Amazon’s Kindle: the iPod of spin

I think all of you are being very short sighted.

“It’s huge”…well, it’s as big as it needs to be in order to read comfortably..it’s not a cell phone/ipod. Future version may “virtualize” the keys on a touch screen to make it a little smaller, but screen size needs to at least stay as large as it is.

“eBooks are a failed concept”. No it’s not, it’s just been poorly implemented. This thing wireless connects and downloads material, which no “eBook” has ever done. I know I have been sitting in the airport many times and would love to be able to wireless download a book instead of fishing my way through crowds to buy a paperback.

“People like the feel of books”. Yes, I guess I “like” the feel of a book when compared to eBooks, but when I start reading I get engrossed in the material and don’t exactly skim the paragraphs just so I can get to the luxurious page turning experience. I’d prefer a book when I’m at home and curled up on the couch, but I’d prefer a Kindle just about anywhere else.

Whenever they up the screen quality for hi-res color and add a headphone plug (so you can start downloading A/V as well) AND have the wireless connectivity to download what you want form Amazon, then all of you will not be calling this an “eBook”. Apple may take note and build an iEverything to compete with this, but they’ll have to build a store comparable to what Amazon has in order to make it competitive. Amazon has a big head start in that area.

1) who the heck is the web developer of this page? one of the most basic of web design rules is DO NOT use Serif fonts, they are more difficult to read on the web, use a Sans-Serif font. this is horrible u.i. design.

2) this Kindle is ridiculous, it’s a joke right, just a spoof concept – very Onion-like?! please, for all that is good in the world tell me this is a gag. a) it’s huge, who the heck wants to carry around a tablet the size of those Moses himself made? people want technology that fits in their pocket, this is like carrying a school book; b) Newton – nuff said; c) the product design is foolish, white on white with buttons that are difficult to read or view. did they do any usability or QA, looks like a first draft.

3) stop making eBooks people!! it’s a failed concept, the people who do read like the feel of paper and being able to easily bookmark. books are not like vinyl records or cassettes which could be moved to mp3, people like the paper feel. plus reading a 200-500 page book on electric device is eye-straining, then you have screen glare, it will never work unless they stop trying to reinvent the same failed products from 1999-2000 and think new, not refreshed. lastly, if it was a viable market, don’t you think Apple would’ve already explored it. as someone else said, this will be on the failed tech garbage heap in 2-3 years.

Define “old people”…there are quite a few aging “baby boomers” and “baby buster” around who still remember how to read. I’m guessing that enough techie folks will be buying these for their parents to justify a 2.0 effort.

It resembles a personal organizer from the 1980’s. It might go well with someones 30-gig brown zune!

I was going to invoke the Newton as well, but Shawn did it first. Sign me up for a ‘me too’.

1000 Days

“Besides, who really reads books besides old people?”

…might just be one of the most depressing (and thankfully inaccurate) statements I’ve heard in quite some time.

That thing is huge! It looks like it was invented around the time that fire was discovered. That thing will never become as ubiquitous as the iPod. Besides, who really reads books besides old people? 95% of today’s information is just a few mouse clicks away.

While “the iPod of …” has become a cliché to describe any product with a semblance of distilled design sensibilities emanating from Cupertino, there is one fundamental strategic reason why Kindle won’t be like the iPod: content. The iPod had it, Kindle doesn’t. Read why here:

“Why is the new Kindle eBook reader from Amazon and not Apple?”
http://counternotions.com/2007/11/19/kindle-vs-iphone/

If/when Apple puts out a multi-touch tablet larger than the iphone the Kindle will be finished. Besides the ability to turn pages, enlarge text by just touching the screen (versus the clunky keypad/button Kindle interface)the “iTablet” will probably have high end graphics and visuals, the safari browser plus all kinds of other apps. Sorry Kindle is “walking-dead” tech – reminds me of tape-deck Sony Walkman in the age of digital music players.

I’ve used the Kindle. I can guarantee it won’t be the iPod of anything. It will be a geek toy that will disappear within 2 years.

Bezos just found his Newton.

–
Shawn King
Host/Executive Producer
Your Mac Life
http://www.yourmaclifeshow.com

A financial services provider in Philadelphia created an entire new division to develop “the iPod or Google of the financial services industry” seemingly without a clue what it means other than “successful.”