Gentlemen, what do you think of the new Kindle book reader from Amazon? Still kind of expensive at $400, but that's where the iPod got its start, right? There were rumors about a year ago that Apple was developing an easy way to read books with an electronic device. I wonder is that was true?
4 comments:
Hey you beat me to the post about the Kindle. I read that the high price is to skip the typical $9.99 / mo service fee forever deal. TiVo had a similar pricing option where you pay a large fee up front one time and you are subscribed for life. From the pictures of the device I saw, I was disappointed on the interface. The device looks cheap, like a Franklin handheld dictionary or something. After 3 years of development you would have expected better. The idea of push subscriptions for Newspapers and magazines is a good idea. But I don't think this is the killer device. The electronic ink concept I think will eventually take over I think. Maybe Apple will give it a shot in this market too. I don't think people want black and white screens for anything anymore though.
I agree with your assessment. It really does look cheap. But in fairness we haven't actually touched the thing.
I read an article that said the iPhone makes the Kindle obsolete out of the gate. With an iPhone Apple can totally add similar functionality. It is true that the screen is smaller, but it is in color also. Additionally kids today routinely read stuff on screens that are a fraction of the size.
If the Kindle sells, it'll have to be to a very small market, I would think.
I don't really think that the iPhone is in the same market as the Kindle. The Kindle is suppose to be for pure readers. People who want to curl up with a good book. That means reading many pages at one sitting. The basic concept of the Kindle is good. The electronic ink is suppose to be easier on the eyes than a regular screen. Plus it only uses power when the page changes. But the screen is so small for a book. I would think that people whould want something where the page is the same size as a regular book. The Kindle overall size is the size of a book but the screen is much smaller. I really think that using an electronic device to read a book on is going against the grain. I would think most avid readers would much rather prefer to hold an actual book. I think Kindle was made just because it can be made, but I don't think a market is yearning for such a device.
I totally agree. I am one of those - I like reading from a real book. That certainly doesn't mean I don't like the search abilities of electronic pages - I just think they both have strengths and weaknesses.
As far as finding specific pieces of information fast, the internet and electronic media can't be beat. But as far as conveying more complex ideas such as an in depth story or concept, I like having a book I can leaf through, easily highlight, etc.
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