Amazon Kindle review

dhbailey · 11-19-2007, 03:42 PM

http://blogs.zdnet.com/BTL/?p=7098&tag=nl.e589 is the link to a review of the Amazon Kindle.

There is also a series of pictures of the Kindle, and I must say that while the concept seems great, looking at it in the pictures and comparing it mentally to the Sony, I think I shall be staying with the Sony for the near future.

Aprilbeginnings · 11-19-2007, 04:48 PM

I see no reason for switching, my sony E-reader sure fits my needs.

NatCh · 11-19-2007, 04:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aprilbeginnings

I see no reason for switching, my sony E-reader sure fits my needs.

There is no Sony E-Reader, only the Sony Reader.

(the only reason I'm picking this nit is because of the E-Reader e-book format which isn't compatible with Sony Readers

)

Aprilbeginnings · 11-19-2007, 05:31 PM

you say tomatoes, I say tomato <G>

Alexander Turcic · 11-20-2007, 02:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aprilbeginnings

you say tomatoes, I say tomato <G>

I had the Sony Reader PRS-500, now I am getting the 505; still, I wouldn't putting my hands on the Kindle as well

FixB · 11-20-2007, 03:05 AM

Same here (except I'll stick with the double 0)

HarryT · 11-20-2007, 05:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alexander Turcic

I had the Sony Reader PRS-500, now I am getting the 505; still, I wouldn't putting my hands on the Kindle as well

Why would you want a device that you couldn't buy any books for?

beartard · 11-20-2007, 06:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

Why would you want a device that you couldn't buy any books for?

For much the same reason a person would buy a PRS-500, then buy a 505 as soon as it's released: early-adopter gadget geek syndrome.

Greg G · 11-20-2007, 12:16 PM

The review seems to imply that you can browse anything on the web and not just Wiki and specific payed for blogs. I suspect that this is not the case but if it where I'd find myself needing this device for sure!

-Greg

KlondikeGeoff · 11-20-2007, 01:13 PM

Coincidence: the current issue of Newsweek (Nov 26) has a cover story on ebooks, and on page 64 is a review of the Kindle by Steven Levy. He does have a Sony Reader, and from what he writes about his test of the Kindle, it sounds as though it will beat the Reader.

I'll probably wait for the first updated version, then am sure will spring for it. I particularly like the wireless download feature and the ease of buying from Amazon.com (and their prices). I used to get good deals on books from them for my old Rocket eBook.

I may feel differently after trying one out, but as of now, I think I'll probably get one eventually.

dhbailey · 11-20-2007, 02:41 PM

For whatever reason, Amazon has made an amazing push to get the Kindle recognized -- all these reviews, and this morning on WBUR (Boston University public radio station) there was an entire hour dedicated to it primarily (and only obliquely discussing other readers). The most distubing thing was that none of the guests had actually used a reader for any great length of time, and so didn't speak very much to how similar the experience of using a reader to reading a book (at least it has been in my experience with the Sony Reader), and discussed the cool extras far more than the actual reading experience and the fact that such devices are the only way (outside a computer) to read the vast library of out of print books which make up Project Gutenberg.

And the only negative voice was a person who is averse to all electronic reading devices, rather than anybody who could knowingly address any actual shortcoming of the Kindle.

Amazon has far better publicity muscle than Sony, it seems!

tsgreer · 11-20-2007, 03:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dhbailey

Amazon has far better publicity muscle than Sony, it seems!

I noticed this as well. I mean the Kindle is on the cover of Newsweek and was discussed on Fresh Air on NPR the other day. I have co-workers who ask me if I have heard of the new "ebook thingy."

Oh you mean the "ebook thingy" I talk to everyone about everyday?!?! hehe.

But yeah, I don't recall this same push for the Sony Reader. I remember my early experience with the Borders people not even understanding the term "ebook reader," much less knowing that they sold them...

HarryT · 11-20-2007, 03:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KlondikeGeoff

I particularly like the wireless download feature

Hmmm. Sorry, Geoff, but personally I think the wireless feature is a terrible mistake. I don't know what on Earth Amazon were thinking to ignore international standards (ie GSM) and go with CDMA technology which effectively "locks" the Kindle to the North American market. It seems to be a very shortsighted attitude indeed to me.

KlondikeGeoff · 11-20-2007, 04:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

Hmmm. Sorry, Geoff, but personally I think the wireless feature is a terrible mistake. I don't know what on Earth Amazon were thinking to ignore international standards (ie GSM) and go with CDMA technology which effectively "locks" the Kindle to the North American market. It seems to be a very shortsighted attitude indeed to me.

Well, right, from a non-US point of view. As they are supposed to be an international company, I don't know why they did this, but hey, for me, it's terrific technology.

Maybe if you get a HUGE rooftop antenna, you can reach the US system?

HarryT · 11-20-2007, 04:13 PM

But just think what's going to happen when the telecoms operators in the US decide to shut down the old CDMA networks and switch entirely to GSM - and that day will come. Remember the Palm VII? That was a US-only device which used some proprietory wireless network system to send e-mail. The network got shut down, and the device became a white elephant as result.

11-19-2007, 03:42 PM	#1
dhbailey Guru Posts: 604 Karma: 733 Join Date: Mar 2007 Device: HP iPAQ211 / PRS 500, 700 and 505	Amazon Kindle review http://blogs.zdnet.com/BTL/?p=7098&tag=nl.e589 is the link to a review of the Amazon Kindle. There is also a series of pictures of the Kindle, and I must say that while the concept seems great, looking at it in the pictures and comparing it mentally to the Sony, I think I shall be staying with the Sony for the near future.

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11-19-2007, 04:48 PM	#2
Aprilbeginnings Guru Posts: 632 Karma: 404 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Southern CA Device: Sony PRS-500 /prs 650 soon	I see no reason for switching, my sony E-reader sure fits my needs.

11-19-2007, 05:31 PM	#4
Aprilbeginnings Guru Posts: 632 Karma: 404 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Southern CA Device: Sony PRS-500 /prs 650 soon	you say tomatoes, I say tomato <G>

11-20-2007, 03:05 AM	#6
FixB Groupie Posts: 186 Karma: 499 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: France, Toulouse Device: Sony PRS500	Same here (except I'll stick with the double 0)

11-20-2007, 12:16 PM	#9
Greg G Groupie Posts: 181 Karma: 66 Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: NJ Device: Kindle Papwerwhite	The review seems to imply that you can browse anything on the web and not just Wiki and specific payed for blogs. I suspect that this is not the case but if it where I'd find myself needing this device for sure! -Greg

11-20-2007, 01:13 PM	#10
KlondikeGeoff Wombat Aficionado Posts: 481 Karma: 733 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Arizona Device: Fire, Kindle1, Sony PRS-500 Reader, Rocket 1100 eBook	Coincidence: the current issue of Newsweek (Nov 26) has a cover story on ebooks, and on page 64 is a review of the Kindle by Steven Levy. He does have a Sony Reader, and from what he writes about his test of the Kindle, it sounds as though it will beat the Reader. I'll probably wait for the first updated version, then am sure will spring for it. I particularly like the wireless download feature and the ease of buying from Amazon.com (and their prices). I used to get good deals on books from them for my old Rocket eBook. I may feel differently after trying one out, but as of now, I think I'll probably get one eventually.

11-20-2007, 02:41 PM	#11
dhbailey Guru Posts: 604 Karma: 733 Join Date: Mar 2007 Device: HP iPAQ211 / PRS 500, 700 and 505	For whatever reason, Amazon has made an amazing push to get the Kindle recognized -- all these reviews, and this morning on WBUR (Boston University public radio station) there was an entire hour dedicated to it primarily (and only obliquely discussing other readers). The most distubing thing was that none of the guests had actually used a reader for any great length of time, and so didn't speak very much to how similar the experience of using a reader to reading a book (at least it has been in my experience with the Sony Reader), and discussed the cool extras far more than the actual reading experience and the fact that such devices are the only way (outside a computer) to read the vast library of out of print books which make up Project Gutenberg. And the only negative voice was a person who is averse to all electronic reading devices, rather than anybody who could knowingly address any actual shortcoming of the Kindle. Amazon has far better publicity muscle than Sony, it seems!

11-20-2007, 04:13 PM	#15
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383043 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	But just think what's going to happen when the telecoms operators in the US decide to shut down the old CDMA networks and switch entirely to GSM - and that day will come. Remember the Palm VII? That was a US-only device which used some proprietory wireless network system to send e-mail. The network got shut down, and the device became a white elephant as result.

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