Slog
News & ArtsMonday, May 4, 2009
Books Writ Large
Posted by Paul Constant on Mon, May 4, 2009 at 12:19 PM
Q: Is Amazon introducing a big-screen Kindle on Wednesday? Is this Kindle going to save newspapers forever and ever?
A: It sure looks like it. And probably not. (I'm still holding out hope for the Plastic Logic reader, though.)
1
question: why do you hold out hope for the plastic logic e-newspaper, but not for the Kindle? Do they have some different licensing scheme?
2
Big kindle? Man, it's getting tough to resist e-readers.
And I for one hope that the newspapers figure out a way to survive. I can see my self hanging out on a Sunday morning reading the times through one of these gadgets. I figure that's a fair compromise.
And I for one hope that the newspapers figure out a way to survive. I can see my self hanging out on a Sunday morning reading the times through one of these gadgets. I figure that's a fair compromise.
4
Man I just have to protest this kindle. Forever. CDs, DVDs, Newspapers, et al—fuck 'em. But books? No. They must remain books. On my shelves. In my hands, with pages, and words printed on those pages. Books.
Important note: It should be stressed that books are sexy. Kindles are not. I've seen a couple anonymous folks with a kindle, and none of them were hot. Heed my findings.
Important note: It should be stressed that books are sexy. Kindles are not. I've seen a couple anonymous folks with a kindle, and none of them were hot. Heed my findings.
5
Books ARE sexy, even (especially?) when they're crowding you out of your house. But I think as a product for the masses, they're going to go away - most of the costs are in the physical production/distribution area, and the publishers just aren't going to keep doing it. I work freelance in publishing, and I've had disturbingly little work so far in 2009.
On the other hand, I predict a resurgence of small, artisinal presses.
On the other hand, I predict a resurgence of small, artisinal presses.
6
In terms of economics, it has been pointed out that the New York Times could distribute a Kindle-style e-reader for free to its subscribers and still make money; they would save tons of money over the total cost now spent on printing, distribution, delivery, postage, etc. Assuming the technology is or soon becomes environmentally friendly (batteries, mercury, etc.), such devices would also stop the use of so much paper every day.
8
@1: I should've said that in the post. I think the Kindle being so closely tied to Amazon is the mistake. Hopefully, Plastic Logic will be a device that anyone can play on.
@5: I agree on the small presses. They're doing much better than the majors. I'm excited!
@5: I agree on the small presses. They're doing much better than the majors. I'm excited!
9
It's about the size of a laptop...why bother?
and, I can't wait for the day when your average Seattle tech nerd is going to be getting on the bus (only if they're healthy and not coughing, of course) loaded down with their iphone, laptop and kindle...that's enough electronics to power a small strip mall.
and, I can't wait for the day when your average Seattle tech nerd is going to be getting on the bus (only if they're healthy and not coughing, of course) loaded down with their iphone, laptop and kindle...that's enough electronics to power a small strip mall.
12
Cool, Mr Poe is back.
Forget the Kindle, I'm all over the rumored Apple Tablet: http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2009/05/k…
Forget the Kindle, I'm all over the rumored Apple Tablet: http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2009/05/k…
15
I remember talking a little bit about this on a Kindle post on Slog awhile ago. Asus leaked that Apple is probably going to release this 3rd quarter 2009, and I think it is basically going to be a larger, more powerful iphone, or ipod touch. I think 10 inches is a little too big and cumbersome to make it directly compete against the Kindle. I think 7 or 8 inches, or if it were a the size of a standard sheet of paper, no larger than 8.5 by 11 inches, would be ideal.
For those that are really interested in a cool mac netbook, you can install OSX on the ubuntu dell mini pretty easily.
http://gizmodo.com/5156903/how-to-hackin…
For those that are really interested in a cool mac netbook, you can install OSX on the ubuntu dell mini pretty easily.
http://gizmodo.com/5156903/how-to-hackin…
16
The Plastic Logic is just that - plastic - so it is much stronger and can be tossed around without breaking. I really like its thin look and large screen and its only a matter of time before color is available. I would get one, even in B&W.
17
As long as they provide an app that's compatible with my tablet, then you-all can do whatever you want with your e-readers & what-not.
18
I'd like to make a prediction that one day within the next 7 years there will be a new kindle that will just be a big screen that is foldable, as paper is, and this screen will be an emulation of the newspaper. you can tell it which paper of the day you want to read and it'll come right up once it's instantaneously downloaded from whatever public wifi connection is around. Giddyup Amazon!!
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