Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Tech / Books Another Point for E-Books
Posted by Paul Constant on Tue, May 5, 2009 at 2:53 PM
Tomorrow, Amazon will be announcing a larger-screen Kindle for periodicals and textbooks. There was a rumor about it yesterday, but today the Wall Street Journal confirms. The device will reportedly have a more functional web browser.
I've gotta say, this is really smart, especially the browser and the textbook part of it, which nobody was talking about yesterday. If you make this thing a standard for college students, soon an entire generation will be Kindle-trained as they head out into the world as young professionals.
UPDATE: Slog tipper Marco points out that pictures of the new big-screen Kindle are over at Engadget. Thanks, Marco!
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1
I agree 100%. I myself like the idea of the bigger one just for books, too--assuming that the print size can be increased for my ageing eyes. :-)
2
Some think that Apple's media pad might burn the Kindle...sorry, could not resist.
http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/ar…
http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/ar…
4
I find it odd that Amazon is releasing this product so soon on the heels of the Kindle 2; and, I think this form factor...all screen, no keyboard, if that's what they release...will really cannibalize sales of the Kindle 2. The smallish screen and too-large keyboard make no sense on a book reader, where screen real estate is all that really matters.
Better to have launched a single product with an on-screen keyboard, than to split your sales between two products whose functionality doesn't seem markedly different at this point.
Better to have launched a single product with an on-screen keyboard, than to split your sales between two products whose functionality doesn't seem markedly different at this point.
5
I worry about them making it TOO big, though. Yes, I realize I am ridiculously namby-pamby about this. But they're SO CLOSE. What I want is something the size of a trade paperback -- 8"x5.5" of screen or thereabouts. But damn, this is getting close.
6
I'm wary of college textbooks being on the kindle however. There was some college (I don't remember where) that did a test period of only offering e-books and some sort of reader. There were thoughts that it might be cheaper, but it ended up costing as much as traditional textbooks, plus many people like the ability to write on/highlight their textbooks, which may not be possible with how current readers work. Also, unless the prices drop dramatically on the cost of textbooks on something like an e-reader or there is a way to rent opposed to buy, that may deter students who rely on being able to return their books at the end of the semester to lower costs.
7
@4, I lust after a device with a proper keyboard, but realistically know I'm never going to get it (unless someone can come from the other direction, and make a laptop with an e-ink screen), so I'm inclined to agree with you -- ditch it, have it pop up on the screen if you need it, but leave the device mostly screen. After all, books don't have all sorts of "helpful" bits attached to them. Have a way to bookmark or sticky with just a finger tap.
Going the other way, with a way to do proper wiki and dictionary (and translator) lookups, cut and paste into blog posts or Slog comments, etc. would be terrific, but once it starts to become a laptop, you're opening your world to more trouble. One thing I DON'T want is a Kindle that requires 85 MB of security updates every goddamn day. Perfect the reading part first.
For the guy who keeps bragging about his Ubuntu Dell, (or his iPhone) come back when you've got e-ink and and an all-day battery.
Going the other way, with a way to do proper wiki and dictionary (and translator) lookups, cut and paste into blog posts or Slog comments, etc. would be terrific, but once it starts to become a laptop, you're opening your world to more trouble. One thing I DON'T want is a Kindle that requires 85 MB of security updates every goddamn day. Perfect the reading part first.
For the guy who keeps bragging about his Ubuntu Dell, (or his iPhone) come back when you've got e-ink and and an all-day battery.
8
the browser in the current kindle is one of the more overlooked but very valuable features; buying a kindle basically gets you free, low-speed, wireless internet almost everywhere for no recurring cost.
(I assume that eventually that deal will go away when they start marketing it as a mobile browser as well as a eInk reader?)
(I assume that eventually that deal will go away when they start marketing it as a mobile browser as well as a eInk reader?)
9
I feel like textbooks are the best possible use for an e-reader. Who the hell needs a $150 text that weighs 12 pounds that will be useless in 2 years and worth $12 when you try to sell it? I'm not an expert on e-readers, but I think they have the ability to highlight. If not, it can't be too far off.
Personally, I'm waiting for e-pants on which I can read the news and watch pornography (and hopefully clean easily).
Personally, I'm waiting for e-pants on which I can read the news and watch pornography (and hopefully clean easily).
10
I'm holding out for the Folio sized Kindle complete with e-illumination for reading the Book of Kells.
11
Will my library loan me a free one for four weeks at a time?
No?
Well, can I rent one for the price of a new paperback a month?
No?
Well, fuck that, then. Paper it is.
No?
Well, can I rent one for the price of a new paperback a month?
No?
Well, fuck that, then. Paper it is.
12
Will it work on a desert island with no source of electricity available?
No?
If it gets wet, can I use it after it's been dried out in the sun?
No?
I can't write notes in it or highlight important passages or put a paperclip on pages I really like?
No?
Fuck that. Paper it is .
No?
If it gets wet, can I use it after it's been dried out in the sun?
No?
I can't write notes in it or highlight important passages or put a paperclip on pages I really like?
No?
Fuck that. Paper it is .
13
Will it work on a desert island with no source of electricity available?
No?
If it gets wet, can I use it after it's been dried out in the sun?
No?
I can't write notes in it or highlight important passages or put a paperclip on pages I really like?
No?
Fuck that. Paper it is .
OMG, wordygrrl, you make me swoon with that comment. Brava!
No?
If it gets wet, can I use it after it's been dried out in the sun?
No?
I can't write notes in it or highlight important passages or put a paperclip on pages I really like?
No?
Fuck that. Paper it is .
OMG, wordygrrl, you make me swoon with that comment. Brava!
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