Who wants to be tied to Sprint for life with those terms and just for "getting" Amazon content?
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Amazon Launches Kindle DX eBook Reader with 9.7" Screen
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Who wants to be tied to Sprint for life with those terms and just for "getting" Amazon content?
While I see your point, and I think Apple would be wise to offer something in the price range, I have a Kindle 2 and this has been a great tool for my Masters program. Considering, and thankfully a majority of my books are on this device. I have saved enough money to make buying the kindle worth wild, and I will continue to use these books in my career. Perhaps I may be a rare case, but it does help in my education.
It is a great step in the right direction but it is still not quite there for me yet. It needs to be colour, and been slightly on the thinner and sexier side for me to get one. Still it is only a matter of time. Wont be long before we all get one.
Makes me all the more curious to see what this supposed apple netbook will be like.....
Makes me all the more curious to see what this supposed apple netbook will be like.....
I agree! However, with the Kindle I was able to get a book, which normally cost 250.00, for only 40 on Kindle. Since I started my Masters I have saved over 700.00 in books and I still have several more classes to go. I am so happy to give e-follett and others the big finger.
It's only about 8.5 mm thick.... which is thinner than the iphone (12.3 mm). Unfortunately, colour won't be in the cards for a bit, unless they move to a different screen technology.
Jesus, do people who buy these stupid Kindles ever do the math to figure out if it's worth the cost?
I only read books that I get free from the library... I figured out that in gas costs, it would take me something like 60 YEARS to even break even on the purchase of the Kindle.
Do people even have any idea what's going on in the economy to be buying this useless stuff? People seem to be falling all over themselves to spend money on things that don't make any sense.
I only read books that I get free from the library... I figured out that in gas costs, it would take me something like 60 YEARS to even break even on the purchase of the Kindle.
Do people even have any idea what's going on in the economy to be buying this useless stuff? People seem to be falling all over themselves to spend money on things that don't make any sense.
I bought one because I know my personality defects. I'm a fast reader, and I love the pastime - I typically read books in a day or two, and usually on a whim. But I'm also lazy. If I don't have reading material sitting around, waiting to be picked up, I end up not reading at all. I've found that since buying a Kindle and loading it with material, I've spent more time reading than playing games or idly browsing the same forums over and over, simply because I'm never without a selection of books to read. It's easy to toss my little library in a backpack to bring to school, or in the glove compartment if I'm taking a trip. If someone recommends me a book, I can immediately go download it and start reading. I can pick up sample snippets of anything on the Kindle store. It's just...handy, like having an iPod instead of toting around a binder full of CDs.
I've owned my Kindle 2 for two months and have read probably 6000 pages worth of material on it thus far, which is a hell of a lot more than I'd have read otherwise. That, to me, is worth it. I don't want to make a 45 minute field trip every time I want to read a book. I want to be able to read whenever, and wherever, I want.
E-Book readers seem overpriced for what they are. At the same time it's pretty amazing technology. Unfortunately there's just not enough demand to ramp up production so that they can be sold cheaper.
Apple's "Media Pad" will kill if they can release a 7-10" touch screen for under $500. So many of the iPhone/Touch Apps beg for a larger screen and reading will also be much more desirable.
Apple's "Media Pad" will kill if they can release a 7-10" touch screen for under $500. So many of the iPhone/Touch Apps beg for a larger screen and reading will also be much more desirable.
This actually looks really cool. For someone who has tons of PDF articles, this would really be useful. I can carry around my 900 or so PDFs that I have on my computer anywhere. That was my problem with the other Kindle - no PDF support. However, this price is very prohibitive. I certainly have the money, but to pay $500 for a device that is just a reader is ridiculous. I had no trouble paying $299 for my iPhone 3G because it can do a million more things than the Kindle and it's much cheaper.
The other problem is the need for ambient light. I regularly read eBooks on my iPhone, mostly in bed in the dark. I have all my PDFs on my iPhone, but reading a PDF on the iPhone is pretty cumbersome. If they dropped the price to $299 I would consider buying it.
The other problem is the need for ambient light. I regularly read eBooks on my iPhone, mostly in bed in the dark. I have all my PDFs on my iPhone, but reading a PDF on the iPhone is pretty cumbersome. If they dropped the price to $299 I would consider buying it.
I wonder what proportion of the $500 price is going to Sprint for the connectivity. I'm not convinced Amazon is totally footing the bill as they advertise.
As for this big Kindle, I wouldn't mind if the dropped the connectivity and just put Bluetooth or WiFi in it. I wouldn't be using it to read newspapers (who reads newspapers anymore?), but would be using it for PDFs. I don't need Sprint's Wispernet to read my PDFs.
Why does BRLawyer in Switzerland(?) hate Amazon and the Kindle so much? "the Kindle fails" + "ridiculous" ?
Why are people pitting Apple v. Amazon in a reader?
Can you read on your iPhone? Can you adjust the size of the text on the iPhone? Can you read in the sunlight on your iPhone?
Can the iPhone contain several books you are reading concurrently?
Can the iPhone read the books to you?
Until you have read on the Kindle, you should not be criticizing it. And if you are attracted to the tactile stimulation of holding the pages of a book in your hands, you should remain in 2009 for the rest of your future.
What many/most of the comments here have neglected is that the Kindle can be used in education as a replacement for the many and heavy books KIDS have to lug with them in a backpack. It does not have to be something for ONLY college students to use. Public schools spend a lot of money periodically to replace older textbooks with new ones. If these were made available electronically, more up-to-date copies of texts would be available more often at a lower price since they don't have to be printed on paper. Four years of e-books would be worth the price of the device. It would also save students who develop back/spine problems due to hoisting the weight of all the books.
Why are people pitting Apple v. Amazon in a reader?
Can you read on your iPhone? Can you adjust the size of the text on the iPhone? Can you read in the sunlight on your iPhone?
Can the iPhone contain several books you are reading concurrently?
Can the iPhone read the books to you?
Until you have read on the Kindle, you should not be criticizing it. And if you are attracted to the tactile stimulation of holding the pages of a book in your hands, you should remain in 2009 for the rest of your future.
What many/most of the comments here have neglected is that the Kindle can be used in education as a replacement for the many and heavy books KIDS have to lug with them in a backpack. It does not have to be something for ONLY college students to use. Public schools spend a lot of money periodically to replace older textbooks with new ones. If these were made available electronically, more up-to-date copies of texts would be available more often at a lower price since they don't have to be printed on paper. Four years of e-books would be worth the price of the device. It would also save students who develop back/spine problems due to hoisting the weight of all the books.
No, I just quickly hit the comment button then clicked "Post reply" to ask why this article is on here.
TBH: iPhone 3G+Stanza=Kindle anyway.
I can answer some of these for you.
I don't understand the comparisons between the iPhone and the Kindle. They're totally different devices with very different purposes. However, there are many people on here that think if something isn't thought of, produced, sold, or distributed by Apple, it's trash.
Yes, it's actually an excellent eBook reader. I do it all the time. You can adjust the text size, yes. I don't know about the sunlight - I prefer the darkness.
Yes, you can store thousands of eBooks on your iPhone and read them too. Apps like Stanza are the best.
Yes, they can.
Kids are lazy nowadays - we don't need to contribute to this. As for public schools buying Kindles for student use, it will be a cold day in hell (at least in the States). Schools don't even have the money to buy updated textbooks and many schools still don't even have regular computers.
I don't understand the comparisons between the iPhone and the Kindle. They're totally different devices with very different purposes. However, there are many people on here that think if something isn't thought of, produced, sold, or distributed by Apple, it's trash.
Yes, it's actually an excellent eBook reader. I do it all the time. You can adjust the text size, yes. I don't know about the sunlight - I prefer the darkness.
Yes, you can store thousands of eBooks on your iPhone and read them too. Apps like Stanza are the best.
Yes, they can.
Kids are lazy nowadays - we don't need to contribute to this. As for public schools buying Kindles for student use, it will be a cold day in hell (at least in the States). Schools don't even have the money to buy updated textbooks and many schools still don't even have regular computers.
Or, better yet, iPhone 3G+Kindle App=Kindle anyway.
Nevertheless, many people would disagree with you. Content-wise, they are equal. Reader experience wise, they are different. Many people would say the iPhone's screen would cause "eye-strain" and that the e-ink is much better. For me, the Kindle would not be as good because I do most of my reading in bed at night. With my iPhone 3G, I don't need an external light source, as the Kindle would.
What are you studying? I'm a history professor, and I have to say, while I love the idea of the Kindle, the implementation is atrocious in my field. To date, I haven't found a single survey text available in a Kindle edition. The only outside readings I have been able to find are those that are already out of copyright or fairly new publications. And many of the Kindle editions strip out footnotes (not Amazon's fault surely but it still renders the Kindle version of a given book useless to a professional historian). Any student of mine who bought a Kindle expecting to save on books would be in a for a rude awakening -- and not because I'm making it hard for them. There just aren't that many Kindle editions in my field.
You'd think I'd be the perfect customer -- bookcases all around my office and my house. I'd love to reduce the clutter. But until Amazon and the publishers improve its implementation, that's not going to happen.
Looks like the color screen might make it into the next model.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090429152424.htm
As for the Apple tablet putting this out of business. No chance. They are different technologies. An e-ink screen and a computer screen are not the same thing. Unless they come up with some half step of stopping the computer screen refresh, I don't see these both filling the same market.
Plus now that Amazon owns Stanza, we should get tons of Public Domain books to the Kindle soon. Good times.
Its easy to say Amazon won't be able to sell this. But since they can hardly keep the Kindle 2 in stock, I don't think they are worried.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090429152424.htm
As for the Apple tablet putting this out of business. No chance. They are different technologies. An e-ink screen and a computer screen are not the same thing. Unless they come up with some half step of stopping the computer screen refresh, I don't see these both filling the same market.
Plus now that Amazon owns Stanza, we should get tons of Public Domain books to the Kindle soon. Good times.
Its easy to say Amazon won't be able to sell this. But since they can hardly keep the Kindle 2 in stock, I don't think they are worried.
The wasn't doesn't it follow the iPod upgrade path?
What you say does apply to the ORIGINAL iPods, but then Apple kept lowering the price and releasing more models.
As far as I can see, the only path that Amazon is following is to keep updating the same basic product and jacking up the price every time they do.
Count me in the "too pricey" club.
What you say does apply to the ORIGINAL iPods, but then Apple kept lowering the price and releasing more models.
As far as I can see, the only path that Amazon is following is to keep updating the same basic product and jacking up the price every time they do.
Count me in the "too pricey" club.
This happened somewhat less quickly than you remember... the iPod line didn't get diversified (by the Mini) for three years -- the original iPod came out in 2001 and the Mini was the first model diversification in 2004. The original iPod came out at $399USD in 2001, also, with subsequent models between 2001-2004 ranging from $299-499, and no iPod was available for less than $299 until the first Mini arrived in 2004, and no iPod for less than $200 until 2005 (link).
So, while the iPod did have a $100 price drop in its lowest model, that model was the one that repackaged the old, small hard drive, and arguably is not much more beneficent than the fact that Amazon continues to sell Kindle 1's at a discount.
The idea that the iPod came out at $400 and was available for $99 in six months is historical revisionism....
yeah, but...
Sure, but the iPod only appealed to a small subset of people at first. The Kindle is being touted as a replacement to newspaper. Huge difference.
Sure, but the iPod only appealed to a small subset of people at first. The Kindle is being touted as a replacement to newspaper. Huge difference.
Well, your answer reeks of crap much more than my remarks then, because you counter none of them.
1 - Yes, it is bulky, simply because with books and newspapers, a.k.a. PAPER, I can do whatever I want. I would not carry such a big piece of expensive crap in a subway train or crowded bus, with no folding possibilities;
2 and 3 - I never said that Apple was doing something like that...but if it does, it's gonna do it right at the right time, just as it did with the iPod and the iPhone. And why doesn't it for an ebook reader? EXACTLY because the Kindle offers too little for too much, given the premature state of the technology...it's just not the right time.
The Kindle is DEAD and is irrelevant to Mac users. Now can we get back to talking about the best computers on Earth, please?
Don't be so shocked. Amazon is gonna sell dozens of these things!
Exactly. As in a "dozen": a group or set of twelve.
Interesting comment by Amazon today, that when a book is available for the Kindle, 35% of that book's sales are for the Kindle.
However, I also see no reason to compare Apple's offerings to the Amazon device. As others have said, totally different devices for different purposes.
However, I also see no reason to compare Apple's offerings to the Amazon device. As others have said, totally different devices for different purposes.
The Prius is doomed. The computers and displays in it and it can only do ONE thing.
monocrhomatic means to consist of one color. There are 16 shades of gray here. Last I checked 16 > 1 .
Any reasonable human factors guidelines typically outline that you cannot solely depend upon color to highlight/indicate items. That doesn't work for color blind people. Some books have to have color to be effective but many do not. For those that do not the kindle would be effective. No one is trying to imply buying a Kindle means you never touch a physical book ever again in life.
The point that most folks miss about the kindle is the bundled data wireless service. Apple iPhone , $2,000+ lifecycle costs for phone and data service over 2 years. Apple iPod Touch ($250 + $720 t-mobile wifi) $970 over 2 years. Kindle $500 lifecycle cost for device and data service over 2 years. And yet the Kindle is prohibitively expensive. Map a Kindle over 3-4 years of use/utility and then come back and talk about relative expensive.
There seem to be lots of folks who map the sunk costs into their iPhone/iTouch into why should suffice with the limitations of leveraging those to additionally buying a Kindle. That is a wierd argument when there are far more folks in the market who do not own a iPhone/Touch than do.
Purely as a textbook replacement (if spun as its the sole purpose), they do have a problem in that the data service isn't particularly buying a whole lot.
Almost comical when folks compare it to Apple's laptops. Slightly, less comical when compared to the weight and bulk of the typical 200+ page, hard back, textbook. The thing weights 1.2 lbs.
What to compare to iPhone/Touch ... match up screen sizes and then talk about "bulk".
If it doesn't evolve over time then it is. This is really only the second generation on the Kindle (gen1: Kindle1 , gen2: Kindle2 + DX , etc.)
For a webstore company (never did hardware before) they are holding their own pretty well for a young (in this business) upstart.