Do you know that he was referring to UI or the simple form factor. Because if he was talking about the hardware and how it looks - then my comment stands and is valid.
We already know the iPad does more than the Kindle.
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Kindle Who? Interest in Amazon Kindle wanes after Apple iPad unveiling
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Do you know that he was referring to UI or the simple form factor. Because if he was talking about the hardware and how it looks - then my comment stands and is valid.
We already know the iPad does more than the Kindle.
Well I've got a kindle. Got it at christmas. Personally I feel that the eink is less straining on my eyes. Might just be me though, but I do have quite bad eyesight.
I pondered getting an ipad but I'm not so sure. It would sort of render the kindle useless, though saying that I guess you don't have to use the ipad for reading.
Think I'd rather waste my money on a new macbook, or on the new iphone later on this year though.
I pondered getting an ipad but I'm not so sure. It would sort of render the kindle useless, though saying that I guess you don't have to use the ipad for reading.
Think I'd rather waste my money on a new macbook, or on the new iphone later on this year though.
I guess I have to spell this out for you.
"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."
Was the original quote.
Do you KNOW that Leo was referring to the UI and not just the aesthetics of the hardware alone?
Because my original point was that the functionality of the device is more important that what it happens to look like. I also think Leo was speaking in hyperbole. Clearly the Kindle doesn't look like it was designed in 1920.
But this is all moot. As stated by myself and others - the Kindle will and continues to be supported by those that do not want/need/afford/etc something BEYOND an eReader. It doesn't matter that the iPad can do a billion things more. Some people don't want THAT functionality nor do they want to SPEND more than, say $250, for an eReader.
There's no real argument or discussion on this point unless you and others want to sound like you live in a bubble. To deny that the iPad isn't for everyone and that there are other devices which others prefer is simply naive and ignorant.
3,000 people isn't a realistic survey. Also, who did they survey? Was it Apple employees? Was it outside of MacWorld 2010? A lot of variables.
For anyone who reads a lot they already know reading from a backlite screen is hell on the eyes. This is why eInk is the industry standard. But, for the folks who think it'll be fun...have at it! You'll keep eye doctors in business.
For anyone who reads a lot they already know reading from a backlite screen is hell on the eyes. This is why eInk is the industry standard. But, for the folks who think it'll be fun...have at it! You'll keep eye doctors in business.
You are right, good thing most americans spend hours each day in front of eink TVs and eink computer screens! If they were spending all that time in front of backlit screens they would be blind!
It isnt that big of a deal, the environment you are reading in is a bigger issue.
A well designed study can derive meaningful results from much less the 3000 participants. Dont be fooled by that number.
I see more price drops on the Kindle, but of course most people would want an iPad over an kindle..
I remember him saying that about the two devices in general, so I guess he meant the UI and the form of the devices. He was comparing the awesomeness of the iPad to the blandness of the kindle, which suddenly seems like yesterday's news, which it seems you prefer to read in e-ink. Enjoy.
Well I haven't read off the iPad - that wasn't my point. I enjoy reading eInk and compared to reading/spending time all day on my macbook pro and iMac, the eInk is better on my eyes. I've read books on my iPhone. It's great. But I also like that my Kindle gets about 2 weeks of battery life, is large enough to read but small enough not to be cumbersome and weights a little over 10oz.
While I'm sure reading on the iPad will be nice/great/etc - it weighs 1.5x, is a larger form factor and the books I read don't have pictures or graphs but just text.
So for a device that would serve as an eReader - my preference is the lower cost Kindle.
I'm going to restate this again for emphasis. The iPad does a zillion more things as a Kindle. But if people are JUST looking for an eReader - it's not necc the best choice. It's heavier, more expensive, etc.
So the question is/will be - those that are JUST looking for an eReader - will they opt to spend more just to have the latest/cool device. Or will the Kindle remain to have the larger eReader (only) market.
The real stat/test will be how the iBookstore does on its own. But even that # will be skewed as no doubt the Kindle app will be available on the iPad.
Well, the real question there is how many people want a dedicated ebook reader and are willing to spend a few hundred dollars for it. As we have seen from the Kindle's sales those people are there, but they arnt the majority of the market.
I think a multifunction device that looks better (hardware and software) and only costs a little more has a much better chance of getting its foot in the door and both making casual readers read more often and hardcore readers compromise on the reading experience in favor of everything else it can do.
I think a multifunction device that looks better (hardware and software) and only costs a little more has a much better chance of getting its foot in the door and both making casual readers read more often and hardcore readers compromise on the reading experience in favor of everything else it can do.
a little more? it's 2x the price... that's pretty significant to someone who's on a budget. There's no doubt that you get more with the iPad - but time will tell whether or not those people who are really just looking for an eReader will choose to pay more.
I found this interesting article about how Apple is looking at organising the iBookStore:
http://www.forbes.com/2010/03/10/ap...intelligence-ipad.html?boxes=Homepagechannels
http://www.forbes.com/2010/03/10/ap...intelligence-ipad.html?boxes=Homepagechannels
The most interesting thing in that was the inclusion of Comics. I would have imagine they'd have been more on the magazine side. Would they have a subscription model in place, or would it be a monthly purchase you made?
This isn't a surprise to me. I was looking for a e-reader when the iPad was announced, ditched those plans and hence I am here. I never used Apple anything before so I looked to find an Apple friendly place to learn about using iPhone/iPad and ecosystem.
I have been a little surprised by the level of Anti-iPad ranting here...
I may or may not get an iPad but it has definitely shifted my focus completely away from a dedicated e-reader. Zero chance I will get one of those now. I am definitely getting a multi use tablet, likely an iPad or Android tablet.
Wife just bought me a Kindle for my birthday last week. Fully realizing I will be getting an iPad.
I have directly told her the kindle will sit unused by me once the iPad arrives. She still wants to keep it ;-)
I guess we know who she really bought it for....
I have directly told her the kindle will sit unused by me once the iPad arrives. She still wants to keep it ;-)
I guess we know who she really bought it for....
I'm really confused why there is so much Kindle bashing. The Kindle is a good product that does one thing really well. Same with e-ink, it was designed to do one thing really well. As for the iPad, It was designed to do many things and hopefully it will do them all really well.
I do see some Kindle/e-readers, to move over, but there will still be a market for a dedicated e-readers. It's hard understand the value of e-ink until you have used it for long periods of time. I was anti e-reader/e-ink (mostly because I didn't understand why they cost so much) until i did the research and actually tried one and was pretty amazed. I still don't get why e-readers cost so much, but I never really looked into the cost of e-ink tech.
Regardless, I will be selling my Kindle for an iPad, but my greatest concern is how well I will enjoy reading on the iPad. I'm going to hold onto my Kindle for a few days to make sure I like reading on the iPad.
I do see some Kindle/e-readers, to move over, but there will still be a market for a dedicated e-readers. It's hard understand the value of e-ink until you have used it for long periods of time. I was anti e-reader/e-ink (mostly because I didn't understand why they cost so much) until i did the research and actually tried one and was pretty amazed. I still don't get why e-readers cost so much, but I never really looked into the cost of e-ink tech.
Regardless, I will be selling my Kindle for an iPad, but my greatest concern is how well I will enjoy reading on the iPad. I'm going to hold onto my Kindle for a few days to make sure I like reading on the iPad.
When people get unrealistic expectations, and cannot understand why a new Apple product doesn't have EVERYTHING they wanted, they bash it to hell. But half of them will be in line on launch day.
My biggest issue with the kindle has nothing to do with its form factor or limited functionality. I really don't like the idea of shelling out big money and then I can only buy books from amazon. Same goes for the other dedicated ebook readers. I know some like barnes and noble use an 'open' epub format but you still can't put barnes and noble books on a kindle or sony reader etc.
My hope for the ipad, since both amazon and barnes and noble both have apps available for the iphone, is that it will be able to access the widest selection of books. Hopefully apple doesn't try to hinder this in anyway.
Anyway maybe I'll just get an ipod touch for this...Anyone with experience know if that is doable as an ebook reader for someone who is fairly comfortable with looking at LCD screens all day?
My hope for the ipad, since both amazon and barnes and noble both have apps available for the iphone, is that it will be able to access the widest selection of books. Hopefully apple doesn't try to hinder this in anyway.
Anyway maybe I'll just get an ipod touch for this...Anyone with experience know if that is doable as an ebook reader for someone who is fairly comfortable with looking at LCD screens all day?
The iPod touch does not make a good ebook read for anything more then quick reference or a short read. I have 10 - 15 books on mine and honestly while nice at first it is just to small. I have "borrowed" my wife's kindle on occasion as I can tolerate reading it longer from just the size alone. I picked up an Archos 5IT, and while better for reading books then my touch it is still a hare on the small side and the backlit screen is still not as easy on the eyes. IMO 7-10" is really the sweet spot for a good reader.
Everyone that I know who owns a kindle/nook/sony e reader loves them, but they are all hardcore readers that devour book after book. The don't buy books a head either, there is no reason. Finish a book while on the pot, download a new one, in the car on a trip, download a new one, at work, download a new one, etc etc. Even after the iPad launches I still feel the heavy readers device of choice will be a kindle like device, the people that swing toward the iPad will be those that don't read enough to justify having a kindle, but enough to want an ereader that does more.
Everyone that I know who owns a kindle/nook/sony e reader loves them, but they are all hardcore readers that devour book after book. The don't buy books a head either, there is no reason. Finish a book while on the pot, download a new one, in the car on a trip, download a new one, at work, download a new one, etc etc. Even after the iPad launches I still feel the heavy readers device of choice will be a kindle like device, the people that swing toward the iPad will be those that don't read enough to justify having a kindle, but enough to want an ereader that does more.
This is probably one of the biggest misconceptions regarding the Kindle. Granted the Kindle doesn't support every e-book format, but it supports several, and most of the major ones (except epub). There are also many different places that sell e-books and some of them give you different format choices. There are also several places to get legit free e-books in supported formats. www.mobileread.com is a great place to go if you want more information about e-books and e-readers. It's actually a lot larger than most people know.
The three books I'm reading on my Kindle right now, not a single one was purchased from Amazon. If anything, the iPad maybe one of the first e-book type devices (I know its more than just an e-reader), to only support a single format. I say maybe, because we don't know for sure what the iPad or iBooks supports in regards to formats other than ePub.