Comment

1. Amen! The device itself looks rather clunky. Aside from the fact that I like to read away from the computer and technology, I just couldn’t stand reading from this device. I think so much context is lost. Flipping pages easily to glance at illustrations or other sections (code samples) simply wouldn’t be as easy on this device.

   Did I mention it looks like it is from the 80s?

   · Nate Klaiber · 21/11/07 05:52 PM · #

2. I couldn’t agree more with both the post and Nate’s comment.

   I tried reading e-books on my Palm Zire a few years ago. Just couldn’t get into it.

   Sorry, Amazon… The Kindle isn’t going to revolutionize anything.

   · Brad Dielman · 22/11/07 12:44 AM · #

3. I agree . . . partially.

   For pleasure reading, no. I would never even consider it.

   However, I did take a look at it for holding my reference library. Mine is a crazy situation. The entire house and yard is my workspace. I would love to have something like this to hold my reference library so that I wasn’t constantly toting so many books back and forth.

   But, $400 + the cost of books I already have is way too much to pay.

   · Dana · 22/11/07 07:56 AM · #

4. This happens every few years. Kent has a building called the liquid crystal institute. When I was there they were developing the ebook and on of my profs was involved with the project and talked about it constantly. That was almost 10 years ago and it failed miserably too.

   · brad C · 24/11/07 06:48 AM · #

5. I’m excited that Amazon brought attention back to this kind of product. I would eventually purchase one for mass consumption reading (EG: Industry related/tech books) if it featured a “books on tape” mode that I could toggle to when mowing the lawn, driving, etc.

   My hope is that e-books would become instantly available to public libraries soon after hitting the market, with a built-in ‘expire’ date to protect the profits of the publishers.

   Apple is perfectly positioned to capture this market with iTunes/iPod/iPhone. They already throw the ‘read-it-aloud’ software utility onto every computer they produce for free. I have a very intelligent but semi-illiterate friend who has been using it to make his Mac “read” aloud to him for years…

   · Eric Wiley · 26/11/07 08:53 AM · #

6. But how replacing textbooks with this device? The whole textbook industry is a scam; it really was financially painful to buy even used textbooks.

   Public schools get hammered every so often when they have to by textbooks for the students, as taxpayers any option that would get the knowledge into the students’ hands that would be more cost effective should be embraced.

   And do you remember lugging that book bag across campus?

   While the Kindle may not replace the book, per se, I would suggest thinking of where it would be a good fit and lower the emotionals a little.

   · John Garrett · 05/12/07 08:39 PM · #

7. If you bought $400 worth of books, you’d have to store them, move them, and dispose of them. Also, you’d probably get less than 20 books for your $400; at $9.99 for most best sellers, you’d get 40 ebooks. And the Kindle’s payback is even better when you consider its “green” factor as well as savings you’d get on newspapers and magazines. And the content is much more accessible since you can search its content, look up words in the dictionary and on Wikipedia, and set the font size to the one you prefer.

   Yes, this is version 1.0, but it’s a good version. You can wait for better reader, but why?

   · Marie Flatley · 14/01/08 03:47 PM · #

8. @Marie: I think it’s really all just personal preference (isn’t it always?). I have no problem storing my books. I love my books. I love books!

   And what happens if I spill a glass of water on $400 worth of books or on a Kindle with $400 worth of ebooks? Unless it’s one hell of a glass of water, I think the books will fare much better.

   I guess if I bought everything new, I’d get more bang for my buck with the Kindle. But I don’t. Most of my book shopping is done at Half-Price Books, where you’d be amazed at how far $400 can go. They even take care of “disposing“ books for me, they buy back the ones I’m through with.

   As far as newspapers go, people still read those? :)

   ° brendan · 17/01/08 05:14 AM · #

9. After an initial burst in the media earlier this year, the Kindle has seemed to have dropped out of site. I’d love to see Apple come up with a competing device.

   · cane toad trap · 07/09/08 09:37 PM · #