Comments on: In-depth review: can Amazon’s Kindle light a fire under eBooks?

By: James Katt

James Katt — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 20:22:57 +0000

The Kindle is so poorly designed, it’s going to fail.

If it could have been done as simple as the iPhone, it may have a chance.

Actually, I would rather have Apple design something like an electronic eBook – a tablet version of the Mac or iPhone. It would be fantastic as a platform and reader.

Leave it to Apple to innovate and move the the industry ahead.

By: nextcube

nextcube — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 18:26:09 +0000

It sounds like Amazon needs the display technology from the XO-1 laptop (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OLPC_XO-1#Display) for the next version of the Kindle. It would meet the goals (easy readability and low power consumption in monochrome mode, but with fast updates and the option for color) of the Kindle quite nicely. (I’d also like to see XO-1’s lithium ferrophosphate batteries move into more products as well, but that’s a discussion for another day.)

By: osViews | osOpinion

osViews | osOpinion — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 15:16:51 +0000

In-depth review: can Amazon’s Kindle light a fire under eBooks?…

In-depth review: can Amazon’s Kindle light a fire under eBooks?
Amazon’s new Kindle ebook reader is billed as the iPod for digital readi…

By: Brau

Brau — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 13:24:31 +0000

The problem I see with e-books is that they don’t fit the human dynamic. Despite the surge to technology, the paperback has survived very well for a few reasons:

1. Most bookworms like to read to escape technology which means an e-reader by its very nature is an affront. I certainly don’t want to *navigate* a book, I just want to turn the page.
2. When reading at the beach, would you leave one on your towel when you go for a swim? No. A paparback? Sure. The e-book user will have to guard it from being stolen.
3. Paperbacks don’t have batteries that go dead just when you are getting to the good parts.
4. Bookworms love to share books to fellow readers when they are done with them. Will they want to lend out their e-book? No.
5. Those who are so remote that they have little access to physical books usually don’t have broadband/cell networks and don’t like doing long downloads via their dial-up … because they usually fail right in the middle.

By: Apple TV Digital Disruption at Work: iTunes Takes 91% of Video Download Market — RoughlyDrafted Magazine

Tue, 11 Dec 2007 11:23:38 +0000

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By: addicted44

addicted44 — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 11:13:40 +0000

If Apple were to get into this field, it would be essential that they go with the eInk technology, rather than LCD screens. eInk is just FAR easier on the eyes.

However, they will have to solve two basic technology problems. Integrating Multitouch, and secondly the slow refresh, which is why I dont think the technology is there yet for Apple to make the kind of ereader product they would be proud of.

Amazon has done well, but not good enough to make this mainstream. Besides, its ugly looks and unergonomic design REALLY hurt it.

By: lightstab

lightstab — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 05:03:39 +0000

Dan, what happened to your pal, Prince McLean? What does he think about the Kindle?

By: Robert.Public

Robert.Public — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 03:54:01 +0000

I am passionate about the idea of carrying a library in my pocket. So much so that I outlined what I think a good device would feature a lot like dan’s imagineering jaunts. I am more interested in how such a device could primarily change the educational textbook, teaching manual industry, foreign language instruction………. It would be great to have something that would allow notation, citation, online academic journal access (EBSCO etc.). To be honest as a college student, lugging 20 to 30 lbs. of textbooks around campus is absurd considering the technology we have available. If Apple could get the textbook publishers on this and sell through iTunes U they could make a killing.

By: Norm Potter

Norm Potter — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 02:24:57 +0000

It will be difficult to duplicate the Amazon sales model, but Kindle is a dog when handling images. Apple should link with somebody like Barnes and Noble and do it better in the iTouch.