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The Kindle – Amazon E-book Reader
Paul Rodgers asked:
The battle of the giants, Sony eBook Reader and Amazon Kindle is fierce. The Kindle reader is now available from Amazon. Amazon Kindle is a revolutionary portable reader that wirelessly downloads books, newspapers, magazines and blogs to a crisp, high-resolution electronic paper display that looks and reads like real paper, even in bright sunlight. But overall the most important development in the Kindle reader is that it is going to break the stereotype that eBooks are not usable and convenient like normal books. Actually, Amazon’s Kindle reader is an excellent product and a person can simply order books directly through the device without integrating with a PC or other wireless device – the Kindle has its own wireless connection that operates in the background.
Kindle’s mission statement is to eliminate the need for hard copy documents, by providing you with a all-in-one reference source. Kindle is the first ebook reader with its own cellular wireless connection to let you get new books anytime, almost anywhere when the mood strikes. Kindle has a standard-layout keyboard that makes it possible for users to search the Kindle Store, their entire library of purchased content, and Wikipedia. Kindle simply plays MP3 files in random order as background music without any user control over the order of play. Kindle holds over 200 titles and Kindle does not use WiFi, but EVDO like cell phones. Kindle has no monthly wireless bills, service plans, or commitments.
Amazon pays for Kindle’s wireless connectivity so you will never see a monthly wireless bill for shopping the Kindle Store. Using the same 3G network as advanced cell phones, we deliver your content using our own wireless delivery system, Amazon Whispernet. Amazon has complied with Linux licensing by making its modified source code freely available. But whether you choose to jump aboard now or later, Amazon’s entry into the eBook market is a BIG deal — it forever changes the game.
The same Amazon shopping experience customers are accustomed to is offered in the Kindle Store, including customer reviews, personalized recommendations, Click purchasing, and everyday low prices. The email service supports several formats of open-source books as well as Microsoft Word but not PDFs and text-based, but not image-based PDFs.
1- Amazon has actually out-Appled Apple in ease-of-use. Like the iPhone, Kindle lets you buy media-books and periodicals, in this case – without your PC.
2- Amazon’s $9.99-and-under book pricing means book fans can buy more books. They can look up words in a dictionary, Wikipedia or on the Web right from the device.
3- Amazon already sells books. The company long ago figured out the complexities of online book distribution and most book buyers already trust Amazon.
In many ways, the Amazon Kindle is the ultimate ebook reader, but to see just how far that statement holds true, you will just have to try it for yourself. Recommendation: If you typically carry a large stack of books with you or travel semi-regularly, the Amazon Kindle is a no-brainer. The Amazon kindle is definitely a fantastic selection and can definitely be upgraded.
The Amazon Kindle is the first ebook reader that I have truly loved. The Kindle is a game-changing revolution in buying, reading, managing and using electronic books and other content. It’s also the hottest holiday gift you can buy this year for anyone who loves to read.
The battle of the giants, Sony eBook Reader and Amazon Kindle is fierce. The Kindle reader is now available from Amazon. Amazon Kindle is a revolutionary portable reader that wirelessly downloads books, newspapers, magazines and blogs to a crisp, high-resolution electronic paper display that looks and reads like real paper, even in bright sunlight. But overall the most important development in the Kindle reader is that it is going to break the stereotype that eBooks are not usable and convenient like normal books. Actually, Amazon’s Kindle reader is an excellent product and a person can simply order books directly through the device without integrating with a PC or other wireless device – the Kindle has its own wireless connection that operates in the background.
Kindle’s mission statement is to eliminate the need for hard copy documents, by providing you with a all-in-one reference source. Kindle is the first ebook reader with its own cellular wireless connection to let you get new books anytime, almost anywhere when the mood strikes. Kindle has a standard-layout keyboard that makes it possible for users to search the Kindle Store, their entire library of purchased content, and Wikipedia. Kindle simply plays MP3 files in random order as background music without any user control over the order of play. Kindle holds over 200 titles and Kindle does not use WiFi, but EVDO like cell phones. Kindle has no monthly wireless bills, service plans, or commitments.
Amazon pays for Kindle’s wireless connectivity so you will never see a monthly wireless bill for shopping the Kindle Store. Using the same 3G network as advanced cell phones, we deliver your content using our own wireless delivery system, Amazon Whispernet. Amazon has complied with Linux licensing by making its modified source code freely available. But whether you choose to jump aboard now or later, Amazon’s entry into the eBook market is a BIG deal — it forever changes the game.
The same Amazon shopping experience customers are accustomed to is offered in the Kindle Store, including customer reviews, personalized recommendations, Click purchasing, and everyday low prices. The email service supports several formats of open-source books as well as Microsoft Word but not PDFs and text-based, but not image-based PDFs.
1- Amazon has actually out-Appled Apple in ease-of-use. Like the iPhone, Kindle lets you buy media-books and periodicals, in this case – without your PC.
2- Amazon’s $9.99-and-under book pricing means book fans can buy more books. They can look up words in a dictionary, Wikipedia or on the Web right from the device.
3- Amazon already sells books. The company long ago figured out the complexities of online book distribution and most book buyers already trust Amazon.
In many ways, the Amazon Kindle is the ultimate ebook reader, but to see just how far that statement holds true, you will just have to try it for yourself. Recommendation: If you typically carry a large stack of books with you or travel semi-regularly, the Amazon Kindle is a no-brainer. The Amazon kindle is definitely a fantastic selection and can definitely be upgraded.
The Amazon Kindle is the first ebook reader that I have truly loved. The Kindle is a game-changing revolution in buying, reading, managing and using electronic books and other content. It’s also the hottest holiday gift you can buy this year for anyone who loves to read.
Will the Amazon Kindle be a Success?
Dave Simpson asked:
In 2001 Apple launched the iPod. Why bother, everyone said, there were already hundreds of different digital music players at the time and most people dismissed the idea out of hand. Three hundred and ninety-nine dollars for a music player? Too expensive. No FM radio or a microphone. It will never catch on. Well, as we know now, it turns out they were wrong on all counts – and how. Apple shares were $9.51 the day before the launch – today they are around $160. But enough of the history lesson. Here are five reasons why the Kindle is the next must-have gadget akin to the iPod or PSP.
1. It actually addresses a real problem
Who needs to carry 80 books around with them? Well, I don’t, and I’m sure most of you don’t either. What about a thousand – now you’re just being silly! Sony’s failed e-book reader boasted enough memory to carry around a small, or even medium sized library. Great if you’re a professor who needs to reference his life work while on the move, but just a bit over the top for most of us. Me, well I just want to read one book at a time. Still, that doesn’t mean to say that when I finish my book I always go to sleep – sometimes I want to read another. Sometimes I’m in the mood for something different to the book I just finished. Sometimes it was even so good that I want to read something else by the same author. Well, Kindle is the first ebook reader with its own cellular wireless connection that lets you get new books anytime, almost anywhere whenever you like. It’s not wifi so you don’t need to find hot spots — it’s like a cell phone. Magazines and newspapers – no problem, your digital paperboy will deliver them fresh to your (digital) doorstep in an instant.
2. It has a ready made library of good quality cheap material
Any new gadget will ultimately fail or succeed on the fuel that drives it – content! Well, with Amazon throwing its weight firmly behind the Kindle, you needn’t worry about the availablility of material. Until now, some ebook readers have failed miserably in this vital aspect with narrow choices of material, and downloads often costing more than their traditional paperback equivalents. Kindle scores on price – most of its material costs around 10 bucks and many are less – this is cheaper than a normal book. Wait, I hear you cry, but the cellular wireless connection must cost a fortune. Nope – its included in the price of the device and the downloads. Sp, what about periodicals? Big savings are to be had here as well as publishers throw themselves onto the digital bandwagon. A year of the Wall Street Journal in print is $249 versus $9.99 a month ($120 a year) via Kindle – and you can still read it in the loo!
Getting your own documents onto the Kindle can be done via email but this does, admittedly incur an extra charge, although it is just 10 cents a go. The email service supports several formats of open-source books as well as Microsoft Word and text-based, the only real omission that I would like to have seen included is PDF support. No doubt this will be forthcoming, and there are workarounds available in any case
3. Jeff Bezos is a proven visionary
Ok, its not a rock solid guarantee of success bit just look at the guys track record. First he built his online superstore beating out thousands of more established competitors – anyone not heard of Amazon here – I thought so. Amazon.com got so many things right, including the important focus on reader reviews, cheap shipping and giant selection. I’d put my money on him to make this to a success.
4. Its smart and well designed
As I’ve pointed out its packed with gadgets like free wireless cell connection a real keyboard to let you search in a book or document, page turning buttons on both sides of the screen – Ned Flanders will definitely be stocking these in the Leftorium. But another major decision will also help Kindle take off. It’s not hanging off your computer. You don’t need to sync it with a computer. Purchases are backed up online by Amazon so you can delete and recover any book you bought. Basically, it does everything it was designed to do in a simple elegant manner – remind anyone of a certain MP3 player?
5. It’s cool
There are potentially millions of consumers who will buy Kindle for this very reason. Just like PSP’s, IPods and IPhones before it – the take up of the next cool gadget is normally a huge success if the distributors get it right, and when it come to product distribution Amazon rarely fail. If you still don’t believe me, go and watch the video on this website. This is a nifty gizmo that elegantly solves real problems for consumers.
In 2001 Apple launched the iPod. Why bother, everyone said, there were already hundreds of different digital music players at the time and most people dismissed the idea out of hand. Three hundred and ninety-nine dollars for a music player? Too expensive. No FM radio or a microphone. It will never catch on. Well, as we know now, it turns out they were wrong on all counts – and how. Apple shares were $9.51 the day before the launch – today they are around $160. But enough of the history lesson. Here are five reasons why the Kindle is the next must-have gadget akin to the iPod or PSP.
1. It actually addresses a real problem
Who needs to carry 80 books around with them? Well, I don’t, and I’m sure most of you don’t either. What about a thousand – now you’re just being silly! Sony’s failed e-book reader boasted enough memory to carry around a small, or even medium sized library. Great if you’re a professor who needs to reference his life work while on the move, but just a bit over the top for most of us. Me, well I just want to read one book at a time. Still, that doesn’t mean to say that when I finish my book I always go to sleep – sometimes I want to read another. Sometimes I’m in the mood for something different to the book I just finished. Sometimes it was even so good that I want to read something else by the same author. Well, Kindle is the first ebook reader with its own cellular wireless connection that lets you get new books anytime, almost anywhere whenever you like. It’s not wifi so you don’t need to find hot spots — it’s like a cell phone. Magazines and newspapers – no problem, your digital paperboy will deliver them fresh to your (digital) doorstep in an instant.
2. It has a ready made library of good quality cheap material
Any new gadget will ultimately fail or succeed on the fuel that drives it – content! Well, with Amazon throwing its weight firmly behind the Kindle, you needn’t worry about the availablility of material. Until now, some ebook readers have failed miserably in this vital aspect with narrow choices of material, and downloads often costing more than their traditional paperback equivalents. Kindle scores on price – most of its material costs around 10 bucks and many are less – this is cheaper than a normal book. Wait, I hear you cry, but the cellular wireless connection must cost a fortune. Nope – its included in the price of the device and the downloads. Sp, what about periodicals? Big savings are to be had here as well as publishers throw themselves onto the digital bandwagon. A year of the Wall Street Journal in print is $249 versus $9.99 a month ($120 a year) via Kindle – and you can still read it in the loo!
Getting your own documents onto the Kindle can be done via email but this does, admittedly incur an extra charge, although it is just 10 cents a go. The email service supports several formats of open-source books as well as Microsoft Word and text-based, the only real omission that I would like to have seen included is PDF support. No doubt this will be forthcoming, and there are workarounds available in any case
3. Jeff Bezos is a proven visionary
Ok, its not a rock solid guarantee of success bit just look at the guys track record. First he built his online superstore beating out thousands of more established competitors – anyone not heard of Amazon here – I thought so. Amazon.com got so many things right, including the important focus on reader reviews, cheap shipping and giant selection. I’d put my money on him to make this to a success.
4. Its smart and well designed
As I’ve pointed out its packed with gadgets like free wireless cell connection a real keyboard to let you search in a book or document, page turning buttons on both sides of the screen – Ned Flanders will definitely be stocking these in the Leftorium. But another major decision will also help Kindle take off. It’s not hanging off your computer. You don’t need to sync it with a computer. Purchases are backed up online by Amazon so you can delete and recover any book you bought. Basically, it does everything it was designed to do in a simple elegant manner – remind anyone of a certain MP3 player?
5. It’s cool
There are potentially millions of consumers who will buy Kindle for this very reason. Just like PSP’s, IPods and IPhones before it – the take up of the next cool gadget is normally a huge success if the distributors get it right, and when it come to product distribution Amazon rarely fail. If you still don’t believe me, go and watch the video on this website. This is a nifty gizmo that elegantly solves real problems for consumers.
Amazon Kindle eBook Reader May Need Redesigning To Catch On
Chris Crowe asked:
The Amazon Kindle, Amazon’s foray into hand held e-book reading devices, was released in November. The reader splashed onto the scene with a cover photo on Newsweek and Amazon hoped the Kindle would do for digital-reading-on-the-go what the ipod did for digital music. That is, make it a viable concept and business, replete with enthusiastic users.
However, there’s not a whole lot of evangelizing going on around the Kindle.
Some people appreciate the palm-sized smallness of the Kindle, while others deride its small keyboard and awkwardly designed casing. The opinions are mixed and there are plenty of them.
Once you have the Kindle, you can visit Amazon’s e-book store, where you can purchase brand new books for $9.99, which is a discount from what new hardcovers generally cost. Even though in this proposition you don’t end up owning a tangible tree-made book, you get to enjoy the reading of it. But that brings up a principal issue for e-book readers.
Do people want to read books the same way they read blogs and news stories, via a computer screen? A lot of the issues that people have had with the Kindle–that’s it’s ugly, that the black and white screen isn’t up to par, that the keyboard and scroll wheel aren’t that well designed, and that it’s too expensive–may stem from the fact that reading books on the Kindle e-book reader is not the same as reading a paper-bound book. The experience is not the same.
You get the information, but part of the joy is stripped from the experience. Another issue is that we expect a lot out of our hand held devices these days. The iphone has set a new standard–and that’s a phone.
An e-book reader should have a high degree of interactivity with other Kindle owners that are friends. It should look as advanced and appealing as an iphone. It should be able to do most of what a high-tech cell phone can do in addition to the e-book reading functionality. It seems like it does too little if you can’t use it to access maps, the yellow pages, and search engines. For $399, it should do some of these things. At the very least, you should be able to do Internet searches.
Computers have become so intertwined in our work and personal lives, that it seems logical that an e-book reader would be the next step. And maybe it is. But it shouldn’t just be an e-book reader. It should be an e-book reader and a cell phone. I think the Kindle’s designers misread the psychology of an e-book reader.
It’s not bibliophiles who will be using this thing. It’s the geek who wants his hand-held device to do more for him than he expects, and that he can wow his friends who don’t have one.
Surprisingly or unsurprisingly, the Amazon Kindle is sold out. Or at least that’s what it says on Amazon.
The Kindle makes sense on paper. But that’s the problem.
The Amazon Kindle, Amazon’s foray into hand held e-book reading devices, was released in November. The reader splashed onto the scene with a cover photo on Newsweek and Amazon hoped the Kindle would do for digital-reading-on-the-go what the ipod did for digital music. That is, make it a viable concept and business, replete with enthusiastic users.
However, there’s not a whole lot of evangelizing going on around the Kindle.
Some people appreciate the palm-sized smallness of the Kindle, while others deride its small keyboard and awkwardly designed casing. The opinions are mixed and there are plenty of them.
Once you have the Kindle, you can visit Amazon’s e-book store, where you can purchase brand new books for $9.99, which is a discount from what new hardcovers generally cost. Even though in this proposition you don’t end up owning a tangible tree-made book, you get to enjoy the reading of it. But that brings up a principal issue for e-book readers.
Do people want to read books the same way they read blogs and news stories, via a computer screen? A lot of the issues that people have had with the Kindle–that’s it’s ugly, that the black and white screen isn’t up to par, that the keyboard and scroll wheel aren’t that well designed, and that it’s too expensive–may stem from the fact that reading books on the Kindle e-book reader is not the same as reading a paper-bound book. The experience is not the same.
You get the information, but part of the joy is stripped from the experience. Another issue is that we expect a lot out of our hand held devices these days. The iphone has set a new standard–and that’s a phone.
An e-book reader should have a high degree of interactivity with other Kindle owners that are friends. It should look as advanced and appealing as an iphone. It should be able to do most of what a high-tech cell phone can do in addition to the e-book reading functionality. It seems like it does too little if you can’t use it to access maps, the yellow pages, and search engines. For $399, it should do some of these things. At the very least, you should be able to do Internet searches.
Computers have become so intertwined in our work and personal lives, that it seems logical that an e-book reader would be the next step. And maybe it is. But it shouldn’t just be an e-book reader. It should be an e-book reader and a cell phone. I think the Kindle’s designers misread the psychology of an e-book reader.
It’s not bibliophiles who will be using this thing. It’s the geek who wants his hand-held device to do more for him than he expects, and that he can wow his friends who don’t have one.
Surprisingly or unsurprisingly, the Amazon Kindle is sold out. Or at least that’s what it says on Amazon.
The Kindle makes sense on paper. But that’s the problem.
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