Re: Kindle: Amazon\'s new wireless reading device
 

I think they could have gotten people much more excited about it if it looked the part. But it really doesnt. Kinda suprising that the aesthetics are so bad actually. I'm not too sure about those 'next page' buttons on either side...I know they want to mimmick the physical action of turning a page, but still. Just seems too clunky. I'd like to see how the words look on the screen though.

If the Kindle was really durable, and about half the price I'd consider it.

Re: Kindle: Amazon\'s new wireless reading device
 

I think the ebook market is very different from the music market though. either way the music is coming through speakers, the source ends up not mattering very much.

with ebooks, the source is basically the same as the output device.

wrt to the other stuff this thing can do, I already touched on why I think this will ultimately be inferior to smartphones with good screens (ie iphone). and unless amazon has a monopoly on online sales of ebooks (this is I know nothing about) there is not much of a reason why you need the kindle.

edit: I am talking more about the medium term viability of this thing (2-4 years from now) than its utility right now. I just think this market is one more where convergence will happen into the pda/smartphone/mp3 device market

Re: Kindle: Amazon\'s new wireless reading device
 

I have to say also, that carrying around a library would be quite nice. There's loads of times where I 'could' listen to my mp3 player but just dont feel like it whereas it'd be nice to read something instead. And if I could select what I read at any time, whether it's a magazine or a novel or a paper or whatever, that'd be sweet.

And travelling with it and having access to magazines and newspapers while in a foreign country whose print is mainly in a different language would be really good.

Re: Kindle: Amazon\'s new wireless reading device
 

I want one of these for school, as a Law student it would be awesome not having to carry around those heavy books anymore. And it's great for the environment as well.

Re: Kindle: Amazon\'s new wireless reading device
 

does anyone know if they will continue adding already published titles? selection is very limited atm. Not a single G.Greene book available.

lol @ 343 mostly negative reviews on amazon from people who have not bought the thing yet.

Re: Kindle: Amazon\'s new wireless reading device
 

"The most common complaint seems to be lack of PDF support. Yeah, pretty dumb. But easily handled. The Kindle supports MOBI files. It took me five minutes on Google to find the Mobi site, download their desktop software, and convert a PDF file to Mobi. Problem solved."

Re: Kindle: Amazon\'s new wireless reading device
 

[ QUOTE ]
I want one of these for school, as a Law student it would be awesome not having to carry around those heavy books anymore. And it's great for the environment as well.

[/ QUOTE ]

I think the market for novels is very different from that for txt books, also the client base for the latter is built in, it's not about getting more or less people to buy it.

I doubt txt book publishers are going to want to convert their libraries to a medium which would just really cost them money.

At best, if these really blow up over the next few years and are common for students, students/environment/... associations can choose to pressure faculty to choose kindle txt book; but that will take time and I can't see it being a reality for anyone who is already in university.

Re: Kindle: Amazon\'s new wireless reading device
 

the advantage of the kindle is that it uses e-ink, which iphones and computers don't use

e-ink only uses battery when u change the text (turn the page), so it can stay on one page forever without battery dying

it also looks much much much more like reading a book...no backlight and no glare like with computers/iphones

this is just a start and not the holy grail, but e-ink is a huge advantage over normal displays when doing something like this

the eventual winner(s) in the ebook space will use e-ink or some similiar technology

Re: Kindle: Amazon\'s new wireless reading device
 

[ QUOTE ]
the advantage of the kindle is that it uses e-ink, which iphones and computers don't use

e-ink only uses battery when u change the text (turn the page), so it can stay on one page forever without battery dying

it also looks much much much more like reading a book...no backlight and no glare like with computers/iphones

this is just a start and not the holy grail, but e-ink is a huge advantage over normal displays when doing something like this

the eventual winner(s) in the ebook space will use e-ink or some similiar technology

[/ QUOTE ]

couldn't bother to read the 40 some replies in this thread?

Re: Kindle: Amazon\'s new wireless reading device
 

i read the entire thread

multiple people mentioned iphones, computers, htc phones, etc etc

others talked about hard drives and battery life (long life is due to NO power being used when not 'turning a page' not due to hard drive size) and other such things

so i posted to clear some of that up

Re: Kindle: Amazon\'s new wireless reading device
 

I too think that Epaper will completely replace books and periodicals.

Re: Kindle: Amazon\'s new wireless reading device
 

[ QUOTE ]
i read the entire thread

multiple people mentioned iphones, computers, htc phones, etc etc

others talked about hard drives and battery life (long life is due to NO power being used when not 'turning a page' not due to hard drive size) and other such things

so i posted to clear some of that up

[/ QUOTE ]

those are clear advantages right now for this device. in the medium term, I don't think they will be.

after checking it out further, I do agree that this thing is cool now. but I'm just not expecting it to be an ipod type success b/c it's basic technology can put into other devices (unless for some reason an Iphone type device can't display epaper)

Re: Kindle: Amazon\'s new wireless reading device
 

With a better design, something solid (aka I can throw it in my backpack/school bag and carry it around w/o fearing it'll break) and a reasonable price (~150?), I'd be a buyer.

As a student, I spend so much time commuting in buses, this would be a no-brainer. Also, I no longer subscribe to any newspapers because I just don't have time to sit for 30 minutes to go through it in the morning. Problem fixed if I can read it in the bus. I'd also love to get papers like "Le Monde" on this thing, when they cost way too much to ship (and get here late anyway) for me to buy them on paper. I also think this is much more convenient than getting news online.

As for the novels part, I think it's great to save $ by not having to have a physical copy (sucks to lose the paper "archive" though [img]/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img] ), and it makes it much more convenient to carry books around.

I'm excited (and have been for a while) about e-paper/ink tech, but this isn't quite prime yet (esp. price)

Re: Kindle: Amazon\'s new wireless reading device
 

I love this thing and I really want to get one at some point down the road. Being able to access wikipedia from anywhere at any point will be a very powerful tool in life.

Re: Kindle: Amazon\'s new wireless reading device
 

i have a feeling the more accessible wikipedia gets the more people will just turn into knowledgeable fools.

Re: Kindle: Amazon\'s new wireless reading device
 

I don't like reading off a computer screen either, but then again, reading a paper or trying to read a book while eating is kind of a pain. I might snag one of these.

Re: Kindle: Amazon\'s new wireless reading device
 

I dont think it has wireless but it seems like the sony reader is cheap and can display PDFs. Word docs can easily be converted into pdf or some of the other support formats too.

no wireless but a bit cheaper.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...ital_Book.html

Re: Kindle: Amazon\'s new wireless reading device
 

I'm thinking this might be worth it mainly just for newspapers alone. I'd like to read the paper during class, but it's very disruptive to turn/fold the huge pages.

Also, for books, I read lying down a lot of the time and, especially if I'm on my back, it seems like it'd be a lot easier to hold onto the Kindle than a regular book.

The magazine selection is very weak right now. If they had the Economist, I'd probably buy it, but I think I'll hold off for a while.

Re: Kindle: Amazon\'s new wireless reading device
 

There is no way in hell I'm spending $10 on an e-book. I buy books so that in 60 years I will still have them and be able to read them whenever I want. I'm pretty sure my "e-book" on my Kindle isn't going to be around in 60 years. Furthermore, I would much rather have $400 worth of new books than this thing, and I could choose whatever books I wanted, instead of being limited to Amazon's (likely) terrible selection of only bestsellers and whatever other pulpy crap people read these days.

Re: Kindle: Amazon\'s new wireless reading device
 

$400 seems really reasonable for what you get. Can't believe people think it's overpriced.

Re: Kindle: Amazon\'s new wireless reading device
 

[ QUOTE ]
$400 seems really reasonable for what you get. Can't believe people think it's overpriced.

[/ QUOTE ]

So, what is that to you, like twelve british pounds?

Re: Kindle: Amazon\'s new wireless reading device
 

[ QUOTE ]
$400 seems really reasonable for what you get. Can't believe people think it's overpriced.

[/ QUOTE ]

What exactly do you get for $400? I guess if you have an existing library of compatible books you get something. Otherwise you still have to pay before you can really start using the device.

Re: Kindle: Amazon\'s new wireless reading device
 

[ QUOTE ]
$400 seems really reasonable for what you get. Can't believe people think it's overpriced.

[/ QUOTE ]

It definitely is overpriced. This is the first of its type to market (...I think) which is going to allow them to charge the inflated price. I remember purchasing a ProScan DVD player when DVD players first hit the market - $750. New technology is fun and the bragging rights are cool but it never comes cheap.

Wait a year or two when the competition gets in the game and improves functionality and compatibility. This Kindle 1.0 will look like a dinosaur in no time.

As of now I wouldn't buy one simply because the technology is not where I would want it to be for such a device. I'd have to buy an new one in a year. I can wait.

But if you gotta' have one then you gotta' have one. I can respect that.

Re: Kindle: Amazon\'s new wireless reading device
 

from Engadget:
[ QUOTE ]
Amazon isn't disclosing how many Kindles it actually had ready to go, but apparently the idea of a tiny e-book reader with free EV-DO and the visual flair of an Apple IIc hit home for quite a few people, because they sold out in just five and a half hours. Amazon's site says they'll be back in stock on the 29th, but availability is first-come, first-served, so it looks like you'll have to act fast if you want to get one before gift-giving time sets in.

[/ QUOTE ]
Of course they might have only stocked a small amount for the first shipment, thinking it would be good for the hype, but that's kind of an overly cynical POV, esp since they know people who do their christmas shopping online are getting busy these days.

Re: Kindle: Amazon\'s new wireless reading device
 

I like how people keep calling it "free EVDO" even though you have to pay to do things that are normally free

Re: Kindle: Amazon\'s new wireless reading device
 

cons:
- DRM
- lack of features
- design. quite frankly, its an eye sore and it doesn't look like something I would like to hold for hours at a time.
- DRM


upside...
- (should it catch on) it will get hacked (and then become worthwhile)
- battery recharges via wireless. This seems to be the panty-dropper for me. I am unable to understand how this works and why more wireless devices don't charge like this..........................?!?! (can someone link an article to this technology? I have google'd but am unable to find much other than "hey amazon has this new product. here are the specs (regurgitate website).")

Re: Kindle: Amazon\'s new wireless reading device
 

The only real advantage to this is if you want to read Wikipedia while not home or have a need for a large portable library. The biggest advantage a book has, especially a paperback, is simply its comfort and flexibility to hold and an electronic device cannot match that. Also unless you're just starved for room, a bunch of books in your home looks good. [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

Re: Kindle: Amazon\'s new wireless reading device
 

[ QUOTE ]
- battery recharges via wireless. This seems to be the panty-dropper for me. I am unable to understand how this works and why more wireless devices don't charge like this..........................?!?! (can someone link an article to this technology? I have google'd but am unable to find much other than "hey amazon has this new product. here are the specs (regurgitate website).")

[/ QUOTE ]

There are two potential systems I have heard of. One requires the device to have some metal points on the back, and is currently available for the RAZR:

http://www.wildcharge.com/

The other uses magnetic induction and also requires a special adapter, but is not yet available:

http://www.splashpower.com/

I'm not sure which the Kindle uses, but I'd bet on the first. The key, to me, for wireless charging would be a universal format. That way, I could charge all my devices on the same mat. If I need a different unit for each device, it isn't that much of an advantage.

Re: Kindle: Amazon\'s new wireless reading device
 

I think all the cons (DRM, small selection, high price, etc) will be gone in a year or so, I expect I'll get one then.

Re: Kindle: Amazon\'s new wireless reading device
 

[ QUOTE ]
In all honesty this seems like one of those instances where new technology doesn't necessarily improve on the old. Printed books have been around forever but guess what - they still get the job done.

[/ QUOTE ]

your looking at Rev C of the technology. Rev D (at least I think it will be Rev D) is flexible E-paper. I've already experienced a demo, its a flexible fabric-like sheet that has no backlighting, the e-paper uses natural light sources just like real paper. My first experiance with this next-stage technology was around '05 when the magazine industry was projecting this technology's rollout in '09-'10, until last week I was a magazine publisher (congratulate me - I quit!) so I was exposed to advanced technology concepts in order to project our future business strategies. Although its being pitched as a book reader the primary us is expected to someday be newspaper & magazine content (at least thats what i was told a few years ago) with the book publishing industry leading the way because the cost of entry is lowest for them.

Major newsstand providers such as Hudson News Group are already preparing for this change, they are decreasing their magazine allotments in most (not all) stands nationwide while switching to alternative sources of revenue such as videos and travel supplies. They are also preparing upload station technologies, for example say you want to buy the NY Times at an airport - you might have a choice of paper or uploaded via USB to your E-Paper tablet.

The magazine industry's projection is commonly around 4-5 more years until the paper decrease starts to take place, nobody knows for sure but I have been projecting 2015 as the critical mass stage for E-Paper (this is just an instinctual guess).

love it or hate it, your looking at the first step for the future; this is how content will be commonly read in 10 years.

Re: Kindle: Amazon\'s new wireless reading device
 

Good try Amazon, second to the market (Sony was first last year) but this will not take off.

First of all, the design is terrible, I get the feeling of a early 1990's cellphone when I look at it.

Second, the DRM restrictions of not allowing you to also view the books on your computer, only on the device is crippling imo.

Third, No support for pdf files. Really, what were you thinking?

Fourth, no wireless is a huge blow. Sony offers free RSS and blog subscription on their similar device for free via wireless. Amazon, in order to pay for their EVDO network access charge a monthly fee for blogs/rss/newspapers. Not gonna fly with most consumers.

It is a good gesture by Amazon, but no way do they win the market with this device.

I expect Google or Apple to come in with a much better design and win the market.

Design is really the most important issue when it comes to consumer electronics. MP3 players existed for a few years before Apple launched the iPOD with a revolutionary user interface. Until then anyone sporting an MP3 player was just a "nerd".

So thanks for advancing the technology Amazon, it's just too bad you didn't put more effort into the design. You would have had the market if you did.

Re: Kindle: Amazon\'s new wireless reading device
 

[ QUOTE ]
So thanks for advancing the technology Amazon, it's just too bad you didn't put more effort into the design. You would have had the market if you did.

[/ QUOTE ]
I don't know how much this means, but the site says it's all out of stock of the product(good IMO) and people can put their name on a list to get one. It seems like they are selling well in spite of the "flaws" you have listed.

Re: Kindle: Amazon\'s new wireless reading device
 

It's a marketing ploy.

Amazon, has placed an order with the manufacturer for a specific amount, probably something like 50,000.

Before completing the order, they tell the supplier "ship us all units you have right now" (Probably something like 1000-5000 units).

They get a really small order and surprisingly "sell out". Now some news media outlets pick up a story about this hot new device, and Amazon gets free advertising.

This strategy is marketing 101. The device still sucks, and will not take over the market.

Re: Kindle: Amazon\'s new wireless reading device
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
I want one of these for school, as a Law student it would be awesome not having to carry around those heavy books anymore. And it's great for the environment as well.

[/ QUOTE ]

I think the market for novels is very different from that for txt books, also the client base for the latter is built in, it's not about getting more or less people to buy it.

I doubt txt book publishers are going to want to convert their libraries to a medium which would just really cost them money.

At best, if these really blow up over the next few years and are common for students, students/environment/... associations can choose to pressure faculty to choose kindle txt book; but that will take time and I can't see it being a reality for anyone who is already in university.

[/ QUOTE ]
Didn't read any of the replys below this one but just wanted to say you can already find a lot of PDF textbooks.

Re: Kindle: Amazon\'s new wireless reading device
 

Terrible design. Should have built the thing into a "book" form factor imo. However, I have not yet held one in my hands, so it may be more impressive than I am giving it credit for from the pictures to far.

Also, $400 is insane. If I get one I'm definitely waiting for the price to fall and/or competition to enter the market.

Re: Kindle: Amazon\'s new wireless reading device
 

[ QUOTE ]
The device still sucks, and will not take over the market.

[/ QUOTE ]
You're right it won't control the market like Ipods control MP3 markets. But I don't think this product sucks by any means. I don't understand the gripes with the design, it's a plain design, not a big deal IMO. Also, the capabilities that thing has are exciting in the sense that it's just the precursor to great things to come.

Re: Kindle: Amazon\'s new wireless reading device
 

i saw an interview with the head of amazon on charlie rose the other night once u buy a book from amazon for the kindle it is yours forever.. if u need to delete it for space reasons u can re-download it at any time 4 free

Re: Kindle: Amazon\'s new wireless reading device
 

[ QUOTE ]
i saw an interview with the head of amazon on charlie rose the other night once u buy a book from amazon for the kindle it is yours forever.. if u need to delete it for space reasons u can re-download it at any time 4 free

[/ QUOTE ]

There is no such thing as forever when DRM is involved.

Re: Kindle: Amazon\'s new wireless reading device
 

Destined to fail. What is the benefit of this compared to standard book(s)?

Smaller/lighter/easier to transport?

Yes and no. Certainly no when compared to a single book. Yes when compared to 400 books, but who needs to (or does) transport 400 books? Outside of very select populations (travelling abroad for months at a time) this seems a rather weak improvement.

Easier to read than standard bokos?

No. Approx the same ease of reading.

I just don't see any great improvement over standard books here. Digital music was obviously a huge improvement. Increased ease of use (wrt mixing and matching songs from various artists), increased portability for EVERYONE, not just a rather small sub-population. iPods are smaller and lighter than any CD player, not even mentioning the vastly higher number of songs which can be stored. An enormous market for digital music existed well before iTunes. Pirated music drove the expansion of this technology. Pirated books simply aren't the same force.

Re: Kindle: Amazon\'s new wireless reading device
 

<font color="green">
Smaller/lighter/easier to transport?

Yes and no. Certainly no when compared to a single book.</font>

the kindle weighs 10 ounces. the latest harry potter book has a shipping weight of 1.8 pounds.

<font color="green">Easier to read than standard bokos?

No. Approx the same ease of reading.</font>

the kindle is 7.5" x 5.3" x 0.7". the latest harry potter book is 9.1 x 6 x 2.3.

these are hardcover comparisons, but some books are only available in that format. that is currently the case with the potter book i referenced. it's not currently available on kindle either, though. just a marquee example with which many should be able to relate.

books also have to be held open. that is more difficult at the beginning and end of a book, and the effects are worsened as the page count increases. i find myself constantly annoyed with this issue on certain large technical books and i am unable, for example, to comfortably read them lying on my back.

i'm not necessarily pro-kindle, and i don't currently have plans to order one. still, i don't get these knee-jerk reactions from people who presumably have no actual experience with the product.