Kindle buzz
While it hasn’t quite reached the media frenzy that accompanied the iPhone, the discussion about Amazon’s new ebook reader is a big item in the media. Some of it may be the relief by professional writers hoping that people may actually be reading books for a change but on the whole Kindle sounds interesting. It would be a lot more interesting if it cost about $200 less, however. Also, observers seem to think that Amazon needs lessons in industrial design. There are a slew of postings about Kindle. Here is a random selection:
- Ars Technica
- PC World
- Detailed review at Ars Technica
- Review by Mike Elgan
- Review by Walt Mossberg
It’s clear that the Kindle is part of a major push into digital content for Amazon, one that has required a lot of behind-the-scenes work and alliances with other companies. As of right now, however, the success of this specific part of the venture depends on the selling power of the Kindle. Although the unlimited wireless access is a strong selling point, the networking capabilities of the device appear fairly limited. And the $399 starting price seems a bit high for a device with these limitations and some really questionable aesthetics.
With the $399 Kindle, Amazon’s first hardware offering, users can download thousands of titles, plus periodicals and Web fare from Whispernet.
For a certain audience, primarily heavy readers and travelers, the Kindle as it stands would make a good purchase. There’s no need to pack several books, and if you find a book isn’t what you’re looking for at the moment, you can easily move on to another, including one you haven’t purchased yet. Anyone who is considering the Kindle in part due to its ability to handle content aside from books should spend some time pondering how much they’d enjoy reading that material within the device’s limitations. Amazon may yet improve the translation of this content to the Kindle reading model but, for now, it just doesn’t work as well as it does in its native medium.
Last April, I wrote a column titled, “Why e-books are bound to fail.” My reasons: cost, the availability of better alternatives and, most importantly, book lovers love paper books.
I was wrong.
This week, I set out to deflate the hype about Amazon’s new Kindle e-book reader and to tell you why it will fail. But while researching this column, I became convinced of the opposite: Kindle is revolutionary and will succeed in the market. Some percentage of book lovers, including me, will buy one to replace their beloved paper books, magazines and newspapers.
Amazon has nailed the electronic-book shopping experience. But it has a lot to learn about designing electronic devices.
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