Bezos: the battle between e-readers and tablet computers is a non-issue

[RockdaMan]

In trumpeting Amazon.com’s latest sales successes Monday, the e-tailer’s CEO argued that the much-discussed battle between e-readers and tablet computers is a non-issue, because many shoppers are choosing both.

“Customers report using their LCD tablets for games, movies, and Web browsing and their Kindles for reading sessions,” Bezos said in a press release, citing the low weight, long battery life and easy-on-the-eye displays of Amazon’s popular gadget. The current price of the Kindle–which now starts at $139, compared to $499 for the least-expensive iPad–means “people don’t have to choose.”

Forrester analyst James McQuivey says Bezos’s pronouncement isn’t such a stretch. According to the research firm’s surveys, roughly a third of iPad buyers also have or intend to buy a Kindle, he says.

I wonder how many Kindle owners plan to buy an iPad.

http://blogs.wsj.com/digits/2010/12/...ess+Technology)

[GreenMonkey]

I've been reading sporadically on my Nook color since I got it a few weeks ago.

It's too heavy for comfortable couch reading (I'm really surprised to be saying that, but I was totally getting wrist strain with it).

It washes out a tiny bit when sitting flat on the table which is a bit annoying (for eating-reading).

I feel a little bit more eyestrain with it.

I can see having both. That's what I'm basically doing with a Nook color and a Nook. I really prefer the e-ink to read on - I know I'm not the only person with both a tablet and an e-reader.

[bhartman36]

From what I've seen, I think people will be much more likely to use iPads as netbook replacements or honkin' big video players. Some people will certainly read on them, and if that's your preference, that's great. I just see it as overkill for reading, given its size and weight.

I saw an iPad in the wild a few weeks ago. There was a woman reading something on it. I asked her how she liked her iPad (Generally. I didn't mention reading.) She said she loved it, and she liked reading on it better than on her Kindle. I didn't ask her what Kindle she'd been using, but the thing she mentioned immediately was reading in bed.

I didn't get a great look at it, but my personal observation (which might have been due to viewing angle or the brightness level she had the display on) was that the screen had a bluish cast to it. My other impression was that it would take me about 30 seconds to drop that thing and make it unusable (until I got it fixed/replaced, of course). As thin as it was, it just looked unwieldy to me.

A few weeks before that, I saw a girl watching a video on the iPad. I was much more impressed with that.

[MrsJoseph]

I everyone in my office (besides me) has an iPad, but I'm the only one with a dedicated ereader. They all mention reading on the iPad, but only as a last resort. They are much more prone to talk about how great it is for kids, movies, music, and apps.

I think the iPad is a little heavy for my taste. Also, I have an iPhone - I've shattered my screen before, it can be done.

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by bhartman36

From what I've seen, I think people will be much more likely to use iPads as netbook replacements or honkin' big video players.

That's how I'm using my Nook Color. It's a great tablet and perfect for vacations.

Once B&N fixes the brightness level and allows even lower settings, I should be able to use it for reading.

[jehane]

Originally Posted by bhartman36

From what I've seen, I think people will be much more likely to use iPads as netbook replacements or honkin' big video players.

That's my plan. I have been looking for a slate ever since my Palm (m125) died. Considered the netbooks but really wanted the slate form. My perfect device isn't out yet, but I've waited this long and I expect that something close will come out in the next year or two. The Archos 5 and 7 were pretty close though. I don't like the iPad, and not just because I have an aversion to Apple and other excessively proprietary products. I read enough, and have read enough on computer screens in the past that I'll happily take my e-ink reader as well as a computer on my travels, so the more compact my computer the better.

[ficbot]

I have both and use both. The iPad is my work device and has all the books, video, media etc. that I teach with. I read my Zinio mags on it too. I read everything else on the Kindle.

[mldavis2]

eInk displays are unquestionably best for text reading and are far more power-efficient than LCD displays. If I want to view photographic images or play games or surf the 'net, I'll use my real computers. I am not interested in seeing how many 'apps' and how much adaptability I force onto my Kindle, and I am totally uninterested in trying to perform productive tasks on a half-computer with inadequate screen space and a toy keyboard. Between my desktop computer (overclocked quad core with 24" and 19" monitors), and my laptop with quad core and 15" screen, my eInk display functions exactly for what it was designed. I have no holes in my technical coverage. Sorry, Jeff. The iPad does nothing for me whatsoever that I cannot perform more comfortably and efficiently with my other tools.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by RockdaMan

I wonder how many Kindle owners plan to buy an iPad?

I don't see iPad owners buying a Kindle. I do see it the other way round though. And I do see the Kindle gathering dust or someone else using it once the iPad is bought.

I bought my wife a stand for her iPad and she really likes it. So with the stand, the iPad is not too heavy. She never found it too heavy. But, if you have a nightstand next to your side of the bed, you can put the iPad and stand there and happily read in bed.

[RockdaMan]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

And I do see the Kindle gathering dust or someone else using it once the iPad is bought.

And yet the anecdotes don't say that.

[Kali Yuga]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

....I do see the Kindle gathering dust or someone else using it once the iPad is bought.

So did a lot of people around the time the iPad came out. It's pretty clear that, at least for the moment, eInk / epaper still holds an advantage for many people despite the lack of color, animation, apps, touch-screens and so forth.

Originally Posted by JSWolf

I bought my wife a stand for her iPad and she really likes it. So with the stand, the iPad is not too heavy. She never found it too heavy. But, if you have a nightstand next to your side of the bed, you can put the iPad and stand there and happily read in bed.

Riiiiiight

I won't necessarily say that it's "too heavy," in that I've read paper books that are that weight (or more). But compared to an eInk device, it's much less convenient for reading during a commute, in your lap, or in your hands.

And no, reading off of a nightstand whilst in bed is not going to work for most people. Or their spouses, I presume.

[MrsJoseph]

Originally Posted by Kali Yuga

Riiiiiight

I won't necessarily say that it's "too heavy," in that I've read paper books that are that weight (or more). But compared to an eInk device, it's much less convenient for reading during a commute, in your lap, or in your hands.

And no, reading off of a nightstand whilst in bed is not going to work for most people. Or their spouses, I presume.

My spouse would agree.

[petermillard]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

I don't see iPad owners buying a Kindle....

<raises hand> I did, and I'm pretty sure others (HarryT for one) have here on mobileread as well. I find the iPad to be a brilliant device and absolutely my main/preferred reader, but it's not my only reader; there are times when I want to use something else for all kinds of reasons, whether environmental (reading in the garden) physical (need something a bit smaller/lighter) or financial (don't want to risk taking something as valuable as my iPad). Or maybe I just want to continue reading my book whilst the iPad is charging <shrug>

It isn't an either/or decision for me, and I'm glad of that.

Pete

[jessicalynn]

I personally have both an ereader and an ipad. I bought the ipad for school (reading pdf's, study apps, etc) and ereader for well, reading. I did try reading on my ipad, but I just didn't like it as much as reading on my nook. I thought it was too heavy and awkward to hold and after a few hours my eyes were strained by the lcd screen.
I can definitely see many reasons to have both and ereader and a tablet and I don't think tablets are going to kill ereaders!

[wvcherrybomb]

Originally Posted by mldavis2

eInk displays are unquestionably best for text reading and are far more power-efficient than LCD displays. If I want to view photographic images or play games or surf the 'net, I'll use my real computers. I am not interested in seeing how many 'apps' and how much adaptability I force onto my Kindle, and I am totally uninterested in trying to perform productive tasks on a half-computer with inadequate screen space and a toy keyboard.

Yeah, what he said.


Am I the only one who thinks Bezos looks like an alien? He's all sterile looking like he just got beamed down from his sterile loft-ship. He even has empty looking eyes. Maybe it's just me....

Disclaimer: I LOVE Amazon!