Kindle content is coming to cellphones - confirmed - Page 2

Ervserver · 02-09-2009, 04:02 PM

I smell a Kindle Phone on the horizon

kovidgoyal · 02-09-2009, 04:54 PM

If they actually make the Kindle store books available to anyone that can run a Mobipocket Reader instance, the Kindle will probably die, not least because Amazon is unlikely to continue developing it.

daffy4u · 02-09-2009, 05:02 PM

I would think there is going to be some extra cost involved in getting the content. Maybe pay more for the books or special Kindle reader software at a price, or an additional access fee.

badgoodDeb · 02-09-2009, 05:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kovidgoyal

If they actually make the Kindle store books available to anyone that can run a Mobipocket Reader instance, the Kindle will probably die, not least because Amazon is unlikely to continue developing it.

There is still going to be some subset of us avid readers who are getting OLDER, and don't want to do prolonged reading on a cell phone device! My Palm PDA was really bothering my eyes; hence the justification for a Kindle last year. I'll read on my cell phone in the grocery checkout line, but when I sit down to really READ, the Kindle is much better on the eyes.

Alisa · 02-09-2009, 05:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kovidgoyal

If they actually make the Kindle store books available to anyone that can run a Mobipocket Reader instance, the Kindle will probably die, not least because Amazon is unlikely to continue developing it.

I think wireless delivery is still pretty compelling. Still, no reason they have to be the sole developer of the hardware or that EVDO has to be the only connection available.

pshrynk · 02-09-2009, 06:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vivaldirules

So I'm going to be here with my Sony Reader and my cellphone (the dumbest one I could fine cuz I just want to make phone calls with it) and I'll be the only one on the planet who won't be able to buy and read ebooks from Amazon? Man, am I bummed.

Well, smart for a dog is dim for a rutabaga.

MAN! It took me all day to set that up!

TallMomof2 · 02-09-2009, 06:37 PM

I use my Touch as a backup ebook reader when I don't want to carry the Kindle. It's fine for short reading sessions but longer sessions are not only hard on my eyes but the battery drains quickly (as compared to the Kindle).

I can't imagine reading on my cell with it's far smaller screen than the touch much less the Kindle.

Alisa · 02-09-2009, 06:48 PM

I think most folks who read on their phones have smartphones with somewhat larger screens. Mine's about 3". Still far from ideal, and not something I'd want to read on for long, but much larger than many phones.

kovidgoyal · 02-09-2009, 06:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by badgoodDeb

There is still going to be some subset of us avid readers who are getting OLDER, and don't want to do prolonged reading on a cell phone device! My Palm PDA was really bothering my eyes; hence the justification for a Kindle last year. I'll read on my cell phone in the grocery checkout line, but when I sit down to really READ, the Kindle is much better on the eyes.

The point is that if they open up their store to cell phones, its going to be open to everything, which makes the Kindle pretty irrelevant. You would be able to read Kindle store books on a Cybook for example.

TallMomof2 · 02-09-2009, 07:02 PM

Not if you have to install a specific app in order to read a Kindle book.

kovidgoyal · 02-09-2009, 07:08 PM

If Amazon opens the store to cell phones, it will make absolutely no sense for them to close it to other devices/computers. Which means they'll make the app to read the books available for other devices/computers.

EDIT: Of course with companies just because something makes no sense doesn't mean they wont do it

wallcraft · 02-09-2009, 07:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TallMomof2

Not if you have to install a specific app in order to read a Kindle book.

I assume this is exactly what will happen, the Kindle app will be distinct from the MOBI app. However, unless Amazon changes the DRM this will open up the Amazon store to anyone with a smartphone and the inclination to strip the DRM. For those outside the US (or without a smartphone), the real question will be how hard it is to spoof Amazon's "US only" and "specific phones-only" protections.

pwalker8 · 02-09-2009, 09:51 PM

Kovidgoyal, I think the issue that you are forgetting is DRM. I would suspect that Amazon has contracts that require DRM, which means these apps must be able to read the DRM that kindle uses. I can easily see Amazon rolling out the kindle app for the iPhone and any other cell phone that 1) has enough market to make it worth while and 2) isn't hard to write for. Once DRM goes away, then I can see Amazon opening up the kindle store for everyone. Amazon makes their money by saleing product, not from making it.

bwaldron · 02-09-2009, 10:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pwalker8

Kovidgoyal, I think the issue that you are forgetting is DRM. I would suspect that Amazon has contracts that require DRM, which means these apps must be able to read the DRM that kindle uses. I can easily see Amazon rolling out the kindle app for the iPhone and any other cell phone that 1) has enough market to make it worth while and 2) isn't hard to write for. Once DRM goes away, then I can see Amazon opening up the kindle store for everyone. Amazon makes their money by saleing product, not from making it.

The applications basically exist already -- Mobipocket readers for all sorts of platforms -- and Amazon already owns 'em. It would only take minor tweaking to the DRM system to allow both Kindle and other device PIDs to read the content, if that's what they want to do.

TheJohnNewton · 02-10-2009, 05:23 AM

Why on earth would they not want to sell ebooks to anyone with money and an electronic device with a screen?

Why would this kill the Kindle ereader? I have a Kindle but very few books from Amazon. It's a fine reader. If I didn't have it I would buy some other reader with an eInk screen I would not use a cell phone.

02-09-2009, 07:08 PM	#26
kovidgoyal creator of calibre Posts: 43,857 Karma: 22666666 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Mumbai, India Device: Various	If Amazon opens the store to cell phones, it will make absolutely no sense for them to close it to other devices/computers. Which means they'll make the app to read the books available for other devices/computers. EDIT: Of course with companies just because something makes no sense doesn't mean they wont do it Last edited by kovidgoyal; 02-09-2009 at 07:13 PM.

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02-09-2009, 04:02 PM	#16
Ervserver Wizard Posts: 2,624 Karma: 1008294 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Iowa, USA Device: Nook Simple Touch	I smell a Kindle Phone on the horizon

02-09-2009, 04:54 PM	#17
kovidgoyal creator of calibre Posts: 43,857 Karma: 22666666 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Mumbai, India Device: Various	If they actually make the Kindle store books available to anyone that can run a Mobipocket Reader instance, the Kindle will probably die, not least because Amazon is unlikely to continue developing it.

02-09-2009, 05:02 PM	#18
daffy4u I'm Super Kindle-icious Posts: 6,734 Karma: 2434103 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Long Drive, Calinadia Candafornia Device: KDXG, KT, Oasis	I would think there is going to be some extra cost involved in getting the content. Maybe pay more for the books or special Kindle reader software at a price, or an additional access fee.

02-09-2009, 06:37 PM	#22
TallMomof2 Kindlephilia Posts: 2,017 Karma: 1139255 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Snowpacolypse 2010 Device: Too many to count	I use my Touch as a backup ebook reader when I don't want to carry the Kindle. It's fine for short reading sessions but longer sessions are not only hard on my eyes but the battery drains quickly (as compared to the Kindle). I can't imagine reading on my cell with it's far smaller screen than the touch much less the Kindle.

02-09-2009, 06:48 PM	#23
Alisa Gadget Geek Posts: 2,324 Karma: 22221 Join Date: Aug 2007 Device: Paperwhite, Kindle 3 (retired), Skindle 1.2 (retired)	I think most folks who read on their phones have smartphones with somewhat larger screens. Mine's about 3". Still far from ideal, and not something I'd want to read on for long, but much larger than many phones.

02-09-2009, 07:02 PM	#25
TallMomof2 Kindlephilia Posts: 2,017 Karma: 1139255 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Snowpacolypse 2010 Device: Too many to count	Not if you have to install a specific app in order to read a Kindle book.

02-09-2009, 09:51 PM	#28
pwalker8 Grand Sorcerer Posts: 7,195 Karma: 70314280 Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Atlanta, GA Device: iPad Pro, iPad mini, Kobo Aura, Amazon paperwhite, Sony PRS-T2	Kovidgoyal, I think the issue that you are forgetting is DRM. I would suspect that Amazon has contracts that require DRM, which means these apps must be able to read the DRM that kindle uses. I can easily see Amazon rolling out the kindle app for the iPhone and any other cell phone that 1) has enough market to make it worth while and 2) isn't hard to write for. Once DRM goes away, then I can see Amazon opening up the kindle store for everyone. Amazon makes their money by saleing product, not from making it.

02-10-2009, 05:23 AM	#30
TheJohnNewton Addict Posts: 256 Karma: 144599 Join Date: Jan 2008 Device: Boox Nova 2	Why on earth would they not want to sell ebooks to anyone with money and an electronic device with a screen? Why would this kill the Kindle ereader? I have a Kindle but very few books from Amazon. It's a fine reader. If I didn't have it I would buy some other reader with an eInk screen I would not use a cell phone.