why so emotional about the kindle?

[lubberts]

haha, that's true jacksonchapman, my post was pretty passionate. And I appreciate that most all of the comments on this website have been objective, instead of ranting negative things. I like that about this forum because people here are well read on the subject of ebooks and readers, and most own one or two. That makes for feedback about the device that is realistic. I like that!
My choice of words was bad. Instead of "passion" perhaps I should have said "negativity". I Don't remember as much negative feedback when researching my purchases of the prs 500 and 505, but it seems to me like the kindle has more, and cooler features, yet there is much more negativity about it, especially on the Amazon website. I think it is just because there is more hubub surrounding this reader's release than there was for the prs 500 or 505.

[astra]

Originally Posted by lubberts

My choice of words was bad. Instead of "passion" perhaps I should have said "negativity". I Don't remember as much negative feedback when researching my purchases of the prs 500 and 505, but it seems to me like the kindle has more, and cooler features, yet there is much more negativity about it, especially on the Amazon website. I think it is just because there is more hubub surrounding this reader's release than there was for the prs 500 or 505.

I think there is a simple explanation.

You believe that kindle has cool featires, but all the negative feedback/opinions about it on mobileread forum shows that there are just more people who dislike kindle than there were people who disliked sony.

[DaleDe]

Originally Posted by astra_lestat

I think there is a simple explanation.

You believe that kindle has cool featires, but all the negative feedback/opinions about it on mobileread forum shows that there are just more people who dislike kindle than there were people who disliked sony.

And a fair number had their minds made up before they ever even saw one.

Dale

[yvanleterrible]

Frankly, I hate and like all readers for all their weaknesses and strengths.

I like them for what they do brilliantly and I hate them because none is the reader I want.

A4, colo(u)r, connective, input driven; an eink computer tablet 1/4" thick and 4 oz., terrabyte thingie.

[astra]

Originally Posted by DaleDe

And a fair number had their minds made up before they ever even saw one.

Dale

You mean they saw the initial pic of Kindle?
Maybe a real Kindle is a bit better than this picture, however, Kindle still has keyboard. Absolutely unacceptable, IMHO, for book reader solution.

[Alisa]

Originally Posted by astra_lestat

You mean they saw the initial pic of Kindle?
Maybe a real Kindle is a bit better than this picture, however, Kindle still has keyboard. Absolutely unacceptable, IMHO, for book reader solution.

Even though I'm happy to have an input solution and search, I have to admit I would prefer if it were an on-screen keyboard even if that made it a little slower. It's not like the physical keyboard is going to be lightning-fast anyway with the small keys and e-ink response times. I wonder if they made the decision for the physical keyboard because they thought their target audience would be put off by any sort of more new-fangled input mechanism. It seems they had an overall design philosophy of not seeming like a bleeding edge high-tech gadget. I'm really curious to see what their focus groups looked like. I'm getting the feeling it wasn't full of people like me.

[yvanleterrible]

I think the keyboard is for internet browsing, remember they have blogging possibilities.

[astra]

Originally Posted by yvanleterrible

I think the keyboard is for internet browsing, remember they have blogging possibilities.

Yes, I know why it is there. It just doesn't fall into my definition of book reader. I mean, if Amazon appear on the UK market tomorrow, I will still go for Sony Reader from bhphotovideo.

[THJahar]

I think people are getting het up about the kindle because amazon's actions denote that you have two personality attributes:
1) DRM say's you are a untrustworthy thieving bastard
2) Bespoke DRM says that you are a DISLOYAL untrustworthy thieving bastard.
It's not many times that I will lay down 200 quid to be insulted

[DaleDe]

Originally Posted by THJahar

I think people are getting het up about the kindle because amazon's actions denote that you have two personality attributes:
1) DRM say's you are a untrustworthy thieving bastard
2) Bespoke DRM says that you are a DISLOYAL untrustworthy thieving bastard.
It's not many times that I will lay down 200 quid to be insulted

You are not deserving to buy a Sony, Cybook, iLiad, Kindle, use a Micosoft Reader or hardly any of the other devices since they all insist of DRM. You can buy an eBookwise-1150.

Dale

[astra]

Originally Posted by DaleDe

You are not deserving to buy a Sony, Cybook, iLiad, Kindle, use a Micosoft Reader or hardly any of the other devices since they all insist of DRM. You can buy an eBookwise-1150.

Dale

That's why he has Jinke V2

[THJahar]

Originally Posted by astra_lestat

That's why he has Jinke V2

Yup, OK it does have DRM and a bespoke one at that (wol) , but it also allows txt files, pdf files etc.
But the difference is that Hanlin do not own a distribution network, with which they force you to be loyal to by creating a bespoke DRM and not allowing others to use (Hanlin will no doubt sell you the technology to use their DRM if you are a bookstore)
That is the the thing that has reeeeallly pissed me off, when they had the rights to the perfectly usuable DRM mobipocket, but they didn't want to allow the purchasers of the device to use competing e-book shops.
And then had the gall not to even subsidise the price of the kindle due to this.

[jasonkchapman]

Originally Posted by THJahar

That is the the thing that has reeeeallly pissed me off, when they had the rights to the perfectly usuable DRM mobipocket, but they didn't want to allow the purchasers of the device to use competing e-book shops.
And then had the gall not to even subsidise the price of the kindle due to this.

You know, this may be a matter of "one battle at a time." If content were already a thriving market, it would be easy to enter the business and use the content to subsidize the hardware. If hardware were a thriving market, it would be easy to join that fray and then woo customers with a dazzling array of content.

Right now, neither market is thriving. They're both still in their infancy, so Amazon is trying to do both at once. So, one battle at a time. Use the content to entice the mainstream buyer into the market, then, once the content market exists, get the hardware price more competitive.

[Alisa]

Originally Posted by THJahar

And then had the gall not to even subsidise the price of the kindle due to this.

The scary thing is, with the price of the screen and three years of R&D they likely are subsidizing the cost of the reader. At the very least it's at or near cost. People assume it's price gouging because they're comparing it to other gadgets in the market. Between that and the low content prices, I wouldn't be surprised if they take a loss on this business for awhile before things get moving. I'm not saying they're altruistic. They're taking a bet they think will pay off in profit down the road. They're a business like any other. I'm hoping once the dust settles after the initial launch, they start allowing other readers in or start offering the titles as Mobipocket files. They'd probably be at least a slightly higher price to keep the Kindle attractive but I see no reason they'd ignore that low-hanging fruit.