same screen quality….why upgrade?

[Zeebra]

Originally Posted by HarryT

Not quite all. They haven't covered the "I want a touch screen, but with physical page turn buttons, too" requirement, and that's something that a lot of people want.

Yes I hear you, the crowd that wants to use touch for looking up words and such but still use buttons for page turns. Still, they've covered off a wide range of different end users with these updates.

[DiapDealer]

The beauty of it is though, Amazon has gotten all their bases covered. For those who want an actual keyboard, there's a model for that

Do you really think that the keyboard model (aka Kindle 3) is going to be sticking around very long?

[Zeebra]

Originally Posted by DiapDealer

Do you really think that the keyboard model (aka Kindle 3) is going to be sticking around very long?

Why not? They've re-branded it the Kindle Keyboard and still feature it prominently on their homepage along with the new models.

[OtterBooks]

Originally Posted by HarryT

Not quite all. They haven't covered the "I want a touch screen, but with physical page turn buttons, too" requirement, and that's something that a lot of people want.

Agreed. They should have kept the pageturn buttons. If they had, I would have gone touch just for X-Ray.

[Barty]

Originally Posted by HarryT

Not quite all. They haven't covered the "I want a touch screen, but with physical page turn buttons, too" requirement, and that's something that a lot of people want.

Yeah, I thought they would go that route. They even got rid of the home button. If Steve jobs did that, I'm sure all the amazon fans would be calling him a fascist.

You notice how everyone in their promotional video used two hands? I'm sure most people can train themselves to turn the page one handed, but maybe it's not the most natural thing.

[Zeebra]

Originally Posted by Barty

Yeah, I thought they would go that route. They even got rid of the home button. If Steve jobs did that, I'm sure all the amazon fans would be calling him a fascist.

Maybe Bezos was mad at the Nook's last press conference when they compared the Nook touch to the Kindle 3. He said something like "we have 1 button, they have 64" or something like that.

[DiapDealer]

Originally Posted by OtterBooks

Agreed. They should have kept the pageturn buttons. If they had, I would have gone touch just for X-Ray.

They should have kept the page turn buttons and not gotten any smaller... if they wanted to cover my bases.

[abookreader]

Originally Posted by HarryT

Not quite all. They haven't covered the "I want a touch screen, but with physical page turn buttons, too" requirement, and that's something that a lot of people want.

Amen. I'm willing to give this touchscreen a try but I'm not convinced I'm going to like it. I'd feel much more comfortable if there was at least a next page, previous page button on the sides.

In fact, my finger has hovered over the cancel order button for the Kindle Touch cover with light on 3 occasions today. I'm thinking maybe I should make sure I like the Kindle Touch first before I order a cover. I'd hate having to return a Kindle + a Cover.

If I don't like it, I'll definitely be returning it and picking up another Kindle 3 w/ Keyboard.

[mdovell]

I personally like a keyboard...but when you think about it for those that might be a bit vision impaired or have arthritis screens can be good.

I think there should be no reason why someone cannot hack that for qwerty or other character layouts..

I think a touch screen might also be better incase some cannot use the directional controllers..and this also solidifies that you can touch the screen without marking it up to me implies they are going more after apple.

[bhartman36]

Originally Posted by DiapDealer

Yeah, the screens are exactly the same. The problem is that the device isn't much bigger than the screen anymore. I really don't see the sense in going smaller than the W x H of a normal paperback book, myself. But what do I know?

I guess it was always inevitable that Amazon would go in this direction with the Kindle. As I said elsewhere, I think the new Kindles don't add much (except if you like touch) for those who already have a Kindle, so I'll be sitting this round out.

I think the Kindle Fire strategy is a lot more interesting. They're apparently going for the market of people who want a tablet, but aren't eager to pay for an iPad. I think they did a good job differentiating the Kindle Fire from the Nook Color (which it looks like the Kindle Fire soundly trounces) but I think that it probably won't pick off any potential iPad customers. If you've got the money to spend on an iPad, I don't think you would buy a Kindle Fire instead. I'm not sure how big that market is, but I guess we'll find out.

[ProfCrash]

The newer Kindles don't work for me, I like my keyboard, but I know plenty of people who will like them. Many folks have asked for a touch screen and now they have one. The smaller form factor is going to be a winning point for lots of folks.

I am fine with my K3 and DXG. If and when I have to get a new e-reader, I think I'll be ok with the touch screen. I don't take a ton of notes and I don't use the web so it won't be bad. It won't be ideal for me but it won't be a deal breaker, especially since I don't think too many folks are going to include a physical keyboard on their e-readers.

Right now, the K3 is still available. Maybe Amazon will continue to make them since they know that there are people who like the keyboard.

[bhartman36]

Originally Posted by ProfCrash

Right now, the K3 is still available. Maybe Amazon will continue to make them since they know that there are people who like the keyboard.

I could see them doing that, but what would they charge for it? It's a "previous version" Kindle now, so they can't even charge $79 for it, can they? They're still selling them for the same price right now, but I doubt that'll last long.

[roebeet]

Originally Posted by Zeebra

Faster processor, smaller overall size and it's lighter. Removing the keyboard makes it even more like a paperback novel in size. Some people really like that.

I just put my K3 up on eBay, and I purchased the $79 no-frills device. This was a total no-brainer for me, as the keyboard was, imo, the worst thing about the K3 (and earlier) devices. I never really used it, and it was just taking up real estate. I kept my SONY PRS-300 around for on the go, while the K3 stayed in the house. But this K4 non-touch should be small enough for a large pocket - it effectively replaces two e-readers for me.

The Touch version wasn't on my radar - I prefer the side buttons since 90% of the time I'll be using it for reading.

My SONY PRS-300 is probably going up on eBay as soon as the Kindle shows up. I love consolidating devices -- less clutter at home!

[ProfCrash]

They are not treating the K3 as a previous Kindle.

Amazon has never numbered their Kindles. The users have called them K1 -K4. Right now Amazon is selling the Kindle Touch and the Kindle Keyboard.

[Synergi]

The only thing making me consider upgrading to a Touch is the new interface. I don't know about you all, but I hate the pages and pages of lists on the K3. It looks like the KTouch can display your books covers on screen and I prefer that better.