http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/08/switched-on-big-kindle-on-campus-dnp/ Engadget Comments for http://www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/08/switched-on-big-kindle-on-campus-dnp/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/08/switched-on-big-kindle-on-campus-dnp/May 8th 2009 5:16PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/05/08/switched-on-big-kindle-on-campus-dnp/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/08/switched-on-big-kindle-on-campus-dnp/
Seriously though, if I got a 40-50% reduction in price on textbooks, I would deem a $500 purchase well worth it.


But, since I just graduated....not so much.]]>May 8th 2009 5:26PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/05/08/switched-on-big-kindle-on-campus-dnp/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/08/switched-on-big-kindle-on-campus-dnp/
But say I get a 50% discount on books vs. their print editions (which I think is a little optimistic at this point). It's still not worth it, because as it is, I never spend more than $50 for the use of a textbook. Buy used--about 75% of the time I can sell it for the price I paid when the term is over. If the edition has changed, I'm probably out of pocket $50.

Nevertheless, I do use PDF versions of my textbooks as a supplement (Ctrl+F is a lifesaver in a 2000-page text). But I wouldn't want to read a textbook for prolonged periods on e-ink displays, at their current state.

No doubt, further in the future, electronic textbooks will be the way to go. Until: (a) the quality of e-ink displays improves, and (b) the pricing of the reader and books settles, I can't see this being widely adopted on campus. Yet. But give it time--Tablet PCs didn't catch on for years, but when the technology caught up, it spread like wildfire. I have perhaps two professors this term that don't use one.]]>May 8th 2009 6:36PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/05/08/switched-on-big-kindle-on-campus-dnp/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/08/switched-on-big-kindle-on-campus-dnp/
I hope their native PDF reader fixes another problem. With my kindle 2, if I'm reading a book and it says "see page 50 of this book..." I have no idea of knowing where the book's page 50 is on my kindle. When you're a college student, the teacher is constantly saying turn to page 200. So unless you can jump to a specific page within the kindle that matches the same hardcopy page everyone else is reading, I would never buy this device.]]>May 8th 2009 6:45PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/05/08/switched-on-big-kindle-on-campus-dnp/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/08/switched-on-big-kindle-on-campus-dnp/Also many college students buy used books from their senior also.

With the kindle you don't get to buy or sell used books, unless you somehow "sell" someone your account.]]>May 8th 2009 7:41PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/05/08/switched-on-big-kindle-on-campus-dnp/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/08/switched-on-big-kindle-on-campus-dnp/
Being able to pull out a text whenever necessary and refresh yourself is essential in science and engineering. This is why the 'rental' model proposed in the post will never, ever catch on in these fields. Paradoxically, these exact areas of study contain the students (and professors, and professionals in industry!) that are the most tech savvy and would love a properly implemented e-textbook library. Medicine would probably also be clamoring for such a library. However "properly implemented" implies a few essential criteria must be met including:

1) No DRM. Period. End of story. If my books are calling back to a central server before I am granted the ability to see the sacred text within, you have a zero percent chance of getting my $$. If I can't take them and put them on ANY other device, same - see below. You're competing with print, and print never locks itself up and refuses to work anymore because you went out of business.
2) Open format. This somewhat implies #1 but there are a few misguided attempts at making an open source DRM library out there, so I present it separately. The reasoning is simple: whatever reader I'm using may well die tomorrow or in 10+ years. I must be able to load in these books to its replacement (which may or may not be sourced from Amazon; Amazon may not even exist then!). Think MP3 and CD, not Apple-sourced m4a & Blu-ray in this regard. Tying our culture to corporations is already dangerous (and has been proven so); tying scientific learning to corporations is suicide and will never be tolerated.
3) Ability to save and export annotations made. There are a bunch of cool things that would be possible here; some are and some aren't yet implemented. Again there needs to be a properly open spec for this.

To meet #2 and #3 there needs to be some serious work done and few standards created. I do not think this is a comprehensive list, but any comprehensive list of requirements will absolutely require these standards. References in these fields are critical to everyday work, and their importance cannot be understated. I COULD be significantly more productive if there was such a device/e-library I could use. But unless or until it comes along, those of us in these fields that could benefit the most will continue to shun these halfhearted attempts at making something usable. ]]>May 8th 2009 7:45PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/05/08/switched-on-big-kindle-on-campus-dnp/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/08/switched-on-big-kindle-on-campus-dnp/May 9th 2009 12:09AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/05/08/switched-on-big-kindle-on-campus-dnp/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/08/switched-on-big-kindle-on-campus-dnp/May 8th 2009 5:26PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/05/08/switched-on-big-kindle-on-campus-dnp/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/08/switched-on-big-kindle-on-campus-dnp/A reading device should not cost more than the available netbooks.
]]>May 8th 2009 8:52PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/05/08/switched-on-big-kindle-on-campus-dnp/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/08/switched-on-big-kindle-on-campus-dnp/May 8th 2009 5:39PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/05/08/switched-on-big-kindle-on-campus-dnp/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/08/switched-on-big-kindle-on-campus-dnp/
Would the textbook publishers rather sell a $100 book that has be be printed, bound, shipped and use paper... VS. a $50 e-book that can be simply sent digitally to a device?

Now think of the printing costs of 10,000 books... VS. sending 10,000 digital copies to devices.

The answer seems clear to me. The costs they save from not having to physically create and ship each book can be easily made up by the fact that they can sell unlimited copies even if they sell it for less.

But the publishers will probably find some way to mess this up....

]]>May 8th 2009 6:05PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/05/08/switched-on-big-kindle-on-campus-dnp/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/08/switched-on-big-kindle-on-campus-dnp/
The publishers won't let their material go so cheaply. They'll always print physical texts. Let's say that Kindle popularity explodes and 25% of students download their books. The publishers won't save 25% on printing costs; the savings will in fact be nominal, based on printing volume / price ratios. An example: setting up a press to print 1,000 business cards might run you $1,000. However, printing 10,000 business cards may cost you $1,300. The more you print, the more you save. Usually.

Anyway, blah blah blah, I'm just pointing out that it will be a long, long time before publishers would realize a cost savings in diminished physical production vs. electronic distribution. ]]>May 8th 2009 6:27PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/05/08/switched-on-big-kindle-on-campus-dnp/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/08/switched-on-big-kindle-on-campus-dnp/
Then the universities will want to increase tuition to replace their lost revenue stream...]]>May 8th 2009 6:40PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/05/08/switched-on-big-kindle-on-campus-dnp/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/08/switched-on-big-kindle-on-campus-dnp/
Rats... I thought digital delivery would save them money. I guess I was wrong. :(]]>May 8th 2009 7:23PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/05/08/switched-on-big-kindle-on-campus-dnp/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/08/switched-on-big-kindle-on-campus-dnp/(Not that I know they make books out of redwoods.)]]>May 8th 2009 9:41PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/05/08/switched-on-big-kindle-on-campus-dnp/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/08/switched-on-big-kindle-on-campus-dnp/]]>May 8th 2009 10:44PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/05/08/switched-on-big-kindle-on-campus-dnp/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/08/switched-on-big-kindle-on-campus-dnp/http://www.mindviewinc.com/Books/).]]>May 9th 2009 11:27PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/05/08/switched-on-big-kindle-on-campus-dnp/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/08/switched-on-big-kindle-on-campus-dnp/May 8th 2009 5:41PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/05/08/switched-on-big-kindle-on-campus-dnp/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/08/switched-on-big-kindle-on-campus-dnp//sarcasm]]>May 8th 2009 5:42PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/05/08/switched-on-big-kindle-on-campus-dnp/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/08/switched-on-big-kindle-on-campus-dnp/May 8th 2009 5:47PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/05/08/switched-on-big-kindle-on-campus-dnp/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/08/switched-on-big-kindle-on-campus-dnp/May 8th 2009 6:02PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/05/08/switched-on-big-kindle-on-campus-dnp/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/08/switched-on-big-kindle-on-campus-dnp/May 8th 2009 7:14PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/05/08/switched-on-big-kindle-on-campus-dnp/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/08/switched-on-big-kindle-on-campus-dnp/May 8th 2009 5:47PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/05/08/switched-on-big-kindle-on-campus-dnp/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/08/switched-on-big-kindle-on-campus-dnp/May 8th 2009 5:57PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/05/08/switched-on-big-kindle-on-campus-dnp/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/08/switched-on-big-kindle-on-campus-dnp/May 8th 2009 6:42PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/05/08/switched-on-big-kindle-on-campus-dnp/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/08/switched-on-big-kindle-on-campus-dnp/
Either way I don't see Kindle 2 taking over the college market in it's current state. Beyond color and the ability to flip from page 1 to 50 to 30 to 80 in a second, one thing that sticks out to me is the ability to "photocopy" or print a page (It doesn't sound like it has this function). Even if it has a print function, I'd be rather annoyed to have to track down a compatible computer vs a photocopy machine, which are everywhere on college campuses. I think this would be a nice feature because college (or in fact any) library could "check out" digital media; in fact most if not all do so already. The ability to check out a library book and plop it on the Kindle 2 and than make photocopies of relevant pages, now that would be handy.

But one thing the Kindle 2 can probably defeat now in colleges: Readers
(I'm referring to lecture materials like short passages or a chapter of a book that professors compile together for students)]]>May 8th 2009 8:12PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/05/08/switched-on-big-kindle-on-campus-dnp/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/08/switched-on-big-kindle-on-campus-dnp/May 8th 2009 6:07PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/05/08/switched-on-big-kindle-on-campus-dnp/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/08/switched-on-big-kindle-on-campus-dnp/
But you chose to read it, and comment on it.

Double fail?]]>May 8th 2009 6:14PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/05/08/switched-on-big-kindle-on-campus-dnp/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/08/switched-on-big-kindle-on-campus-dnp/May 8th 2009 6:28PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/05/08/switched-on-big-kindle-on-campus-dnp/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/08/switched-on-big-kindle-on-campus-dnp/
@Michael Scrip you are offtopic. ]]>May 8th 2009 6:45PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/05/08/switched-on-big-kindle-on-campus-dnp/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/08/switched-on-big-kindle-on-campus-dnp/
So far, you have said the following:

>> "I'm the only one tired with this kindle thing?!"
>> "i still don't get it why i need to pay 500$ for a thing that has so many limitations."

It sounds like you don't need an e-book reader. So move along.]]>May 8th 2009 7:20PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/05/08/switched-on-big-kindle-on-campus-dnp/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/08/switched-on-big-kindle-on-campus-dnp/
I hate reading on a computer screen.

I would never dream of wasting all this paper and expensive toner/ink to print this crap.

I already placed my order for this Kindle, despite buying a Kindle 2, because frankly, the larger screen + native pdf support is exactly why I wanted a e reader in the first place. I've really enjoyed my kindle 2 for casual reading anyway, and the Sony PRS-505 I had before it was almost awesome for the PDF reading, it was just... slightly too small. Sadly the lack of true PDF support on the Kindle 2 had me almost giving up on ever finding a balance between a well supported casual device and a useful work-oriented device.

Right now, nothing beats the Kindle DX for price/value for my particular needs. The best secondary offerings are hundreds of dollars more money and have pitiful software and little to no commercial publisher backing for sourcing actual books.

So while everyone's focused on mass market appeal, I don't care, I'm happy this thing's coming to market and had zero trouble plopping down $530 (can't forego the cover) for this.

Oh yeah. Since this is a business expense, it's tax deductible like all of my other equipment.]]>May 8th 2009 6:12PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/05/08/switched-on-big-kindle-on-campus-dnp/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/08/switched-on-big-kindle-on-campus-dnp/May 8th 2009 6:30PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/05/08/switched-on-big-kindle-on-campus-dnp/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/08/switched-on-big-kindle-on-campus-dnp/
though, I'm still holding out for the plastic logic...seems like amazon knew people really wanted a larger screen with native pdf support...not sure why the heck that took so long (pdf, I mean)]]>May 8th 2009 7:55PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/05/08/switched-on-big-kindle-on-campus-dnp/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/08/switched-on-big-kindle-on-campus-dnp/Also if the Kindle is not powerful enough to handle big pdf ( like a 5-10 Mb file), I will not put my money in it.
]]>May 9th 2009 12:12AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/05/08/switched-on-big-kindle-on-campus-dnp/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/08/switched-on-big-kindle-on-campus-dnp/May 9th 2009 12:28AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/05/08/switched-on-big-kindle-on-campus-dnp/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/08/switched-on-big-kindle-on-campus-dnp/May 9th 2009 12:30AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/05/08/switched-on-big-kindle-on-campus-dnp/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/08/switched-on-big-kindle-on-campus-dnp/And another thing that bugs me is the lack of a SD slot. I would have to connect it to my computer every time I want to transfer a file (and I guess the Kindle will start charging every time). The other option would be to use their wireless network and pay for the transfer.
I will wait for a hands on review of the final product.]]>May 9th 2009 1:40AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/05/08/switched-on-big-kindle-on-campus-dnp/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/08/switched-on-big-kindle-on-campus-dnp/May 8th 2009 6:19PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/05/08/switched-on-big-kindle-on-campus-dnp/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/08/switched-on-big-kindle-on-campus-dnp/May 8th 2009 6:43PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/05/08/switched-on-big-kindle-on-campus-dnp/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/08/switched-on-big-kindle-on-campus-dnp/May 8th 2009 6:47PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/05/08/switched-on-big-kindle-on-campus-dnp/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/08/switched-on-big-kindle-on-campus-dnp/May 8th 2009 7:56PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/05/08/switched-on-big-kindle-on-campus-dnp/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/08/switched-on-big-kindle-on-campus-dnp/
]]>May 8th 2009 6:58PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/05/08/switched-on-big-kindle-on-campus-dnp/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/08/switched-on-big-kindle-on-campus-dnp/May 9th 2009 7:09AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/05/08/switched-on-big-kindle-on-campus-dnp/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/08/switched-on-big-kindle-on-campus-dnp/
And then they'll have the gall to say that they're "educating America." Please. The textbook industry is one of the biggest frauds this nation has ever seen. ]]>May 8th 2009 9:26PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/05/08/switched-on-big-kindle-on-campus-dnp/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/08/switched-on-big-kindle-on-campus-dnp/
This of course assumes that a textbook, especially for sciences and math are even usable on an e-reader.]]>May 8th 2009 9:28PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/05/08/switched-on-big-kindle-on-campus-dnp/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/08/switched-on-big-kindle-on-campus-dnp/May 8th 2009 9:39PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/05/08/switched-on-big-kindle-on-campus-dnp/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/08/switched-on-big-kindle-on-campus-dnp/
The ONLY way it will fly for texts though is if the costs come down enough to make it worthwhile, and not just to the pre-med students, but even your run-of-the-mill A.A.S.-seeking community college students. Otherwise, there just isn't enough demand. If only half of the student's books are available digitally, it's not worth it.]]>May 8th 2009 9:39PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/05/08/switched-on-big-kindle-on-campus-dnp/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/08/switched-on-big-kindle-on-campus-dnp/
The hardware is too limited. When touch screens and color come out, a worthy browser, (screw it..just think ipod touch Kindle) then perhaps it might be worthwhile to use in this manner.

For now, if you want to read normal books, then the Kindle is a winner. It's the only thing it does well. ]]>May 9th 2009 3:41AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/05/08/switched-on-big-kindle-on-campus-dnp/http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/08/switched-on-big-kindle-on-campus-dnp/
A cheap tablet PC or a large version of the iPod touch would be better than the Kindle DX, considering the price. Might strain the eyes of some, but I have read a couple of books on the iPod touch Kindle. I prefer color over black-and-white e-ink so I can at least read some magazines, photography books, and even software development books (screenshots as shown on this device probably aren't that nice?).

Just make this device cheaper. And make the content cheaper. Most of us don't need Whispernet. WiFi and plain USB connections are adequate. I can surely wait till I get home or somewhere with a WiFi connection before purchasing a book! And my biggest gripe regarding those Kindle books I read on the iPod is I actually saw the paperback versions for sale at a cheaper price at the local bookstore compared to what I paid for those Kindle versions (few days after I finished reading the books)!]]>May 9th 2009 6:04AM