So when my parents asked me what I wanted for Christmas this year I had only one thing on my mind. Amazon’s new Kindle, an electronic reader. I know uber-nerd. Anyways they said they would be interested if I could convince them why this product is worth it’s hefty price tag. Well I’ve done the research and I have to say…I am positive I’m getting a Kindle for Christmas. Let me tell you why.
I thought this product would interest a lot of people on this site mainly b/c usually writers also like to read and that is who the Kindle is aimed at. The goal of the product was to disappear in your hand so that you can get lost in the story. For the record I don’t own and have never used a Kindle and am simply taking the reviews from over two dozen sites and complying them for ProU users.
What is it?
A new electronic reader that can hold up to 200 books, newspapers, magazines at a time. It is designed by Amazon so I would expect their 90,000 different downloadable books to expand exponentially over the next few years. It uses the same technology as Sprint cell phones so you literally have access everywhere a cell phone does. You can download directly off the Kindle, effectively eliminating a computer.(Although you can still download off a computer) It uses eInk technology so the effect is the same as reading a newspaper/book and less like reading off a computer/PDA. The Kindle weighs only 10.3 and is roughly the size of a paperback novel, although much thinner.
Positive Aspects
Completely wireless, you never need to sync with a computer or any outside source. Effective design, lightweight, really allows you to get lost in reading. Is backed by Amazon so expect great quality and loads of options. Additional memory can be purchased expanding your Kindle compacity indefinitely AND it has a removable battery(think of iPods and all the problems their batteries have, pisses me off every time I think bout it.) Amazon keeps a record of all things you buy so if your Kindle is broken or damaged you will not lose your info. Long lasting battery life, 30 hours with the wireless turned on, up to 7 days with it turned off. Comes out of the box ready to use, you can pre-buy w/e you want and it will come loaded on your Kindle ready for you to read.
Negative Aspects
Ok now this is all subjective and again, I’ve never used it and am pulling everything from what I’ve read elsewhere. Most people who have not used it say it looks bulky and ugly. However most who have used it say that is simply not true. You can only buy things from Amazon, imagine iPods only allowing you to buy from itunes store. But this isn’t a huge issue to me since there is no limewire, napster for books…so where else am I going to get stuff. This is the one I hear all the time, price. It costs $399. Definitley a big price tag but I think it’s a steal b/c I am a huge book reader and can read $400 dollars worth of books in a few months.
Other Aspects
Bestselling books cost $9.99 on the Kindle Store, roughly 10-15 dollars cheaper than when released as actual books. The New York Times is $14.99 per month for a daily delivery opposed to almost $50 dollars for normal home delievery. (note: bestsellers are most expensive books and NYT is most expensive newspaper.) I saw this a lot too, “why would I buy this thing when a iPhone does it better, looks better, is better?” Ok, I don’t own an iPhone but several of my friends do and this isn’t really an issue. I would never want to read anything more than breaking news on that tiny little screen and can’t imagine anybody else would either. An iPhone can’t hold anything close to the Kindle. The touch screen aspect is what I would love to see on the Kindle, but its not and I’m not complaining about it.
Where I see huge potential is if they get textbooks on the Kindle store. Imagine having no textbooks!!!! I would love it lol. But b/c textbook companies are greedy bitches they probably will never do it. This is really just a brief over view but if it sounds interesting here is the main site and some promotional videos.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000FI73MA/ref=amb_link_4680802_6?pf_rd...
Have a nice day
T
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I want one, but then again, I know I don't. While, yeah, this would make reading some of the books I carry around easy, it would make it so I wouldn't buy the hard copy. I love to read, but I love my books WAY more. I'll stick to the real thing.
Nicholas Aden
Self-Promotion
Isn't it the stories that you love? I am pretty sure the stories will still be there just no more books. Besides my room is so jam packed with books I am getting to the point where I need it.
Nothing is True, Everything is Permitted
No, I love the stories as much as I love the books. Part of my joy comes from being the first to crack the spine. And you think you're room is full? I have WALLS with bookcases full in my house. 1 in my room and 3 in my library...lol. And those are just my books!
Nicholas Aden
Self-Promotion
http://www.progressiveu.org/090204-dont-miss-this-chance
My room isn't packed with books. I just check them out at the library and return them. Mainly the reason why its not packed is because I don't buy bopoks unless they are REALLY REALLY GOOD and worth it. So far, I haven't come across any WOW books. I am currently investigating college level "literature". Any suggestions?
The first draw back is that it will be half price in 12 months. That is a non-factor if the ol' parents are doing the buying though.
The one which really puts this one on my do not touch list is the proprietary closed system. If you have text files, .pdf, html, .cbr you do not have access on this. Most of the periodical content that is free on the internet is purchase or subscription on this device.
"But this isn’t a huge issue to me since there is no limewire, napster for books…so where else am I going to get stuff."
There is project Gutenberg which has thousands of free eBooks that have passed beyond copyright. Guess what? As a Kindle kid you will have to buy them. Copyrighted books are on P2P but there is so much free reading online that it hasn't gotten the attention that music and movies have.
The ease of use for this device is the big advantage, but you will be steadily paying for it.
Alternatives compared:
http://wiki.mobileread.com/wiki/E-book_Reader_Matrix
Paying for the product continually is part of the draw backs but for me personally, the amount I read outweighs that price. Until google completes and inacts their project it serves no substainable purpose. I can't read forever on my laptop, I can't take my laptop anywhere and my laptop is subject to WiFi connections. Kindle is not. Plus it is Linux based so the ease and probability that their will be continuous upgrades is huge. I'm one of those people who takes a chance on the new stuff for no other reason than I'm a curious person. I bought the first iPod and upgraded each time they came out with a new one, I bought stock in Apple b/c I liked the iPod and thought it would do well. I think Kindle will be the same, it is a big step up from previous eBooks and until google/mac get on the game, which will be in 3/4 years, I am happy with how the Kindle is looking...Kindle Kid, I laughed so hard when I read that, did you make that up or have you read it somewhere.
Nothing is True, Everything is Permitted
is a product of my twisted imagination.
Looking closer the Kindle supports .txt so it is probably possible with a step or two to import anything.
Keep us posted on how cool it is once you get it.
http://www.progressiveu.org/090204-dont-miss-this-chance
I see your point about textbooks, but that won't happen any time soon. You left out the negative aspect about eyesight. Isn't it enough that our society is glued to t.v. and computers and now to another screen to read a book? That is really bad for your vision. I prefer a nice book.
DISCLAIMER: I am not being rude. I'm stating my opinion. No personal attacks are meant. Please give some leniency on how you take my words. imagine me saying them with a smile. ^__^
Do you think this is something I could curl up with and read in bed?
That's the thing that is really important to me... otherwise it can't replace my hard copies.
Ok... after an entire morning of obsessive Kindle researching... you have created a monster.
I am a girl possessed. I have to have one. All I can say is wow.
Double reply. Yes you can curl up with it in your bed, it is designed in every way for the book nerd. You can turn the pages with either hand, I like to switch off sometimes, it is lightweight so no arm strain. Second about the eyesight, I would agree except the kindle and all eBooks use something called eInk. The things don't use backlight so it is nothing like a computer screen, more like a newspaper...yes if it was another computer I wouldn't buy it but its not.
Nothing is True, Everything is Permitted
It says you can get subscriptions to blogs.
We should convince ProU to get involved.
About the blogs. You have to pay $.99 for each blog each time you want it to update. Even though I get it online, off my computer for free. I'd say wait until next gen kindle for full internet, right now the internet is to sketchy for me to use it.
Nothing is True, Everything is Permitted
Read more closely.
It says somewhere between $0.99-$1.50 for a monthly subscription. I'd be willing to pay that, and ProU would get part of the royalties. Which means more money to go towards improving the site, scholarships, and money for moderators. Sounds good all around.
http://slashdot.org/articles/07/11/27/1711228.shtml
Hey, thanks!
I think I convinced my parents to get me one for Christmas. They were a little confused - I've never asked for any electronic gadget before - so that may have worked in my favor. If not, I'm going to buy one myself.