Bringing Books Into Generation G(adget): The Amazon Kindle
Published November 19, 2007
Dedicated e-book readers are not back lit and are hence (theoretically) easier on the eyes. They generally use a technology called “E-ink,” which renders the display very paper-like. The drawback is that when you want to read in bed while your spouse (or partner) prefers a darkened room for sleep, you need to add a book light of some sort. Just like conventional reading in bed. The upside is that if you’re reading on the beach, the display (like a paper book) is easy to see. Reading in normal light is not a problem.
In order to use any of these devices, you download the purchased book to your computer (which contains the correct software) and then synchronize the reader to the software. Not too complicated, if not the ideal experience for a browser like me. I hemmed and hawed, wondering which one I should (if any) I should buy. Or not.
Enter Amazon’s Kindle. Just this morning. I’ve just ordered one and will get it tomorrow. To me (beyond the hype) after reading and comparing other e-book re
aders, this is the one that will solve the dilemma for me. It appears to be intuitive (something the others seem not to be), and small (like the others). It’s not as pretty, but I think the design is intentional, allowing you to flip forwards and backwards in the book as you would a real (tree-killing) book.
But it appears that the best thing about the Kindle is the delivery system. No computers, no wires, no sync-ing. Just press button, browse the Amazon.com store, push another button and voila. Instant book-gratification. Best sellers are $9.99, and a quick browse this morning found that most books (that would likely by now be in paperback) go for around five or six dollars. No shipping fee and instant delivery. No charge to wirelessly connect to the store either. For an additional fee, you can subscribe to daily newspapers from The New York Times to LeMonde; magazines of every variety; even some blogs.
Now, mind you, it is not a cheap item. At $400 it’s a bit steep. But comparing it to other e-book readers, while the price is slightly more, I think the ease and the features make it worth the extra $50-$100.
I’m looking forward to getting mine tomorrow, and will write about it again after I’ve played with it a bit. Can’t wait.
- Bringing Books Into Generation G(adget): The Amazon Kindle
- Published: November 19, 2007
- Type: Opinion
- Section: Books
- Filed Under: Sci/Tech: Computers, Books: The Reading Life, Books: News, Books: Business, Sci/Tech: Internet
- Writer: Barbara Barnett
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What do you think of the terms of service? You don't actually own the materials you purchase, you're just licensing them for your own personal use. Instant gratification, yes, but at what cost?
What do you think of the terms of service? You don't actually own the materials you purchase, you're just licensing them for your own personal use. Instant gratification, yes, but at what cost?
You're right, and I can't lend a book to a friend, for example. At this point, I have so many books in my collection, I don't have anywhere to put new ones. I'm horrible with libraries because I'm hopeless about returning books on time (same reason I don't rent movies anymore). The terms of service aren't ideal, but I think I can live with them.
Books that I think I will write in or teach from, I probably will still get in real paper. But I buy about five or six books a month for casual reading. So I do think this might be a good way to buy, read and store those sorts of books, despite the terms.
Science tells us that we absorb information 20% better from paper so by switching to this device you are taking away 1/5 of your learning ability. Additionally, Amazon pirates the work of hundreds of authors for use of this device. If it's wrong to steal copyrighted work then it is equally wrong to charge for non-copyrighted work. Thanks, Amazon....seeing that you no longer care about piracy makes me feel less guilty about stealing product that I may have paid for if companies like yourself didn't start doing it.
When I pick up my son's 50 pound backpack I wonder about the possibilities for this sort of device in makng text and other books more manageable. There is much postive potential in this technology. As far as absorption of material better from paper than from other media, this is a new media--almost a hybrid between paper and computer. The readability is that good.
As far as the other things you say, those are serious accusations. I can't imagine that if what you say is true, that this venture would have gotten beyond the drawing board.
Barbara
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Sounds like they are getting very close to a breakthrough. I look forward to the review!