Justifying the Kindle

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Tags : About MY Gear, Amazon Kindle, Books and eBooks, eReaders, WiFi and Wireless Gear

Justifying the Kindle

Posted on 24 February 2009 by Judie Stanford

After reading David Pogue’s New York Time’s article on the Kindle2 this morning (The Kindle: Good Before, Better Now), I posted the following tweet, which simultaneously updated my Facebook status:

One of my Facebook friends, Tahelia Wagner, commented on my update by saying:

I don’t get it. I completely understand the desirability of carrying multiple books around under one cover, but I want to read on my current devices (or a Fujitsu P1630, if I can ever afford one), not pay lotsa bucks for another device that essentially just reads books.

Maybe it’s a good thing that Facebook deemed my response too long and chopped it off. I’ll reply here, and you all can weigh in with your opinions as well…

I totally understand that Tahelia. My deal is that the screen on most mobile phones is too small to read from – and it sucks the device’s battery life when you do. I can read them on my laptops, but once again – battery life is not ideal. I like the way it feels to hold a book-sized item with a regular sized screen, and that’s where these dedicated eBook readers come in.

I read…a lot. There are no less than 6 books sitting next to the bed as I write this, that I have started and would love to carry around with me. But 5 are hardbacks – 4 of them quite thick. [For those wondering, they are: Michael Palmer, The First Patient; Carl Sagan, The Varieties of Scientific Experience; Patricia Cornwell, Scarpetta; John J. Robinson, Born In Blood; Walter Isaacson, Einstein; and Tim Callahan, Secret Origins of the Bible]

I tend to start books, plow through, take a break, start another, plow through, go back to the another, and so on. This is especially true when a book gives me a lot to think about; I’ll tend to digest it while I read lighter fare such as the Cornwell and Palmer novels.

Then there is the issue of space, which brings up why I like the electronic format so much. My house in San Angelo has a large set of built-in shelves, but the house we are building in Eldorado is smaller and will not. Being able to keep hundreds, eventually thousands of books in electronic format takes care of my bookshelf needs.

If I had the room, I would need a bookshelf. I look at the Kindle2 as being that bookshelf, so in that light its $359 price tag is a lot easier to swallow. This just happens to be a bookshelf that I can carry nearly everywhere with me.

Book pricing? That is another factor. I have purchased books for years from Peanut Press / eReader, and I have built up a huge virtual bookshelf. But their prices have never come in line with what I think is proper for a book version which neither uses trees nor has a hard copy. The Kindle library on Amazon looks to be very well stocked, and the prices are very attractive to me – mostly $9.99 and less, even for current best-selling hardbacks.

I want (need!) a lightweight device that allows me to carry multiple books – including reference materials – around at all times; something that can slip into my purse or gearbag. I love being able to sneak in a couple of chapters while waiting in line, or haveing a chance to digest a couple hundred pages while waiting for an oil change. So far I haven’t found “the one” do it all and be it all device, so I hope that the new Kindle will suffice as an excellent reader. If not? It goes back…

The only thing I have a problem with now – when using any DRM controlled electronic format, is how to loan books. Not that I ever did it that much anyway, because I have learned the hard way – with the dead tree versions – that people are not always in a hurry to give back a good book.

This post was written by:

Judie Stanford - who has written 1699 posts on Gear Diary.

I started Gear Diary on September 30, 2006, and my goal was that this not be an easily labeled site. We all have gear that we use daily – some of it electronic and some of it organic. I think it is fascinating to explore the equipment that makes our lives easier, more entertaining, more productive, and more manageable. My hope is that Gear Diary visitors will find this site to be a comfortable and friendly place to discuss interesting topics – and not only those that are tech related, as well as a location to discover various types of gear – whatever that term may end up implying – that they never knew existed. My specialty is in-depth reviews written in a layman’s terms, because everyone can understand technology, sometimes it just takes a little translating. +Judie Stanford

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http://intensedebate.com/people/thegadgeteer thegadgeteer
My Kindle 2 is on a UPS truck making its way to my house. I'm very excited to receive it. For the past 5yrs or so, I've done 99.9% of my reading on an electronic device. I love having the ability to carry many many titles with me where ever I go.
There are so many free books that can be downloaded too, that sometimes price isn't even an issue (if you don't mind reading really old books ;o) ).
The orginal Kindle has a very nice display that makes it comfortable to read. I do wish at some point there will be a back lit version. Maybe Kindle 3? And color too! ;o) I'm never satisfied…

http://intensedebate.com/people/Judie Judie Lipsett
Totally agree – I found quite a few free books (both on the Amazon site and others) of classics that are formatted for the Kindle. I need to read more classics, anyway.

Mark Reid
My K2 is also "Out for Delivery" and I'm excited. I didn't bite for Kindle 1, mostly because the selection of books was so limited at first. It's improved enough that I wanted the Kindle 2, but selection is still too limited (for example, Judie, of the 6 books you mentioned only 3 are available on Kindle.)
The features I like most are: (1) easy-on-the-eyes display, (2) it's not using any power while you're reading, and (3) you can get new content on the go.
http://intensedebate.com/people/cgavula cgavula
I've said this before, but it bears repeating. I think ebooks are absolutely the way to go, but this device is NOT. It still lacks the minimum things it needs to be a good ebook reader. For me, at minimum it needs to be color and backlit. This makes for better contrast options (like true black on white). Otherwise it's a strain for me to read unless it is in optimal lighting conditions. The Kindle, as it stands, is more grief than help in this way so, for now, I'll stick to my 4" screen WM device (VGA resolution) and my iPhone (with it's 24 bit color – mmmm antialiasing) for eBook reading.
Having said all that – I totally agree that the two big concerns of eBooks has been the pricing – which is outrageous – and the DRM. Just like with music, this will have to change for the market to truly take off. I hope the Kindle does succeed, because if it does, eventually I'm likely to get my color device and the price and restrictions on eBooks are likely to fall.
I don't know if they will ultimately succeed, but if anyone can pull it off it will be Amazon!

http://intensedebate.com/people/Dsgoldring Dsgoldring
Chris, on the color screen issue, there was actually a great post over at cnet today where they discussed this. For the record, I agree with you that a color screen would be a huge improvement. But at the same time, I do like the grayscale for everything except magazines. Anyway, according to the article, Amazon considered a color screen. But that addition caused serious problems with battery life and caused the device to become uncomfortably hot. In that case, I think they made the right call.
As for your second point about DRM and cost, I honestly believe this is intentional. I think Amazon and the publishers are looking at hat happened and is happening in the music industry and they are scared. I really think the publishers are telling amazon that they do not want this and that is what is keeping prices high. If they really let loose and opened the floodgates, the kindle 2 could cost under $200 with books priced around $5 and less. They just don't want to do that.
http://intensedebate.com/people/Judie Judie Lipsett
When reading a dead tree book, I need optimal lighting, so I don't mind that the Kindle requires the same. Sure, I would love (love!) a backlight option, or a colored e-ink option; I honestly don't see how that can't be coming soon.
Remember the Palm Pilot screen progression on their way to high resolution color? Doesn't this feel kind of similar, in a way?

Philippe Radley
I am amazed that none of you realize that an e-ink screen cannot be backlit: the print is opaque, just like in a printed book, and that's what makes reading on it so satisfying. There is an after-market Kindle case that provides for the insertion of a small reading light, and you all should get it if this is so important to you.

http://intensedebate.com/people/HeatherC HeatherC
I just can't get into the whole electronic reader. I love having a real book in my hand, it just seems more intimate to me. I stare at a screen al day, and I don't want to do it in my free time. The book just makes my eyes happier.

http://intensedebate.com/people/Judie Judie Lipsett
I totally understand that – I like the illusion of a book…but I have been reading eBooks for many years, and got over the need for paper years ago. But I still like the idea of a book feeling like a book, which is why I dropped coin for the brown pebbly leather cover. If that doesn't make the Kindle feel more book-like, then there is no hope.

http://intensedebate.com/people/HeatherC HeatherC
I can see the advantage, but I'm not ready to make the jump. I might be willing to give it a try if I could borrow one or something. I do the love the idea of being able to just download new books at any time. Hopefully, a price drop and a back-light for K3.

http://intensedebate.com/people/AndySocial AndySocial
DRM bad. DRM bad.
I love reading. I read a ridiculous number of ebooks on my old Palm III, as well as on my Nokia N770. I don't happen to have any time in my current life configuration that is down and away from home and work, so the appeal of an ebook reader is diminished currently. Even so, I find it amusing that the ebooks are sold at a cost of $10 most often. Sure, that's cheaper than a hardcover, but it's not cheaper than a paperback, and the paperback has all the booklike advantages of being disposable and loanable etc.
I know two folks with Kindle V1s, and they both love them. Obviously, it's a niche that can be exploited, and the "free" wireless download is a sweet way to deliver books. Might be the one thing that kept this from becoming the RocketBook 2008 edition.

http://intensedebate.com/people/Judie Judie Lipsett
Meh. It bugs me that the newer Kindle books are $10 or so, but then…I am used to buying hard cover books from my favorite authors the minute they are available – which means they can be $20+.
To me, $10 for the same book when it is available is a good deal.

http://www.coffeerama.com coffee
Kindle is a big step forward for saving trees since it's more practical than carrying around a stack of books.

http://intensedebate.com/people/Judie Judie Lipsett
Hey; I am all for saving trees, sustaining the environment, and keeping the paper in my wallet – where it belongs.

http://www.intensedebate.com/people/mas90guru Wayne Schulz
When the first Kindle came out there was nobody who ridiculed that thing more than me.
Like Chris I thought the lack of screen color and backlighting would make it DOA.
Fast forward and there's a Kindle on my bookshelf that I NEVER would EVER think of leaving home without while traveling. My Kindle use is mostly on planes and while traveling.
Once you experience the ability to put ONE thing into your carry on bag when you are traveling you will be a believer. I love the delivery system that allows for fast purchasing of books via wireless (I absolutely hate cabling anything).
I have not been able to work up a sufficient enthusiasm to order the Kindle 2 as of yet — however as with a lot of my purchases that may come with time and as I read more about Kindle 2 from Julie and Judie and Doug and Dan (I think that's everyone who purchased one).
http://intensedebate.com/people/Dsgoldring Dsgoldring
Bottom line, I ride the train every day, and lugging around a huge hardcover book gets to be a real pain. Add that to the lack of space we have for my growing library, and a Kindle just makes good sense. I cannot wait for mine to arrive.
http://www.geek.com joel
been playing with my kindle 2 since this afternoon. didn't bite on the first one and am glad i picked up this one. wasn't sure if i was going to keep it until i started playing with it. I actually think i might read more books now.

http://intensedebate.com/people/Judie Judie Lipsett
Gah! How did you and Rob Bushway get yours so quickly? And did you see that he dropped his?
http://www.gottabemobile.com/2009/02/24/kindle-2-…

http://intensedebate.com/people/Judie Judie Lipsett
Selection is limited still, I agree, but I already own the books I listed…and I bet I can find plenty more to buy in the future that are Kindled. I also think that it is a safe bet that the selection will continue to improve.
I totally agree with your three features…
http://intensedebate.com/people/cgavula cgavula
I agree that a color screen would drain battery horribly and make the unit warmer – and add some weight too – they aren't ready for that. Nonetheless the contrast on the Kindle and Kindle 2 is WORSE than a real book or a color screen so I must wait.
I don't think the wait will be long though. And I do think that the death of paper magazines and the improvements in flexible screens and color e-paper will drive all of this sooner rather than later.
As I already mentioned – any success the current Kindle has will drive all of this faster and I can't wait until they release a unit I can actually comfortably use. Until then I just can't get excited about it, especially now that things like Manga are now being released for the iPhone – can't do that properly with a Kindle – yet.
http://intensedebate.com/people/Judie Judie Lipsett
Wayne, I remember using yours to order a Patterson novel, and not wanting to send it back to you because I hadn't had a chance to finish the book!
With that said, I liked the Kindle 1, but I obviously didn't like it enough to order my own; it had some bothersome quirks. I really hope that I will better enjoy the Kindle 2.
And I predict that you will order one the minute Dan starts crowing about his…tomorrow. LOL
AlesE
I have couple of problems with Kindle too.
One is the fact that it's USA centered device so the rest of the world (us) is excluded by default.
The other is the price, I actually like Judie's reasoning that it's like a book shelf and in that regard not that expensive, but still it's a $360 electronic device with B/W screen and only one use – reading.
Given that you can read E-books on $ 300 Netbook that can also be quite useful everyday computer a lot of people will have hard time justifying it.
Anyhow, I'll stick with my Advantage for now, it's small, book sized, has color screen, it's available outside of USA and can do quite a bit more than be "just" a reader. It's also much more expensive, but given that I payed for mine 400 EUR on E-bay at least for me it's, at the moment, a better option.
I think that in any case, the e-books market is still at it's infancy and it's still waiting for the Palm 3 or an iPod to make it mainstream, maybe Kindle 2 could be it, but I doubt it.
http://www.s2999.com Jen
The Kindle is out of my financial league right now (and I don't think they ship here anyway – Eastern Europe) but I am all for e-book readers. I have an old one from ebookwise.com and it's gold when I have to travel a lot. On my last bus tour (11 days) I read no less than 12 books, I can't imagine how I'd feel lugging them around! It's got a backlit screen and doesn't look paper-like at all, but after 2 pages I'm used to it and I can read with no eye strain (then again, I used to read on the computer a lot).
The one annoying thing about it is that you need to pass the books through a special software to convert them into a format it can read, and sometimes it goes terribly wrong… that and the USB driver just decided to stop working on my PC.
On the other hand, a lot of the appeal of the Kindle lies in the wireless bit… which is obviously not available in Europe, so if I ever decided to get a reader it would probably be the Sony. At least I wouldn't be paying for features I can't use… And now: waiting for price drops.
(in reader and books – seriously, $9.99 for a book?! They're not paying anything in the way of printing, it should be $5!)
Paul
I've been reading electronically for many years, actually back to the early 90's on my hp100lx. As a frequent traveler it was a tremendous benefit from a portability standpoint and now I'm pretty much 100% electronic. There are color e-ink displays available, but the cost is high, the color is not yet very vibrant and the page change is very slow, somewhere in the neighborhood of 3-5 seconds so there not yet ready for the mainstream. However, give it a few years and there will be color e-ink devices with the same battery life and slim form factor that the existing generation of readers have. For those of you not familiar, check out mobileread.com for a ton of open source books formatted for the Kindle and other e-ink devices. I'm not affiliated with them, just came across them as a great source for reading material.
dan
"the minute Dan starts crowing about his…tomorrow. LOL "….
yeah that about covers it
There is one additional reason it has the potential to be a winner for me and that is this- it opens the door to further advance my goal of going as "paperless" as possible. I rarely read a paper newspaper or magazine any longer and, thanks to Evernote and an iPhone app called Instapaper, I will grab text on my computer for later reading and, where I would have printed the text out in the past, I'll save them and read them electronically now on my iPhone when I get the chance.
There is an exception however. Last night, for example, I had a class to teach and needed my notes. I could have used my iPhone but the small screen is problematic. I could use my tabletpc but at 2 1/2 pounds it is heavy, makes noise when the fan kicks in and has a nasty habit of going to sleep at inopportune times. With the Kindle I can, and will, send my notes to the device wirelessly and be able to use them in almost the same manner as I would actual physical text. It is super thin and light. The e-ink means no noise or heat and no shutting down mid-sentence- once a page is "loaded" it stays "on" without juice.
I loved the idea of the Kindle 1 but couldn't get past the hardware limitations. The Kindle 2 goes a long way toward bringing good functionality AND hardware together.
I see myself using it-
for books- for sure
for the Times- likely but the iPhone serves me well here
to carry and access much of my reference library of documents- since most are in pdf format
I also see myself using the Kindle in many places where I would otherwise use a printed text of notes, speeches or, even sermons.
Alison
Still no news of a Kindle 1 let alone 2 here in the UK. That said, backlight is an absolute must for me as I read in bed a lot and my husband doesn't sleep if the lights are on. The low glow from white text on black background on my iPod touch is dim enough to not disturb him. I absolutely love the ability to carry around a huge range of books on a device that I carry with me every day anyway. I only buy paper books if it's an author I really love and there's no eBook alternative.
http://intensedebate.com/people/Judie Judie Lipsett
I believe that Dan will have a review on the M-edge soon; they have one of the cases with a reading light option.
Thinking out loud: I am not sure how things would look with built-in LED side or top-lighting (for instance), but it might be a neat solution.
Drew
This has been a source of debate since the Apple Newton days.. Judie address all the main issues that are STILL the same issues today.. I live a virtual life in a one bedroom flat, so have no room for storage of anything.. I buy books and immediately pass them on.. I keep one book at a time on my iPhone and another on my mobimate on whatever Windows phone I'm using at the time.. Still love paperbacks too, easy to pass on.. $10USD still to expensive for me..