John's Blog - Latest Comments in kindle

Re: kindle

Glenn Osaka — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 14:17:50 -0000

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.

Re: kindle

Stuart Parmenter — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 20:13:54 -0000

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.

Re: kindle

John — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 16:04:41 -0000

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.

Re: kindle

Robert Accettura — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 15:29:51 -0000

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.