OK, so by now I think there are no people left who didn't hear about the Amazon Kindle. Or read about it. Or written something. Or something.
I just listened to a podcast by Leo Laporte (it's on Twit network - go check out), where he and his guests in the studio are talking about the kindle device and are not really thrilled by it. These are the sort of people who jump on all the newest and the greatest in the gadgetry, but they don't jump on this one.
Why?
I could probably take a guess, and to be correct as much as anyone. But here are few things that pop into my head when I'm thinking about any eBook:
- It has to be sorta cheap
- It has to have a great screen - quality is important
- The screen size should be convenient (I know, this one is very subjective)
- It should be lightweight
- The power should have a long life for this
- Nokia N810
- Asus eeePC 701
- OLPC
Lets take a look, one by one:
Amazon kindle with Nokia N810:
Weight Kindle: 300g; N810: 226gAmazon kindle with Asus eeePC 701:
Size Well, Kindle is larger
Screen size Kindle: 6"; N810: 4.13"
Screen features Kindle: eInk, grayscale; N810: LCD, 65K colors
Power features Kindle: can go for days; N810: needs recharging frequently
Connectivity Kindle: 3g+ cellular; N810: WiFi and Bluetooth (other?)
Applications Kindle: reading books, articles, blogs, listening to a music?? N810: whatever you like and can get your hands on
Weight Kindle: 300g; 701: 920g
Size Asus is larger
Screen size Kindle: 6"; 701: 7"
Screen features Kindle: eInk, grayscale; 701: LCD, color
Power features Kindle: can go for days; 701: needs recharging frequently
Connectivity Kindle: 3g+ cellular; 701: WiFi
Applications Kindle: reading books, articles, blogs, listening to a music?? 701: whatever you like in regular Linux desktop, limited by performance
Amazon kindle with OLPC:
Weight Kindle: 300g; OLPC: 1.58kg
Size OLPC is slightly larger
Screen size Kindle: 6"; OLPC: 7.5"
Screen features Kindle: eInk, grayscale; OLPC: LCD, dual-mode, color and B&W
Power features Kindle: can go for days; OLPC: needs recharging frequently
Connectivity Kindle: 3g+ cellular; OLPC: WiFi (with mesh)
Applications Kindle: reading books, articles, blogs, listening to a music?? OLPC: whatever you like in regular Linux desktop, limited by performance
So, what can we tell by these comparisons? Few things actually: we have 4 devices, priced similarly, but allowing different using models. While Kindle is specialized in reading books, articles, newspapers and blogs (and maybe listening to some in the future), all the other devices run almost any application you would like (in Linux).
Asus is not really fair comparison in the bunch, as it has completely different format, and is more appropriate for writing an article than reading it (I mean, it's a laptop, and hence it is more convenient to use its keyboard than on all other 3 devices).
So, for the matter of this argument, I would choose an OLPC laptop as a reading device for the follosing reasons:
- Its much more cool (subjective)
- While buying one for me, I contribute one for some kid somewhere in the world
- It's grayscale mode and ability to turn the screen make it very good reader device
- I can do a lot more than just reading books on it
- It has interesting power recharging solutions
- I can easily read blogs and RSS feeds on it
Actually, besides that eInk screen, and commercial model for getting stuff, is there anything exciting in the Kindle at all? Is the OLPC better than Kindle? Even as a book reader? I think so.
Tell me what you think.
16 Comments:
Nice comparison!
My issues with Kindle are not technical but related to locking in of the customers because of Amazon's proprietary ebook format. Even after purchasing an ebook, I can't donate it or sell it to somebody else. And if I decide to ditch the device, all my ebooks go with it too.
I am talking a little on these lines: http://diveintomark.org/archives/2007/11/19/the-future-of-reading
You're right!
That's why the comparison made between the kindle and Linux-run devices - because I know where to get the content, and I'd like the device that runs linux.
Free the content!!!
"Actually, besides that eInk screen, and commercial model for getting stuff, is there anything exciting in the Kindle at all?"
I think E Ink is pretty exciting all by itself (I can't read longform pieces of text for hours on an LCD), and the ability to pluck reading material out of the air when you're nowhere near your computer is pretty cool too.
Jim
You're right. But still, Kindle is pretty limited with what you can do with it. OLPC is much more useful for anything. I can carry it around with me and with many potential stuff to read at all times.
I agree with you regarding an eInk, but I still don't believe that technology is there.
I should actually check an OLPC for its screen as eBook reader.
The idea was that paying $400 for kindle is too much and there are better alternatives.
What Amazon forgot is something very basic...the razor blade formula for profits....
give the razor away - make money on the blades....
I am sure you could also pick up an older laptop for well under $400 as well. But that misses the point - you don't carry a laptop to the bus to read blogs. Not having to carry an extra kilogram and having an easy on the eyes screen is worth something.
Sure the kindle is overpriced - but what did the first digital camera or DVD cost?
Really,I am waiting for the cost to halve and be able to read any format on it.
@Patrick
I totally agree. Yet, they charge premium on the device, and super premium on the content. I don't see this model working in the near future.
@steerpike
Of course, I could buy the $400 old laptop, and you know what? I can get one really light one, such as one of the Toshiba's 10" models, or IBM x21. But it will miss the point, will suck on the features and battery life.
I wasn't trying to beat the Kindle with cheaper device. I was just saying, that buying an OLPC for reading books seems to me a better idea than buying a Kindle. Because I read mostly blogs and stuff that's online anyway, and buy real books for entertainment read.
So, yes, Kindle's screen might be better, but I've seen OLPC and have to tell you - it has an amazing black and white screen too.
It is just an opinion though and a very subjective one.
The comparisons are not relevant, apples v oranges. Nothing you have listed compares to the battery life of the kindle.
Personally I don't like the lock-in of the kindle. But I appreciate the effort made to produce a device which lasts for a while without a recharge.
There seems to be a growing acceptance that anything electronic is recharged daily.
One point -connectivity may not be an important point with a Kindle. The thing can be loaded with 200 books - and while 200 songs may not last a long flight, even one book will probably last the distance.
Sure, you may want to load articles daily but you are not going to run out of unread material for a while.
I spent six months traveling once - and the size, capacity, weight and battery independence of this would make this ideal to fit into your luggage. If I took another trip like that, I would definitely buy one.
@ Roger
I disagree. I don't care that much about battery life with OLPC, because they provide very interesting way (with pull-off cord device) to recharge it manually.
Now, what do you do when Kindle runs out of juice? (and it will).
Besides, when you're tired of reading, you're done with Kindle. Meanwhile, I can play solitaire on OLPC or write a blog post.
@ steerpike
I'm with you man. Remember, that besides buying a Kindle, you buy almost everything you read on it, besides maybe blogs.
I'm not yet ready to buy again all the books I already own.
I don't intend to buy the newspapers I don't read.
I do though want to read blogs, interesting posts and other free content stuff on this device.
So, you should go with what fits your needs. I stick with OLPC.
@Alex
I think the pull cord recharge is a seperate product - you can use it to recharge anything.
Use it to recharge a kindle...
I'm a fan of the OLPC btw, I just think it serves a different purpose than the kindle.
Also, I could see myself reading on a kindle on the bus. Not so with any of the other options provided.
@ roger
Then it is genuinely subjective. Is Kindle better than Sony's reader?
Regarding pull-cord recharger - you might be right, I haven't looked into this.
If you're reading a book or a newspaper - meaning, long hours with the device reading - I might agree with you that technologically Kindle might be better than anything else (not so with their commercial model for buying stuff).
If you read blogs and rss feeds an hour or 2 a day (say, while commuting to/from work) - I won't be getting ebook reader if I were you :-)
So, these devices each has its own niche, but I believe that in some cases niches intersect and you can choose better device that answers more of your needs.
If reading books while in the bus is your need, then maybe Kindle is the way to go.
Or Sony.
Or Iliad.
@alex
It is very subjective. Your definition of a device for reading seems to be way different to mine.
I'm thinking of grabbing a device and reading a book or manual on it.
I am now understanding that you are talking about reading blogs and more dynamic content.
Also you are wanting more than reader functionality - if you laptop features, then you need to get a laptop.
As far as the Sony reader goes, yes personally I'd consider this more of a competitor to the kindle than the other devices you listed.
At the end of the day I won't be getting a kindle anyway - it doesn't work outside of the US for starters (I am in NZ), is too expensive, and is too proprietary for me.
@ roger
OK, now I get you too.
First, the point that I want to read blogs as dynamic content is correct, but once you have an RSS feed set up, its just like the newpapers featured in Kindle - you get the automatically, so its like they're always there. And then you choose what to read, so it is not really dynamic in the device.
Second, I would still read manuals and articles on it as well.
My point for comparison was that I'm not sure that Kindle is the best device in what it does even compared to devices that are not specialized in the same thing, just as you've mentioned.
By the way, I've listened now to all sorts of comments and reviews of this device, and many people actually like it.
But I'm exactly like you on this: too expensive, too proprietary and wouldn't work anywhere outside US.
well, you should include nokia n800 in your review. as bookreader similar to n810 (almost the same screen, no real keyboard, only virtual) but much cheaper (230$).
But N800 comes with the traditional screen, unlike Kindle or Sony ebook reader whose screen looks almost like a printed page. N800 can read a lot of ebook formats but can't read encrypted ones. So Kindle has two strong points:
1. Printed paper like screen(similar to Sony readers)
2. Compatible with Amazon store.
(2) can be considered as weak point too as (I think) it can not be used with other ebook stores.
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