01-23-2010, 03:54 AM | #1 |
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Why Amazon won't launch its own tablet, but will use Apple's
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01-23-2010, 07:54 AM | #2 |
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Ars really needs to get a clue on ereaders.
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01-23-2010, 08:31 AM | #3 |
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Yes, yes, e-ink is dead now that the coming of Apple's I-tablet is assured!
Oh, right. The iSlate that STILL doesn't exist yet? Ugh, I hate articles like this one. |
01-23-2010, 08:33 AM | #4 |
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01-23-2010, 12:07 PM | #5 |
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Oh, a lot of us Arsians took the author to task. Of course he could be right...
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01-23-2010, 12:14 PM | #6 |
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Really the question doesn't need an entire article - it can be answered in two sentences:
Amazon won't launch its own tablet because abandoning the Kindle in favour of a product with one-fifth the usability and five times the price would completely cede the market to Sony (or possibly B&N, but more likely Sony). If Apple ever releases a tablet, and if the iFap finds a big enough market, Amazon will release a 'Kindle for iFap' application, just as they have released 'Kindle for PC' and 'Kindle for iPhone' apps (and are, I'm sure, either deciding whether there exists enough of a market for a 'Kindle for Android' app to make it worth developing one or actively in development on one) - if the potential market size, however small, is larger than the projected development cost, it makes sense to tap it. |
01-23-2010, 04:40 PM | #7 |
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This is not about "one device to rule them all." Everybody has different requirements for a reading device, much less a mobile computing device. As an ebook consumer, I don't want to be tied to any particular hardware.
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01-23-2010, 05:12 PM | #8 |
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What is the facinitation particularly on sites like ars et al with thinking that everyone wants an all in one gadget. Give me a break. I have 4 main gadgets that do each job well. 1. palm Treo smartphone as my second brain. 2. iPod for audio in the car and it's other features are a bonus. 3. Sony Prs-505 as a reader. 4. Ds for playing games. Each device does a job and does it well. I'd preferr this to 1 device that does each poorly.
Just my 2 cents jim |
01-24-2010, 05:20 PM | #9 | |
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Quote:
The fascination is that companies are trying to make a device that does them ALL well. You would happily swap your 4 devices for one if that one fulfilled all of your needs. right now Im pretty much the same as you except I can lose the touch because i have an iPhone and it has everything I need for phone and Music. and games, No joy with the awful camera though. So im down to 2 devices. getting all 4 in one plus a reader equal to my PRS 300 would be a beautiful thing. |
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01-24-2010, 05:32 PM | #10 |
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01-24-2010, 05:58 PM | #11 | |
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Quote:
Yes he would. The device if it suited his needs would be affordable to him if it wasnt it wouldnt meet one of his needs... being able to afford it. What im saying is that its the IDEA of this imaginary device that replaces multiple devices that is really the holy grail. And if it is A goode enough.. everything and meets other needs such as size and cost etc then of course people would want it. Only issue being it doesnt exist. And in most devices after the initial novelty the cost is less than the individual devices. iPhone = £400 no contract in UK nintendo DS £120 + iPod Touch £200 + smart phone £200(approx) = 520 |
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01-24-2010, 06:14 PM | #12 | |
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Quote:
And no, the sound quality of an iPod/iPhone is NOT good. |
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01-24-2010, 06:32 PM | #13 | |
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Quote:
If your trying to say you dont thing there is an all in one device that is equal to or better than seperate devices then yes thats exactly what I have just been saying. Thats kind of why a device that was equal to or better than is the Holy Grail and the idea so appealing. Imagine a device with a camera as good as a Canon, Audio as good as an iriver, phone as good as [insert personal fave phone], games as good as a DS etc etc And at a price less than the devices if purchased seperately. Are we there yet? course not. Are we closer than we were 2 or 3 years ago? yes |
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01-24-2010, 06:59 PM | #14 |
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Convergence is the holy grail. It is true that converged devices continue to compromise. But the compromise is shrinking as we move into the future. I had a Kyocera 7135 quite a few years ago, a very early Palm-phone. I was very disappointed in the convergence. I have an iPhone today and I am much happier with what it offers.
I'll stay excited about the prospects for convergence in the future. I love my Sony e-reader but that doesn't mean I would reject a converged device that did that much and more. BTW, sound quality asymptotes to "good enough," for example in most vehicles I defy you to tell the difference between an original CD and a well-ripped (192 KBPS VBR MP3 or equivalent) track played through the iPod or iPhone into an MP3 optimized head unit. I agree the iPod or iPhone is not the pinnacle of mobile audio quality. Cowan's devices probably are. But it is good enough for me, even listening through my Etymotics ER-4P's (a mid-to-high end canal-phone) or the custom stereo I installed myself in my last car (Alpine CDA-9887 HU properly tuned, JL Audio 10W3v3 sub, Focal KPS separates in the doors, JL Audio 150/2 and 300/1 amps). |
01-24-2010, 07:32 PM | #15 |
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Convergence is one of the technophile holy grails, rather (which I am not). Also, as a designer, I'm quite confident saying that without tech-so-good-it's-magic, you're allways going to have to make compromises in device interfaces, be they so minor, to add features. And that can, and does, cascade.
It's also entirely inapplicable in many cases... for anything dealing with, say, kids. You want cheap, robust single-use devices which can be replaced for a low outlay, there. Heck, for giving to many adults that's a better idea. |
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