Amazon announces Kindle Oasis

[MGlitch]

Honestly I'm just surprised. I'll admit I'm not a huge fan of Amazon, but I will credit them with putting out devices which have been enticing. Generally because they have offered something which makes the reading experience better. I don't feel like the Oasis does that, it does change things over the Voyage, but I don't see those changes adding up to a significant change. Certainly not one which warrants the price tag Amazon has slapped on the Oasis.

[LovesMacs]

Originally Posted by Conan46

I honestly would not buy it at $100. If this thing is still around at this time next year I'll be astounded. If it is not at fire sale prices by Christmas I'll be equally astounded.

I'd consider buying it at $100, even though the aesthetics don't yet appeal to me. Who knows? Maybe it's one of those things that has to be held to be fully appreciated. But I won't bother at the current asking price.

[DiapDealer]

Originally Posted by Conan46

It is possible. I still see awesome new cars that are in an ungodly color I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy, but someone bought the thing

Oh, I'm with you there. Only not just colors. There's new cars flying out of the showroom with shapes I wouldn't think anyone could like. Like shoeboxes on wheels.

[Cinisajoy]

Originally Posted by DiapDealer

Oh, I'm with you there. Only not just colors. There's new cars flying out of the showroom with shapes I wouldn't think anyone could like. Like shoeboxes on wheels.

Hey now, I own a shoebox with wheels. Good gas mileage and plenty of leg room in the back seat.

Plenty of storage in back too.

[DiapDealer]

Originally Posted by Cinisajoy

Hey now, I own a shoebox with wheels. Good gas mileage and plenty of leg room in the back seat.

Plenty of storage in back too.

You misunderstand me, I think. I mean a box. As in, not a curve to be found. Big square flat surfaces plowing through the air like a beachball through pudding.

[Cinisajoy]

Originally Posted by DiapDealer

You misunderstand me, I think. I mean a box. As in, not a curve to be found. Big square flat surfaces plowing through the air like a beachball through pudding.

Oh you are talking the Cube. I have the slightly curvier Soul.

[zamana]

Kindle Oasis and 35 posts about... waterproof.

I really don't understand why people value so much the waterproof feature. Do you read while diving? Do you read while crossing the pool of your club? Are you concerned about being attacked by a shark just before be able to finish reading 50 Shades of Grey? Are you serious?

I think that when you don't know what to do next, you do again, but waterproof this time.

Waterproof is so useless as a peephole into a glass door...

[Question Mark]

Could be that they intentionally put out a device that they knew would be unpopular to many customers in order to sell more Voyages.

Perhaps the Voyage had not been selling as well as had been anticipated because many people were sitting on the fence, eagerly awaiting something better. To encourage them to bite the bullet and buy a Voyage, Amazon churns out the Oasis, designed to disappoint. People then buy the Voyage.

Once the oversupply of Voyages has been suitably reduced, Amazon then comes out with a device with all the features which people have been been clamoring after. People then dig a little deeper to get their dream device, passing on or selling their Voyages to others who might never have shown much interest in ereaders.

Amazon not only clears their stock, but potentially gets new customers as old Voyages get sold cheaply or passed along...

After all, what other rational explanation for such a device could there be?

[MGlitch]

Personally I wasn't drawn to my Kobo H2O because it's waterproof, it wasn't a feature I cared about.

However I know people who like to read in the bath, or lounge in a pool and read. I'm pretty sure they find the waterproofing a bit more useful than a peephole in a glass door.

[rcentros]

Originally Posted by MGlitch

Honestly I'm just surprised. I'll admit I'm not a huge fan of Amazon, but I will credit them with putting out devices which have been enticing. Generally because they have offered something which makes the reading experience better. I don't feel like the Oasis does that ...

But folks who have actually held these devices say they do enhance the reading experience. I personally don't know yet, but I do know that I like the wider, thicker bezels on my Nook Simple Touch, so I've got a feeling I would like holding the Oasis with its new center of gravity idea.

[rcentros]

Originally Posted by DiapDealer

I'm pretty sure there's going be a lot of astounded naysayers before all is said and done.

I think you're right.

[robko]

Originally Posted by badgoodDeb

If I use up the 7 hours of battery on the naked Oasis, do we have any specs that indicate how fast the cover will recharge it? I suppose not.

There's another interesting question: how much efficiency (battery life) do you lose if you do use the cover as a "docking station" to recharge your main unit vs pulling power directly from it while reading? There has to be some level of loss from the cover charging rather than being used directly.

[Cinisajoy]

Originally Posted by zamana

Kindle Oasis and 35 posts about... waterproof.

I really don't understand why people value so much the waterproof feature. Do you read while diving? Do you read while crossing the pool of your club? Are you concerned about being attacked by a shark just before be able to finish reading 50 Shades of Grey? Are you serious?

I think that when you don't know what to do next, you do again, but waterproof this time.

Waterproof is so useless as a peephole into a glass door...

Um. Hi. If my kindle keyboard had been waterproof, it would still work. It fell into a bathtub.
So no. For those of us that like to read in the bath, it would not be useless.
Just because one doesn't need something, that does not mean someone else won't need it.
I don't need a fly on my pants, but I think that is useful to about half the population.

[robko]

Originally Posted by rcentros

I'm kind of amazed at the bitterness towards Amazon displayed here (and not talking just about you). So the Oasis is not your cup of tea? Fine. No one is forcing anyone to buy one.

I actually think the device itself isn't actually bad. I don't think it's worth what they have it priced for, but I would pay that much for a device I thought was worth it. But MY bitterness is the utterly contemptible marketing B.S. that Amazon is spewing about this thing (i.e. thinner and longer battery life - which technically you can't get both of at the same time). I would (and do) have the same contempt for any company doing the same marketing.

[Tarana]

Originally Posted by zamana

Kindle Oasis and 35 posts about... waterproof.

Waterproof is so useless as a peephole into a glass door...

It's hard to imagine when it isn't your issue. Waterproof works not only for wet environments (ever read near a pool?) but also sandy environments. You have a toddler who grabs your stuff and drools on it. I have no need for a waterproof ereader either, but I would hardly make fun of someone who has the need. Ok..maybe a little. If I cooked from my ereader, I would certainly want it waterproof - I spill just about everything.