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Kindle Who? Interest in Amazon Kindle wanes after Apple iPad unveiling

*LTD*

*LTD*

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Feb 5, 2009
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http://www.appleinsider.com/article...dle_wanes_following_apple_ipad_unveiling.html

Kindle Who? Interest in Amazon Kindle wanes after Apple iPad unveiling

By Katie Marsal
Published: 12:20 PM EST

While most who currently own an e-reader have a Kindle from Amazon, a new survey found that a majority of consumers who intend to buy an e-reader in the near future will opt instead for the Apple iPad.

ChangeWave recently conducted a survey of 3,171 consumers the week after Apple announced the iPad, and the results suggest that the forthcoming device is poised to make a huge splash in the e-reader market.

"In particular, while a handful of e-Reader manufacturers -- most prominently Amazon -- clearly have a major head start," ChangeWave said, "the survey findings show the iPad is poised to profoundly shake up this market."

Among those who plan to purchase an e-reader in the next 90 days, 40 percent said they will buy the Apple iPad. That's well ahead of the 28 percent who will opt for an Amazon Kindle, 6 percent for the Barnes & Noble Nook and 1 percent for a Sony Reader.

That would be a major change for the Kindle, which is currently the far-and-away market leader. The ChangeWave survey found that 68 percent of respondents who already own an e-reader have the Kindle, while just 10 percent have a Sony Reader.

"While the iPad launch is likely to strengthen overall e-Reader demand, the survey suggests Amazon and its competitors could well find themselves relegated to playing catch-up within just a few quarters if they don't preemptively move quickly to upgrade their own e-Reader products," the analysis firm surmised.

changewave-100305-1.png


In addition, among those who already own an e-reader, 27 percent said they would have bought an iPad if it were available at the time. Most -- 45 percent -- said they are content with their purchase, while 30 percent said they are unsure.

changewave-100305-2.png


A portion of the same survey was revealed last month by RBC Capital Markets analyst Mike Abramsky. Those findings showed that 13 percent of respondents are likely to purchase Apple's forthcoming iPad, which is a number larger than the 9 percent who planned to buy an iPhone before its launch in 2007.

One of the strongest assets for the iPad is its $499 starting price. While 28 percent of respondents in 2007 said the iPhone was too expensive, only 8 percent in 2010 said they would not buy the iPad based on its price. In addition, while 19 percent said they are interested in the $499, 16GB model, another 19 percent said they would opt for the high-end, $829, 64GB model with 3G.

Working against the iPad, in the eyes of respondents: lack of a camera, no support for Adobe Flash, and no multitasking. Most consumers also said they will use the iPad for a variety of functions, suggesting it will serve more as a netbook than an e-reader.

The study also found the iPad will also have an effect on sales of other Mac products: 25 percent of respondents said they will delay planned purchases of one or more Apple products due to the iPad. MacBook purchases will be delayed by 9 percent of respondents, while 10 percent were prospective iPhone buyers that will now postpone their purchase.

Apple on Friday announced that the Wi-Fi-only iPad will be available for purchase in the U.S. on April 3, and the company will begin taking reorders on March 12. The 3G-capable model is expected to arrive stateside at the end of April, and overseas markets will receive both the Wi-Fi and 3G models at the end of the month as well.
 
niuniu said:
Did any young people buy the Kindle? I always imagined it being bought by people on dial up from their rocking chairs.
Click to expand...

I've never seen one in public. Ever.

On the other hand, every other phone I see is an iPhone. There's no point in discussing the iPod Touch. because that's all you see anyway.

As far as the waning interest (whatever interest there was to begin with) in the Kindle goes, who didn't see this coming?
 
Waning interest? A bit biased there in the article based on the actual facts.

Look at the second chart.

If the iPad already existed, more people still would have chosen to get an e-reader.

The first chart just indicates that those that waited (12 percent of those that are currently shopping) are more likely to buy the iPad.

Well duh. The iPad does a lot more.

But at 28 percent based on a biased "in the next 90 days" when people have been holding off for the iPad pre-order - interest in the Kindle is far from surprising nor does it mean the Kindle is in any trouble. Yet.


But the Apple fans (and by fans I mean those that will defend/support Apple no matter what) will interpret this article/survey into whatever they want and ring the death knell for Kindle.

Funny to watch.
 
There will still be a market for the kindle.
1. it's $200 cheaper than the cheapest iPad
2. people that aren't tech savvy that just want to read books.
3. free wireless delivery of books
 
skubish said:
There will still be a market for the kindle.
1. it's $200 cheaper than the cheapest iPad
2. people that aren't tech savvy that just want to read books.
3. free wireless delivery of books
Click to expand...

It's too early to say either way. However, it still hasn't been shown that the e-book part of the iPad will be a better experience. Until people actually use it, there's no way of knowing. I think for people just wanting an e-book reader, the Kindle will still have a market. Only time will tell though.
 
skubish said:
There will still be a market for the kindle.
1. it's $200 cheaper than the cheapest iPad
2. people that aren't tech savvy that just want to read books.
3. free wireless delivery of books
Click to expand...

Exactly, people aren't going to want to pay $15 a month to get a book on the go, myself included.
 
jessica. said:
Exactly, people aren't going to want to pay $15 a month to get a book on the go, myself included.
Click to expand...

So, I don't get what you're saying. WiFi is everywhere. Buy and download the book on the go through wifi. Very few times that I have had to buy a book without having wifi access even travelling.


Our e-ink reader sits unused since we started reading on our iphone apps.

Granted. sometimes you'll be without wifi...
 
I can't believe this is such a hard concept to grasp.

There are plenty of people who JUST want an eReader. It doesn't matter if something else can do more.

There are plenty of people who don't want to spend 499+ on an eReader - no matter if it's in color or does anything else.

There are plenty of people who prefer the eInk display vs LCD

That doesn't mean everyone does. Or even that YOU (the person reading this) do.

People need to stop being so eco/geo centric about the iPad and every other device.

Not the best analogy - but there are still millions of phones that are sold which are not the iPhone. Why? Because not everyone wants one, can afford one, needs one, etc. Doesn't make them any better or worse than those that do.

The whole idea that there needs to be one device to rule them all is ridiculous, immature and unrealistic.

But whatever keeps you sleeping at night.
 
Given the kindle's sales and projected growth, it does not seem like there are a lot of people who just want an e-reader.

I guess it depends on what your definition of a lot.

I guess I consider less than 1% of people not a lot. Others might consider it a lot.
 
Survey, eh? How many had both a Kindle and an iPad in front of them to compare when filling out the survey? How many were given both devices to experience for a week or two?

I can imagine the ipad being a great device and an excellent ebook display. The specs point out some critical differences though, which aren't apparent in simple images of each device.

The iPad is 2.35 times heavier.
The iPad is thicker, by 33%.
The iPad won't last as long on a battery charge.
The iPad may not be as easy to hold on to (ergonomics).

Do any of the above matter? I don't know. Had the survey takers actually had both to read from over a week or two, the importance (or lack of it) would become apparent.

So to me that survey was pointless.
 
I think Leo laporte said it best. He's a fan of the kindle but he said next to the ipad, it looks like something from the 1920s.
 
jessica. said:
Exactly, people aren't going to want to pay $15 a month to get a book on the go, myself included.
Click to expand...


Is that really a huge deal? I think not.

1) You can still d/l a book via Wi-Fi. Free Wi-Fi hotspots are fairly ubiquitous in most U.S. cities.

2) Most people plan out what their next book is in advance. How many times is someone going to be in the middle of nowhere where there is no Wi-Fi and say "I'd like to read a new book." I'd say not often. If you know you are going to east bumble you are going to prepare.

3) Of all the reasons to buy a 3G model, I'd say the ability to d/l a book almost anywhere is the least compelling.

samcraig said:
Yes. But that's aesthetics and has nothing to do with actual function or use.
Click to expand...

I don't think Leo was referring to the Kindle's aesthetics, but rather its GUI. Leo found the iPad easier to use.
 
Chupa Chupa said:
Of all the reasons to buy a 3G model, I'd say the ability to d/l a book almost anywhere is the least compelling.
Click to expand...

I'd agree. I'd also doubt anyone is buying the iPad solely to be an e-reader. People wouldn't be paying $15/month just for the ability to download a book on the go, they'd be using the other features as well.
 
Please re-read my earlier post. There's no argument the iPad does more. It also costs more. And there are plenty of people who just want an eReader and have no desire to spend more on more just because it exists. If that were true - there wouldn't be a variety of cars, phones, printers, watches, stereos, etc.

Will the iPad usurp those who are on the fence or who wouldn't buy JUST an eReader or who are thinking of an eReader and want the latest and greatest? Probably? There's going to be no sure way to accurately claim that other than polls which never tell the real story clearly.

But who cares? Both devices can and will co-exist. Why do people insist that there has to be a winner, loser or that only one device is the RIGHT one to buy? It's personal preference based on several factors including budget, usage, etc.

And buy an iPad or don't buy an iPad. But some of you seem to think that it means you are superior to those that either don't buy one - or buy something else. Get over yourselves. Some of you will no doubt argue or look "down" on those that buy a Kindle after you've bought your iPad and think they've made a mistake. The same people post on the iPhone forum saying they feel bad for people who they see on the train, bus with a Android phone when they could have bought an iPhone. Or how they used to feel special owning an iPhone but now EVERYONE has it.

Who cares. Worry about yourself and no one else.
 
*LTD* said:
I've never seen one in public. Ever.

On the other hand, every other phone I see is an iPhone. There's no point in discussing the iPod Touch. because that's all you see anyway.

As far as the waning interest (whatever interest there was to begin with) in the Kindle goes, who didn't see this coming?
Click to expand...

The Kindle is everywhere here in NYC, I saw 3 one my way downtown and 2 uptown just in my subway car alone yesterday. I was paying close attention because I had forgotten my own Kindle at home and was pissed about it. ;)

Personally, both my Touch and my Kindle are going on craigslist for an iPad. While they both have advantages I think the iPad will be a worthy replacement.
 
samcraig said:
Yes. But that's aesthetics and has nothing to do with actual function or use.
Click to expand...

The ergonomics and design of the Kindle suck. Both IMHO (it is ugly) and objectively. (terrible, useless keyboard. Page back only on the left etc) It sold because it had amazons content behind it, not because it is a great device.

It is the 3rd ereader and 2nd eink device I have owned. They have all sucked for different reasons, I am ready for something else. As the survey shows us, so are a lot of people.
 
Mactagonist said:
The ergonomics and design of the Kindle suck. Both IMHO (it is ugly) and objectively. (terrible, useless keyboard. Page back only on the left etc) It sold because it had amazons content behind it, not because it is a great device.

It is the 3rd ereader and 2nd eink device I have owned. They have all sucked for different reasons, I am ready for something else. As the survey shows us, so are a lot of people.
Click to expand...

Hmmm you must be looking at a different poll than I am or using some statistics not published where it show how many CURRENT owners of Kindles/other eReaders are switching to an iPad. Because the data presented only shows information about what people are purchasing in the future and makes no mention of current technology owned.
 
I own and enjoy my Kindle 2. My wife uses a hand me down Kindle 1.
I've read about 100 books on it. But, in early forums I noticed an entry that said: "If only it had been built by Apple". Ya, I'm an Apple FanBoy :)

My last ebook purchase was a 7000 page book (The Night's Dawn Trilogy). Hoping it will last until I have my iPad. LCD doesn't bother my 68 year old eyes any more than e-ink.

Also hoping Apple doesn't put the hex on the Kindle iPhone app.
 
samcraig said:
Yes. But that's aesthetics and has nothing to do with actual function or use.
Click to expand...

Not true. iPad outfunctions kindle by a country mile.

And as apple has proven in the past, design IS an important selling point for many people.
 
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