Apple... Potential Kindle Killer?

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by cheese bogart

2: They are soon to be releasing there third gen (?) device the DX and they still ignore the rest of the world. Why should we be bothered with them (if they did release here) if we are only an after thought?

I think that's a little unfair on Amazon. I'm sure they'd like nothing better than to be able to release the Kindle in Europe. Unfortunately, the "legal issue" of trying to arange "Whispernet" deals with the multitude of different European telecoms providers, different legal frameworks, etc, is a problem of nightmarish proportions which is taking them years to try and resolve. Not to mention trying to get the legal right to sell their books in Europe, when many books have US-only distribution rights, and so on.

[kazbates]

The one thing that keeps going through my mind when I read the updated posts of this thread is the comment that people don't read anymore. People have been saying that for decades. With each new technological advancement in the home entertainment field (ie, televisions, video games, VCR's, etc.), someone makes that statement that people aren't reading any longer. I will admit that I haven't done any real research, but I know that when I go into my local Borders and Barnes and Noble, they are always very busy. I agree that young people (teens, '20's) probably aren't reading all that much. I know that when I was that age I was more interested in socializing and getting my classwork completed and didn't really have time for leisure reading and the same holds true for my college-aged children. However, I think that it is as people grow older and have more time for it (or perhaps are unable to participate in the physical activities that took up their time in their youth), reading becomes more popular.

My father is 78. He was definitely the stereotypical jock. He played professional football and became a high school football coach and physical education teacher. His leisure time was spent working out at the gym, riding his bike, golfing, etc. During my formative years, I honestly don't remember ever seeing him pick up a book to read. Yet, today, he is a very avid reader, devouring spy novels and mysteries almost as fast as I do! My point is, people read and will continue to do so as long as there are authors out there creating the next great novel and they have the time to do so. It would be short-sighted of any company who makes personal electronic devices to ignore that market and I don't see Steve Jobs being short-sighted. If he develops something that has the sleekness of the Sony with the purchasing ease of a Kindle and were fairly reasonably priced, it could seriously impact that market. If it also provided the ability to surf the Internet, it would fly off the shelves.

[cheese bogart]

Originally Posted by HarryT

I think that's a little unfair on Amazon. I'm sure they'd like nothing better than to be able to release the Kindle in Europe. Unfortunately, the "legal issue" of trying to arrange "Whispernet" deals with the multitude of different European telecoms providers, different legal frameworks, etc, is a problem of nightmarish proportions which is taking them years to try and resolve. Not to mention trying to get the legal right to sell their books in Europe, when many books have US-only distribution rights, and so on.

Do you truly believe that a company the size of Amazon couldn't get these issues easily sorted? I'm sure there are plenty of phone companies that would have done deals with them.

Also the thing about the US-only distribution rights is an easy one to sort. Don't put them on sell on the other Amazon sites. Also what stops me from buying a K2 using my mums address in Florida and then downloading these region-only books whilst I'm in another country?

[Ankh]

Originally Posted by HarryT

Unfortunately, the "legal issue" of trying to arange "Whispernet" deals with the multitude of different European telecoms providers, different legal frameworks, etc, is a problem of nightmarish proportions which is taking them years to try and resolve.

Well, well, well... a slot for GSM card, pushing the choice of provider to user (GSM phones do have access to Internet, don't they?) would do it for Europeans and the rest of the world.

It is Amazon that is insisting on "deals" with phone companies.

[tompe]

Originally Posted by cheese bogart

Do you truly believe that a company the size of Amazon couldn't get these issues easily sorted? I'm sure there are plenty of phone companies that would have done deals with them.

They have said that they are waiting for enough ebooks to be available. So it is not the net connection that is the problem.

[cheese bogart]

How many ebooks does the current kindle site have and how many of them are for US-only distribution (% wise)?

Perhaps I'll have a look my self and see if I can figure it out.

[Tuna]

Originally Posted by Ankh

Well, well, well... a slot for GSM card, pushing the choice of provider to user (GSM phones do have access to Internet, don't they?) would do it for Europeans and the rest of the world.

It is Amazon that is insisting on "deals" with phone companies.

The problem is that in Europe, data is handled differently from America - we pay by the kilobyte, so a small book could cost ten dollars in phone charges to download. Amazon's deal with the American telcos is a vital part of the equation because it means you only pay for the book, and the delivery cost is swallowed by the vendor, not the purchaser.

[taosaur]

Originally Posted by Tuna

The problem is that in Europe, data is handled differently from America - we pay by the kilobyte, so a small book could cost ten dollars in phone charges to download. Amazon's deal with the American telcos is a vital part of the equation because it means you only pay for the book, and the delivery cost is swallowed by the vendor, not the purchaser.

Well, in the US you pay by the kB unless you get a monthly plan, which basically will be 5MB or "unlimited" (5GB), after which there are some "tethering/aircard" plans that cost more and, I believe, also charge you beyond the 5GB mark. Cellphone companies in the US are trying to market their products as mobile broadband for laptops now. What's the deal in Europe, is there a substantial WiFi blanket, or just no plans for cell-based "broadband?"

[sirbruce]

Originally Posted by cheese bogart

How many ebooks does the current kindle site have and how many of them are for US-only distribution (% wise)?

We keep track over here:
https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...=16469&page=10

[exreader]

Originally Posted by Sonist

Being an IT guy explains a lot about your animosity and obvious ignorance about all things Apple.

But, seriously, what do you base this statement on?

Here is a quote from a cnet review of the 17" Mac Book Pro:

"...With the GeForce 9600M GPU turned on, we got 4 hours and 14 minutes on our video playback battery drain test, which is very impressive for a desktop replacement. Switching the 9600M off added about 30 minutes."

Now, this a SEVENTEEN inch laptop, which can run video in a real-world test, for almost 5 hours! Not too shabby, in my book.

i have one of these 17 inch MBP beasts. as of this writing, apple STILL claims "8 hour battery" with caveats about how they achieved that figure.

well, scarcely one week into owning my machine, i set mine up the way they suggested it. yup, it got to almost 6 hours. which is VERY impressive in a way, but not given the work done. a lot of idle time and not so much with say, processing a lot of pictures, and editing. light tasks. so, sure, there we go.

there's a HUGE difference between 8 hours and 6 hours. talk about bloated expectations. and it'll only get worse as the battery ages.

dedicated ereaders? we're talking days of reading. iphone can't touch that, and a notebook can't even get close. i don't think ebook readers have a lot to worry about.

now, for both kindle and iphone, i highly recommend a product made by brunton, a 4xAA NIMH battery charger that ALSO supplies power via USB outlet. recharge those gadgets ... anywhere - a bargain at $35. for kindle 1 users, gomadics? make a custom data/USB cable to charge your kindle 1 from USB power for $15. i'm sure amazon will sell you both


exreader

[cheese bogart]

Originally Posted by sirbruce

We keep track over here:
https://www.mobileread.com/forums/sho...=16469&page=10

Thanks for the thread link. Do you know how many of them have US only distribution rights?

[sirbruce]

Originally Posted by cheese bogart

Thanks for the thread link. Do you know how many of them have US only distribution rights?

No, nor do I know of any easy way to check.

Amazon recently sent out a notice to people publishing on Kindle to remind them that they are the ones who need to set the distribution rights, and that the default is global. So I suspect that while most commercial books on Kindle should be US-only, they may not be set that way; and furthermore I suspect most self-published books are global.

[cheese bogart]

Originally Posted by sirbruce

No, nor do I know of any easy way to check.

Amazon recently sent out a notice to people publishing on Kindle to remind them that they are the ones who need to set the distribution rights, and that the default is global. So I suspect that while most commercial books on Kindle should be US-only, they may not be set that way; and furthermore I suspect most self-published books are global.

Once again, thanks for the help.

[kamm]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

What would be a Kindle killer is a 9.7 or 10 inch screened eink device that does what the DX is meant to do but better.

Possibly but not for me - I want something pocketable & "strollable", DX is way too big for me...

I don't mind a little bit bigger size & higher resolution: if Kindle 3 would arrive with the same dimensions but its 1024x600 screen would take up the entire size with a - presumably responsive - touch-based on-screen pop-up keyboard... well, that would be perfect for me (-> I would start thinking about upgrading...)

PS: strollable = slides easily into the vertical net storage compartment of my little baby's stroller - once she fell asleep I usually sit down in the park and read until she wakes up...

[kamm]

Originally Posted by HarryT

I must respectfully disagree with you. Perhaps you're looking at things from a US perspective, but don't forget that Apple are a world wide company, and the Kindle is an irrelevence to people outside the US.

Apple's worldwide importance is next to nothing with its single-digit market share.
You're right that Kindle is officially US only but Windows is well ahead of OS X in the US as well...