Forbes: Why Amazon Doesn't Need Kindle 2.0

[daffy4u]

Why Amazon Doesn't Need Kindle 2.0

I tend to agree with the article. The Kindle really needs a software upgrade. Those who are more into form factor over functionality will not be happy with the BoyGenius version (if it's true).

Amazon's dependence on partners like Sprint and E-Ink means that, aside from marginal hardware upgrades, the next Kindle's real improvements will likely be incremental software touch-ups that make its interface smoother and easier to use, Forrester analyst James McQuivey surmises. "The next Kindle can't be dramatically better," he says. "There's very little other than the pleasantness of the experience that you can tweak."

[Alisa]

I think a larger reader coupled with a strong entrance into technical and text books would be good. I agree that another 6" doesn't seem to bring much to the table. Forbes seems to be taking that BoyGenius picture very seriously. They didn't make it very clear that no one from Amazon has confirmed that it is the next gen Kindle.

[Penforhire]

I'm expecting big strides in e-ink. Color and/or resolution, for instance. Maybe E-ink, the company, needs a little competition to speed up development cycles. I surely don't know their current profit margin on 6" screens but I'm imagining it as extreme or else their manufacturing process needs more engineering.

I'dllbe surprised if Amazon has only 30% more sales than Sony. I own two Sonys but every single person I meet who has ANY clue about e-readers (not many) knows about the Kindle and no other make.

[daffy4u]

Originally Posted by Penforhire

I'dllbe surprised if Amazon has only 30% more sales than Sony. I own two Sonys but every single person I meet who has ANY clue about e-readers (not many) knows about the Kindle and no other make.

I still don't know how people come up with these figures. Neither Amazon or Sony have shared sales numbers.

[daffy4u]

Now there is an argument to the Forbes article from ZDNet.

So why does Amazon need a true Kindle 2.0, and not just Kindle 1.1? Because in due time, Sony will get the formula right — and Amazon can’t afford to play up a joystick versus a touchscreen once Sony narrows the gap in the wireless category and has the bright idea that a gadget can’t take off with a name like “PRS-700.”

Amazon’s unique challenge is to increase the popularity of e-readers while increasing the adoption of its own devices. It must win over new consumers as well as Kindle converts. To do so, the Kindle stone must gather no moss.

[RickyMaveety]

Originally Posted by daffy4u

I still don't know how people come up with these figures. Neither Amazon or Sony have shared sales numbers.

Hell, daffy, they make them up. You had to know that .... right??

[daffy4u]

Originally Posted by RickyMaveety

Hell, daffy, they make them up. You had to know that .... right??

Yeah but why? The only thing we know for sure numbers wise, is that Amazon and Sony have sold at least one each.

[Boston]

For the current market that the Kindle is targeting, I agree that there is no need for a Kindle 2.0 AND

The real killer feature that the second-generation Kindle could offer, contends McQuivey, would be a price drop.

.

As a Kindle owner, most of what I want could be handled via a software upgrade..which I will continue to hope that Amazon delivers by providing "over the air updates".

To expand their market reach into textbooks and technical manuals, a larger reader would be ideal. Likewise, they would need to get more textbook publishers on board and natively support pdfs that flow well. I also think the ability to transfer documents with comments/highlighting to a PC to print would be important to me. But for my recreational reading (which is all I use the Kindle for currently), none of this personally matters.

[RickyMaveety]

Originally Posted by daffy4u

Yeah but why? The only thing we know for sure numbers wise, is that Amazon and Sony have sold at least one each.

Well, the companies make up the numbers in the hopes that they will sell more product. Nothing sells like success.

The reviewers and pundits make up the numbers so they will sound like insiders. People walk around thinking they must actually know something or they wouldn't have cited a number.

And, that's the why. Pure and simple. Both groups are just playing with our heads in an attempt to manipulate us.

[sassanik]

Personally I think that the Kindle seriously needs a full upgrade, not just a touch up.

Its price point is high, I think they would be wise to follow the ipod model, and put out a cheaper one with less functions (ie lose the wireless connection) and the funky keyboard thingy.

In my opinion Sony is being more innovative in design and coming out with new models faster.

That being said I don't have either device, as they are too spendy, I just have my little eb 1150.

I think that most people who are serious about getting a ereader research them and then make the choice.

Anyway it will be interesting to see what will happen.

Amy

[pilotbob]

Originally Posted by sassanik

Its price point is high, I think they would be wise to follow the ipod model, and put out a cheaper one with less functions (ie lose the wireless connection) and the funky keyboard thingy.

It is basically the same price as the BeBook and the CyBook... a bit more than the Sony... but the ebook prices at Amazon will make up the difference after you buy about 10 books.

I disagree... the keyboard makes the device compelling, allowing for searching and annotating.

A BMW also cost more than a Ford... but many people say it is worth it based on the sales.

Have you used a Kindle?

BOb

[Alisa]

I think the wireless is a big selling point for a lot of people. There are a surprising number of folks out there that aren't comfortable with loading stuff via USB. Add to that the frequent travelers, transit commuters and other folks that are just away from their homes a lot and the demand for wireless grows. WiFi isn't everywhere.

I didn't regard the EVDO access as a big deal when I bought it because I'm not in any of those categories but I still find it remarkably convenient and, surprisingly, a bit of a money-saver. It keeps me from buying in advance. My typical buying pattern is to download the sample, read it fully, then buy the book. This keeps me buying only what I'm reading right now and only stuff I have a good chance of liking enough to finish. Since I usually don't have to worry about being near my computer when I come to the end of my sample and want more, I rarely end up buying something merely speculating I'll want to read it later. I've only done that in preparation for traveling outside the US. IMO, it doesn't add that much to the cost of the device and service versus what I have saved having it.

However, this didn't become apparent to me until I already had the Kindle. My initial reaction on hearing about Whispernet was a resounding "meh". I figured it was the Aunt Tillie factor at work and it did not figure at all in my buying decision. I was aware of the slow refresh of e-ink so unlimited web access on an e-ink device held no allure. I bought it for it's other features but now I realize how brilliant the EVDO access is.

[sassanik]

I can see the point of having a keyboard if you were reading non-fiction textbook type items. But I generally stick to the fiction stuff, and don't annotate stuff.

I am just saying that not all of us want/need all the features, they could create a cheaper one to reach a larger market. I would love to buy books through amazon and get their cheaper ebook prices, but I can't do the upfront costs right now. I would be willing to buy one at a cheaper price, and if it was cheaper I would not expect as many features, thus the reduction in the cost.

I have not used a kindle, because I can't afford it and frankly so far amongst my friends I am a early adopter, and they have not bought a ereader yet.

I would think that most of the people that are buying the kindle and other readers are fairly technologically capable, though I could be wrong in that assumption. It doesn't seem like an item that people that are not comfortable with computers in general would buy. *shrug*

Amy

[Alisa]

Originally Posted by sassanik

I can see the point of having a keyboard if you were reading non-fiction textbook type items. But I generally stick to the fiction stuff, and don't annotate stuff.

I am just saying that not all of us want/need all the features, they could create a cheaper one to reach a larger market. I would love to buy books through amazon and get their cheaper ebook prices, but I can't do the upfront costs right now. I would be willing to buy one at a cheaper price, and if it was cheaper I would not expect as many features, thus the reduction in the cost.

I have not used a kindle, because I can't afford it and frankly so far amongst my friends I am a early adopter, and they have not bought a ereader yet.

I would think that most of the people that are buying the kindle and other readers are fairly technologically capable, though I could be wrong in that assumption. It doesn't seem like an item that people that are not comfortable with computers in general would buy. *shrug*

Amy

I agree the keyboard isn't that big of a deal if you're not annotating. I just use it for search. An on-screen keyboard probably wouldn't be too bad. I don't think dumping it would save a whole lot of money per unit, though. Neither would dumping the wireless. The majority of the hardware cost is in the screen and the controller. The keyboard and wireless radio are probably under $20 total. There's a bit of development cost (mostly in the wireless) but stretched over the cost of that many units, it's not much. I don't know if there's an activation charge from Sprint per unit but I would be shocked if it was anywhere near the $25 rate the individual consumer often pays.

I think the Kindle actually does have quite a few non-techie users, especially with Oprah publicizing it now. But even before that, I've spent some time on Amazon's Kindle forum and I would say it was, on the whole, a far less tech-inclined group than MobileRead. My sister has one and she fears computers. She loves reading. It just works and that's what she wants. I think there are plenty of readers out there that love books but are, like her, intimidated by the thought of getting the books on a device from their computer. It seems like an easy thing to most of us but it fills others with dread. They're probably more comfortable typing on a familiar qwerty board than a laggy on-screen keyboard, too. If I think about it from Amazon's perspective, they probably wouldn't pick up that many customers dropping the price by that little compared to how many they pick up with stuff like Whispernet.