Comments on: The Kindle Killer

By: Karen L Baldwin

Karen L Baldwin — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 19:54:53 +0000

The issue, at its base, is whether one is a fan of devices that consolidate many disparate functions (with varying degrees of success), or a devotee of specialized devices that each do one thing very well.

It’s simple: For activities one deeply loves (reading / listening to music), go for targeted devices highly tailored to that specific purpose. For broad utility, go for the jack-of-all-trade devices. Both serve in their respective niches, and there is no need to choose between them. If you care deeply enough about a particular activity, then get a specialized single-application device. For overall convenience, get a broad-spectrum applications device.

Technically speaking, the iPhone and other non-eInk devices simply cannot compete with the Kindle *as a device to read books*. In my experience, the Kindle has proven qualitatively vastly superior for reading, and a offers a distinctly different, far more warm-and-fuzzy curl-up-in-a-chair category of experience. For the purpose of reading, which is a primary joy unto itself for many of us, no other device compares, and having a separate device for reading is extremely well-justified. It offers usage and experiential advantages only possible to a device targeted to that purpose.

The iPhone and other smart phones, on the other hand, cannot be beat for offering the broadest utility and an incredible range of applications, which improve quality of life in an entirely different way … through versatility rather than specialization. They do not necessarily do all things well, but the sheer convenience is worth it. So what if your phone doesn’t offer the greatest sound quality, if you can run all those apps and text, too?

Viva la difference. Both have value.

By: Casey Lindsey

Casey Lindsey — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 18:49:00 +0000

I just gotta say I love my kindle and the cheap books.

My taste is a bit rough but I enjoyed “The Misogynist” by Emily Downs.

It can be a bit vulgar at times. Be warned. But it’s cheap.

http://www.amazon.com/The-Misogynist/dp/B001V5J4VO/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1246301307&sr=1-2

She is the bestselling author of “Lisa Loves Girls”

http://www.amazon.com/Lisa-Loves-Girls-ebook/dp/B002EZZJ4Q/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1246298800&sr=1-7

2 books for under 2 bucks. THe kindle will own publishing.

By: WRW

WRW — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 19:10:10 +0000

I also have both. The Kindle is a better read. I haven’t tried the other e-reader on iPhone. I supsect the Kindle store is easier as well.

Of course, I have the “classics” apps for iPhone (who can beat 40 books, regardless of age, for $0.99.) But they really aren’t different.

Admittedly, I’m 41, but I can’t see reading for hours on iPhone. Plus, Kindle has a far superior battery life and a better aesthetic (mobility isn’t the only consideration in books or music; MP3 will never match CD on quality, for example.)

By: Daniel McCarthy

Daniel McCarthy — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 20:30:14 +0000

Back-lit screens are probably as bad for eyes as ear-bud music is for ears. That hasn’t made iPods and iPhones any less popular. Look at it this way: is it more likely that Apple will be able to improve on their screen or that the Kindle will add the functions the iPhone has?

I don’t doubt that the Kindle has merits — a friend of mine points out that it can be read in sunlight, which isn’t the case with an iPhone. I’m just not convinced those merits are worth $359 and the inconvenience of carrying around another electronic device. If the price came down significantly, I’d be willing to give Kindle a try. One can hardly protest, though, about consumers making up their minds about a product without trying it. The whole point of creating and promoting a product is to meet a need. If consumers feel no need for a Kindle because the iPhone does the same thing, the Kindle will fail.

By: Angela

Angela — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 17:26:08 +0000

“The members of the generation that grew up playing Game Boys and telling time on their cellphones will have absolutely no problem reading from a small screen.”

So, the youth of today will be immune to “40 year old eyes syndrome.” Good to know!

Snicker.

By: CJ

CJ — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 14:07:59 +0000

As someone who reads on both the Kindle 2 (previously the Kindle 1, but I gave that to a family member when I upgraded) and the iPhone Kindle App, I can say there’s absolutely no comparing reading on an iPhone to reading on a Kindle. The experience is completely different. iPhone reading is good in short bursts – waiting in line at the grocery store, waiting for your movie to start at the theater, etc. For anything more than fifteen minutes or so, it tires the eyes thanks to the backlit screen. Reading on the Kindle, however, (or I would assume any e-ink-based e-reader) is more akin to reading a “real” book or a piece of paper. The screen doesn’t shine at you, so your eyes don’t suffer from glare while they’re trying to read. I’ll echo the previous commenters in urging you to try the Kindle before you dismiss it as useless. I carry both my iPhone and my Kindle with me daily. It’s worth it.

By: Thea Slatton

Thea Slatton — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 20:30:24 +0000

It never ceases to amaze me the people who jump on the whatever-killer wagon without trying the technology first. I’ve been an e-book reader for years, never owning a dedicated e-reader, always reading on any number of cell phones (not the apparently ubiquitous iPhone, however.) I’ve always enjoyed the convenience, the search-ability and the lack of clutter. All the reading on the shiny screens, however, was wearing on my vision — and no, I’m not yet in the senior crowd. I was one of the early adopters of the Kindle (Kindle 1) and haven’t looked back. They are wonderful devices and all I can say is do yourself a favor and take advantage of Amazon’s 30 money-back guarantee. You won’t be returning it, seriously.

By: Dennis Chriss

Dennis Chriss — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 20:12:33 +0000

As a proud owner of an Amazon Kindle 2 I gladly add my name to the growing fans of the Kindle e-books. Yes I admit I am in the over 50 group that are the biggest fans. Those who like to read things on an iPhone are missing or never aquired the pure pleasure of reading a novel I would guess. What next? Text speak to read a novel? Here are just a few of the reasons I live my Kindle. With the optional Cover that locks in to the Kindle 2 it is about th esame size open as a paperback but much lighter without having to spread the page to keep it open. The ‘next page’ buttons are tremendously accesssible. The gray scale is exceptionally easy on the eyes. The Dictionary while little used is extremely handy when needed. I can review for clarity with ease. I could go on and on but I enjoy reading more from my kindle more then any paperback and certainly more then continued scrolling to read on a small screen iphone would ever provide. Everyone speaks about $10 a book but noone mentions the books I bought that were reduced to $4 , 5$ or even beleive it or not I bought 2 for $0 Apparently when a book is not selling well the price is reduced in order to acquire reviews. I love my Kindle and it has traveled with me, gone to th ebeach with me ad is a constant companion. I cannot understand the DX as why would I want anything bigger?