Per the specs on the store page, the thickness is 3.4-8.5 mm. This means that even at the thickest point, it is still thinner than the normal kindle (10.2 mm) and the paperwhite (9.1 mm), and slightly thicker than the voyage (7.6 mm).
Frankly I don't get comparisons of Kindle to tablet PCs. Kindle is a replacement for publications printed on paper, not portable computers. I will buy it because I grew up to a point where I can't stand paper waste, and because it's 'books with ctrl+F'.
Personally I don't want Kindle to be bloated with netbook functionality (partially because of your point 3), however an email client will be nice.
We can cut down even further from your list. Why carry around a cell phone when your laptop already has a 3G wireless card? When you want to make a phone call, you can just open up your laptop and fire up Skype!
If that sounds like a really cumbersome and painful user experience for many situations in which you currently use your cell phone, people who read really really religiously feel the same way about using a laptop or smartphone instead of a Kindle (or printed media).
The Kindle is and will continue to be a more niche product than laptops or phones. Not many people are serious readers. But for those who are, the user experience on a laptop, netbook, or smartphone can't compare, mostly because of form factor an eyestrain.
That's why I think only a tablet represents a serious threat to disrupt Kindle. Whether it's the mythical Apple tablet or the CrunchPad (RIP) or some other device that is actually built, if they manage to make a device that performs well in brightly-lit conditions, they can probably replace Kindle.
I suspect that in the next decade the average consumer will have three devices: One in a laptop form factor (with most having cheap netbooks running Chrome or another thin-client OS, and some power users having more traditional laptops), a phone, and a tablet or kindle-type device. The tablet or Kindle is ideal for reading and consuming media, the phone perfect for making calls, and the physical keyboard of the laptop necessary to get real work done.
Perhaps you could see some combinations, like a tablet that attaches to or connects wirelessly to a keyboard which eliminates the need for the laptop, or the phone just becoming a wireless headset interfacing with one of the other devices (maybe my opening question wasn't so implausible after all!). Frankly those combinations all sound pretty cumbersome and inelegant, so as long as all three devices are cheap and compact, having all three won't be a big deal.
At 10.2 ounces, Kindle is lighter than a typical paperback and as thin as most magazines. Barely a third of an inch in profile, you'll find Kindle fits perfectly in your hands. Kindle is as easy to hold and use as a book. We designed it with long-form reading in mind. When reading for long periods of time, people naturally shift positions and often like to read with one hand. Kindle's page-turning buttons are located on both sides, allowing you to read and turn pages comfortably with one hand from any position. The page-turn buttons now flex inward to prevent any accidental page turns when picking up or handling Kindle. Kindle has a new easy-to-use 5-way controller, enabling precise on-screen navigation for selecting text to highlight or looking up words. Kindle is completely wireless and ready to use right out of the box--no setup, no cables, no computer required. With Kindle's 25% longer battery life, you can read on a single charge for up to 4 days with wireless on. Turn wireless off and read for up to 2 weeks. Battery life will vary based on wireless usage, such as shopping the Kindle Store and downloading content. In low coverage areas or in 1xRTT only coverage, wireless usage will consume battery power more quickly. Whispernet utilizes Amazon's optimized technology plus Sprint's national high-speed (3G) data network to enable you to wirelessly search, discover, and download content on the go. Your books and periodicals are delivered via Whispernet in less than 60 seconds. And unlike WiFi, you never have to hunt for a hotspot.
Portability is probably a big thing, the fact that Kindles are advertised as being significantly thinner than a paper book. There is also just a large lack of innovation in that area, due to the fact that Kindles sell no matter what. Very few improvements are made but new Kindles always perform well.
My grandmother owns a Kindle Keyboard 3G and a netbook, she says she prefers the Kindle because "there are two many things popping up at me" on the netbook.
As an extra datapoint, a Kindle (170 grams) is trivial to lightly with a few fingers. It's no substitute for a tablet, but when all I want to do is read a book I love it so much more than any heavier, more capable device.
Don't see why you got down voted. It's a valid opinion. Speaking as someone with an iPad and iPad 2 (both of which I love) they're a tad heavy for reading in bed. So are thick paperbacks, but the Kindle and Kindle Fire might just win on this factor alone.
TIL. And yes, that’s definitely a larger edge case but I would still posit that for many users who are buying into an ecosystem, Kindle is going to be the most portable. But that’s an important distinction for anyone who wants to check books out from their local library.
I have a kindle 2 and a netbook and love that they are separate. I treat the kindle as a book/magazine and use it on the subway, in a cafe, in bed etc just like a book.
I would never do the same with my netbook especially considering how much larger it is. The kindle 2 is the perfect size for reading and a 10" netbook is the perfect size for a netbook.
After reading the article, I wanted to comment about how Kindle might be actually one smart device better than the dumb alternative (paper). It's about the same size as a paperback, but much slimmer. About the same font size too. Paper has better contrast, but it's not too bad. For reading a lot of fiction, it's pretty much the ultimate option. And Kindle 4/5 are pretty much the ideal, I couldn't imagine doing anything better. Yet Amazon decided to make the new Kindle heavier, remove the great buttons and force to me to use touch screen. I use Kindle in freezing cold with my heavy gloves on, I use it in my bathroom with partially wet hands, the physical buttons just work. I'm still hoping to get a few more years out of my Kindle 5 (I bought two used ones on eBay, just to have a backup).
I'm so tired of this netbook argument. They're apples and oranges. One is a dedicated ebook reader and the other is a multifunction ultra-portable computer. Just because one is capable of doing something the other is capable of does not necessarily make them comparable. I've used netbooks and e-ink ebook readers. The ebook experience on a netbook does not compare. This is like saying cell phones are a rip off because you could use a $40 pair of walkie talkies without a monthly fee instead.
Not to mention, we have no idea what the cost is on a Kindle. Netbooks use commodity components that are widely available from numerous manufacturers. The same is not true of e-ink displays. This is at least partly a factor in the perceived high cost of an ebook reader.
We also don't know what kind of arrangement Amazon has with Sprint. Amazon gives a few cents to Sprint when you purchase something using Whispernet. Maybe Sprint also gets a flat fee every time a Kindle is sold. We simply don't know.
There's also the issue of limited competition in the ebook market right now. There are only a few manufacturers of quality e-ink readers and on top of it all the Kindle is the only game in town if you want to buy ebooks from Amazon. This is relatively new technology and the price will go down. We've seen it before with the components that go into a $250 netbook. This is economics 101.
> You won't put the Kindle into your Jeans pocket anyway.
Speak for yourself! No easier way to bring it with me to the coffee shop or laundromat, for example. That said, I agree that the bezel isn't a problem. It gives me something to hold without accidentally flipping pages, highlighting or making bookmarks.
I am sure that Kindle owners love the devices, for the reasons that you stated. The problem I have is the price. Students and newspaper readers will have a tough time justifying a $500 purchase, especially in this economy.
Wow. That's a smart move. I always thought Kindle is out-dated on arrival. People only like to lug only one brick if at all possible. And it seems a little odd that they would lug something as big as a Kindle, when they can do the same on their phone. I know I wouldn't bother with a Kindle.
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