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HappinessMan
03-22-2008, 4:53 PM
Amazon Kindle: (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000FI73MA/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top)

Introducing Kindle™

Three years ago, we set out to design and build an entirely new class of device—a convenient, portable reading device with the ability to wirelessly download books, blogs, magazines, and newspapers. The result is Amazon Kindle.

We designed Kindle to provide an exceptional reading experience. Thanks to electronic paper, a revolutionary new display technology, reading Kindle’s screen is as sharp and natural as reading ink on paper—and nothing like the strain and glare of a computer screen. Kindle is also easy on the fingertips. It never becomes hot and is designed for ambidextrous use so both "lefties" and "righties" can read comfortably at any angle for long periods of time.

We wanted Kindle to be completely mobile and simple to use for everyone, so we made it wireless. No PC and no syncing needed. Using the same 3G network as advanced cell phones, we deliver your content using our own wireless delivery system, Amazon Whispernet. Unlike WiFi, you’ll never need to locate a hotspot. There are no confusing service plans, yearly contracts, or monthly wireless bills—we take care of the hassles so you can just read.

With Whispernet, you can be anywhere, think of a book, and get it in one minute. Similarly, your content automatically comes to you, wherever you are. Newspaper subscriptions are delivered wirelessly each morning. Most magazines arrive before they hit newsstands. Haven’t read the book for tomorrow night’s book club? Get it in a minute. Finished your book in the airport? Download the sequel while you board the plane. Whether you’re in the mood for something serious or hilarious, lighthearted or studious, Kindle delivers your spontaneous reading choices on demand.

And because we know you can't judge a book by its cover, Kindle lets you download and read the beginning of books for free. This way, you can try it out—if you like it, simply buy and download with 1-Click, right from your Kindle, and continue reading. Want to try a newspaper as well? All newspaper subscriptions start with a risk-free two-week trial.

Kindle’s paperback size and expandable memory let you travel light with your library. With the freedom to download what you want, when you want, we hope you’ll never again find yourself stuck without a great read.

We're very proud to introduce Amazon Kindle and we hope you like it as much as we do.

Its basically an e-book reader. It retails for $399 and seems to have plenty of books available through Amazon.com. The only thing I don't like is that it has a grayscale resolution.

abbey
03-22-2008, 5:04 PM
It looks like a cool gadget, but I don't ever see it becoming more popular than books. People like collecting books, and if they get reduced to just files in an Amazon Kindle, you would kind of lose the fun of collecting your own library.

But I do see a lot of potential. It could be very helpful in finding quotes for essays or things like that. I'd buy one for school, but not for casual reading.

timbot
03-22-2008, 9:23 PM
Does look interesting and it would be useful when working on projects where quotes are needed. I wonder, though, about people not buying it because they like to collect books. That makes sense, I know that I find it hard to part with my books, but, look at the popularity of iPods and the like. When such things were first being introduced, I bet there were people saying the same thing about them, that people like to collect CDs.
I don't think I could use one, though because I know there's something different about reading from a computer screen. I can't pay attention for as long. It's not bad for reading relatively brief articles, and stories. But if I have to pay attention for a long time, I can't follow things as well unless it's on real paper in front of me.

Hickabod
03-23-2008, 9:53 AM
Reading books on a computer screen will never be fun. I've tried it on a full size computer screen a few times and just ended up with a headache.

BurgerKueen
03-23-2008, 3:01 PM
There was a notice on the index page a few days ago saying it sold out in like 5.5 hours, which really surprised me. I do agree it could be useful for like school, to fast find quotes maybe, but then why not just use your laptop? All the classic books whose copyrights are over are online, and personally, I'd rather highlight my books or type up quotes on my computer rather than spend $399 on the Kindle. On top of this, Google has a project on uploading books to the internet already, so personally I'd rather Amazon had teamed up with Google to sell pdf versions of books for cheaper than print versions, kind of like a book version of amazonmp3 & iTunes.

INTUNEevolution
03-29-2008, 5:00 PM
It's unfortunate that e-readers never grow popular. It's a good idea, but not nearly compelling enough for me to purchase. Besides, I like having people stare at the number of books I have, far more than a junior in highschool should have.

NVM
03-29-2008, 6:20 PM
As much as I don't want one, this will probably be standard in 20 years. It seems lame to us, but I'm sure mp3s would've been weird to people 20 years ago.

SODA
03-29-2008, 6:25 PM
Reading books on a computer screen will never be fun. I've tried it on a full size computer screen a few times and just ended up with a headache.

It isn't a normal screen, it uses a special "electronic paper" type display, basically, the only time you use the battery is when you change what is on the screen, so you could stay on the same page for a week without using any battery because it works a bit like an etch a sketch. It also has no glare and no backlight to cause your eyes any more stress than normal paper.

timbot
03-29-2008, 9:06 PM
As much as I don't want one, this will probably be standard in 20 years. It seems lame to us, but I'm sure mp3s would've been weird to people 20 years ago.

20 years? That's an eternity in the world of technology. Think about it, CDs have been commercially available since 1982, that's only 26 years. And it's not like they're just now becoming the standard. Cell phones aren't much older, and look at the popularity of mp3's and mp3 players, which are even newer technologies. A couple years will tell us if this is a technology that will stick, and in 10 years tops it will be basically standard.

abbey
03-29-2008, 9:16 PM
I was kind of interested in seeing how they made the screen look like print so I looked up an overview of it on YouTube. Here it is. (http://youtube.com/watch?v=GAf4vxGEOAo)

The SD slot is a great addition and as is the headphone jack. I'm more convinced now that this thing could become mainstream.