Kindle 3
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- raf0
Sorry, here's part 2
- raf0
The web browser. Considering it comes with free worldwide internet, it looks like a nice bonus...
- canuck0
The thing about the kindle is that it's meant for just reading, there are no other fancy destractions on it. I'm not even sure you can compare it to the ipad, it's a totally different device that costs about 5 times as much. Compared to some of the other reading devices such as the nook (called kobo here) I think it has some advantages, such as wifi, but they're probably pretty similar from what i've read/seen.
Amazon has done a good thing bringing the price down to 140 for the base model; that's pretty damn cheap. I think if it hit the $100 price point it would really gain some momentum.
I have a kindle on the way, & I looking forward to using it.
- raf0
Another thing: isn't kindle 3G the ultimate international web/email client? I.e. you go anywhere and have free access to black'n'white internet? There's not a lot of talk about that feature...
- FREE?
Really free?randommail - Correct me if I'm wrong, but its price includes international 3G internet forever.raf
- FREE?
- raf0
The interesting thing about eBooks is that they actually might end the era of books being legal donationware (and start the era of illegal donationware).
Only people who really want to pay for paper books do so (most people do), the rest get them from their library. This will change with ebooks. Still a lot won't pay, but it won't be legal anymore.
- I agree.
So this means the end of the literary publishing world. Just like the music industry.randommail
- I agree.
- randommail0
I tried using both a Kindle and Nook.
I have to say the overall user experience and quality of build suck. And I know that is my opinion since I'm used to using an iPad. In terms of industrial design, an iPad is just solid. And the UI is slick and intuitive. I might be more inclined to read simply because it's fun to interact with the iPad.
The Kindle and Nook both had glitches. Buttons you'd have to press hard. Screens not refreshing quickly and smoothly (not quickly enough to someone who is used to Apple). And creaky plastic parts (which I'm sorry to say was probably the biggest turn-off).
- ok, not press THAT hard. I'm just used to a light tap on a glass screen.randommail
- detritus0
An interesting article on Slashdot today, in a similar vein - a writer's search for the most basic, utilitarian 'word processor' he can find.
http://features.slashdot.org/sto…
I know I follow this philosophy, after someone linked 'Darkroom' here (NT?) a while back. We're becoming far too distracted by our toys and so whilst having everything multitask and intercommunicate is pretty cool, it only serves to reduce our ability to categorise modes of thought, activity and productivity into discrete, focused domains.
.
I get the whole "oh, but they could never replace books!" thing, but as someone who's moved at least 14 times in the last decade and a half I'm in the demographic that would welcome replacing the volume of all future book purchases with a postage stamp-sized memory card and a single book volume.
Also - the BIG thing I want from eReaders is to be able to read a 'heavy book', lying on my side in bed, without having to shift awkwardly around every x minutes, trying to balance x hundred pages in one hand 'til my thumb tires, then switching sides.
- raf0
This thread will be remembered for the most occurrences of the adjective "avid" in history.
- randommail0
The paperback book was one of the all-time best objects of product design. They're practical, intuitive, utilitarian, and democratic. Sustainable since it is can be used for generations. And the hand-me-down and the shareable nature of books promotes further reading by other people.
Fuck Kindles and Nooks. And for different reasons, but to a lesser extent, the iPad too. Did we really need more plastic and chemical junk? Great, in addition to new iPods and cell-phones every 2 years, we now are going to have to do the same with the ebooks.
- detritus0
Ah, herzo - took the words right out of my mouth.
I find it tragic seeing just how unimaginative some of the designers on this board can be sometimes - whether they are or not, they come across like blinkered fools distracted by shiny baubles.
I defy anyone who actually enjoys reading more than a Twitter's worth of content to not be somewhat curious about reading-specific digital devices.
- herzo0
I take it lots of you either don't read or can't. Amongst people who are actually avid readers the Kindle is a great device and not comparable to the iPad. As designers I would expect most to understand how important purpose and function is. Some of you must lay out novels in illustrator too? The iPad is not the end all and be all of portable devices.
- But is it good for PDFs? My fear is it's not really suitable. Strangely, iPad might be better due to screen size.raf
- Boz0
- dopepope0
my sunglasses cost more than a kindle.
- raf0
Is the Kindle 3 good for PDFs? I have plenty of material in PDF format and I hate reading books on the computer.
- Orbit0
I have a question for Kindle users here...
Is it possible to prepare suitable files and download them or import them onto the kindle?
I guess what I want to know is... would a person be able to prepare a Kindle 'book' of black and white illustrations?
I would love to work on a epaper graphic novel or a story made of words for that device, but I don't have one so I don't know if they are open to content from any sources or channelled only to download from official ebook vendor sites?
- "story made of words" is meant to say "Story made of pictures" lolOrbit
- maikel0
for the ones that are against the kindle and the ebook readers, just a few thoughts
if you read quite a lot, it's def convenient:
- you save space at home
- you save quite a few quid against buying normal books
- it's really good for commuting and you can carry more than a book at a time
- battery last agesThe screen is black and white BECAUSE it is meant to give optimum contrast even in direct sunlight.
You can't compare it with an ipad. And if you do, surely you will be way better of with one.
If you read more than 15 pages, and mostly books, you will love it. If you want to scan through mags, and check your facebook every 30 secs, go for the ipad... Also get a fixie, a pair of skinnies, and steal your auntie's jumper.
- drgz0
Does the battery last longer on Kindle?
- Pixter0
soon kindle will be free and you'll have to pay only for the books
- sp1re0
I'm a sucker for gadgets and recently bought myself a NOOK.
So far it's an interesting device. It's nice to have a lot of books in one place, which comes in handy when I'm going to work and can't decide on a good book to bring. The eInk display is very easy on your eyes and perfect for reading. My brother asks "but there's no color?" My answer is that color will only serve to distract from the device's main function, which is a platform for literature.
I just hope this device doesn't die off and I'm left with an unsupported device that has been abandoned by it's makers. :\
- ebooks aren't going awaymonkeyshine
- I actually think the nook look pretty good, I saw it at a barns&noble, how much are they?Miguex