Kindle Launch at Frankfurt Book Fair?

Nate the great · 09-13-2007, 11:02 AM

Speculation is mounting that Amazon will unveil its long awaited "Kindle" e-book reader at the Frankfurt Book Fair. The device is reportedly equipped with a wireless modem allowing users to browse the internet without connecting directly to a computer. It is also reported to have a small keyboard allowing for internet navigation as well as a scroll wheel to help users flick through text.

Technology blog Engadget said: "From the sound of it, publishing execs are pinning quite a bit of hope on Amazon and its device, with one even going so far as to [say] that 'if these guys can't make it work, I see no hope'."

HarperCollins UK c.e.o. Victoria Barnsley is among the publishers to have seen a prototype Kindle. She told the London Book Fair in April that she had seen the Amazon reader and was "rather impressed" with the device.

An Amazon spokesman refused to comment, saying that recent reports were "rumour and speculation".

from:
http://www.thebookseller.com/news/44...on-kindle.html

-----------
If anybody can make it to the book fair, GET SOME PICTURES!

Kilarney · 09-13-2007, 11:07 AM

Phew. Yet another device that I won't be too jealous of. I just want a reader without all of the extra stuff - so the Sony Reader still works fine for me.

My only fear is that Mobipocket will dominate over other DRM formats. Since the Sony Reader doesn't support Mobipocket, I'm a little nervous.

Nate the great · 09-13-2007, 11:16 AM

You can find more information about the Book Fair here:

http://www.frankfurt-book-fair.com/en/portal.php

NatCh · 09-13-2007, 03:59 PM

So, we should know some more particulars around the 10th of October.

Anyone who's local, remember there's a karma bounty posted for the first one to get us a pic of the released Kindle! (the bounty's still good even if the release model is still fugly

)

Keith Lommel · 09-13-2007, 06:09 PM

The Fair opens on the 10th, but my understanding is that's only for credentialed press and people in the publishing industry, etc. The general public is not let in until the 13th. I'm happy to go on the 13th, take some pictures and check it out, but I'm guessing we'll have detailed information from elsewhere by then.

dugbug · 09-13-2007, 06:32 PM

just tell me it doesn't actually look like that atari st-ish thing in the photo

-d

LOL2005 · 09-14-2007, 06:50 AM

http://www.liberation.fr/actualite/ecrans/278324.FR.php

The article suggests that the amazon reader will only be able to read ebooks from Amazon.

It would mean that the kindle will support a new DRM format and most probably not other DRM formats including... Mobipocket.

A bit like the Ipod (you can listen MP3 on an IPod but you only listen Itunes DRM music on the Ipod)

NatCh · 09-14-2007, 10:05 AM

Welcome to MobileRead, LOL2005!

I'm thinking that the Kindle will probably support Mobipocket format, seeing as Amazon owns Mobipocket.

I mean, why would they go create yet another format when they already own a perfectly good one (from their perspective, guys)?

If you've got something that suggests otherwise, however, we'd love to hear it.

NatCh · 09-14-2007, 10:11 AM

The passage on Kindle from the Libération article, in proper Eng-babel-glish:

Quote:

The giant commercial in Amazon line arrives, him, in mid-October with Kindle, a portable, black and white reader. The rumour and a stereotype of the thing, very ugly, had run the Web for at least a year. But launching is imminent according to new York Times's. The machine of Amazon will cost between 400 and 500 dollars, will be connected to Internet by wi-fi, but will download books only on the site of Amazon. And of the newspapers, since a numerical kiosk is in preparation, to which take part the Echoes but also the World, new York Times or Wall Street Journal.

Interesting that they seem to think it will be WiFi ....

If someone wanted to do a real translation of the passage, it'd be appreciated.

Hadrien · 09-14-2007, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NatCh

The passage on Kindle from the Libération article, in proper Eng-babel-glish:

Interesting that they seem to think it will be WiFi ....

If someone wanted to do a real translation of the passage, it'd be appreciated.

The only interesting part is that it will use WiFi and that Amazon.com will be the only place where you can download books for it. A few newspaper will also be available for it: The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal in the US, Le Monde and Les Echos in France.

Liviu_5 · 09-14-2007, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NatCh

If someone wanted to do a real translation of the passage, it'd be appreciated.

The translation above is quite good as it happens. The whole article is a big rehash about ebooks and devices, Cybook (they pioneered the ebooks

according to the article - maybe just a coincidence that the company is French - no mention of Gemstar and ETI though), Sony, and Amazon, they even mention Google's announced full access thing.

Alexander Turcic · 10-03-2007, 08:51 AM

The Frankfurt Bookfair is from October 10-14: http://www.buchmesse.de/de/portal.php

I am seriously thinking of visiting the exhibit, especially with the current rumors that Amazon will unveil the Kindle there. I'd be there on Saturday, October 13th.

Is anyone else going?

CommanderROR · 10-03-2007, 09:02 AM

unfortunately work will get in the way...as a musician you have to work when others relax...which means weekends are seldom free...

Alexander Turcic · 10-03-2007, 09:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CommanderROR

unfortunately work will get in the way...as a musician you have to work when others relax...which means weekends are seldom free...

I originally planned to go on Wednesday, which is restricted to the "Fachpresse"; but my girlfriend is having school and I would hate a trip to Germany without her

Keith Lommel · 10-03-2007, 09:20 AM

I'll be there on the 13th.

09-13-2007, 11:02 AM	#1
Nate the great Sir Penguin of Edinburgh Posts: 12,375 Karma: 23555235 Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: DC Metro area Device: Shake a stick plus 1	Kindle Launch at Frankfurt Book Fair? Speculation is mounting that Amazon will unveil its long awaited "Kindle" e-book reader at the Frankfurt Book Fair. The device is reportedly equipped with a wireless modem allowing users to browse the internet without connecting directly to a computer. It is also reported to have a small keyboard allowing for internet navigation as well as a scroll wheel to help users flick through text. Technology blog Engadget said: "From the sound of it, publishing execs are pinning quite a bit of hope on Amazon and its device, with one even going so far as to [say] that 'if these guys can't make it work, I see no hope'." HarperCollins UK c.e.o. Victoria Barnsley is among the publishers to have seen a prototype Kindle. She told the London Book Fair in April that she had seen the Amazon reader and was "rather impressed" with the device. An Amazon spokesman refused to comment, saying that recent reports were "rumour and speculation". from: http://www.thebookseller.com/news/44...on-kindle.html ----------- If anybody can make it to the book fair, GET SOME PICTURES!

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09-13-2007, 11:07 AM	#2
Kilarney Connoisseur Posts: 84 Karma: 100 Join Date: Aug 2007 Device: Sony Reader PRS-500	Phew. Yet another device that I won't be too jealous of. I just want a reader without all of the extra stuff - so the Sony Reader still works fine for me. My only fear is that Mobipocket will dominate over other DRM formats. Since the Sony Reader doesn't support Mobipocket, I'm a little nervous.

09-13-2007, 11:16 AM	#3
Nate the great Sir Penguin of Edinburgh Posts: 12,375 Karma: 23555235 Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: DC Metro area Device: Shake a stick plus 1	You can find more information about the Book Fair here: http://www.frankfurt-book-fair.com/en/portal.php

09-13-2007, 03:59 PM	#4
NatCh Gizmologist Posts: 11,615 Karma: 929550 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Republic of Texas Embassy at Jackson, TN Device: Pocketbook Touch HD3	So, we should know some more particulars around the 10th of October. Anyone who's local, remember there's a karma bounty posted for the first one to get us a pic of the released Kindle! (the bounty's still good even if the release model is still fugly )

09-13-2007, 06:09 PM	#5
Keith Lommel Junior Member Posts: 7 Karma: 10 Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Frankfurt, Germany Device: Palm Treo 680, Sony Reader PRS-505 (Blue)	The Fair opens on the 10th, but my understanding is that's only for credentialed press and people in the publishing industry, etc. The general public is not let in until the 13th. I'm happy to go on the 13th, take some pictures and check it out, but I'm guessing we'll have detailed information from elsewhere by then.

09-13-2007, 06:32 PM	#6
dugbug Addict Posts: 206 Karma: 1723 Join Date: May 2006 Device: Kindle	just tell me it doesn't actually look like that atari st-ish thing in the photo -d

09-14-2007, 06:50 AM	#7
LOL2005 Member Posts: 20 Karma: 10 Join Date: Sep 2007 Device: Sony Reader PRS-505	http://www.liberation.fr/actualite/ecrans/278324.FR.php The article suggests that the amazon reader will only be able to read ebooks from Amazon. It would mean that the kindle will support a new DRM format and most probably not other DRM formats including... Mobipocket. A bit like the Ipod (you can listen MP3 on an IPod but you only listen Itunes DRM music on the Ipod)

09-14-2007, 10:05 AM	#8
NatCh Gizmologist Posts: 11,615 Karma: 929550 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Republic of Texas Embassy at Jackson, TN Device: Pocketbook Touch HD3	Welcome to MobileRead, LOL2005! I'm thinking that the Kindle will probably support Mobipocket format, seeing as Amazon owns Mobipocket. I mean, why would they go create yet another format when they already own a perfectly good one (from their perspective, guys)? If you've got something that suggests otherwise, however, we'd love to hear it.

10-03-2007, 08:51 AM	#12
Alexander Turcic Fully Converged Posts: 18,175 Karma: 14021202 Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Switzerland Device: Too many to count here.	The Frankfurt Bookfair is from October 10-14: http://www.buchmesse.de/de/portal.php I am seriously thinking of visiting the exhibit, especially with the current rumors that Amazon will unveil the Kindle there. I'd be there on Saturday, October 13th. Is anyone else going?

10-03-2007, 09:02 AM	#13
CommanderROR eink fanatic Posts: 2,022 Karma: 4924 Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Germany Device: STAReBOOK, iRex Iliad, Sony 505, Kindle 2	unfortunately work will get in the way...as a musician you have to work when others relax...which means weekends are seldom free...

10-03-2007, 09:20 AM	#15
Keith Lommel Junior Member Posts: 7 Karma: 10 Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Frankfurt, Germany Device: Palm Treo 680, Sony Reader PRS-505 (Blue)	I'll be there on the 13th.

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