Amazon.com created the idea of the ebook reader back in 2007. They called it Kindle.
Since 2007, things have really taken off. The popularity of the original Kindle has spawned competition from several fairly unknown brands, but also some known ones like Sony and Barnes & Noble (with the Nook). Amazon, for it’s part, has released the Kindle DX, the Kindle 2, and Kindle for the Iphone.
I recently decided to buy a Kindle 2, so I thought I’d share my thoughts.
The Technology
The Kindle is extremely thin and light. The screen is unique. It uses an electronic paper screen. The e-paper technology is specifically designed to look like paper – and it does. Reading on the Kindle is very similar to reading a paperback book.
E-paper technology uses essentially no power. Unlike an LCD, it does not radiate it’s own light. Essentially, it works by having small pigment particles placed in between two plates. The charge between the plates is altered so as to make the particles stick to one plate or the other. Depending on the plate they stick to, the user will either see black or white. The advantage of the technology is very low power consumption and being easy on the eyes. The disadvantage is that the technology has a low refresh rate, so the screen couldn’t be used for fast moving applications. Even switching between pages of a book on the Kindle has a small, momentary fade transition as the screen redraws.
The Kindle uses Sprint’s EVDO network to connect to Amazon via what they called Amazon Wispernet. The network is used to transfer books to the Kindle and browse the Amazon store from the Kindle from anywhere. There is no cost to the user for this connection. I’m assuming Sprint gets a cut of all purchases. If not in the United States (and if using an international Kindle), you would be using AT&T.
The Kindle also has a QWERTY keyboard, plus buttons for book navigation. The keyboard is a little clunky to use. The joystick for navigating the store is acceptable. Overall, the Kindle is easy to read on, but other operations take a little getting used to. The Kindle certainly isn’t a computer. Sometimes I wish it were as easy to use as my Iphone, but that’s just not the case.
The device hooks into the computer via USB. You can charge it via USB or the included charger. Once charged, it will last about a week with wireless ON. So, the battery life is stellar.
Reading On The Kindle
I really enjoy reading on the Kindle. The display is very easy to read. After a short time, you forget you are reading on an electronic device.
One of the things I like about the Kindle, too, is the way you can highlight sections of a book and take notes. Then, you can easily view all your highlights and notes on one screen and jump to different sections of the book.
When you leave a book or put the Kindle to sleep, it remembers exactly where you were in the book.
You can also use the Kindle to read newspapers, blogs and magazines. You are limited to what’s in the Amazon library, and there is a small cost associated with it. Plus, the magazines are stripped down for readability on the Kindle. For example, I am subscribed to PC Magazine on the Kindle and I don’t get any of the images, ads, or any of the other stuff which makes it look like a magazine. Just the meat of the content.
So, What’s The Point?
It is a natural question I’m sure many would ask. Why bother with a device like this when you can just read a book, right?
The target audience for an ebook reader like this are people who read a lot. In my case, I decided to begin reading a lot more business books. When reading in volume, you will save money. The average Kindle book is $9.99 at Amazon.com, whereas many times the print version will cost you $20-$30 or more. So, in volume, the Kindle will represent a cost savings.
On top of that, you have your library in a small, convenient package. The Kindle can hold roughly 1,500 books. That’s one hell of a library to be hauling around with you, yet the Kindle is like hauling around a tiny notebook.
The Price
When I first mentioned the price of the Kindle to Rich, he immediately thought it was too high. And he has a point.
I bought the Kindle 2 for $269. But, consider this…
The Kindle is useless unless you buy books from Amazon. With the average Kindle book costing $9.99, the Kindle is essentially a huge lead generator for Amazon. If you get a Kindle, you KNOW you’ll be buying stuff from Amazon. The new Kindle 2 is natively PDF compatible, so you can read PDFs on it. Otherwise, though, you are forced into using the proprietary Kindle format (which you can only get from Amazon).
With this in mind, a very sound argument could be made that the Kindle should be much cheaper. Clearly, Amazon will make a bunch on followup sales from you. Rich said he wouldn’t pay any more than $100 for the Kindle and I can see his point.
Final Thoughts
Overall, I’m really pleased with the Kindle. As I write this review, I’ve had the device for about 2 weeks and I can honestly say that I think I’ve used it almost every day since I’ve owned it. I’m reading a lot more.
Ideally, the device would be cheaper than it is. The technology, though, is sound. I have not been able to compare it to the competition, but Kindle was the original and it has access to Amazon’s extremely large library. So, if you’re in the market for an ebook reader, I would highly recommend you consider the Amazon Kindle.
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Its just too bad you can’t get many books compared too all the books that are out there in paper…especially the more recent books.
The same applies to all the magazines that are out there. Also, some of the advertising in techie type magazines is actually useful.
Out of all the computer magazines out there, only one computer magazine is offered. You cant get CPU Magazine or Maximum PC for the Kindle. Below is a list of what you can get…its pretty limited. There is not one Apple or Linux related magazine in there. I don’t see one boating, photography, car magazine or golf magazine in there either which are some of my personal interests.
http://www.amazon.com/Magazines-Journals-Kindle/b/ref=amb_link_83686631_12?ie=UTF8&node=241646011&rank=salesrank&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=left-1&pf_rd_r=1ZSSWJJDPRSB3N5SEMW5&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=489800091&pf_rd_i=1263069011
If it were the case that the selection of books and magazines that is offered for the Kindle was closer to what you see in the bookstore, then I would consider purchasing one.
I have a visual impairment and cannot read regular-sized text. If the Kindle could be used that way–to enlarge text for visually-handicapped people, it would be a godsend.
The Kindle has a GREAT visual increase/decrease ability. It still has a somewhat small screen (thought the Kindle 2 is bigger), so the extent to which it can increase text is limited. But it definitely increases the font significantly. You should find someone who has one and test to it see if it is enough.
Actually, I downloaded the Beta Kindle for PC and loved it for the same reason. On my larger laptop screen I was able to radically increase the text size. It’s still missing the full functionality the Kindle itself gives, but I love it.
I reviewed it the Kindle for PC on my site, if you are interested.
http://hisfiction.com/2009/12/26/kindle-for-pc/
I like reading books and have thought about buying one of these. But was unsure what it would be like to read a book on one. Also how many books were available for it. Thanks for the post it answered a lot of my questions.
The text size on a Kindle can be changed. Hopefully large enough so you could use one. I found a link which describes how to change the text size but does not say which size is possible.
The new Kindles can read to you.
This video shows the relative text sizes.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VeLNwNV_iig
http://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=200127490&#textsize
Barnes & Noble also has an e-book reader called the Nook. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t_7HD9HnEWw The Nook has over one million titles compared to the Kindles 400,000 titles.
It’s normal for new devices to be priced more expensive than their true value when they first come out. A few months later, prices will drop significantly. So unless you really need one right now, right away, just wait for a while.