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Read the rest of this articleAmazon “Kindle 3” to defy multifunction and target heavy readers
The Kindle 2 has seen good success with heavy readers, namely because of its E Ink screen, which claims that the experience is just like reading paper. In contrast the glow that emanates from a backlit LED screen like the Apple iPad’s can cause more eyestrain as the eye adjusts to looking at a constantly bright light. Still, the iPad provides a host of other (potential) productivity tools in the form of its vast app store and Amazon is bound to feel some pressure there.
Despite that pressure, Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos recently shared that the company’s next generation Kindle 3 will continue to target heavy readers with its E Ink screen. It will, however, likely provide that specialized reading experience in a slimmer form factor.
Prompted by a shareholder’s question regarding the Apple iPad, Bezos responded, “the Kindle will compete with these LCD devices like the iPad by being a very focused product. Serious readers are going to want a purpose-built device, because it's an important activity for them.” He expanded saying “if an activity is important, you get dedicated devices,” according to the Wall Street Journal.
That logic is sound to a certain extent, but look at cellular phones and how they began as devices primarily used for calling people on the go; now they’re also used as personal digital assistants, for Internet access, and for portable gaming.
So while it was important that the original cell phones develop technology that transmitted voice clearly and that was the main focus for advancement, now providing digital tools to enhance people’s lives is the focus of cell phones, perhaps more appropriately called mobile Internet devices.
The same path may lay ahead for the Amazon Kindle 2 and other specialized e-readers that omit multifunctionality. For now, they provide enough value with a single function but eventually users will chafe at that restriction and demand more. Hopefully by then we’ll see affordable color E Ink screens that refresh at a reasonable rate.
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Comments
I completely agree with Bezos. I want a dedicated device that is not going to cause me eye strain headaches when I read.
I am a heavy reader, for news I look at the computer, but after hours of that my eyes hurt. My Kindle is wonderful for book reading. I bought a waterproof case and had it by the pool. Try doing that with an ipod, you wouldn't even be able to read it in the sun.
I would love some kind of built-in lighting option. Seperate book-lights are a pain.
i agree, plus i do most of my reading at night in bed. plus most seperate book-lights are very bright and keep my husband awake, back lights can usually be dimmed or adjusted, but they are hard on the eyes. i'd like to see a comprimise, like a backlight that can be turned off so that you can have both the e-ink function and easy night reading.
you shouldn't read under a book light because it will make your eyesight go bad
Eyesight going bad permanently in low light is a myth. It's a temporary discomfort that goes away after a while.
http://www.agingeye.net/visionbasics/visionmyths.php
I, personally, don't want a built-in backlight on my Kindle, I'd find it annoying and I just plain wouldn't use it. However, I know my mom likes to read on the porch at night so I think someone needs to develop a soft LED slip-on light that will illuminate the screen. I mean, if someone absolutely HAS to have a light, that is.
Kandle. I have one and love it.
http://www.amazon.com/Kandle-Amazon-Kindle-Reader-eBooks/dp/B0031116K8/r...
Iusemy iPad for reading at night with thw lights out ao as not to disturb my wife. Works great, no eye strain and both kindle app and iBook app are wonderful
Your last two paragraphs shows that you missed the point entirely and don't understand the market. Yes, cell phones started out as single function devices, but how does talking on the phone compare to something people have been doing FOR MANY HOURS AT A TIME for hundreds of years....reading books. It doesn't. Weak analogy.
The "value" proposition for Amazon has always come from Whispersync, huge selection, free wireless and superior customer services. It's amazing how many people in the press just don't get that, probably because they don't read, don't buy books, and don't own a Kindle.
Not really a weak analogy, we now see the likes of iPad with the same display. If what we hear from news (or rumoured about) about devices having dual display potential ever become reality then the analogy will become all the more accurate. The point is not if dual display is a possibility but when! Ofcourse im not a core techie, but then I'm sure many consumers like me would like the benefit of both iPad and kindle in a single device !
http://www.entourageedge.com/entourage-edge.html
I never read ebooks on my PC, or iPhone, iPad, iDiaper...
Computer screens simply strain the eyes. That's all there is to it. E-Ink sounds great even though I've never used it, but I can safely assume that it doesn't shine light right into your corneas!!
I do one of two things:
1. Laser Printer. I print the eBook and read the printout.
2. Download the Audio Version of the book (lazy option, but works for long drives to/from the office!)
I tried reading a few pages from an ebook on my friend's iPad, and this might just be my skepticism taking over, but I swear I could feel the flicker of the screen... even when I dimmed the backlight
Reading a book is supposed to be a soothing activity
you definitely need a Kindle, then!
I've read more books since I got my Kindle than I did before I owned one! LOVE reading on it. No eyestrain, easy to carry with you, multiple books going at once, never lose your place, built in dictionary, the benefits go on and on....
mainstream media will never get the appeal of a Kindle for avid readers...too much multi-tasking in this world as it is....when I read, I don't want to check my email, browse the web or do anything else...the Kindle is an escape from the mass stimulation of the internet and constant communication.
Kindles are the best for reading....I read 10 hours straight yesterday in the car on a long road trip. Could never do that with a backlight.
I am a maths book reader. Can i have all types of mathematics books in kindle or there are certain maths books available in kindle store which i can read on it?
go to Amazon.com and search Kindle store--you don't have to own a Kindle to shop in the Kindle store!
You can't have a backlight with e-ink technology, which is what Kindle uses. The ink is opaque- no light would pass through it. That opacity is what makes it so easy on the eyes- just like a paper book.
I appaud Amazon for staying true to a dedicated eReader; there are scores of other devices to do other things, and when I'm reading, I don't need to be doing anything else.
(And by the way, I use my cell phone for calls- no games or Internet browsing).
We are in the 21st Century, there is no reason they can't have a backlight option that turns off or on based on the users choice. Most computers and software have learned to give the user choice rather than dictate.
I'd like to see the next Kindle have expandable memory and a rechargable battery that you can replace without having to send it in for repair. I hope the batteries last longer than cell phone batteries.
I've actually thought about getting an Ipad AND a Kindle. The only thing I would read on the Ipad is cookbooks(because you would be able to see the pictures of the food clearly). But as far as reading I just wanna read man!I wouldn't want the Kindle to do 10,000 different things. I want a ereader. I good one.
Bezos stance is actually admirable. He's obviously not about the almight dollar and is staying true to his core audience and is really just concentrated on making the Kindle as good and efficient as possible. Look at the Iphone 4(ie Death Grip...).
I love my Kindle and while the Ipad is interesting, I agree with others that it distracts from the purpose of an eBook reader. Even if I had an Ipad I would not use it for reading my books anymore than I would use my netbook for ebooks.
As for a light, you can go to the local store and buy a headlight used by campers. It works great and even has a red light that is good for reading in bed with your spouse and not disturbing them quite as much as a white light. Yes, you look like a miner but who will see you when you are in bed?
I have had my Kindle since April of 2008 with almost 100 books on it. It just crashed. It won't reset. I called customer who gave me 3 options: 1) buy a new DX 2) buy a new Kindle 2 $189 with a 1 year warranty and 3) buy a reconditioned Kindle 2 $89 with a 90 day warranty. My question is, can't these be repaired at all. They break, just buy a new one? That's it?
We are seeing lots of interest for the Kindle 3 just because of all the free books available. The pre 20's classics are reason enough to buy it, even if you never actually spend money on new releases.
I'm still confused and indecisive over which to buy, Kindle 3 or Nook 1.5? I find the e-ink screen more at ease, I like the Kindle 3 new pearl e-screen but the text of Nook's 1.5 upgrade is much bolder then the earlier versions and the page rate refresh is very fast, it's 50% and also we can pick up where we left so that's more easier again. Another thing is Amazon has great customer service and this draws me to Kindle too. Maybe I'll ask some Kindle 3 users before I get the Nook.
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I love my Kindle. It has allowed me to read so much more than I ever did before. It is incredibly convenient for those long business trips I take. Very entertaining for long plane rides and waits at the airport. masters of human resources
Interesting to look at this article now after 6 months because some of the same arguments exist, and also because Amazon has kind of been side swiped by Barnes and Noble with the pretty impressive Nook2 that will have a touchscreen for only slightly more.
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