[ficbot]

All the talk about a next-gen Kindle had me thinking about my dream device. My first thought was 'an oversize iPod Touch' because I am loving the wireless aspect. It never occurred to me until I didn't have to do it anymore, just how annoying it is to want to read something and have to get out sync cables and plug things in!

The downside of the iPod Touch though is that some formats like PDF don't display, and Fictionwise, great though it might be, is still not as frugal as the Kindle store. So I guess my dream e-book device would be:

- A Kindle based on wi-fi, so it is useable outside the USA but still wireless
- As lightweight as possible
- Supports downloading backups to your PC or Mac
- Format support for Kindle PLUS Secure eReader, Regular eReader, Mobipocket, ePub and PDF
- Buy/download from any source with legit formats e.g. Kindle Store, Manybooks, Fictionwise

I do think a next-gen iPod Touch with a slightly larger screen might meet my needs in every respect except support for Kindle format and ability to buy those from my computer without needing a Kindle. But it will require more than one program---currently, all formats listed above except Kindle and Mobipocket can be read on the iPod Touch, but one needs different programs, and it is tedious to think about 'oh, I want to read such and such book, which program is it formatted for?' So I have gotten rid of Stanza and for now am reading only Fictionwise and Manybooks documents in eReader. I would like mobipocket suport for my public library's e-book collection, and I would like GOOD pdf so I can read off scribd.

I guess my main issue with Amazon is that you cannot buy it outside the USA. A wi-fi based version would work for me and I admit, I might cave on such a gizmo even though I already have two e-book readers (eBookwise and iPod Touch) because the Kindle store is so cheap.