A couple of years ago, I could see the point. But now? I don't really see it. A few disruptive innovations are coming around:
1. The iPhone sparked a new breed of all-in-one devices. Beautiful display, small size, does pretty much everything (give it 2 years, and the camera will be pretty good too).
2. Cheaper bandwidth. Android and the spectrum opening up (Google/Sprint merger?) Are all hinting at lower bandwidth costs.
3. WiFi becoming more widespread. Means dependency on #2 is less and less.
I'd rather have one device that does everything than 5 devices that do 5 different things. Just more practical and cost effective.
I can see Amazon's service doing very well as an iPhone app and an Android app. And I'm sure they are thinking the same thing.
John
· 2 years ago
hmm. maybe. i know for a fact i can't read whole books on my iphone. screen is too small, and the lcd is too hard on the eyes. e-ink has the optical characteristics of paper -- much much easier to read over the long term. but i read a LOT of books now, so i can understand other people making different choices.
Stuart Parmenter
· 2 years ago
John: If you want to avoid the $0.10 fee you will be able to convert your word docs by emailing a service that will email you back a converted version and you can copy that via usb. You can do plain text via usb without going through that process. Mine will be here tomorrow.
Glenn Osaka
· 2 years ago
John...You've got me wanting one now. I first tested an Alpha version of an e-book in 1997 when we were evaluating this as a business to acquire @ HP. Almost exactly the same idea and business model but the technology was more clunky (device was too as a result...low res LCD/no backlight), larger format and of course no one had seen iTunes yet so it was hard to explain. We passed on it but I've wanted one that worked ever since.
All Comments
1. The iPhone sparked a new breed of all-in-one devices. Beautiful display, small size, does pretty much everything (give it 2 years, and the camera will be pretty good too).
2. Cheaper bandwidth. Android and the spectrum opening up (Google/Sprint merger?) Are all hinting at lower bandwidth costs.
3. WiFi becoming more widespread. Means dependency on #2 is less and less.
I'd rather have one device that does everything than 5 devices that do 5 different things. Just more practical and cost effective.
I can see Amazon's service doing very well as an iPhone app and an Android app. And I'm sure they are thinking the same thing.