Comments for: "Amazon’s Kindle eBook Reader" http://www.rhinocity.net/rhinocity/single/amazons-kindle-ebook-reader/ The Kindle, Amazon’s new eBook reader that will change the world. They hope. Hardly a new idea the Kindle is nevertheless an intriguing one. Initial impressions seem mixed, interestingly it’s the non-techies that seem to get Bezos’ vision. Most of the gadget geeks seem to fall on the side of meh. Those that use a cell phone only to make calls, a computer only to email and read the newspaper on paper every morning seem most intrigued. This is a device they can get behind. The main innovation of the Kindle is that it is always connected. Like push email on a BlackBerry the Kindle will automatically receive the latest edition of a print newspaper such as The New York Times. Or magazine, or blog post. You can browse and buy books from Amazon’s web store from anywhere. More exciting is that there isn’t a monthly fee, at least for the wireless connection. You only pay for what you want, there’s no service fee or monthly charge. This, in and of itself, is surprising and a huge plus for the device. It uses eInk technology, a display technology that uses small particles and electrical magic to display text in… en-us kifwalu@gmail.com Copyright 2007 2007-11-19T19:35:01-07:00 Comment by Ryan kifwalu@gmail.com Ryan#When:2008-10-09-16:37:00 Seriously, though I agree that $399 for the opportunity to give Amazon more money is too steep. The beauty of the Kindle is that it does NOT require a computer to use- it is self contained, wireless. A PDA or phone et al does not compare, in the same way that none of them (with the possible exception of the iPhone) compare with an iPod for music, even though they all play music just fine. And the Kindle does not have a computer screen, but rather uses e-ink which is vastly and uniquely different. I’m not sure that Amazon has the right device, yet, but they do have the right idea and I’m betting that they’ll be successful with it. Not everyone is the target audience, which appears to me to NOT be the gadget geek but rather the big reader, business traveller etc. I would suspect that if you got one you would hardly see it as your wife would never let it go. The user reviews on Amazon, from actual BUYERS of the device as well as most hands-on reviews on the web are positive to VERY positive. I have gotten used to free news but understand the need to charge (and it is ad-free) and they really shouldn’t charge anything for blogs but outside of that and maybe a sexier device Amazon’s hit the nail pretty well for a first try. This is the future of books and Amazon is right there at the forefront with the first viable device. Tied to the whispernet wireless service and I would bet alot of money, including, possibly, a purchase on them succeeding. Seriously, though I agree that $399 for the opportunity to give Amazon more money is too steep.

The beauty of the Kindle is that it does NOT require a computer to use- it is self contained, wireless. A PDA or phone et al does not compare, in the same way that none of them (with the possible exception of the iPhone) compare with an iPod for music, even though they all play music just fine. And the Kindle does not have a computer screen, but rather uses e-ink which is vastly and uniquely different.

I’m not sure that Amazon has the right device, yet, but they do have the right idea and I’m betting that they’ll be successful with it. Not everyone is the target audience, which appears to me to NOT be the gadget geek but rather the big reader, business traveller etc. I would suspect that if you got one you would hardly see it as your wife would never let it go.

The user reviews on Amazon, from actual BUYERS of the device as well as most hands-on reviews on the web are positive to VERY positive. I have gotten used to free news but understand the need to charge (and it is ad-free) and they really shouldn’t charge anything for blogs but outside of that and maybe a sexier device Amazon’s hit the nail pretty well for a first try.

This is the future of books and Amazon is right there at the forefront with the first viable device. Tied to the whispernet wireless service and I would bet alot of money, including, possibly, a purchase on them succeeding.

]]> 2008-10-09T16:37:00-07:00 Comment by Richard Teasdale radardog84601@yahoo.com Richard Teasdale#When:2008-10-09-16:37:00 Seriously?  I mean, I know your a gadget-buff but I just don’t see the point.  Maybe I’m just not in the target demographic.  Maybe I’m like those people who have a DVR from their cable company and can’t understand why a Tivo is better.  I don’t know.  I just can’t justify spending that kind of money for an object that lets me “read news and books” when I already have something that allows me to do that called a Personal Computer, something you would have to have to use the device in the first place. Seriously?  I mean, I know your a gadget-buff but I just don’t see the point.  Maybe I’m just not in the target demographic.  Maybe I’m like those people who have a DVR from their cable company and can’t understand why a Tivo is better.  I don’t know. 

I just can’t justify spending that kind of money for an object that lets me “read news and books” when I already have something that allows me to do that called a Personal Computer, something you would have to have to use the device in the first place.

]]> 2008-10-09T16:37:00-07:00 Comment by Ryan kifwalu@gmail.com Ryan#When:2008-10-09-16:37:00 Except me! Except me!

]]> 2008-10-09T16:37:00-07:00 Comment by Richard radardog@gmail.com Richard#When:2008-10-09-16:37:00 Amazon’s Kindle is awesome… for 1997.  Dear Amazon, For a company really trying to sell people on your Unbox technology, which I happen to think is pretty cool… if you have Tivo… and broadband internet.., I find it interesting that you think people will purchase a $400 device so they can READ NEWSPAPERS!  Let me welcome you to 2007.  First, if you have a computer, a Palm Pilot, a cell phone or any combination of the three, you can already do this.  And for much less than $400.  Second, books still exist in such forms as there is an user experience that cannot be replaced by staring at a computer screen.  Until a computer can replicate the sensation of flipping pages and closing the back cover of a book when you’re finished, the traditional “book” isn’t going anywhere.  Nice try, Amazon.  It seems that someone has dirty pictures of your CEO.  Or your CEO hasn’t EVER used the Internet before, which for an Internet company, seems unlikely.  But hey, if this doesn’t work out, Apple would be happy to sell you the plans to this thing called a Newton.  It’s pretty cool too.  You can write notes on it without using paper and pen.  Awesome.  Sincerely, Someone who can’t think of anyone who actually will want one Amazon’s Kindle is awesome… for 1997. 

Dear Amazon,

For a company really trying to sell people on your Unbox technology, which I happen to think is pretty cool… if you have Tivo… and broadband internet.., I find it interesting that you think people will purchase a $400 device so they can READ NEWSPAPERS!  Let me welcome you to 2007. 

First, if you have a computer, a Palm Pilot, a cell phone or any combination of the three, you can already do this.  And for much less than $400. 

Second, books still exist in such forms as there is an user experience that cannot be replaced by staring at a computer screen.  Until a computer can replicate the sensation of flipping pages and closing the back cover of a book when you’re finished, the traditional “book” isn’t going anywhere. 

Nice try, Amazon.  It seems that someone has dirty pictures of your CEO.  Or your CEO hasn’t EVER used the Internet before, which for an Internet company, seems unlikely. 

But hey, if this doesn’t work out, Apple would be happy to sell you the plans to this thing called a Newton.  It’s pretty cool too.  You can write notes on it without using paper and pen.  Awesome. 

Sincerely,

Someone who can’t think of anyone who actually will want one

]]> 2008-10-09T16:37:00-07:00