Would there be demand for an "econo-Kindle?"

JeremyZ · 09-30-2009, 01:02 PM

This would be the size of a K1, with a screen that only displays 4 shades of gray, and without any of the experimental features of the K2. Kind of a refined K1, and sold for $200. It would have wireless to buy from the Kindle Store. It would support PDF, so that ALL public domain books could be read.

I was just thinking that if this were available when I bought my K2, I would have bought it.

Then, maybe a ruggedized version of the same thing for an extra $25.

AnemicOak · 09-30-2009, 01:06 PM

I wouldn't mind a pocket Kindle (5").

PennyPie · 09-30-2009, 01:09 PM

I'd like to have a Kindle, but as a 'cheap charlie', I just can't justify the $ for one.

JeremyZ · 09-30-2009, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AnemicOak

I wouldn't mind a pocket Kindle (5").

Yeah, a reduced screen size would also be a way to reduce cost. Since we can change the font size, it wouldn't be a huge deal.

Steven Lyle Jordan · 09-30-2009, 01:42 PM

Yes, if it was truly pocket-sized and about $100USD. More than that, and it couldn't even compete with a PDA or cellphone.

Juliette · 09-30-2009, 04:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve Jordan

Yes, if it was truly pocket-sized and about $100USD. More than that, and it couldn't even compete with a PDA or cellphone.

I'm with you

SpiderMatt · 10-01-2009, 10:56 AM

I can't really see it taking off. Sony is still fighting an uphill battle against Amazon in spite of having cheaper readers. I know that none of Sony's readers have wireless yet but I think a wireless reader for $200 is unrealistic. The readers need to incorporate the cost of the wireless service, which is provided with no monthly fee. I think, generally speaking, Americans who would be interested in paying that much money for a Kindle to begin with, would probably go with all the bells-and-whistles for $100 more.

JSWolf · 10-01-2009, 11:49 AM

The reason an eco-Kindle is no good is that it's still from Amazon and we know it won't support ePub. So we won't have eBooks that will be interoperable with most readers.

Dr. Drib · 10-03-2009, 08:55 AM

I see the "econo-Kindle" as a good idea.

More and more players are releasing Readers (or what I call an "ebookieuse" [an "ebook I use"]) with a 5" display.

Ebookieuses are, indeed, coming down in price - perhaps not your price and with the speed you want - but nevertheless a little bit cheaper in the marketplace.

The marketplace for ebookieuses and the reading material that goes on them is increasing.

Find the right form factor (5"), offer a variety of sizes (think "televisions"); then, offer variety (think cell phones), and the market will continue to grow and diversify and become more competitive - as is already happening, in my opinion.

A virtual keyboard on a 5" econo-Kindle may be the next choice of three choices from Amazon.

Don

rhadin · 10-03-2009, 01:32 PM

No. I can't imagine letting Amazon not only have it's "hand" in my Kindle but also in my pocket. From the Kindle Amazon would only pull books; who knows what it would try to pull from my pocket!

susan_cassidy · 10-03-2009, 02:35 PM

I'm sure that if Amazon thought there was sufficient demand for it, that they'd be selling one. What you described is a K1, plus PDF support, anyway. Ruggedized versions usually cost way more than a $25 premium. In this case, ruggedizing the e-ink screen would be very difficult at this stage of the technology.

fugazied · 10-03-2009, 08:24 PM

I already have a pocket kindle, it's called an iPhone. But a cheaper version of Kindle would be a great one for kids especially. Sometimes you don't want to give super expensive readers to children. The lower cost would mitigate risk a bit!

I just bought a bunch of refurbished K1s for family, in a way that's like the cheaper kindle, as long as they keep a supply of those coming!

Lilly · 10-03-2009, 09:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AnemicOak

I wouldn't mind a pocket Kindle (5").

With the keyboard, I don't think that's possible. My PRS-505 is about 2 inch shorter then my K2 for the same screen size.

AnemicOak · 10-03-2009, 11:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lilly

With the keyboard, I don't think that's possible. My PRS-505 is about 2 inch shorter then my K2 for the same screen size.

No, something the size of the Opus or PocketPro. A soft keyboard would be fine if it's necessary at all. Or make it a bit thicker and give it a slide out keyboard if it's really needed.

Blog Kindle · 10-04-2009, 02:06 AM

It looks that refurbished K1 fills this niche at the moment.

It's possible that Amazon is working on something like this and will release it shortly. Or maybe they are not.

Introducing a new model is an expensive feat - you have to develop it, set up manufacturing etc. If returns are not going to be that large - it may not be worth it.

eReader prices are coming down anyway. So soon "regular" Kindles may get "econo" price tag.

View Poll Results: Is the "econo-Kindle" a good idea?
Yes.	19	63.33%
No, see post for reasoning.	11	36.67%
Voters: 30. You may not vote on this poll

09-30-2009, 01:02 PM	#1
JeremyZ Addict Posts: 303 Karma: 1000702 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Chicago Device: Nook ST, Kindle 2, Samsung Galaxy Stellar phone	Would there be demand for an "econo-Kindle?" This would be the size of a K1, with a screen that only displays 4 shades of gray, and without any of the experimental features of the K2. Kind of a refined K1, and sold for $200. It would have wireless to buy from the Kindle Store. It would support PDF, so that ALL public domain books could be read. I was just thinking that if this were available when I bought my K2, I would have bought it. Then, maybe a ruggedized version of the same thing for an extra $25.

10-03-2009, 08:55 AM	#9
Dr. Drib Grand Sorcerer Posts: 45,614 Karma: 60184181 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Peru Device: KINDLE: Oasis 3, Scribe (1st), Matcha; KOBO: Libra 2, Libra Colour	I see the "econo-Kindle" as a good idea. More and more players are releasing Readers (or what I call an "ebookieuse" [an "ebook I use"]) with a 5" display. Ebookieuses are, indeed, coming down in price - perhaps not your price and with the speed you want - but nevertheless a little bit cheaper in the marketplace. The marketplace for ebookieuses and the reading material that goes on them is increasing. Find the right form factor (5"), offer a variety of sizes (think "televisions"); then, offer variety (think cell phones), and the market will continue to grow and diversify and become more competitive - as is already happening, in my opinion. A virtual keyboard on a 5" econo-Kindle may be the next choice of three choices from Amazon. Don Last edited by Dr. Drib; 10-03-2009 at 09:03 AM.

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09-30-2009, 01:06 PM	#2
AnemicOak Bookaholic Posts: 14,391 Karma: 54969924 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Minnesota Device: iPad Mini 4, AuraHD, iPhone XR +	I wouldn't mind a pocket Kindle (5").

09-30-2009, 01:09 PM	#3
PennyPie Cocoa & Toast...mmmmmm... Posts: 275 Karma: 1000 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Ohio Device: Sony PRS-700, iPhone	I'd like to have a Kindle, but as a 'cheap charlie', I just can't justify the $ for one.

09-30-2009, 01:42 PM	#5
Steven Lyle Jordan Grand Sorcerer Posts: 8,478 Karma: 5171130 Join Date: Jan 2006 Device: none	Yes, if it was truly pocket-sized and about $100USD. More than that, and it couldn't even compete with a PDA or cellphone.

10-01-2009, 10:56 AM	#7
SpiderMatt Grand Arbiter Posts: 447 Karma: 1574837 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Arizona Device: iPod Touch, Amazon Kindle, Motorola Droid	I can't really see it taking off. Sony is still fighting an uphill battle against Amazon in spite of having cheaper readers. I know that none of Sony's readers have wireless yet but I think a wireless reader for $200 is unrealistic. The readers need to incorporate the cost of the wireless service, which is provided with no monthly fee. I think, generally speaking, Americans who would be interested in paying that much money for a Kindle to begin with, would probably go with all the bells-and-whistles for $100 more.

10-01-2009, 11:49 AM	#8
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 80,784 Karma: 150249619 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	The reason an eco-Kindle is no good is that it's still from Amazon and we know it won't support ePub. So we won't have eBooks that will be interoperable with most readers.

10-03-2009, 01:32 PM	#10
rhadin Literacy = Understanding Posts: 4,833 Karma: 59674358 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: The World of Books Device: Nook, Nook Tablet	No. I can't imagine letting Amazon not only have it's "hand" in my Kindle but also in my pocket. From the Kindle Amazon would only pull books; who knows what it would try to pull from my pocket!

10-03-2009, 02:35 PM	#11
susan_cassidy Wizard Posts: 2,251 Karma: 3720310 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: USA Device: Kindle, iPad (not used much for reading)	I'm sure that if Amazon thought there was sufficient demand for it, that they'd be selling one. What you described is a K1, plus PDF support, anyway. Ruggedized versions usually cost way more than a $25 premium. In this case, ruggedizing the e-ink screen would be very difficult at this stage of the technology.

10-03-2009, 08:24 PM	#12
fugazied Wizard Posts: 1,305 Karma: 1958 Join Date: Jan 2009 Device: iPod Touch	I already have a pocket kindle, it's called an iPhone. But a cheaper version of Kindle would be a great one for kids especially. Sometimes you don't want to give super expensive readers to children. The lower cost would mitigate risk a bit! I just bought a bunch of refurbished K1s for family, in a way that's like the cheaper kindle, as long as they keep a supply of those coming!

10-04-2009, 02:06 AM	#15
Blog Kindle Addict Posts: 224 Karma: 25122 Join Date: Mar 2009 Device: Kindle 1/2/3/4/Touch/DX/Fire\|PRS-600/350\|Nook(color)\|iPad\|iPad2\|EVO 4G	It looks that refurbished K1 fills this niche at the moment. It's possible that Amazon is working on something like this and will release it shortly. Or maybe they are not. Introducing a new model is an expensive feat - you have to develop it, set up manufacturing etc. If returns are not going to be that large - it may not be worth it. eReader prices are coming down anyway. So soon "regular" Kindles may get "econo" price tag.