Amazon announces Kindle Oasis

[WT Sharpe]

Originally Posted by DiapDealer

How good is the Voyage's adaptive brightness? I ask because I've had to turn it off on any device I've ever had that touted it as a feature. I was always seeing fluctuations in the lighting whenever I moved the slightest bit. Couldn't deal with it. Made me feel like it was the '60s again. Have they smoothed out the algorithm a bit, or can you still see it change simply by angling the device a millimeter in any direction?

Most of the time I don't realize I even have it on and it seems to work pretty good. Haven't experienced any 60s flashbacks yet. I've noticed it making adjustments now and then, but nothing so drastic as you describe. Of course, no light made is intuitive enough to tell how much light my eyes desire when I first open them in a darkened room or pick up my Voyage after having just returned from being outside in full sunlight, so I still make frequent physical adjustments, but far fewer than with my Paperwhite.

[Kulamata]

Untasted though they are, some of us know those grapes must be sour!

I was never interested in the Kindles (low contrast, old eyes) until the PW1, and since then I've also owned PW2, VJR, and soon Oasis. I read in bed, and did very well with the PW's; I thought the PW2 with the genu-wine Amazon case was a superb example of industrial design.

The Voyage with its 300 ppi display's sharper font edges offered an increase in perceived contrast; that part was great. Haptic page-turner-switches and the improved quantum dot LED's were fine, but the variable lighting algorithm got confused (long story, my usage) and I never got comfortable with the Omigame (heh) cover. The alternate book-style after-market Voyage covers were all inferior for various reasons compared to the PW Amazon cover. Had the PW3 arrived before the Voyage, I might have stood pat. (Nah, prolly not.)

So, for all both remaining readers, some Oasis thoughts.

I spent my career in electronic design, primarily telecommunications and audio.

Cost; as has been pointed out, with comparable covers, the Oasis is not as much more expensive than the Voyage as it seems at first glance. Where does the additional cost come in? Only Amazon knows of course, but some hopefully educated guesses:

Two batteries cost more than one, with two sets of charging regulators, and the nifty new connector. Ten LED's; the V upgraded to high efficiency, improved spectrum, quantum dot LED's. I'm guessing that with the emphasis on battery life, the new LED's are even premiumer high efficiency devices.

Heat management. The tighter the layout, the more important heat management/dissipation becomes, and it will cost you one way or another; upgraded components, heat sinks, whatever.

Weight reduction is similar; you won't see the components, but the structurally plated (not cosmetically plated) chassis, and the thinner high strength glass (Gorilla style) and whatever we don't know about will be sapping costs.

Due to the design goals, I'd expect a lot more experimental/prototype designs than usual. Possibly 3D manufactured, but still... and there were possibly several prototype molds as well.

Lower production quantities.

So, all in all, I do not believe that the Oasis is a roaring ripoff, or a turn away from the proven, incredibly successful, Amazon business plan of selling the razor at cost, and selling lots and lots and lots of blades.

So, Ima gonna get my nice cover, one-handed reading comfort, same excellent display, reduced weight, and an adequate merlot.

PS. The PW3 is the sweet spot; an awful lot for the money, does the job really well, and it is all most users will need. But for those with unusual needs, I, for one, am most grateful to Amazon.

PPS. I like the physical design; nice proportions, attractive curves, interesting. Should have fewer inadvertent page flips due to trailing finger syndrome...

[Atunah]

Originally Posted by badgoodDeb

If I use up the 7 hours of battery on the naked Oasis, do we have any specs that indicate how fast the cover will recharge it? I suppose not.

10 minutes in the cover will give 1 hour of battery time. This is according to the Amazon Kindle designer dudes via this podcast

http://www.thekindlechronicles.com/2...-kindle-oasis/

[WT Sharpe]

I haven't heard much said about the cover for the Oasis other than how it contains a more substantial battery than in found on the actual device. Judging from the pictures I've seen, it leaves the bulkiest portion of the back — that portion that I assume contains most of the electronics — unprotected from falls and mishaps. Am I missing something here?

[Question Mark]

Originally Posted by WT Sharpe

Judging from the pictures I've seen, it leaves the bulkiest portion of the back — that portion that I assume contains most of the electronics — unprotected from falls and mishaps. Am I missing something here?

Yes, it is now so light that it will just float to the ground should you happen to drop it.

[disconnected]

Originally Posted by rcentros

I definitely would buy it at that price, but I seriously doubt you'll see these fire sales you talk about.

I'm kind of amazed at the bitterness towards Amazon displayed here (and not talking just about you). So the Oasis is not your cup of tea? Fine. No one is forcing anyone to buy one. Since I bought my Kobo Glo, my impression of Kobos has not been enhanced -- too many glitches and too much required tweaking -- but I don't spend my life whining about it (or a Kobo I don't plan on buying) on the Kobo forum. I'm not obsessed with them. As for waterproofing, which seems to be a really BIG deal to a lot of folks here ... I could care less, I don't plan on swimming with my Kindle and -- so far -- I've never spilled anything on any eReader (knock on wood).

I do, however, like a light eReader. I like the buttons. In theory I like the ergonomics of the Oasis -- though I haven't held one so I don't really know yet. I think the case is a good idea -- its dual purposes (protection and charging) appeals to me. Since the case so easy to separate from the Oasis, I would spend most of my time reading without the case -- and plug it in when I needed a recharge. (I read somewhere that a relatively short time in the case gives you hours more of reading time with the Oasis, sans-case -- 10 or 30 minutes for 3 hours.)

So not everyone has the same priorities or likes. I still think the "high end" Oasis will do fine in the market. I also expect others will copy the design -- the wedge part anyhow.

I suppose you could call it bitterness but I think it’s just disappointment. For me it isn’t about the money. I don’t have a lot of money -- not enough to make a hobby of world travel or collecting vintage sports cars or multiple residences. But I’m retired with plenty of time to indulge my reading addiction. Space constraints and not-so-great eyesight make ereaders a wonderful thing for me and within limits I can indulge myself with “stacks” of ebooks and the latest and greatest model ereaders.

But to me the Oasis just doesn’t scream latest and greatest. We’ve been imagining all sorts of wondrous features and this has……….none of them. It’s not even waterproof which almost seemed a given. I’ve gotten used to Amazon’s stubbornness regarding font sizes and page layouts but this is just boring. It’s sad that Amazon (with its drones and space travel or whatever’s taken their fancy lately) can’t be any more imaginative in ereader design than this.

But of course I’ve ordered an Oasis anyway.

[Cinisajoy]

Originally Posted by Tarana

It's hard to imagine when it isn't your issue. Waterproof works not only for wet environments (ever read near a pool?) but also sandy environments. You have a toddler who grabs your stuff and drools on it. I have no need for a waterproof ereader either, but I would hardly make fun of someone who has the need. Ok..maybe a little. If I cooked from my ereader, I would certainly want it waterproof - I spill just about everything.

You put the ereader on top of the bread machine to prevent spilling something on it. Or get an easel to put the ereader on.
Every time I bake, I look like the Pillsbury Dough Girl.

Or you get smart and just write your most used recipes on index cards.

[Shane R]

Originally Posted by rcentros

Okay. My bad then. But there does seem to be a lot ridicule mixed in with the "shock."

Ridicule, and expressed hope that the device fails, and bewilderment at those who say they want one.

No one complains that the base Kindle is too cheap, chintzy, lo rez and therefore shouldn't exist. But lots are in a hurry to say that the Oasis shouldn't.

[Shane R]

Originally Posted by Conan46

It's not just in this thread:
http://www.fool.com/investing/genera...tfxblnk0000004
http://mashable.com/2016/04/14/kindl.../#SIVfKsQH6gqb
http://nymag.com/following/2016/04/w...dle-oasis.html
http://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/c...look/82872938/

Last link says "Notwithstanding price, Kindle Oasis is mighty tempting..."

The penultimate link is about waterproofing (which is a dealbreaker only for a vocal minority).

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by DiapDealer

I'm pretty sure there's going be a lot of astounded naysayers before all is said and done.

Nay, say it ain't so

[Josieb1]

Originally Posted by zamana

Kindle Oasis and 35 posts about... waterproof.

I really don't understand why people value so much the waterproof feature. Do you read while diving? Do you read while crossing the pool of your club? Are you concerned about being attacked by a shark just before be able to finish reading 50 Shades of Grey? Are you serious?

I think that when you don't know what to do next, you do again, but waterproof this time.

Waterproof is so useless as a peephole into a glass door...

I read in the bath, every day. I read while sitting on the edge of a pool while my legs are in the water, my H20 is literally hanging out over the water and I don't have to worry about dropping it. It's in a waterproof case from Gecko too. As much as I like my Voyage my Kono H20 is the one ereader I would automatically replace, my Voyage would be replaced by a Paperwhite.

[Shane R]

Originally Posted by Question Mark

After all, what other rational explanation for such a device could there be?

They think that it's an improvement that will sell to a significant number of their customers?

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by robko

I actually think the device itself isn't actually bad. I don't think it's worth what they have it priced for, but I would pay that much for a device I thought was worth it. But MY bitterness is the utterly contemptible marketing B.S. that Amazon is spewing about this thing (i.e. thinner and longer battery life - which technically you can't get both of at the same time). I would (and do) have the same contempt for any company doing the same marketing.

Agree there

[aceflor]

Originally Posted by zamana

Kindle Oasis and 35 posts about... waterproof.

I really don't understand why people value so much the waterproof feature. Do you read while diving? Do you read while crossing the pool of your club? Are you concerned about being attacked by a shark just before be able to finish reading 50 Shades of Grey? Are you serious?

I think that when you don't know what to do next, you do again, but waterproof this time.

Waterproof is so useless as a peephole into a glass door...

New York Magazine : That pretty well covers what the Oasis is. But it’s equally notable for what it’s not, which is waterproof. This is, objectively speaking, madness — and the reason that, even though I've never touched the thing, I know you shouldn't buy it. E-readers were sent down to Earth to be used at the beach, or by the pool, or in a tub, or while sloshing around a goblet of cheap red wine. They’re as predictable as Chekhov’s gun, except instead of going off, they get splashed, dunked, or drizzled on.

I am not saying this, the New York Magazine does here. http://nymag.com/following/2016/04/w...dle-oasis.html

I used to read books at the beach, at the pool and on the boat before Kindle were created. When I bought my first Kindle (aka, my first e-reader), I only read with it inside or on the terrace, but never took it to the poolside. I would switched to a book when near water. Then I started using ziplocs. The Aura H2O was and is a huge improvement FOR ME. The Oasis is not going to work FOR ME. My needs, as I stated already many times but apparently some here are either blind, or the information they read does not make it to their brain, particular and I am not assuming that everyone would want the same as I want.

BUT: waterproof is an interesting feature on an e-reader. For some it is irrelevant, for others it is relevant.

I would appreciate, no, actually I would expect, that human beings capable of reading would also be capable of understanding this and not basically throw at the face of everyone who would like an e-reader to be waterproof that he/she is an utter imbecile or is not entitled to an opinion due to (and where is this coming from ?) his/her lifestyle. I don't know how you live in Brasil and would not allow myself to judge you or make fun of you, I would expect the same from you.

Thank you.

Edit: If you like the Oasis, buy it. I am sure you'll be happy with it.

[Barty]

I'm mildly bitter, with a dash of pique.

It's been apparent to me for a couple of years now that Amazon is not going to give me what I want because my interests do not align with theirs, may in fact run counter to theirs.

I want TTS. Amazon wants to keep reducing weight while maintaining battery life. They want to sell me audio books, Fire tablets, and all the other devices in their ecosystem, so they actually have a _disincentive_ to add TTS. It made sense for them once, not any more.

I want to be able to adjust the font weight. They want to keep the UI simple, stupid. I want to side load my own fonts. They don't want the bother and the bugs. And, like the chef that looks at you askance when you ask for table salt, they think nobody should need to mess with their carefully designed fonts, anyway.

I want something a little bigger because I use largish font size and it'd be nice to have more lines on one screen. They're like, MORE? You want MORE?!?!

I want to jailbreak my kindle to customize it and run some interesting mods beside. As I understand it from the mods, it's possible for Amazon to allow for unofficial mods without a jailbreak, which involves exploiting a software bug and putting the device at risk. But instead they're increasingly hostile to the modders. (It's pretty telling that while Microsoft is embracing open source and cross platform, Amazon is doing its best to wall the garden. These two companies are on opposite trajectories, in a way.)

Just buy something else, right? The problem is the alternatives are not great. Kobo does not have TTS either. Their software seems buggier. They don't sell in any U.S. stores. (But I'm inching closer to buying a kobo.) The android based e-ink readers look pretty kludgy and the displays are not quite as good. Amazon has the best e-ink displays and probably will continue to. They have tremendous advantage in procuring the best e-ink screens and putting them to best use given their market share and R&D war chest. Then, there is liquavista looming on the horizon.

Oh well, I'll just have more money for e-books, I guess.