Hi everyone,
I am interested in getting an eBook, however; I find myself in a sort of pickle.
1. I am studying abroad right now which means if I want one now my only real choice is the kindle.
2. The impending release of the Apple "slate"--if you will, is deterring me from getting the kindle. Somebody correct me if I am wrong but I feel eBooks/e-Readers are a niche market and has not really matured yet.
3. The nook looks pretty cool, but for me content is what is going to make the difference, nook maybe running android but if there isn't anything to read then it's worthless to me.
Apple has not released anything truly cutting edge since the first iPhone which leads me to believe that this "slate" maybe closer than we think. The prospect of a device "small enough for a hand bag, but too big for your pocket" where I can read my New York Times, eBooks and possibly text books. That is good enough for me to wait.
Or should I just get a kindle now?
What do people think?
Discussion about
Should I wait?
I'd go with a reader that can read more formats. Sure, the Kindle can read unprotected PDFs, but what about Digital Editions style PDF and EPUB? As far as I know, they cannot convert those formats. There are other bookstores coming online that will not lock you into Amazon's store forever. Just check out the recently launched Kobo Books kobobooks.com/ to see what I mean.
If I'm Amazon, I would support popular eBook formats (like ePub) while keeping the protected AZW format (since Amazon is not making money on those $9.99 best sellers anyways). Just my 2 cents.
I bought a Kindle -Global Wireless $259 about 6 weeks ago and I couldn't be happier. I especially like that I can get my pdfs on there in two ways... 1. I can simply drag and drop them on (I have the latest operating system 2.3) or I can email my pdf to Amazon and get the kindle version of it (.azw)
I actually prefer to email it to amazon and get it converted to the azw format b/c then you can increase the font size and it treats it exactly like any ebook. If you go with the native format, then I find the font size a little to small.
I know Apple has very nice products and owning an imac and an itouch I am very brand loyal to Apple. But I think the Kindle would be v. hard to beat and once you get it, I don't think you'll regret it.
I actually prefer to email it to amazon and get it converted to the azw format b/c then you can increase the font size and it treats it exactly like any ebook. If you go with the native format, then I find the font size a little to small.
I know Apple has very nice products and owning an imac and an itouch I am very brand loyal to Apple. But I think the Kindle would be v. hard to beat and once you get it, I don't think you'll regret it.
It's a misconception that the Kindle 2 can't read PDFs and other formats. Amazon provides a service to convert these documents - you can email your document to them and receive the converted doc back for free if you transfer it via USB, or pay a very small fee to have it delivered wirelessly. It's a very good service; I've used it to convert all my PDF books to Kindle format. Much nicer than reading the original PDF, as it doesn't really show up well in e-ink.
The nook's "over a million books" claim comes from the ability to get books from GoogleBooks; it's not like it's a million books available from mass publishers. The vast majority of these books are academic titles and self-published or small-press books - this isn't a bad thing, but it's not the kind of content most people read. The amount of content that most people will get is the same stuff they get on Amazon's Kindle store now.
Finally, everyone talks about how the nook can get a lot of classic titles free from GoogleBooks. This is true, but it's also true that those same classic titles are available on Amazon's Kindle store - also for free. I know this since I have a ton of these titles on my Kindle 2.
The nook's "over a million books" claim comes from the ability to get books from GoogleBooks; it's not like it's a million books available from mass publishers. The vast majority of these books are academic titles and self-published or small-press books - this isn't a bad thing, but it's not the kind of content most people read. The amount of content that most people will get is the same stuff they get on Amazon's Kindle store now.
Finally, everyone talks about how the nook can get a lot of classic titles free from GoogleBooks. This is true, but it's also true that those same classic titles are available on Amazon's Kindle store - also for free. I know this since I have a ton of these titles on my Kindle 2.
Firstly, the Kindle isn't the only ebook reader on the market. There are heaps of different models.
Secondly, I would be careful about the Kindle since you're overseas. Because of the closed Kindle ecosystem I imagine you wouldn't be able to get books unless you're in the country your credit card originates from. If you buy a local version wherever you are, you may not be able to use it (or your books) when you return to your home country. Publishers are incredibly behind the times with DRM. Most books are impossible to buy without DRM.
As for the Apple tablet device - there is no evidence it exists. If it does exist it would be a closed system. It would also most certainly not be an electronic ink device. If you want a device for reading, LCD screens, no matter how good, are not ideal.
If you want a dedicated reading device it has to be e-ink (or similar). Otherwise you might as well use a netbook or large PDA.
If you want to put your own documents on the device, get something that can read PDF, RTF, TXT, etc., like a Sony.
Secondly, I would be careful about the Kindle since you're overseas. Because of the closed Kindle ecosystem I imagine you wouldn't be able to get books unless you're in the country your credit card originates from. If you buy a local version wherever you are, you may not be able to use it (or your books) when you return to your home country. Publishers are incredibly behind the times with DRM. Most books are impossible to buy without DRM.
As for the Apple tablet device - there is no evidence it exists. If it does exist it would be a closed system. It would also most certainly not be an electronic ink device. If you want a device for reading, LCD screens, no matter how good, are not ideal.
If you want a dedicated reading device it has to be e-ink (or similar). Otherwise you might as well use a netbook or large PDA.
If you want to put your own documents on the device, get something that can read PDF, RTF, TXT, etc., like a Sony.
If you are not desperate to get an eBook now, why no wait till PlasticLogic has their say in Jan 2010? Last time I heard their technology is far more promising than the others.
On the other hand, content-wise, I wouldn't be too bothered as long as they support native PDF formats for my lecture notes and books.
On the other hand, content-wise, I wouldn't be too bothered as long as they support native PDF formats for my lecture notes and books.
I bought a kindle a week berfore the nook was announced and I imediately thought about returning the kindle to wait for the nook. But after looking at the two ebook stores B&N;s and amazons I found that the type content I wanted was in greater supply on the amazon store than on B&N's. So for the issue between the nook and the kindle I think it comes down to where you can find the content you are interested in. (although I would bet that both stores will mature and offer greater selections very soon to stay competitive)
Correct me if I am wrong but I am under the impression that the nook's wifi can only be used in a B&N store, not for downloading books on any network....
As for the iSlate/iTablet whatever its going to be called, the decision between and ebook reader (nook or kindle2) and the apple "thing" is really a matter of what you are going to use the device for. No matter how sexy and amazing the itablet will be, I dont want to use and LCD screen for my primary reading device, I look at eneough backlit screens as it is. So unless apple announces some type of "magic screen" blending LCD and e-ink (and yes I know its been done but not to apples standards) then I can't see using their device as an ebook. Don't get me wrong I am going to want one just as much as the rest of you but not for reading books.
The apple "whatever" will be an awesome internet/media device, but stick with an e-ink powered ebook if you really like to read.
Correct me if I am wrong but I am under the impression that the nook's wifi can only be used in a B&N store, not for downloading books on any network....
As for the iSlate/iTablet whatever its going to be called, the decision between and ebook reader (nook or kindle2) and the apple "thing" is really a matter of what you are going to use the device for. No matter how sexy and amazing the itablet will be, I dont want to use and LCD screen for my primary reading device, I look at eneough backlit screens as it is. So unless apple announces some type of "magic screen" blending LCD and e-ink (and yes I know its been done but not to apples standards) then I can't see using their device as an ebook. Don't get me wrong I am going to want one just as much as the rest of you but not for reading books.
The apple "whatever" will be an awesome internet/media device, but stick with an e-ink powered ebook if you really like to read.
yeah I might just go with a Kindle. its 'only' $259 (or $279 for international) right now and you can pretty much be assured that anything Apple releases will cost over $500. They also told investors that their holiday lineup is set meaning nothing will get released for at least two months.
Of course I would recommend getting the nook instead of the Kindle but that's just me. What makes you think there will be nothing to read on it? The thing is backed by Barnes & Noble...last I heard, they were a major source of this mysterious readable content you speak of. This includes 23 different newspapers (yes, NYT included), as well as magazines and books. Over a million titles. Sounds like content to me.
The nook may not have international wireless but it has regular wifi to get your content.
Of course I would recommend getting the nook instead of the Kindle but that's just me. What makes you think there will be nothing to read on it? The thing is backed by Barnes & Noble...last I heard, they were a major source of this mysterious readable content you speak of. This includes 23 different newspapers (yes, NYT included), as well as magazines and books. Over a million titles. Sounds like content to me.
The nook may not have international wireless but it has regular wifi to get your content.
Way too much discussion about products that are not available in Australia yet. The Kindle is here and works great. Support for PDF is now on the Kindle but I am surprised how much I don't use it.
Conversion through Amazon is quick and painless and free to your PC. You can convert to text as well if you really have to.
The biggest thing about E-Books and a lot of other things is content and delivery. Just like Apple has the Itunes and IPod, Amazon has the selection and delivery wrapped up. I think is is well worth it and am happy to be tied to the Kindle. I just think people try and over think the whole thing and end up getting confused.
Conversion through Amazon is quick and painless and free to your PC. You can convert to text as well if you really have to.
The biggest thing about E-Books and a lot of other things is content and delivery. Just like Apple has the Itunes and IPod, Amazon has the selection and delivery wrapped up. I think is is well worth it and am happy to be tied to the Kindle. I just think people try and over think the whole thing and end up getting confused.
I would say that if you could blow the substantial amount it costs to get a Kindle then get one, I always think that if you waited for something better to come along then you wouldn't buy anything. I don't think that Apple are going to release anything of interest in the eBook market this side of 2009, indeed, Apple seem to like to wait until they can see an established market before they come up with anything for general release.
I was on the Nook website and they seem to have about a million eBooks, which is pretty cool. They also had some classics that you could download for free via GoogleBooks. I thought that was a nice feature.
Personally, if you don't want to blow the cash now, I would wait until the market matures a bit more in 2010. There's nothing worse than buying something only to disappointed when something better comes out and you don't have to cash to buy it!
I was on the Nook website and they seem to have about a million eBooks, which is pretty cool. They also had some classics that you could download for free via GoogleBooks. I thought that was a nice feature.
Personally, if you don't want to blow the cash now, I would wait until the market matures a bit more in 2010. There's nothing worse than buying something only to disappointed when something better comes out and you don't have to cash to buy it!
