What is a Kindle?
By tcnixon
Kindle is cool!
The Amazon Kindle announced in the spring of 2008 is an electronic book reader. Initially priced at $399, the Kindle sold out in a matter of days, according to Amazon. Unlike earlier e-book readers, this tool appears to be a closer approximation to a book, but a book on steroids.
For most of us who follow technology, it has become increasingly clear that book publishers are going to need to move away from an industry focused on the use of dead trees. Is the Amazon Kindle the technology that will do that? It is unclear, but, even if it is not, I suspect that makers of competing products are already trying to figure out how to be more Kindle-like.
Some of the nice features of the Amazon Kindle include:
- An electronic-paper display that is far superior to earlier book readers.
- Wireless connectivity; find the book online and download it in a matter of minutes.
- More than 130,000 books available (with more on the way, I suspect).
- Free book samples. Download a couple chapters to see if you want to purchase the entire book.
While it is unclear, at this price-point, whether the Kindle will become popular beyond those early-adopters of all things techno, there is no doubt that it is the best of the electronic book readers currently available.
Should you buy it?
Prior to actually purchasing one, you should consider several things including:
- Cost of the Kindle. At $399, the Amazon Kindle is over-priced. With the recent drop to $359, it is still over-priced.
- Cost of the books. The books are in the $9.99 range for New York Times Bestsellers. This seems a little-overpriced, but could be reasonable if the Kindle cost less.
- First generation technology is never as good as second generation technology. In other words, while the Kindle is rather cool, it will be interesting to see what Daughter of Kindle looks like.
If Amazon were to ask me what they needed to do to make this successful, my advice would be either to lower the price of the Kindle, lower the price of the books, or both. Part of the problem in lowering the price of the Kindle is that it uses a network in order to download the books. Well, who pays for that? Yup, since Amazon needs to carry that burden, they are hoping to get folks to pony up the buck upfront.
When will I buy one? I can sometimes be a bit of a techno-geek, but there is no way I would buy one until it is $99. On the day that happens, I will be first in line.
Cnet Review of Amazon Kindle
Amazon Kindle
 | Amazon Price: $359.00 |
Comments
Thanks for this valuable information. I was considering purchasing a kindle (once I knew what it was) as the "books" are so much more reasonably priced ($9.99 or so). But when I saw the price of a kindle and these comments...I'll wait till it's $99 as well! The library is still the best value in town!
Good writeup. I had never heard of the Kindle before reading this, but I think I prefer a paper book to an electronic book. It's nice to own the real possession and not just the information within it. I liked shelves full of books.
I usually read a book over 3 t0 5 days. The interval gives me a chance to digest the material. Can I spred my look and my read over 5 or more days?
For me the price would need to be $9.99 and the kindle would have to give me the choice of either reading or listening to any book I buy.
@Ralph: It is a reasonably complex electronic device, so it's never going to be that inexpensive. Still, it still needs to be less than it currently is.
I have a gen2 kindle. I didn't like the DX much. The prices have come down some. I spent $299 on mine, but they are now only $259 and the Whispernet on the gen2 is global now, not just national. I read a lot. Normally a book every 2 days or so. This is true even while I am writing one of my own books. The price of the books doesn't bother me, considering a new release by a big name author or a best seller will normally end up costing me close to $20. I can get it on my kindle for half that. Most of the books I buy have the voice option enabled, and I do sometimes use it. I still love my print books, don't get me wrong, but I have saved a fair amount of money on books. I love my kindle!!
I did forget to mention one thing. Keep in mind that while the new books or the bestsellers are normally $9.99, not all the books are. There are lots of free books and tons of books that are much less than that $9.99. I bought a book just tonight that was only %5.39, and another three or four last week that were only $.99. It all depends on the books you buy.
Thanks for commenting, Diedraholley. Yes, there are some less expensive books out there for the Kindle. I think I have decided that when it hits $199, I will bite. My guess is that will happen by Christmas 2010.
(: I LLLOOVVVEE THE LINDLE ! *(: (; (; (: 9:
In the time since 2008 the Kindle ebook reader has become enormously popular, the prices come down, and the quality has gone through the roof. I can remember the first time I heard of and looked at a Kindle, and I was amazed at what a great idea it was. There are so many easy, easy ways to pick up a Kindle to fit in nearly anyone's budget. http://www.kindle.co.cc
I like this kindle
Thanks for this hub, Kindles develop very fast, from original form, kindle 2, and now, the Kindle 3. I am really amazed how this stuff get into the top of the market.
I made a review myself for Kindle 3 in http://www.kindleamazonreview.com
like it ;-)
i never hEARD OF A KINDLE BEFORE
Really good review! Thanks, this helped with my homework, where I had to research a piece of technology! This was/is currenty the best E-Book review xxx
sheenarobins 3 years ago
i've always wondered what a kindle is when I saw it on my amazon. Now, I know what it is. Thnaks for creating this hub. very informative.