Early report on the Amazon Kindle, due Nov 2011.

[charmian]

I'm personally not very excited because this tablet is 7 inches, and I'm only interested in getting a 10 inch one, to better read PDFs and manga.

[JD78]

I think tablets have their uses and think Amazon's will be successful (but should be priced at $199 IMO). With that said, I still don't agree that anything LCD should be referred to as an e-reader. Most of them are multi-purpose devices to begin with and IMO e-ink or like technology that is dedicated for reading should be the only one referred to as an e-reader.

I'm sure Amazon is not going to market this as an e-reader, but as a multifunctional device that can also be used to read books via their Kindle App.

[alansplace]

Originally Posted by JD78

....IMO e-ink or like technology that is dedicated for reading should be the only one referred to as an e-reader.

[bwaldron]

Originally Posted by JD78

I still don't agree that anything LCD should be referred to as an e-reader. Most of them are multi-purpose devices to begin with and IMO e-ink or like technology that is dedicated for reading should be the only one referred to as an e-reader.

I do understand what you're getting at, but disagree. There were "e-reader" devices before e-ink existed (some LCD-based). Sure, the current Kindles (and other e-ink devices) are clearly built primarily for reading books. The situation is muddied a little when Amazon sells apps and games for their e-ink device, and adds social media features etc.

Originally Posted by JD78

I'm sure Amazon is not going to market this as an e-reader, but as a multifunctional device that can also be used to read books via their Kindle App.

I wouldn't be surprised if Amazon markets their tablet with the Kindle name and sells reading as one of its primary functions, just as B&N calls theirs a Nook. Of course, they will also heavily market the other functions of the device, tied into their own App store and music/video catalogs.

[travfar]

Originally Posted by JD78

I think tablets have their uses and think Amazon's will be successful (but should be priced at $199 IMO). With that said, I still don't agree that anything LCD should be referred to as an e-reader. Most of them are multi-purpose devices to begin with and IMO e-ink or like technology that is dedicated for reading should be the only one referred to as an e-reader.

I'm sure Amazon is not going to market this as an e-reader, but as a multifunctional device that can also be used to read books via their Kindle App.

If you read that article. It clearly says that this device's name is "Amazon Kindle". So based on Amazon's branding strategy, it will be marketed as an Ereader. Afterall, people use the Kindle app on iPhones, Touches, iPads, Androids, etc, etc. I am one of those since I find it far more soothing on the eyes to use an iPhone as an ereader than the sandpaper called e-ink. But I endure it for the KSO offers and the free global internet. I only hope this new devices carries on with those once the 3G version comes out.

[travfar]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

The thread title is misleading. It makes people thinka new eink reader is due in November when it's just an LCD tablet. Can a moderator please fix the thread title? Thanks.

How's it misleading? According to the article, the official name of this device is "Amazon Kindle".

[SmokeAndMirrors]

Can someone please explain to me what the point of LCD e-readers is?

I thought e-readers existed so people could read on a screen that doesn't hurt their eyes, on a device that doesn't need to be plugged in after a couple hours of untethered use. As far as I can tell, there is no other reason for e-readers to exist.

An LCD e-reader fulfills neither of those needs. Why do they exist? Why do people buy them?

If it doesn't bother you to read on an LCD screen or to deal with the significantly shorter battery life, why wouldn't you just buy a real tablet?

You can buy a highly-rated Android tablet for $250-$300 these days - not much different than these LCD e-readers. It may not be the best specs in the world, but then again, neither are the LCD e-readers. And it saves you the trouble of having to root it. And it probably has a more recent Android release on it. And there are plenty of e-reading apps for any tablet OS.

Why would you buy a crippled version of something when you can get the full version for pretty much the same price?

And why is it called an e-reader if it doesn't do anything helpful to readers that any ole' computer couldn't do?

Frankly, I have a hard enough time understanding the point of tablets - it's either an overgrown smartphone that can't make calls, or an undergrown computer that can't do any substantial output - I'm not sure which.

But even a tablet makes more sense to me than an LCD e-reader.

In complete sincerity, can someone explain to me what the hell the purpose of these things is?

[alansplace]

Originally Posted by SmokeAndMirrors

Can someone please explain to me what the point of LCD e-readers is?

I thought e-readers existed so people could read on a screen that doesn't hurt their eyes, on a device that doesn't need to be plugged in after a couple hours of untethered use. As far as I can tell, there is no other reason for e-readers to exist.

An LCD e-reader fulfills neither of those needs. Why do they exist? Why do people buy them?

If it doesn't bother you to read on an LCD screen or to deal with the significantly shorter battery life, why wouldn't you just buy a real tablet?

You can buy a highly-rated Android tablet for $250-$300 these days - not much different than these LCD e-readers. It may not be the best specs in the world, but then again, neither are the LCD e-readers. And it saves you the trouble of having to root it. And it probably has a more recent Android release on it. And there are plenty of e-reading apps for any tablet OS.

Why would you buy a crippled version of something when you can get the full version for pretty much the same price?

And why is it called an e-reader if it doesn't do anything helpful to readers that any ole' computer couldn't do?

Frankly, I have a hard enough time understanding the point of tablets - it's either an overgrown smartphone that can't make calls, or an undergrown computer that can't do any substantial output - I'm not sure which.

But even a tablet makes more sense to me than an LCD e-reader.

In complete sincerity, can someone explain to me what the hell the purpose of these things is?

i certainly cannot. good job.

[JD78]

Originally Posted by travfar

If you read that article. It clearly says that this device's name is "Amazon Kindle". So based on Amazon's branding strategy, it will be marketed as an Ereader. Afterall, far more people use the Kindle app on iPhones, Touches, iPads, Androids, etc, etc than have Kindles. I am one of those since I find it far more soothing on the eyes to use an iPhone as an ereader than the sandpaper called e-ink. But I endure it for the KSO offers and the free global internet. I only hope this new devices carries on with those once the 3G version comes out.

I'm aware that it will be called the Kindle, I wasn't expecting anything else. I also realize they will market the e-reading function of the device, but I doubt it will be their primary focus in their advertisements. The Kindle name will give it name recognition, but hardly means it will be marketed as an e-reader. It will be much more advantageous if they market it as a multi-function/media device to compliment their app store, music store, cloud service, kindle app, etc...

If anyone is worried or hoping this is going to end up replacing the e-ink Kindles, I doubt it. Amazon will keep selling Kindles because it makes them money, period. Not only are they currently the market leader, but the Kindle is one of the best selling devices on Amazon. As for the tablet, I don't think they will be making much money off every device sold. I think the strategy here is to offer yet another way for people to use their services and to make money off the content.

[travfar]

Originally Posted by SmokeAndMirrors

Can someone please explain to me what the point of LCD e-readers is?

I thought e-readers existed so people could read on a screen that doesn't hurt their eyes, on a device that doesn't need to be plugged in after a couple hours of untethered use. As far as I can tell, there is no other reason for e-readers to exist.

An LCD e-reader fulfills neither of those needs. Why do they exist? Why do people buy them?

If it doesn't bother you to read on an LCD screen or to deal with the significantly shorter battery life, why wouldn't you just buy a real tablet?

You can buy a highly-rated Android tablet for $250-$300 these days - not much different than these LCD e-readers. It may not be the best specs in the world, but then again, neither are the LCD e-readers. And it saves you the trouble of having to root it. And it probably has a more recent Android release on it. And there are plenty of e-reading apps for any tablet OS.

Why would you buy a crippled version of something when you can get the full version for pretty much the same price?

And why is it called an e-reader if it doesn't do anything helpful to readers that any ole' computer couldn't do?

Frankly, I have a hard enough time understanding the point of tablets - it's either an overgrown smartphone that can't make calls, or an undergrown computer that can't do any substantial output - I'm not sure which.

But even a tablet makes more sense to me than an LCD e-reader.

In complete sincerity, can someone explain to me what the hell the purpose of these things is?

A LCD device does not need to be recharged every couple of hours. I recharge mine maybe twice a week. Some even last longer. They easily last a few hours at a time. Yes, the Kindle can last longer. Although in my experience not for a month as some people claim. I have to charge my K2/K3 about once a week. More with use since I have the wireless on when I'm using mine. But how many people read for days on end with no sleep? It's not that hard to plug something in when you go to sleep. So as long as it last a day, why is that an issue?

For me and others, it's e-ink that hurts our eyes. It's the low contrast. I can stare at a LCD for 16 hours a day, day after day, and I'm just fine. 15 mins with e-ink and I'm reaching for the aspirin. About the only place where e-ink works for me is outside in full sunlight.

http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/0...se-eye-strain/

As for why Amazon would sell a crippled version of a tablet? That's a good question. Obviously, they ordered this to compete against the Nook Color. By all reports, Amazon didn't develop it. They hired some other manufacturer to supply it. So by specs and pricing, it's the same as the Nook Color. The NC was great last year. Today.... Not so much. With ipad 1's selling for $300, Transforms/Iconias going for $300 and the TouchPad for $99 it doesn't seem like the Amazon Kindle priced at $249 is such a great idea. Unless it has an exclusive hot feature or they drastically lower the price. If it has KSO and free global internet, that would be enough to swing me. Many people still don't get the beauty of the KSOs. You can pay for a $249 Kindle by just taking advantage of a couple of offers. The free global wireless, priceless. Even a crippled tablet with a good browser and access to the Amazon app store with those two things would be worthly at $249.

[JD78]

Originally Posted by travfar

Today.... Not so much. With ipad 1's selling for $300, Transforms/Iconias going for $300 and the TouchPad for $99 it doesn't seem like the Amazon Kindle priced at $249 is such a great idea. Unless it has an exclusive hot feature or they drastically lower the price. If it has KSO and free global internet, that would be enough to swing me. Many people still don't get the beauty of the KSOs. You can pay for a $249 Kindle by just taking advantage of a couple of offers. The free global wireless, priceless. Even a crippled tablet with a good browser and access to the Amazon app store with those two things would be worthly at $249.

I think @ $199 with either Amazon Prime or KSO would make it a good price. If they included Amazon Prime (as eluded to in the article), it would not only give users a free streaming library, but with free 2-day shipping buyers might look to Amazon first for their online shopping needs (if they weren't already doing so).

[SmokeAndMirrors]

Originally Posted by travfar

A LCD device does not need to be recharged every couple of hours. I recharge mine maybe twice a week. Some even last longer. They easily last a few hours at a time. Yes, the Kindle can last longer. Although in my experience not for a month as some people claim. I have to charge my K2/K3 about once a week. More with use since I have the wireless on when I'm using mine. But how many people read for days on end with no sleep? It's not that hard to plug something in when you go to sleep. So as long as it last a day, why is that an issue?

For me and others, it's e-ink that hurts our eyes. It's the low contrast. I can stare at a LCD for 16 hours a day, day after day, and I'm just fine. 15 mins with e-ink and I'm reaching for the aspirin. About the only place where e-ink works for me is outside in full sunlight.

http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/0...se-eye-strain/

As for why Amazon would sell a crippled version of a tablet? That's a good question. Obviously, they ordered this to compete against the Nook Color. By all reports, Amazon didn't develop it. They hired some other manufacturer to supply it. So by specs and pricing, it's the same as the Nook Color. The NC was great last year. Today.... Not so much. With ipad 1's selling for $300, Transforms/Iconias going for $300 and the TouchPad for $99 it doesn't seem like the Amazon Kindle priced at $249 is such a great idea. Unless it has an exclusive hot feature or they drastically lower the price. If it has KSO and free global internet, that would be enough to swing me. Many people still don't get the beauty of the KSOs. You can pay for a $249 Kindle by just taking advantage of a couple of offers. The free global wireless, priceless. Even a crippled tablet with a good browser and access to the Amazon app store with those two things would be worthly at $249.

That's all well and good - and like I said, there probably are people who aren't bothered by reading for extended periods on LCD. Apparently you're one of them. There are also people who don't mind less battery life, because their usage doesn't require it. Apparently you're one of those, too. That I totally get. Well, I don't get it personally, but I get that everyone's eyes and habits are different. I'm certainly not claiming that reading an LCD is literally harmful - but it can get uncomfortable for some people, including me.

I suppose the 3G is one reason, when it comes to the Kindle specifically. Free 3G tablets exist, but they're rare and I'm not sure if there are any in the US yet. Ok, that I get. That may make it worth rooting the thing and dealing with the probably inferior specs. But that has to do with the Kindle brand, not with LCD e-readers themselves.

Eliminating that, it still doesn't explain to me the purpose of the LCD e-readers themselves. In addition, I *only* see the point of it with the Kindle if you also root it. Otherwise... you're frankly just really wasting that pretty screen.

[travfar]

Originally Posted by SmokeAndMirrors

Eliminating that, it still doesn't explain to me the purpose of the LCD e-readers themselves. In addition, I *only* see the point of it with the Kindle if you also root it. Otherwise... you're frankly just really wasting that pretty screen.

The Amazon Kindle won't be just an e-reader. Even though "limited", it is still pretty much a full tablet. It still has a full web browser. Instead of the Google App store it'll have the Amazon App store. So in essence, instead of being a Google Android tablet it'll be an Amazon Android tablet. For many people, they won't notice the difference. I personally have no doubt that it will be hacked. Far less popular and unknown tablets get hacked all the time. For all we know, Amazon is just rebranding another company's tablet. Much like the Motorola Triumph is just a rebranded phone that's been around for almost two years. If that's the case, it may already be hacked.

[thinkpad]

Originally Posted by JainaSJedi

I'm not interested in a gimpy version of Android with only 6GB of storage

My smart-phone has more memory than this.

[Skydog]

For me and others, it's e-ink that hurts our eyes. It's the low contrast. I can stare at a LCD for 16 hours a day, day after day, and I'm just fine. 15 mins with e-ink and I'm reaching for the aspirin. About the only place where e-ink works for me is outside in full sunlight.

It is precisely the opposite for me as well as many friends and colleagues. I can read for hours on my Kindle with no eye fatigue whatsoever. Not the case with any backlit device. The subtler contrast and ability to read in direct bright light is a plus. Love e-ink!