Comments on: Who needs a Kindle?

By: dave

dave — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 15:27:48 +0000

The idea of kindle would be great if it were 1991 or so ? why even use an e-reader? there are many freeware ereader programs out there that one can put on their laptop- and the g-uttenberg project i belive has thousands of r=free e-books available for download, not to mention many local libraries. also most libraries and Panera bread have FREE unlimited web access… just a few thoughts before people get into the time machine and use kindle.

By: Steve Lawson

Steve Lawson — Sun, 02 Mar 2008 04:14:13 +0000

Oh, thanks, Chris. I was going off the main Amazon page which doesn't seem to mention the browser.

By: Chris Weiss

Chris Weiss — Sun, 02 Mar 2008 03:01:46 +0000

Actually, there is a browser in the Kindle, it’s not the greatest user-experience and doesn’t support flash or any other web goodies, but you can do the basics (the Google web apps fall back to “mobile” mode). Alas, you can’t do “on the fly” conversion of, say PDF or Word files if you found something on a web page. But I’m under the impression you can download .PRC and .AZW files directly from the browser and there’s always regular viewing of text and html.

By: Steve Lawson

Steve Lawson — Sat, 01 Mar 2008 14:42:25 +0000

I suppose I meant the title of the post to be rhetorical, rather than to get into talking about the Kindle (which I haven’t used, or even seen in person). But it’s always nice to have people take my ideas seriously.

So let’s talk wireless. If I’m reading the Amazon info correctly, all you can actually do with that ubiquitous wireless access is buy more books from Amazon. And surf Wikipedia. I’d think that wireless access is much more important on the laptop than on the ebook reader. Remember also, that at the small private residental college where I work, that student already has wireless access where he works, lives, and eats, so in our bubble, the advantages of the Kindle may be less compelling.

I’d also think that most of us are used to assembling our reading material before leaving the house, and don’t need instant access to the new James Patterson novel at 64% off. But it is entirely possible that Kindle-style wireless access is the kind of thing you can’t really appreciate until you have used it, and it is certainly true that I am not part of the target market for the Kindle.

By: Chris Weiss

Chris Weiss — Sat, 01 Mar 2008 06:29:35 +0000

It’s all about the free wireless access. As a comparison, here’s what it’d cost to get a laptop on “anywhere” wireless access: Going 3g with a card from Verizon looks to be ~$60 to start and $60/mo, so not even half a year for $400. Sprint (which is reportedly what the Kindle uses) has a web special right now where the card and signup are free, and unlimited data is $60/mo, so you get almost 7 months for your $400.

By: Steve Lawson

Steve Lawson — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 22:09:40 +0000

Nah. You can see in the other photo I took that it's a Toshiba. I don't think it was all that fancy, he just rotated the image 90 degrees. And Rochelle, it looked like a PDF from one of our databases or electronic reserves or something.

By: caleb

caleb — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 21:29:02 +0000

was it one of the microsoft tablet pcs that have been around a few years and that automatically rotate the screen?

By: rochelle

rochelle — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 20:04:41 +0000

Next time you see Mr. Glick, I’d be curious to know what sort of document he was reading. Public domain pdf? I’m afraid my lappy, at 5+ lbs and a dismal battery life of 2 or fewer hours is no match for Kindle. Thanks for posting, though!