The Amazon Kindle

[Ryan]

I admit it, I was skeptical... The whole idea behind the Amazon Kindle seems kind of "before its time" to me. Serious reading from a gadget? I bought one anyway...

Mine arr... To read the rest of this blog entry from The Gear Journal, click here.

[llonning]

Ryan, I just don't know. I grew up with a book in my hands from the time I could read. There is just something about a paper book in my hands. I dislike reading from a screen, but, of course I am doing it now. I really would rather have the feel of a bok in my hands. Something very satisfying for me.

[cheap bastard]

But can it smell like new pages? Oh well, just another sensory joy going down the tubes.
Are the titles permanent when purchased, or do they expire?

[Ryan]

This isn't like a computer monitor... It's e-paper and is actually easier on the eyes than printed paper...

Titles are permanent... The device holds as many books as most of us will ever read.

As for the traditional, yeah... you are going to turn your nose up at this. However, I'm into reading books - lots of them... And this device makes it easier for me to do with a busy lifestyle.

[wrightbrain]

Too Orwellian for me, literally.

I don't like the idea of never owning your books, your only renting content from Amazon.

That and the proprietary format has turned me off completely.

[llonning]

Ryan, how many books does it hold? I have hundreds of books of all types.

[Tman]

I gave up on many magazines but not books. In the last couple weeks I have read several. We added an armchair to our office area and I like sitting there for a few minutes each night with a good book.

Now, if I travelled a lot I may consider something like this.

[JohnJoyo]

Is the iPad gonna destroy this thing or does it still have its place in the market? There's been a lot of talk about it, but I've never used a kindle. Thoughts?

http://www.apple.com/ipad/

[vette-kid]

I love my kindle! To answer a few of the questions here, no you dont just rent the content...you own it. Its stays on your kindle for as long as you want it too.

Like Ryan said the screen is a lot easier to read than a computer and actually easier on the eyes than paper as well.

I believe it will hold somewhere in the neighborhood of 1500 books, give or take. Bottom line is your not gonna fill it up anytime soon.

Ipad...no way. The Ipad is a traditional back lit computer screen. Uncomfortable to read for extended periods and even bad for your eyes. So as a book reader, its not even close to the kindle. The kindle has a sevure place in the market for a while yet.

[waltmcq]

Originally Posted by Ryan

As for the traditional, yeah... you are going to turn your nose up at this.

ironic

....

[JohnMcD348]

Wasn't it the Kindle that last year had to remove 1984 or some other book from Kindles during an update due to copyright infringement?

People say that you own the books you download but if the company can remove one from your device, it doesn't seem to me that your ownership is that solid.

[JohnJoyo]

A version of the Kindle for sheet music would be awesome.....for musicians.

[zoeoz]

Though many merits the E-books, the paper books gives us more feel of real and more motive to read. anyway, I felt it necessary to have one before I had it, however, when I had it, I read less. But, it still good to be able to reading and listening to the music at the same time.