The Kindle Kronikles: Part 1. Meet the Kindle
Because I wrote a book called Print is Dead, most people think I’m some super techno-futurist who eats astronaut food and has a Bluetooth headset permanently implanted in his ear. But the truth is that I fall much more on the book side of the computer/book debate. At least, I approach the debate from the book side, having been an ardent booklover for most of my life. True, I have a few Apple computers — a desktop and a laptop — and about five different sizes and kinds of iPods, but that may say more about my consumer habits rather than any inner philosophy.
Because of this, people are usually surprised when — after they ask me how I love my Kindle or Sony eReader — I sheepishly admit that I don’t own either. They think it’s odd that I wrote a book about eBooks and the future of reading without being a true and devout eBook person. Of course, this is precisely why I think I was a good person to write Print is Dead. I was, and to a certain degree still am, a skeptic of electronic reading and the idea that computer files will one day replace physical books. So even if even a skeptic like me, who treasures books and words, can believe that it’s what’s inside books that count — the words and the stories — then I think that even the most ardent bibliophile may one day see some worth in digital delivery.
However, I now own an Amazon Kindle. While I had been tempted to buy one since its initial release, both the scarcity and the price of the device had kept it on my wishlist rather than on my nightstand. And while I had written about the Kindle on my blog a few times, I had never really been able to use or even test drive the machine for any length of time. Yes, I had seen it at conventions or when someone down the hall from me at work bought one, but I’d never really lived with it.
During those initial experiences, I was mostly impressed by the Kindle but was hardly blown away. I mean, it looked much better than the advance photos I had seen (that initial unflattering one set against the blue backdrop that made the Kindle look like a Cyclon spaceship from the first version of Battlestar Galatica). So it was a relief to see it and hold it, in person, and discover that — while not as ingenious as an iPod — the Kindle is a wonderful invention. And then, as I started to use the device itself, buying a few books, subscribing to some blogs and a newspaper — as well as e-mailing documents to myself — I must admit that I fell in love.
So, during the next week or so I’m going to be writing about the Kindle, sharing some thoughts on the device as well as the reading experience in general…
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I’d actually be very interested in a side-by-side comparison with Sony’s device. I’ve been doing research into e-paper readability and the Kindle usually comes in last in terms of rendering quality, resolution and interface. Have you had a chance to play around with Sony’s device, or any of the others on the market?
I have indeed seen the Sony a bit, and now that I’ve been raving to friends about the Kindle, a few have said that they prefer the Sony. For me, the Sony seems more limited. For instance, the wireless on the Kindle is great; on a recent trip I was able to — without needing my computer — download newspapers and blogs. This can’t happen with a Sony.
I know that David Rothman at Teleread recently purchased a Kindle and previously used a Sony Reader. He has some comparisons: http://www.teleread.org/blog/
I prefer the Sony reader BECAUSE it isn’t connected. I have 250 books on there plus it works with services like Overdrive so you can check out books from the library and use it on your Reader. http://phoenix.lib.overdrive.com
Hi Jeff, I’m very curious about your findings and will follow your blog with great interest. I recognize what you’re saying; I’m an ebook enthousiast as well and I (as a publisher) think that there is a great future for digital reading, but I don’t own an ebook reader myself. Or maybe I do, if one considers the new iPhone 3G an ebook reader, which it sure is if you ask me
Even though I’m quite certain that print is *not* dead, I am equally curious about the Kindle, and would like to try it at some point. I think the Kindle fits in a larger information ecology that includes print. Regards.
Hi, Jeff. Congratulations on your new Kindle, and thanks for the mention. I’ve used a Kindle but have not actually bought one, and I have decided for now to keep the Sony. Let me know the Web address where the item appeared, in case I left anyone with the wrong impression.
I see promise in both the Kindle and the Sony and am rooting for Amazon to do the right thing and have the Kindle render ePub natively. Meanwhile, although I wish the screen contrast were greater, I’m using the Sony on library books. Intend to buy nonDRMed ePub books now that the PRS-505 can read them.
Meanwhile I am also having fun with Stanza and eReader on my iPod Touch. Small handhelds are great for reading E books away from home. E Ink machines can be delicate and I’d rather not take chances.
Let me conclude with a plug for Print Is Dead. I’m just frustrated that due to the daily deadlines of the TeleRead blog, I haven’t been able to follow up with an in-depth review. Still hope to do a comparison with The Book Is Dead at some pointer after I wind up The Solomon Scandals (my forthcoming D.C. newspaper novel from Twilight Times).
Best of luck,
David
There’s been a real buzz about Kindle, so I checked it out. I bought a new release entitled, “Quelle” by a local author, Peter J. Fusco. What a great book! Best part was that I downloaded it in 10 seconds. It’s also available in regular printed form, but I think I prefer Kindle now. The device is a little pricey, but hey, it’s quick, easy and I don’t need an extra room on the house for books.