MobileRead Forums - View Single Post - So, briefly, what do you think about the Kindle now?

PHugger · 11-26-2007, 05:21 PM

I'm a relatively new Sony 505 user and I think it's pretty close to being a perfect reader. Two things bug me:

The next page button needs to be larger and easier to find without looking
Stepping through the menus (TOCs) is *very* slow

Sony has the styling down. It's very good looking and by comparison the Kindle looks clunky and cheaper. The Kindle crossed a very important line IMHO. They decided to go past the basic reader functions step part way into the tablet PC market. I not surprised that the Kindle seems to have a much larger appeal to Mac users. They are used to accepting and being happy with the offerings of a locked down monopoly - hardware, OS, content, and store (no flames, I use Macs). The search features temp me, but they cross the line from a pure reader. Having WAN access does nothing for me. I have access to PCs and can easily add content when needed - I have no need for instant, wireless downloads. I'm a bit of a gadget nut and these Kindle extras all duplicate functions I already have and carry with me. I really hope that Amazon decides to make their eBooks available in other formats or that other bookstores/publishers get their acts together soon. I really hope the Kindle does well. We all benefit from the competition and Amazon's encouragement to publish in electronic formats is another win for all of us. I'm glad there is a new kid on the block, but I have no envy...... (c8

PCH

11-26-2007, 05:21 PM	#9
PHugger Connoisseur Posts: 94 Karma: 8443 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: NJ Device: Kindle 3G, Sony PRS-505	I'm a relatively new Sony 505 user and I think it's pretty close to being a perfect reader. Two things bug me: The next page button needs to be larger and easier to find without looking Stepping through the menus (TOCs) is very slow Sony has the styling down. It's very good looking and by comparison the Kindle looks clunky and cheaper. The Kindle crossed a very important line IMHO. They decided to go past the basic reader functions step part way into the tablet PC market. I not surprised that the Kindle seems to have a much larger appeal to Mac users. They are used to accepting and being happy with the offerings of a locked down monopoly - hardware, OS, content, and store (no flames, I use Macs). The search features temp me, but they cross the line from a pure reader. Having WAN access does nothing for me. I have access to PCs and can easily add content when needed - I have no need for instant, wireless downloads. I'm a bit of a gadget nut and these Kindle extras all duplicate functions I already have and carry with me. I really hope that Amazon decides to make their eBooks available in other formats or that other bookstores/publishers get their acts together soon. I really hope the Kindle does well. We all benefit from the competition and Amazon's encouragement to publish in electronic formats is another win for all of us. I'm glad there is a new kid on the block, but I have no envy...... (c8 PCH Last edited by PHugger; 11-26-2007 at 05:23 PM.