Comments on: Justifying the Kindle http://www.geardiary.com/2009/02/24/justifying-the-kindle/ Everyone can understand technology; sometimes it just takes a little translating. Tue, 14 Feb 2012 19:19:17 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Drewhttp://www.geardiary.com/2009/02/24/justifying-the-kindle/#comment-42534 Drew Fri, 27 Feb 2009 05:58:30 +0000 http://www.geardiary.com/?p=22137#comment-42534 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.. :-) 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.. :-)

]]> By: Judie Lipsetthttp://www.geardiary.com/2009/02/24/justifying-the-kindle/#comment-42517 Judie Lipsett Thu, 26 Feb 2009 03:58:48 +0000 http://www.geardiary.com/?p=22137#comment-42517 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. 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.

]]> By: Philippe Radleyhttp://www.geardiary.com/2009/02/24/justifying-the-kindle/#comment-42513 Philippe Radley Wed, 25 Feb 2009 22:46:30 +0000 http://www.geardiary.com/?p=22137#comment-42513 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. 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.

]]> By: HeatherChttp://www.geardiary.com/2009/02/24/justifying-the-kindle/#comment-42509 HeatherC Wed, 25 Feb 2009 19:21:39 +0000 http://www.geardiary.com/?p=22137#comment-42509 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. 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.

]]> By: Alisonhttp://www.geardiary.com/2009/02/24/justifying-the-kindle/#comment-42506 Alison Wed, 25 Feb 2009 17:54:58 +0000 http://www.geardiary.com/?p=22137#comment-42506 :( 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. :( 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.

]]> By: danhttp://www.geardiary.com/2009/02/24/justifying-the-kindle/#comment-42502 dan Wed, 25 Feb 2009 13:33:42 +0000 http://www.geardiary.com/?p=22137#comment-42502 "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. "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.

]]> By: Paulhttp://www.geardiary.com/2009/02/24/justifying-the-kindle/#comment-42501 Paul Wed, 25 Feb 2009 12:50:57 +0000 http://www.geardiary.com/?p=22137#comment-42501 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. 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.

]]> By: Jenhttp://www.geardiary.com/2009/02/24/justifying-the-kindle/#comment-42500 Jen Wed, 25 Feb 2009 09:51:48 +0000 http://www.geardiary.com/?p=22137#comment-42500 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!) 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!)

]]> By: AlesEhttp://www.geardiary.com/2009/02/24/justifying-the-kindle/#comment-42497 AlesE Wed, 25 Feb 2009 07:05:52 +0000 http://www.geardiary.com/?p=22137#comment-42497 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. 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.

]]> By: Judie Lipsetthttp://www.geardiary.com/2009/02/24/justifying-the-kindle/#comment-42491 Judie Lipsett Wed, 25 Feb 2009 06:29:10 +0000 http://www.geardiary.com/?p=22137#comment-42491 Gah! How did you and Rob Bushway get yours so quickly? And did you see that he dropped his? :-o <a href="http://www.gottabemobile.com/2009/02/24/kindle-2-arrives-and-i-break-it/" target="_blank">http://www.gottabemobile.com/2009/02/24/kindle-2-...</a> Gah! How did you and Rob Bushway get yours so quickly? And did you see that he dropped his? :-o

http://www.gottabemobile.com/2009/02/24/kindle-2-…

]]> By: Judie Lipsetthttp://www.geardiary.com/2009/02/24/justifying-the-kindle/#comment-42489 Judie Lipsett Wed, 25 Feb 2009 05:41:25 +0000 http://www.geardiary.com/?p=22137#comment-42489 Hey; I am all for saving trees, sustaining the environment, and keeping the paper in my wallet - where it belongs. :-) Hey; I am all for saving trees, sustaining the environment, and keeping the paper in my wallet – where it belongs. :-)

]]> By: Judie Lipsetthttp://www.geardiary.com/2009/02/24/justifying-the-kindle/#comment-42488 Judie Lipsett Wed, 25 Feb 2009 05:39:19 +0000 http://www.geardiary.com/?p=22137#comment-42488 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. :-) 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. :-)

]]> By: Judie Lipsetthttp://www.geardiary.com/2009/02/24/justifying-the-kindle/#comment-42487 Judie Lipsett Wed, 25 Feb 2009 05:34:13 +0000 http://www.geardiary.com/?p=22137#comment-42487 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 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

]]> By: cgavulahttp://www.geardiary.com/2009/02/24/justifying-the-kindle/#comment-42486 cgavula Wed, 25 Feb 2009 04:58:43 +0000 http://www.geardiary.com/?p=22137#comment-42486 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. 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.

]]> By: Judie Lipsetthttp://www.geardiary.com/2009/02/24/justifying-the-kindle/#comment-42485 Judie Lipsett Wed, 25 Feb 2009 04:46:23 +0000 http://www.geardiary.com/?p=22137#comment-42485 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. ;-) 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. ;-)

]]> By: Judie Lipsetthttp://www.geardiary.com/2009/02/24/justifying-the-kindle/#comment-42484 Judie Lipsett Wed, 25 Feb 2009 04:44:08 +0000 http://www.geardiary.com/?p=22137#comment-42484 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? 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?

]]> By: Judie Lipsetthttp://www.geardiary.com/2009/02/24/justifying-the-kindle/#comment-42483 Judie Lipsett Wed, 25 Feb 2009 04:40:38 +0000 http://www.geardiary.com/?p=22137#comment-42483 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... 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…

]]> By: Judie Lipsetthttp://www.geardiary.com/2009/02/24/justifying-the-kindle/#comment-42482 Judie Lipsett Wed, 25 Feb 2009 04:34:40 +0000 http://www.geardiary.com/?p=22137#comment-42482 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. ;-) 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. ;-)

]]> By: joelhttp://www.geardiary.com/2009/02/24/justifying-the-kindle/#comment-42481 joel Wed, 25 Feb 2009 04:03:55 +0000 http://www.geardiary.com/?p=22137#comment-42481 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. :-) 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. :-)

]]> By: Dsgoldringhttp://www.geardiary.com/2009/02/24/justifying-the-kindle/#comment-42480 Dsgoldring Wed, 25 Feb 2009 04:02:35 +0000 http://www.geardiary.com/?p=22137#comment-42480 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. :) 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. :)

]]> By: Dsgoldringhttp://www.geardiary.com/2009/02/24/justifying-the-kindle/#comment-42479 Dsgoldring Wed, 25 Feb 2009 04:01:34 +0000 http://www.geardiary.com/?p=22137#comment-42479 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. 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.

]]> By: Wayne Schulzhttp://www.geardiary.com/2009/02/24/justifying-the-kindle/#comment-42474 Wayne Schulz Wed, 25 Feb 2009 03:32:05 +0000 http://www.geardiary.com/?p=22137#comment-42474 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). 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).

]]> By: coffeehttp://www.geardiary.com/2009/02/24/justifying-the-kindle/#comment-42478 coffee Wed, 25 Feb 2009 02:33:40 +0000 http://www.geardiary.com/?p=22137#comment-42478 Kindle is a big step forward for saving trees since it's more practical than carrying around a stack of books. Kindle is a big step forward for saving trees since it's more practical than carrying around a stack of books.

]]> By: AndySocialhttp://www.geardiary.com/2009/02/24/justifying-the-kindle/#comment-42477 AndySocial Wed, 25 Feb 2009 00:08:01 +0000 http://www.geardiary.com/?p=22137#comment-42477 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. 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.

]]> By: HeatherChttp://www.geardiary.com/2009/02/24/justifying-the-kindle/#comment-42473 HeatherC Tue, 24 Feb 2009 22:07:02 +0000 http://www.geardiary.com/?p=22137#comment-42473 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. 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.

]]> By: cgavulahttp://www.geardiary.com/2009/02/24/justifying-the-kindle/#comment-42472 cgavula Tue, 24 Feb 2009 21:51:24 +0000 http://www.geardiary.com/?p=22137#comment-42472 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! 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!

]]> By: Mark Reidhttp://www.geardiary.com/2009/02/24/justifying-the-kindle/#comment-42467 Mark Reid Tue, 24 Feb 2009 18:15:29 +0000 http://www.geardiary.com/?p=22137#comment-42467 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. 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.

]]> By: thegadgeteerhttp://www.geardiary.com/2009/02/24/justifying-the-kindle/#comment-42466 thegadgeteer Tue, 24 Feb 2009 18:00:20 +0000 http://www.geardiary.com/?p=22137#comment-42466 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... 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…

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