Why should I get a Kindle over a Sony Reader?

crutnacker · 12-04-2009, 07:56 AM

Looking at both and trying to make up my mind. I like the Sony's design, access to more open formats, and the fact I can actually try before I buy. I like Kindle's access to a larger library of new books (for cheaper) and cheaper price.

What do you think? If you were picking between the two, what pushed you toward or away from Kindle?

AprilHare · 12-04-2009, 08:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crutnacker

Looking at both and trying to make up my mind. I like the Sony's design, access to more open formats, and the fact I can actually try before I buy. I like Kindle's access to a larger library of new books (for cheaper) and cheaper price.

What do you think? If you were picking between the two, what pushed you toward or away from Kindle?

If you buy a Kindle you'd naturally believe that Amazon aren't rich enough.
You'd be happy to have your books deleted at their whim, you'd believe that industry standards for ebooks aren't really important and you'd love being tied into one store for buying your books - coincidentally Amazon.

Connallmac · 12-04-2009, 08:10 AM

Well you can try the Kindle for 30 days and if you don't like it for any reason you can return it at no charge.

I am not swayed by the the argument that the Sony or B&N have more open formats, we saw just over a week ago a firmware update for the K2 and now it can natively support pdfs, I suspect that if Amazon decided to support ePub going forward that it could simply update it's firmware again. Frankly, I find the supposition that the ePub format is somehow "more open" is silly, considering most ePub files for sale are DRMed. Mobi files are quite open too, when they don't have any DRM. Until the publishing industry rids itself of the shadow of DRM I think that the whole question of openness is a moot point.

Connallmac · 12-04-2009, 08:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AprilHare

you'd love being tied into one store for buying your books - coincidentally Amazon.

This is false. I regularly buy ebooks from other vendors, particularly Drivethrurpg.com and Smashwords, as well as publishers like Chaosium.

crutnacker · 12-04-2009, 08:17 AM

As a sidenote, I don't really understand the fear of Amazon taking their books back. The incident in question essentially involved Amazon selling something that was illegal. They certainly should vet what they sell more thoroughly, but they were selling something that should not have been produced in the first place, and unlike a physical object, they were able to retrieve the file back. As long as money was refunded, I don't see this as Big Brother.

As for Amazon being rich enough, this isn't an issue for me. It's whether I am rich enough to afford the software for the product in question. If I can get a new book for $9.99 vs. $15 or more in another e-book store, then that product makes more sense for me.

AprilHare · 12-04-2009, 09:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Connallmac

This is false. I regularly buy ebooks from other vendors, particularly Drivethrurpg.com and Smashwords, as well as publishers like Chaosium.

Apologies. I don't buy that many ebooks from Amazon for a Kindle to know. Just talking from the impression that Amazon give.
Besides, the wireless functionality seems to be all for the Amazon store..

Dr. Wily · 12-04-2009, 09:48 AM

That's why they give you a USB cable to transfer eBooks onto your Kindle. I have many eBooks on my Kindle that I have converted myself from stories online.

And, you can go all over the internet with the Kindle.

cypherslock · 12-04-2009, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crutnacker

As a sidenote, I don't really understand the fear of Amazon taking their books back. The incident in question essentially involved Amazon selling something that was illegal. They certainly should vet what they sell more thoroughly, but they were selling something that should not have been produced in the first place, and unlike a physical object, they were able to retrieve the file back. As long as money was refunded, I don't see this as Big Brother.

As for Amazon being rich enough, this isn't an issue for me. It's whether I am rich enough to afford the software for the product in question. If I can get a new book for $9.99 vs. $15 or more in another e-book store, then that product makes more sense for me.

Not only that but Amazon did give people refunds instantly as well. So I don't see the issue. After all, if you bought (not knowlingly of course) a stolen stereo, and later the cops showed up and it was found to be stolen, you'd get your money back and of course wouldn't expect to keep it right?

daffy4u · 12-04-2009, 10:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AprilHare

Besides, the wireless functionality seems to be all for the Amazon store..

Nope, not true. Though it's mostly slow as molasses, Kindles can be used to surf almost anywhere on the net (preferably mobile sites).

daffy4u · 12-04-2009, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AprilHare

If you buy a Kindle you'd naturally believe that Amazon aren't rich enough.
You'd be happy to have your books deleted at their whim, you'd believe that industry standards for ebooks aren't really important and you'd love being tied into one store for buying your books - coincidentally Amazon.

It all depends on your reading style but for me Amazon is the only store I need. They have the content and pricing that suits my style of reading. I'm not a big re-reader of books but I can liberate a book if I need to read it on a future device.

Amazon hasn't deleted anything at their whim BTW. I've received emails asking be to delete content because a corrected version was available (The Stand). They made a big mistake with 1984 for which they apologized and compensated those affected. If they made a habit of this, then I could see why people would continue to harp on this. Let it go.

BenG · 12-04-2009, 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AprilHare

Apologies. I don't buy that many ebooks from Amazon for a Kindle to know. Just talking from the impression that Amazon give.
Besides, the wireless functionality seems to be all for the Amazon store..

You can use the Kindle wireless to download books from MobileRead and from Feedbooks.

tlrowley · 12-04-2009, 10:40 AM

You can also use the wireless to surf to your own searchable catalog of books, served up by Calibre. I use this for all my Amazon books as well (DRM'd or not - Topaz, too), since I can search my customized metadata.

Connallmac · 12-04-2009, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AprilHare

Apologies. I don't buy that many ebooks from Amazon for a Kindle to know. Just talking from the impression that Amazon give.
Besides, the wireless functionality seems to be all for the Amazon store..

No worries, I've just seen this put out there by Kindle detractors who know that it isn't true and I 've grown tired of it. I know that the Kindle isn't perfect, but I have a hard time with people who spread misinformation. Heck, my company's president asked me this morning about the Kindle, as she is considering one for her husband for his birthday. I told her that I loved mine, but since his birthday is still a ways off I would probably wait until the nook actually made an appearrance, so she could see if that would suit his needs better.

clarknova · 12-04-2009, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Connallmac

I am not swayed by the the argument that the Sony or B&N have more open formats... Frankly, I find the supposition that the ePub format is somehow "more open" is silly, considering most ePub files for sale are DRMed. Mobi files are quite open too, when they don't have any DRM. Until the publishing industry rids itself of the shadow of DRM I think that the whole question of openness is a moot point.

Karma for pointing out this fallacy that an alarming number of people seem to subscribe to.

Skydog · 12-04-2009, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crutnacker

Looking at both and trying to make up my mind. I like the Sony's design, access to more open formats, and the fact I can actually try before I buy. I like Kindle's access to a larger library of new books (for cheaper) and cheaper price.

What do you think? If you were picking between the two, what pushed you toward or away from Kindle?

You can also "try before you buy" with the Kindle too. Sample sizes are generous, IMHO.

12-04-2009, 07:56 AM	#1
crutnacker Connoisseur Posts: 54 Karma: 850 Join Date: Dec 2009 Device: None	Why should I get a Kindle over a Sony Reader? Looking at both and trying to make up my mind. I like the Sony's design, access to more open formats, and the fact I can actually try before I buy. I like Kindle's access to a larger library of new books (for cheaper) and cheaper price. What do you think? If you were picking between the two, what pushed you toward or away from Kindle?

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12-04-2009, 08:10 AM	#3
Connallmac Transplanted NYer Posts: 455 Karma: 520286 Join Date: May 2009 Location: Eastern IN Device: Kindle Fire HD 8.9", Kindle Fire HD 7", Kindle Touch	Well you can try the Kindle for 30 days and if you don't like it for any reason you can return it at no charge. I am not swayed by the the argument that the Sony or B&N have more open formats, we saw just over a week ago a firmware update for the K2 and now it can natively support pdfs, I suspect that if Amazon decided to support ePub going forward that it could simply update it's firmware again. Frankly, I find the supposition that the ePub format is somehow "more open" is silly, considering most ePub files for sale are DRMed. Mobi files are quite open too, when they don't have any DRM. Until the publishing industry rids itself of the shadow of DRM I think that the whole question of openness is a moot point.

12-04-2009, 08:17 AM	#5
crutnacker Connoisseur Posts: 54 Karma: 850 Join Date: Dec 2009 Device: None	As a sidenote, I don't really understand the fear of Amazon taking their books back. The incident in question essentially involved Amazon selling something that was illegal. They certainly should vet what they sell more thoroughly, but they were selling something that should not have been produced in the first place, and unlike a physical object, they were able to retrieve the file back. As long as money was refunded, I don't see this as Big Brother. As for Amazon being rich enough, this isn't an issue for me. It's whether I am rich enough to afford the software for the product in question. If I can get a new book for $9.99 vs. $15 or more in another e-book store, then that product makes more sense for me.

12-04-2009, 09:48 AM	#7
Dr. Wily We Are In Control Posts: 19 Karma: 110 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Beavercreek, OH Device: Kindle 2 International	That's why they give you a USB cable to transfer eBooks onto your Kindle. I have many eBooks on my Kindle that I have converted myself from stories online. And, you can go all over the internet with the Kindle.

12-04-2009, 10:40 AM	#12
tlrowley Quilt Geek Posts: 472 Karma: 91775 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Lancaster, PA Device: Kindle	You can also use the wireless to surf to your own searchable catalog of books, served up by Calibre. I use this for all my Amazon books as well (DRM'd or not - Topaz, too), since I can search my customized metadata.