E-Book Reader That Might Be Worth It
Posted by arvind s grover Tue, 20 Nov 2007 16:01:46 GMT
Amazon just announced their new e-book reader, the Kindle. It is pricey, $400, but I think the idea is pretty stellar. A super-easy to read screen (not like a laptop screen) that works in any light and is high resolution. Big previous/next page buttons to help you flip through the books. And you can download books anywhere there is cellular service (with no plan needed to buy). Books are a little expensive, from about $8-16, but at least I can feel good not having to buy paper (while feeling bad about adding more poisonous electronics to the world, hmmm).
I can imagine myself on the subway, on a flight, on my sofa or at my desk reading Love in the Time of Cholera (what I'm reading right now) with the lightweight, simple e-book reader. Some people think it's terrible, but I think they're not focused on what the product is for. It is not a laptop, not meant to be a laptop. Laptops are good at other things, but not for reading books on.
If I had to wish for a use in schools? Well, every student would have a Kindle with all of their textbooks on it. Then, that's all they'd have to carry around, and it is lighter than the average paperback. I would consider one feature - the ability to take notes/highlight digitally on the Kindle. The other feature I'd like to see personally is the ability to send (and lose access to) an e-book I'm finished with to a friend. You could even charge me a buck or two, but passing on/receiving books is one of my favorite past times.
Keep it up Amazon, we're getting there...
Blogged with Flock
Tags: KindleAmazon e-book reader education product hardware electronics
Comments
Trackbacks
Use the following link to trackback from your own site:
http://21apples.grovernetwork.com/articles/trackback/132
I tried the Sony Reader this summer and didn’t like it very much. I really like that this new Amazon reader has Internet connectivity included in the download price. That could be the tipping point for me.
One problem with the “E Ink” technology is that the page load is disorienting and blacks out for a second. Definitely try one out before buying it. It’s not like a PDF on an LCD where it goes right to the next page. It is great because while reading it there is absolutely NO glare. It’s almost there.
Can you imagine the texbook market with these? I see a lot in Education with these.
I like the idea that you can bookmark and annotate. I agree that highlighting will be a great feature, especially combined with the bookmark feature.
Like Aaron, I think its a great idea for textbooks. Imagine schools would be able to download the most recent books. Since there is no more need for shipping or paper, does that mean the price could be reduced for schools in poorer areas… Or is that too much to ask for?
2 Major Questions that they will have to answer before it takes off 1) What if you want to read a book that is not part of the Kindle library? Will other venues decide to work with it? 2) With the trend to combine electronics i.e. Apple Phone, will people want to add another device? True this may be a great device but after working electronic retail for a number of years, you learn there has to be a “stick” or cool value.