Why the Kindle is the best ereader and will win....

[markbot]

Originally Posted by Superlucky

Amazon screws its customers with its proprietary format. With the Sony store and B&N both going to epub, I can't see Amazon keeping its lead. I don't like the idea of not being able to shop around for books.

you probably don't like paying for books either.

B&N will fail for the reason stated in my post. Sony is a crappy company that cares about its customers much less than Amazon does.

[markbot]

Originally Posted by Slow_hand

It's sounds like, unfortunately the Kindle is developing fan-boys just like the unpleasant fan-boys with other interests. One has to filter out fan-boy commentary to get at facts rather than opinion.

This is my factual and analytical conclusion and has nothing to do whatsoever that I just happen to own a Kindle and thus have a huge vested interest in its dominance over other platforms.

[markbot]

Amazon is the best. Go Amazon! Live forever and become even richer Jeff Bezos! I support you 100%.

[markbot]

Originally Posted by Sheikspeare

markbot, with respect I think you've given the notion of 'brand loyalty' a whole new dimension and meaning!

Yes, the Kindle has been a fantastic project, but customer support has been frankly abysmal! As for Sony, I happen to believe the PRS-505 is perhaps one of the best ereaders around. A larger screen version of it would in my view leave the competition way behind.

But, I should point out that the Sony store books are more expensive and the new book library is smaller. Also, their touch readers are not as good for actually reading as Amazon's. Also, I think as a corporation Amazon is in a much stronger position than Sony. So, I would put my chips on Amazon! I should point out that books is a core business of Amazon...but not of Sony...so I think in the long-term Amazon is simply more committed to this business.

Also, I think you can convert epub books to kindle format....but not the other way around. thus, any epub store actually makes the Kindle even stronger relative to the competition.

Thanks Sony!

[Superlucky]

Originally Posted by markbot

you probably don't like paying for books either.

Paying for books doesn't bother me. I just want to be able to keep and read the books I buy no matter what device I'm using. Why would you assume that I'm averse to paying for books?

B&N will fail for the reason stated in my post. Sony is a crappy company that cares about its customers much less than Amazon does.

No company cares about its customers because companies are entities, not sentient beings.

What I want is an end to the format wars. I want for all of us who have an ebook device to be able to buy a book wherever we choose, just like p-book consumers. With my Sony Reader, I can buy an ebook in epub format from any number of places (including, very soon, Barnes & Noble). Kindle owners do not have this luxury - they are slaves to Amazon. Hell, Kindle owners can have their devices bricked at Amazon's whim. I'm a bit too independent-minded to submit myself to this kind of control, especially considering the cost.

Where does the vitriol come from, markbot?

[kennyc]

Originally Posted by Superlucky

Paying for books doesn't bother me. I just want to be able to keep and read the books I buy no matter what device I'm using. Why would you assume that I'm averse to paying for books?



No company cares about its customers because companies are entities, not sentient beings.

What I want is an end to the format wars.

....

Where does the vitriol come from, markbot?

Agreed.

I was reading this section on Character Development in one of my fiction writing books last night and it was saying that every character must have a driving force, something that they totally absorbed by, the goal they seek at any cost. I think there is some of that here.

I too wonder about the vitriol and badmouthing. If he is so certain Kindle and Amazon will win, why does it matter what anyone else thinks?

Have you seen that Amazon commercial where the customer has a shrine set up to Bezos? That is what this whole thread reminds me of.

I love Amazon and have spent a ton of money there, but they are far from perfect -- particularly in the ebook world.

We will have our independent standard, it will be epub and it begins in earnest this month with Sony and B&N. Amazon will eventually come around or they will lose all they have gained.

[cypherslock]

Originally Posted by markbot

you probably don't like paying for books either.

B&N will fail for the reason stated in my post. Sony is a crappy company that cares about its customers much less than Amazon does.

See there we disagree. I had previously looked at Sony's e-reader but like the design of the Kindle and being able to port over my docs/pdfs as well. Now, Sony as a company I like due to my experiences with them and the PS3. The thing is almost two years old (MGS4 bundle) and hasn't given me a days issue. They do make quality products. And CSR's are (for the most part in my experience) knowedgeable and polite.

I just like what I see with the new Kindle better.

[Propheous]

Originally Posted by cypherslock

See there we disagree. I had previously looked at Sony's e-reader but like the design of the Kindle and being able to port over my docs/pdfs as well. Now, Sony as a company I like due to my experiences with them and the PS3. The thing is almost two years old (MGS4 bundle) and hasn't given me a days issue. They do make quality products. And CSR's are (for the most part in my experience) knowedgeable and polite.

I just like what I see with the new Kindle better.

I have to say that Sony as putting out quality goods is a bit of a misnomer. They are no better at it then any other company. In fact if you look at the history of the PS2 and the new PS3 slim model you might be surprised at how much trouble their units can be.

[pboss]

Some people will blindly follow the company that creates their console or whatever. It doesn't matter what services they provide because they will always look better by comparison.

[Latinandgreek]

Originally Posted by Lilly

I have both a Kindle 2 and Sony PRS-505 and think both have something to offer. I hope both succeed because as consumers, the more competition the better for us. We know that Amazon is working to outdo B&N and Sony and vice versa, so we will all reap the rewards. So battle on Amazon, Sony, B&N, and all the others!

Hear, hear!

[sirmaru]

I have a Sony PRS 505 Sony eBook Library program AND the Kindle for PC program. Almost all my reading of books is on my PC.

Now, when I want to buy a new book, I shop BOTH Amazon and Sony. The lowest price gets my purchase. The actual book is the same no matter who sells it.

If I could figure a way to get the Barnes and Noble PC program, I'd use them as well. So far I am unable to get that program for some reason.

The more competition, the lower the book prices, the better the software and the more improvements in the eReader software and devices.

[cypherslock]

Originally Posted by pboss

Some people will blindly follow the company that creates their console or whatever. It doesn't matter what services they provide because they will always look better by comparison.

Nah. I did my research, saw both in action and picked FOR ME the one with the feature/benefit set I wanted. Same with the Kindle.

[phenomshel]

Originally Posted by sirmaru

I have a Sony PRS 505 Sony eBook Library program AND the Kindle for PC program. Almost all my reading of books is on my PC.

Now, when I want to buy a new book, I shop BOTH Amazon and Sony. The lowest price gets my purchase. The actual book is the same no matter who sells it.

If I could figure a way to get the Barnes and Noble PC program, I'd use them as well. So far I am unable to get that program for some reason.

The more competition, the lower the book prices, the better the software and the more improvements in the eReader software and devices.

Ummm..what's the problem with the BN software? I had no trouble with it. Pardon me for asking, but your profile doesn't say...where are you located?

[Elfwreck]

Originally Posted by markbot

The most important aspect of an ereader is the ebook store.

Not for me. I do a lot of doc conversion of content that's not available in ebook stores. Fanfic, original docs by friends, manuals from work, and so on. Ability to read *purchased* books was only a small part of why I got an ebook reader.

And since I won't pay for books infected with DRM, I find Amazon's store pretty useless.

2) Amazon's customer service is the best there is. I consider the entire customer experience and relationship when buying an ereader...not just the function of the device.

Amazon reclaimed purchases without warning, and has been known to lock people out of their purchased books for "violations" of a policy not explained to its users.

I'm not going to go point-by-point through the rest. But the Kindle is only "best" if Amazon's business model fits how you want to read, and it doesn't for a lot of people.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by markbot

Amazon is the best. Go Amazon! Live forever and become even richer Jeff Bezos! I support you 100%.

The Kindle won't win unless it can be untethered from Amazon and the only way to do that is to add support for ePub via ADE (full support, not the half-assed PDF support). And I don't think Bezos wan's to do that as it gives up control.