Live from the Amazon Kindle launch event
By Ryan Block 
posted Nov 19th 2007 9:23AM
posted Nov 19th 2007 9:23AM
9:46 - "The interesting question to think about is why are books the last bastion of analog? They've stubbornly resisted digitization. ... the key feature to a book is that it disappears as we read it. We don't think about the ink or the paper or the glue or the stitching, all those things go away. What remains is the author's world, the author's words..."
9:55 - "We didn't like this solution either. So instead we chose EV-DO cellular. ... as soon as I tell you we're using EV-DO that should cause a second set of concerns, a whole new thing to worry about. Everybody knows that using these wireless cell networks there's a data plan, a contract, a monthly bill. But we didn't like that, either. So we built Amazon Whispernet. It's built on top of Sprint's EV-DO network. There's no data plan, no contract, no bill. We pay for all of that behind the scenes so you can just read. What are you going to read?"
9:57 - "We have 90,000 books that you can buy right from the device and have wirelessly delivered. And these are books people want to read, including 101 of the 112 NYT bestsellers. NYT bestsellers and new releases are just $9.99, and are delivered in just a minute. Why not include newspapers? Newspapers are delivered automatically while you sleep; and these are newspapers you've heard of, WSJ, NYT, Washington Post, and local newspapers too."
9:59 - "Time, Fortune, even blogs. Over 300 of your favorite blogs are available. Subscribe to the blogs you want and they're updated continuously throughout the day. ...HuffPost, The Onion..." Every Kindle has an email address, attach your personal docs, email them to the device, and they're wirelessly delivered to the device. Word docs, JPEGs, "It's a pretty cool feature. There's a resident dictionary on this device." He's discussing dictionaries and using the built-in dict, which is supposed to be pretty easy.
10:02 - "If you were to print Wikipedia you'd need two miles of shelves. You can access Wikipedia from this device, so you have not only a dictionary but the world's greatest encyclopedia. What do you get? The most advanced EV-DO in the world, the most advanced display tech in the world, no commitment, no contract, no service payments, and I'm excited to tell you it's on sale right now for $399." Uh oh, it's video time. "We decided to give Kindles for a few weeks to some of the toughest customers we can imagine..." Clip time.
10:05 - "It's so simple you could be a moron and it works." Um, thanks video clip guy. It's got two switches: on / off, and radio on / off. It's got a USB port on the bottom, as well as a 3.5mm jack. Yeah, more and more video, recap of the same stuff we've already heard from Bezos this AM, but just said by other people, primarily authors.
10:21 - There's a cancel this order feature that allows you to reverse a just-purchased book in case you grabbed it accidentally. It automatically bookmarks your last page read (like most e-book readers). "We archive your books in the cloud. If you ever lose a book, you can just redownload it again, it doesn't cost anything. If you want to clear out space on your Kindle knowing they're secure on the server, and in 60 seconds you can get it back again. But the most important thing about Kindle, is that it does indeed disappear so that you can enter the author's world. Thank you." Applause, and we're done!
Cool device, I like the connectivity (I wasn't expecting that).
But let's see. I read about 12-14 books a year. I might actually purchase 3-5 of those. That is $125 in the worst case scenario. I just can't justify spending $400 on a reader when I would still have to pay for all 12-14 of the books and spend about the same.
Does anyone else like the feel and smell of actual paper?
In my highschool, they made us read for 15 minutes before second period, and in the rundown state that the school was in, we had very old books from the 80s and 90s, those smelled the best
See I was going to buy this thing until I found out it was $400 and that the books are going to have DRM on them. I have to give Amazon credit from coming as far as they did, hell they were a company that just sold books, and now they are developing their own hardware. I would be proud!
And how do you lend an ebook to a friend? Give them the Kindle?
I think I could get used to reading e-books vs paper books, but certainly not on this device. I don't mind the up-front cost so much as the cost per book. $10 for each book? $10? Really?? Despite the fact that there is no printing, paper, ink, graphics design or delivery costs compared to printed books? Most paper-back books are $7.99 so I don't understand why I am paying a premium for an electronic one.
Also, I would like to put this device up for the "Ugliest Device of the Year" award.
I love how people are complaining about having to pay $10 for each Kindle Book, but so many people fail to read that it says: "New York Times® Best Sellers and all New Releases $9.99, unless marked otherwise." If you look to see the prices, you can obviously see that Kindle Books are priced as low as $.01.
@Bob
Did you even look at the books that are $0.01? I'll save you the trouble...
-Chemoton Theory: Theory of Living Systems
-Kinetics of Catalytic Reactions--Solutions Manual
-Confectionery Packaging Equipment
Exciting stuff there...
The book I am currently reading is No Way to Treat A First Lady - By Christopher Buckley - 2002
Kindle price - $7.96
Amazon partner price - $1.25 + $3.99 shipping
Of course - I got it for free, and when I am done with it, I can give it to a friend.
@Crhis
Notice I said "as low as". There are books that are $.40, $2.00, $4.00, etc.
Also, you quoted a "used" price for the book. No thanks... I don't want to read someone else's book they read while reading in the bathroom. I could just go on to say, "well I can get it at the library for free, so why buy it at all?"
@Chris,
I forgot to mention, I was mainly targeting Michael's comment. I do completely agree with you and I personally wouldn't buy a product unless it was less than $50-$75.
@Bob -
Well I am not one of those people who feels the need to spread a half a roll of toilet paper on the can in an otherwise clean bathroom before taking care of business. I don't have some fear that a used book is going to carry some communicable disease.
And yes, your library point is well taken, libraries are great! But I personally prefer to own the books so I can decide the disposition of the book when I am done. (bookmooch.com) Libraries are strictly for research for me.
Another advantage to the prosaic paper book, I can jam it in my laptop bag during my commute with worrying that my keys or pens will mark up or scratch the screen, or that a button will get stuck, or that some of the electronics will get smushed.
But, in the end, it is all about user preference. I feel like I am a pretty typical reader with a typical income, and I cannot remotely justify the expense. If you can afford to reduce the burden of carrying $400, then more power to ya.
@Bob -
Didn't see your last comment before I posted... understood =]
Dude, reading 15 minutes a day is useless in HS, I went to a HS too that made us read for 15 minutes, which also meant do as much homework as you can. The device looks good, but again the price is way to high, why not just get an IPHONE.
I hope they offer a contract of some sort with all-you-can-eat book service for a subsidized price.
For the interested, here is a direct link to the complete listing of available Kindle books/media (about 91,000 total):
http://amazon.com/ref=kinw_ddp/b?node=154606011
The looks and form factor of the device can and will change over time, but the basic idea behind this product is sound. The biggest problem is the whopping $399 price tag.
People would be glad to never have to lug around heavy books with them + with the green movement that is going on right now, people will be delighted to save some trees.
The next model should have a much larger memory, support textbooks, have a "find" service so you can search the books in real time for a word of phrase, and be much cheaper.
I should add that it appears quite a few books are a lot more than $9.99. In particular, the books in the "Computers/Internet" section seem to be $20 - $30. Normally I'd expect these less popular, low run books to be more expensive in a physical store, but for online distribution I'd expect them to be cheaper!
Kinda makes you miss the guaranteed flat pricing that Jobs managed to bring to music and videos.
Amazon doesn't make that many mis-steps, but boy this is SO gonna be one of them. Until someone comes up with a sub-$200, Non-DRM'd, open source reader, most people will stick with either a) REAL books or b) their current ebook solution.
- Bill, a mystery writer
Most people don't know/care what DRM is, or what open source means. (Just look at the market share of iPod/iTunes/AAC music.) Most people probably wouldn't know that ebooks exist unless someone who did told them. But I do think that you're right about the sub-$200 price being a requirement for these things to catch on.
The price for it will drop -- it has to ( competition is going to heat up soon ) + This is not really an ipod like device ( in any angle ) which will be able to stave off any competition . Its wireless service is pretty neat , but paying 10 bucks for books you otherwise cheaper in stores , not happening
I agree, but for another reason: I believe if somebody buys an E-Book reader he will have already some sort of Computer and Internet Connection; this EV-DO thing maybe nice if you are in an area that has this service available, but what if you live in a country with a different standard (Europe)? How if you are on holiday and there isnt the whispernet available, but wi-fi is available even on some more remote islands of Indonesia.
In my opinion WiFi would have been a smarter course...
This looks a lot more interesting once I took a look at the specs.
It allows you to use SD cards and will read quite a few different file formats so you can read all the non-DRMed content you want on it.
There's a lot more potential here but Amazon is not emphasizing the free ways to get books on this thing(for obvious reasons)
What reason is there for all the crazy angles on that thing? It's pretty ugly too.
Maybe the purpose is to feel a folded book :S
Real books have big advantages. You can share with other people, they don't need to be charged to use, they cope with rough treatment and if you drop it in the bath it's not the end of the world. This thing is way too expensive to make much of an impact and it's bloody ugly too!
Did anyone ever think that books are still around because I can get one for $6 or less used, they don't take any batteries, they are completely portable, and they have a great display technology called ink on paper. Why would anyone pay $399 and $10 for books, are they insane?
I like the idea of being able to take a large selection from my personal collection (maybe all of it, I don't know the about of storage on this) with me in one light, portable device.
Sometimes I find myself reading two books concurrently. Or I might take a long trip and need more than one book. This thing is smaller than two books.
I might want the newspaper that I like to be wirelessly delivered to me no matter where I am.
If I were still in college, I might want to have all my textbooks in one lightweight device (and they could be sold cheaper than the printed books.)
I also like the idea of buying books on the go. I'm bored, so instead of driving to the store, I can just buy a new book from where ever I am at.
Not to mention the environmental benefits of electronic media versus daily newspapers (if you're into the whole environmentally friendly thing.) If none of this interests you at all, then ebook readers aren't for you.
No one's insane yet, cause no one bough on yet. The only advantage I see here is being able to carry a lot of book in one package, but when one thinks about it, who does that except students? And we all know the book most students require will be the very ones that aren't available on the darn store.
@insertAlias
Yeah, the wonderful "environmental benefits of electronic media"...
These pictures show how good they are: http://www.chrisjordan.com/
How about a sustainable book factory, like "ecco" books line?
Eh, let's see what the 2nd gen. of this device is like; might be worthwhile by then.
I have been using a PC for so long I can no longer read paper books or magazines. It feels very unnatural to me... I stopped reading books and just read blogs and forums these days...
If this came with a browser I may get one... until then a new UMPC or Eee PC would be a better choice.
Non-DRM *and* locked to a carrier (only Sprint has 3G, right?)? It's already up on the Amazon site, and apparently, it doesn't have Wi-Fi either (as Engadget, among others, has mentioned was included, in the rumour mill).
$9.99 a book, wonder if they're resellable.
$10-$20 a month for the newspaper.
$2-$4 a copy for magazines.
$0.99 a month for blogs!
(from the site) Technical Details
Display: 6" diagonal E-Ink® electronic paper display, 600 x 800 pixel resolution at 167 ppi, 4-level gray scale
Size (in inches): 7.5" x 5.3" x 0.7"
Weight: 10.3 ounces
System requirements: None, because it doesn't require a computer
On the good side? They DO let you transfer your own files into it; docs, audio files. Email to your machine (great, now it can receive spam) or via a USB cable. *shake head* WhatEVER.
No wifi support? Bummer! Cant be used outside the US then :(
I was surprised about the lack of wifi - that seems like a real problem - and with no interface that I can see, when I travel outside the US I better have all my books pre-loaded. Anybody know about the power source? Add in an internal battery and this thing is -really- locked to one continent. AAA batteries I can carry (or buy) - a charger is tougher.
Amazon operates internationally. I suspect deals with International carriers (and a reader with a GSM radio) will be forthcoming. Hardware modifications are easy--what is hard is securing International rights for the books.
@David
There is a USB port on the bottom so outside the US you can connect to a PC to download your content.
Just because it has an internal battery doesn't mean it's only compatible to be charged in the US. Most consumer electronics come with power adapters that support 100 to 240 volt input. My cell phone, laptop, and iPaq would be examples. I can plug them into the wall anywhere in the world as long as the plug is the same shape.
the books might be cheap, but the upfront cost is way too high.
it CANNOT overcome its looks.
this will be a laughingstock.
you can't drop a turd like this in the wake of the iPhone. i know 1/2 this board hates Apple but this is what you get from other designers.
Wow. Just...wow.
lol. i gotta i agree. WOW
I looked up at my bookshelf and picked a few titles to search for in the Kindle store. I couldn't find any matches except Ulysses, which I'm sure will be a hit with gadget enthusiasts and other first adopters. I don't think the Kindle is going to draw in serious readers until they can move the book beyond bestsellers and cut-rate editions of public domain books.
I don't think that I like the display font, and I wonder how well the Kindle handles typographically sophisticated texts.
Oops. "I don't think the Kindle is going to draw in serious readers until they can move the book beyond..." should be "I don't think the Kindle is going to draw in serious readers until they can move the book selection beyond..."
So audiobooks are too expensive to download when they are paying the EVDO bill and they make you use your internet connection and move the file over USB, but you can't move your own content over USB?
LAME, LAME, LAME. I have spent hundreds on PDF computer books and I can't put them on here? The only way would be to buy them AGAIN? No thanks. Let me put my own content on and I'll buy it in a heartbeat.
You can send an email to your kindle, they say it will convert docs, maybe it will convert pdfs also
pdf to doc. doc to email. and your set
For that price, I think it has to be multitouch
Only time I could see myself using this is as a college student, it would be nice to have all your textbooks in less than 10 ounces
I can't even imagine the early adopters wanting to pay $399 for this device! Say you pay $9.99 for your newspaper feed. So now you're paying $640 just for accessing newspapers on this. I didn't even include the books pricing here as you'd pay for those anyways, but no more budget titles.
Oh yeah, there will also probably be another version in a year! Rendering the device extremely obsolete and definitely not worth it.
According to the manual you can move content over USB...at least that is the way I understand it but perhaps I'll have to read it again..I just went over it briefly.
It can read unportected .mobi files in any case and that should mean easy conversion from .pfd
If they have computer books like Apress and Friends of Ed i would pay 1,000 for this device.
How is this better than Sony's offering, which is both cheaper and a neater bit of gear (though to be honest, the interface on both of them sucks).
Amazing, "both of them sucks". How did you get your hands on one so early!
okaygenius- I think he's referring to the software on the Sony Reader. It is tab heavy because it doesn't have many buttons so once you get into a book it's hard to back out & into the main menu again. I think worth it not to have 3 inches of waste @ the bottom of the Reader however (a la Kindle).
You know where people read a lot of books? The beach.
If this thing can stand up to sand, surf, sun, and tanning oil, I'm in.
But this isn't a regular computer screen. That's the whole point; it's "e-ink" and is supposed to replicate the look of paper and be incredibly easy on the eyes.
If anything, e-ink will hopefully save a lot of trees.
@ Matt:
"If anything, e-ink will hopefully save a lot of trees."
Someone has been drinking the environmental lobby's Kool-Aid.
Trees are a renewable resource and paper is fully recyclable. There's no need to go crazy trying to "save" them. Further, the "e" in "e-ink" means "electronic". "Electronic" means electricty. Electricity is generated. In America, that means (by and large) burning coal. Yeah, that's green. And if you're going to go on about "saving trees" maybe you should wait until someone does an environmental impact analysis on what it takes to manufacture this device (toxic plastics and metals, anyone?).
I have the Sony Reader and it doesn't handle the beach very well. After about 20 minutes in direct sunlight the screen loses all contrast and is unreadable. It doesn't seem to be heat but actual sun on the display. I've heard the new model 505 reader doesn't have this issue.
Interesting concept, but, I can't read long stories the computer. I need to print them out. Reading long docs on the computer bothers my eyes too much.
Any insight on whether PDFs will be readable? They refer to a lot of other formats, but seem to omit pdf.
I see that if this thing actually works well it could have potential (well, the price is another factor....) I would be incredibly nice to have all my school books on this thing. I have poor vision and need Large print books which are annoying at the least. This would be a great solution to have all my books in a font I can read, small (most of my books are 11x17 sized) and light weight. For any school kid this is a huge deal. The weight of school books these days is out of control - and no more lockers.
So I can see this thing doing well in the edu market after a price drop - get in to $200 - $300 it it will do good.
@Jaymez
Please try to keep up...eink is all about NOT being like a computer screen...I thought everbody had grasped that by now!
I think they miss quite a lot of potential customers by not including pdf support.
E.g. scientist have next to all of their literatur as pdf.
Onother feature to be included in a version 2.0. is an anotation function.
One cool thing of real paper/ink technology is that you can scribble remarks in the margins, mark important stuff etc.
Interestingly, Amazon allows you to publish and sell your own Kindle formatted books via their Digital Text Platform site (http://dtp.amazon.com/mn/dashboard). The quick-start guide can be found here: http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/digital/otp/help/Amazon_DTP_Quickstart_Guide.pdf
Way too expensive; very little chance I'll part with $399.
It carries a full exposed QWERTY keyboard for the uncommon event of entering text. Seems to wast a lot of device real estate that I would prefer be used for screen display. Why not use some of the new cell phone technology with a slide out or flip open keyboard?
Why no wi-fi? This thing seems to be directed at consumers who don't understand computer technology. How many of these people are left? Do any of them buy from Amazon?
What about public domain books? Can these be installed for free? It would be a nice touch if Amazon would offer public domain content for free or maybe $.99.
What about books that come on a CD-ROM along with a traditional paper book? I didn't hear anything about being able to load e-books you might already own.
Let's make really good use of the wireless feature... can my Kindle join the Social?
Bit pricey, but that will change.
I'd like to see a university adopt this type of thing. Imagine not having to haul around all your text books for the semester? The school bookstore could sell you a SD card with your "books" on them without you even having to go to the store and stand online (it's been a while since I graduated do people still do that in college?).
Sure you'd need the ability to bookmark and highlight (perhaps it already does that?) Cost would be interesting, college text books are by far the most overpriced books out there. Think about how many books you purchased only to find out that the professor only wanted to use one chapter?
At least this way you could avoid all the heavy lifting, and the costs MIGHT go down.
The most important point goes unanswered again:
What happens to the World outside the US???
I'd like to get one of these but it will probably take forever until there will be EVDO connectivity for Canadian users. And as for the rest of the world... the device works on a CDMA network and most of the world is GSM. So no luck there.
So I'm rethinking my comment: I still think it can do well in edu but if it is true you can't load PDFs on it -NEARLY WORTHLESS. But I want to know what that qwerty keyboard is for. And what's it's internal storage. That e-mail feature also seems to be pretty cool.
Oh and I almost forgot: battery life? And does it have that blinking that the sony reader does?
The blinking is somewhat mandatory for the way e-Ink works, as I understand...I don't believe there's even an option to transition through a blank screen.
You can also create your own native Kindle formatted docs using Amazon's Digital Text Platform: http://dtp.amazon.com/mn/dashboard
Is it rugged enough for a beach or the tub?
Sorry... but no. If there was a subscription service involved here, I'd be more interested, but $400 for just the reader and $10 a piece for the books... that's too much. Get me a $200 WiFi-only reader and a $15/month subscription service with excellent publisher coverage, and I'd be all for it. As it is, I basically buy no new books, and do all my purchases from local used bookstores.
I'm not going to declare the Kindlge a failure, if only because eBooks have shown consistent staying power, but it's not going to be a revolution, even with Wikipedia and a dictionary. In this case, it's all about the pricing, not the technology.
So, how long will it be before someone hacks this thing into a tetherable EVDO modem?
I think my head just essplodeded from the hideousness of this device. I want my e-reader to be all screen, no buttons. OK, maybe a button on either side for turning pages.
Seriously though, they talk about this as if it was some sort of new idea - this ... reading books on a digital device malarkey. I've been reading books on my palm pilot for years now, and there're more and more books available in so many different formats. Sure, my palm doesn't have wifi (its a wee dinosaur), and the connectivity aspect of the Kindle looks great, but did they have to make it so BIG? It looks almost as big as my eeePC! And that's a *real* computer! (har har har)
And what's with the name that makes it sound like a german kiddie chocolate egg? ;-)
I’m not sure whether I get this or not. Does this devices have some sort of special paper look screen or something? Is that what makes it special. Is it a colour screen?. I keep hearing about these readers and every time I see one they look terrible. Who designed this, it looks like something from the early 90’s.
The wireless thing sounds ok but it’s not exactly new is it and what the hell is EV-DO cellular, smells like iTunes WiFi store to me but with less global appeal. Wouldn’t it be better if it looked like a book with a two sided folding screen and little corner tabs to turn to the next page. Maybe a changeable outer cover to suite your style, leather, fabric, plastic print. A little pop-out QWERTY keyboard. Anything that looks more book like would be great, this thing just looks nasty.
Well I think Amazon should keep selling the real thing and be satisfied with their already massive profits without trying to do the hardware thing. If that device was $100 you might think it was a good buy but $399 they must be having a laugh, right, they must be.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electronic_paper
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EV-DO
Considering the availibility and ease of Google and Wikipedia, you think that some people would do a little research before sounding off about things they know nothing about.
So you're reading a technology blog and don't understand what EVDO is? What? EVDO is probably mentioned every 5 posts or so on Engadget (especially Engadget Mobile).
Are O'Reilly titles on the Kindle net?
I don't like that it is white. It is supposed to "disappear," right? Maybe some kind of soft color. (Dare I say Zune like?) Better yet, a few different colors. The huge contrast between the black text and white frame bugs the heck out of me.
I just don't see the market for this device.
The first thing that came to my mind is that it's wider, longer, and thinner than a paperback book. So I can't shove it in my pocket.
But form factor isn't terribly important to most people. Thing is, the reader itself should be FREE. Subsidized. If it were free, I'd grab one and pay for a couple of books to try it out.
OK, so the hardware's too expensive, etc, they can't make it free. Then why do books cost the same as buying them in the store? All I'm buying are electrons, constrained by DRM. Someone else mentioned it earlier but it bears repeating-- paperback books are $8. Books you can put on a shelf, lend to your friends, or even resell. How can they justify charging MORE for ebooks?
There's just no market for this. It's inferior to books in every way except-- MAYBE-- the actual reading experience. But it needs to hit on all cylinders to seduce consumers away from the medium we've been using for hundred of years.
That price applies to NYT best-sellers and new releases. Which are usually more than $10.
I honestly think Kindle is a great step forward, but with a lot of misses. =(
My main concern (which a lot of you mentioned) would be for frequent travelers. The main idea of this thing is that you can download content anywhere and anytime, but what if I'm outside of EVDO area with no computer access? I guess you can argue that I should buy a long read before I go anywhere, but still... that defeats the "anywhere, anytime". What they should have done is included EVDO AND Wifi. Honestly, at $399 they should have definitely included both. Look at the iPhone, initially at $599 it had Bluetooth, Wifi, EDGE, and GSM (now at $399 with all 4).
Yes, the thing should win "The Fugliest Award." Compared to the Sony Reader 505, this thing is a retro Palm beaten severely with the UGLY stick. Even the first gen 500 was sexy and the 505 is even sexier.
The almost 90,000 titles that Amazon murders the crappy stuff they have over Sony Connect and Sony's software is so bad. But come on Amazon! You are A BOOK STORE FROM THE GEKKO! We obviously expect you to have a crap load of books available for download, so stop bragging about that.
I love the fact that you can highlight and do a dictionary search in the book. Even the Sony can't do that.
Overall, it's a great device and a good leap forward, but the price is just too much. I would buy it if it was at around $250 to $300. I suggest we all wait for a price drop and 2nd gen for a cosmetic update.
This report seems to be lacking a crucial stat - how much storage space does the kindle have? (or, how many ebooks can it store?)
I still don't get it, do we need to be in the US and use EVDO to buy books in the Kindle? If so, people outside the US are out of luck. Why not including Wi-Fi support so I can also buy the books using my home network?
Nix that - I just saw you other post - 200 plus sd expansion.
I'm sorry Amazon- but the Sony Reader is a better looking device. I hope that your entry allows them to get a wider selection of books (that you don't make them 'exclusive') as their reader is dark colored, doesn't have 50 gazillion buttons (counted - 50 gazillion) & you get the wonderful flip cover.
Here is the dealbreaker, no PDF support:
Personal Files
Eliminating the need to print, Kindle makes it easy to take your personal documents with you. Each Kindle has a unique and customizable e-mail address. This allows you and your contacts to e-mail Word documents and pictures wirelessly to your Kindle for only $.10. Kindle supports wireless delivery of unprotected Microsoft Word, HTML, TXT, JPEG, GIF, PNG, BMP, PRC and MOBI files.
I think y'all need to get out in the real world more often. This device will be a success with book consumers (as opposed to gadget freaks and techies) because it solves a real problem in a unique way and offers the same complete systems approach iPod/ITMS does. Amazon has established a solid trust relationship with millions of consumers worldwide and has taught them to change their habits in terms of how they *buy* books - now they're setting out to do the same with how we *read* them.
I've used one of these devices (admittedly for about 20 minutes) and I can tell you that the display is highly readable, the interaction with controls is pretty well thought out, the features and functionality are well-focused on the device's core application (reading books) and it's no more or less closed than the iPod. Yes new content is DRM'ed. But also yes, you can add your own stuff in a variety of formats.
I travel - a lot - and constantly wrestle with the weight and bulk of the books and publications I want to bring with me. This solves a big problem for me. If Amazon can get together with Zinio and let me ready my digital magazines on Kindle, I'll be in reader heaven.
I bought one. I'll have it tomorrow. I can't wait to load it up with some of my own stuff and few titles I've been thinking about getting but haven't the bookshelf space or back strength for (like Isaacson's recent bio on Einstein which I can now get for $9.99 instead of $20+). I can pretty much guarantee that when I get on a plane next (in a week and a half), I'll be demoing the hell out of this for my fellow travelers and will "sell" more than a few folks on getting one, just as I have with really useful devices in the past (including the iPhone, Tablet PCs, Nokia N95 and N800, and Stowaway BT keyboard).
The big difference here? This is a consumer device for doing something more people do every day (and especially on airplanes) than just about anything else (boob tube excluded) - read books! TV aside, more people read books than read blogs, watch digital video, listen to podcasts, etc., etc. combined. I also fully expect holiday sales will be strong for this device.
While many of your objections are well-founded as far as they go, the simple truth is this: they didn't build it for you! I tell smart phone owners the same thing when they complain about what's "missing" or "wrong" with the iPhone. You are no the target market.
I think it's a nice enough device (if not totally fugly), but whether or not it's a success with "book consumers" depends on more than the worthiness of the hardware. If the price weren't so inhibitive I might agree with you (about tech folks not being a target). You can buy an awful lot of books for $400 - more than most people will spend in a year or two.
But you're talking about "book consumers" ... people that I guess we'll agree read a great deal more than the average. I wonder if those heavy readers are going to be thrilled about giving up the tactile books they've read and collected all their lives? I suspect no more than would consider one of the current/previous e-readers. Not sure (aside from the involvement of Amazon) if this is going to achieve any more success in that area. Anyway, haven't these hardcore "book consumers" found alternative methods for acquiring books on the cheap, like used bookstores and libraries? I guess I just disagree about the target... seems like someone that would really passionate about books/reading wouldn't be so hot on carrying around a plastic tablet.
If colleges would take this thing on for text books, I'd be all over it. The cost of text books is INSANE!!! Getting them in that format would be a great way to cut cost... right?
You act like bibliophiles and technophiles are mutually exclusive.
I'm a book consumer; I buy and read over 200 per year. My tiny manhattan apartment is FULL of books, stacked 3 or 4 deep. And I'm not interested in this device for the reasons explained above.
The Kindle will save thousands of trees from newsprint and book paper. I will likely wait for the next generation color version since I would miss the color pictures of my daily subscriptions to USA Today and Oklahoman newspapers. I also hope the next generation includes WiFi, WiMax and Bluetooth connections for international usage and flexibility. I foresee this color device as a "bigscreen" option for cell phone pdas, gps and video. Hopefully, touchscreen will also be added on the next generation device.
OK, when is this going to be available in the UK. I have been waiting for this for so long.
Regarding the $9.99/month for newspapers, I currently pay $1.25 every day for the NY Times. Device will save me $27.50 a month ($10.40 for delivery subscribers). Device will pay for itself in just over 1 year. Still hate the DRM nature, lack of usb/sd transfer support and the overall look but am considering one for the newspaper delivery option alone.
wow what a monumental stuff up from Amazon. I love there webservices but this product ... phewwwwww!
I read over 10 books a year, and i lend my mates probably twice as much! I aint touching this device ever!
Can you play Pong on it?
I really like the idea, and would really, really like to buy one...but $399 is just WAY too much. If it had been $99, or maybe even $199 I could justify it. But the initial hardware cost, plus being charged to view documents you ALREADY OWN is ridiculous, in my opinion.
Hopefully they will do away the with the $0.10/file charge and bring down the cost of the hardware. I'm OK with the cost of the books though.
What's black and white and looks like s**t.....yep it's that plastic monstrosity. No colour screen???? WHAT???? You're joking, this ain't the 1980's!!
Hmmmm if there is NO data charges AND I can e-mail and put on SD my own content I take back my bad comments about this it MIGHT impress me once I can confirm how open it is with my own stuff. I might even be able to suffer through the ugly as hell physical device for those kinds of features ESPECIALLY if someone can rig is so I can set up a server like ORB on my home server to "order" books from my own stock anytime I want! now THAT would get me to spend $400 REAL fast :-)
how about a solar powered kindle?