, i have no reason to write on my iBook. The only market i can see Eink to be essential in is the education market.
But for the average user, writing with a pen is something that people just think they want, but when they get it, its awkward, and slower than typing... so whats the point.
Say no to E-ink. just a hi res lcd screen please Apple, and a on screen qwerty keyboard.
I had a competition with friends the other day, writing with various input devices. the pen driven miniature qwerty of my SE p9901 was extremely fast. and definately faster than my handwriting.
By the way, does it work with a Mac
Amazon MP3 works for Macs, but Unbox Video service doesn't, right ?
Amazon states this works with both Windoze and MAC's!
Speak for yourself
Well, it just so happens that this headline is making the rounds this morning...
Americans Reading Less
Wonder if it's coincidence?
An iPod touch like device with a bigger screen would be much better than this half baked product. Apple can own the eBook market, imagine the possibility's if the (i)device is hooked up to Google book search and iTunes.
As far as im aware, it is BW hi res pen input screen with lower power consumption.
Am i wrong???
But the difference is that Amazon is making the mistake that the iPod didn't make -- doing too much too fast. With the iPod, Apple spent years of development and multiple hardware revisions ignoring calls for wireless, PDA functions, and even color screens at first, focused on perfecting the basic function of accessing your music. One look at this device and it's clear that the designers have already deluded themselves into thinking that they've got the book-reading part down and are ready to move on to extra features.
Just look at the keyboard and think for a second -- we're trying to emulate the experience of a book, something which has only two or three verbs associated with it, and now our device has dozens of buttons. How did we get from simple concepts like "open book, turn page, set bookmark, close book" to dozens of buttons? And don't tell me that these simple concepts have been figured out already. Making the simple things simple is the hard part.
Not Impressed
I saw this on the news this morning. I'm not impressed. The design is clunky and very 80's. If they were to learn anything from Apple... sexy products sell. This is not sexy.
With that said, I think the bigger problem is price and usability. Why would I buy this for $400 when I can read a digital book on my laptop? Or just buy the bok for goodness sakes. It's not like with Music where having all your music in one place and very portable makes a huge difference. I think some people will just not like the feel of reading from a screen too. I think the product has to be cheaper, sexier and a color display (from what I could see it's B&W). Plus all the goofy keys need to go.
Digital books have not caught on yet... and I don't see this as a revolutionary product that will make it happen yet.
I saw this on the news this morning. I'm not impressed. The design is clunky and very 80's. If they were to learn anything from Apple... sexy products sell. This is not sexy.
With that said, I think the bigger problem is price and usability. Why would I buy this for $400 when I can read a digital book on my laptop? Or just buy the bok for goodness sakes. It's not like with Music where having all your music in one place and very portable makes a huge difference. I think some people will just not like the feel of reading from a screen too. I think the product has to be cheaper, sexier and a color display (from what I could see it's B&W). Plus all the goofy keys need to go.
Digital books have not caught on yet... and I don't see this as a revolutionary product that will make it happen yet.
Geez! I really am dumbfounded that companies can put out products that, despite whatever usefulness they might have, they truly are dated looking and, well, ugly. Isn't there anybody screening these things before they go out? Somehow this ugly bastard just slipped through I guess.
Hm, have to disagree with the Sony Reader = Foleo comment. The reader does one thing, and does it well.
Agree with the looks comment, though.
