Anyone own an Amazon Kindle or other "reader" here?

motivez · 05-25-2008, 11:33 PM

I've been really contemplating getting something like this at some point in the not too distant future, maybe for next semester

The Amazon one seems like the premier device because it has free access over Sprint's network to download books from Amazon..

I got the chance to look at something similar at Borders, I believe it was a Sony and it was surprisingly readable..

Obviously there's some downsides, lack of content (for now, but like music I think it's only a matter of time before it explodes), DRM issues (not being able to re-sell or "loan" your e-book to someone).. and of course the price, I'm thinking there might be a price shift later this summer from some of the stuff I've read, but overall it seems like it'd be a positive experience

Just wondering if anyone on the site has one or something similar

JaJae · 05-26-2008, 10:36 AM

Originally Posted by motivez

I've been really contemplating getting something like this at some point in the not too distant future, maybe for next semester

The Amazon one seems like the premier device because it has free access over Sprint's network to download books from Amazon..

I got the chance to look at something similar at Borders, I believe it was a Sony and it was surprisingly readable..

Obviously there's some downsides, lack of content (for now, but like music I think it's only a matter of time before it explodes), DRM issues (not being able to re-sell or "loan" your e-book to someone).. and of course the price, I'm thinking there might be a price shift later this summer from some of the stuff I've read, but overall it seems like it'd be a positive experience

Just wondering if anyone on the site has one or something similar

My GF was looking at the Kindle and the Sony Reader. She liked the Sony one better because it didn't have the LCD screen which makes it easier to read in all forms of light and also I believe the battery lasts longer. Personally I think they're both a little too new and need some more revisions before they're worth buying.

Smull · 05-26-2008, 08:15 PM

I'm really thinking about getting one too, but the money and like JaJae said, the fact that they're just too new makes me leery. I feel like the second I buy one amazon will come out with Kindle 2 which will be twice as good as the one i just bought, or microsoft will come out with one or something. I think if i got one i would get the Kindle, it just seems like it has everything.

eBook Readers-Top 5 Digital Book Readers Compared
CNET Comparison Chart

The more I see, the more I want one, but the more I see the more I think it would be smart to wait too...

motivez · 05-26-2008, 08:53 PM

Yeah, I mean, it's like any technology though, early adopters pay a price, but get to enjoy the benefits of having one without to wait..

Any time you buy something it's only a matter of time until they come up with revisions that improve it, but I'm not sure how they'd improve on it that couldn't also be done with a software/firmware update that'd make a huge difference

I mean, with the iPhone, no 3g or GPS made a lot of people (including myself) wait, but I'm not sure what else they have yet to build in to the Kindle that's comparable.

I mean, it's something I can definitely wait for, books aren't going anywhere and there will only be more titles available as time goes on, but they're cumbersome to lug all around campus when I have so much other crap to carry as well

Rouger2 · 05-26-2008, 08:59 PM

Everybody buy one. I want to publish a book this year on the internet.

Smull · 05-26-2008, 11:27 PM

Do you have any idea if you can get textbooks for that thing?

And yeah, I'm just not sure if its worth dishing out the 400 to be one of the first to have one, I'll probably wait it out and see what happens, could make a cool Christmas gift...

Stylerod · 05-29-2008, 11:21 AM

I'd love to get one for my dad. Maybe for Christmas. He has subsriptions to so many magazines and he is always reading. He has to drive my mom to all her sewing gatherings and quilt shows and all that garbage, he just takes a few books and mags with him. I think this would be perfect. I hope they go down in price soon.

motivez · 05-29-2008, 12:31 PM

Originally Posted by Stylerod

I'd love to get one for my dad. Maybe for Christmas. He has subsriptions to so many magazines and he is always reading. He has to drive my mom to all her sewing gatherings and quilt shows and all that garbage, he just takes a few books and mags with him. I think this would be perfect. I hope they go down in price soon.

I have been thinking there will be a price shift later this summer / fall ..

I know you can get papers on them, not sure about magazines though

Stylerod · 05-29-2008, 12:55 PM

Originally Posted by motivez

I have been thinking there will be a price shift later this summer / fall ..

I know you can get papers on them, not sure about magazines though

If that thing keeps selling like it does it might support mags at some time. but of of his magazines are Conservative rags. National Review, Limbaugh Letter, NRA magazine. He's so conservative he makes me look like a raging liberal in comparison!

motivez · 05-29-2008, 12:57 PM

Originally Posted by Stylerod

If that thing keeps selling like it does it might support mags at some time. but of of his magazines are Conservative rags. National Review, Limbaugh Letter, NRA magazine. He's so conservative he makes me look like a raging liberal in comparison!

That's scary.

But yeah, lack of content and price are the two things holding me back right now. Once price drops, the lack of content wont be as big of an issue.. there's plenty of places to find e-books that aren't necessarily Amazon.