I bought the new Kindle about a week ago and have played around with it some. I have used the Kindle app for a few years on my iPhone and enjoy but I just don't see the need for the Kindle. So I decided to return it tonight after owning it for just a week. I've been wanting one since it came out but never wanted to pay the large price. The reason I returned it is because I just love physical books. I have been a big reader all my life and still have books that I bought brand new when I was just a kid in the 80s. There is just something about having a physical copy of a book. I can look at them. I can flip through them. When I read them, it is easy to tell where I am in the book. It's hard to experience these things with an eReader. I hardly ever travel so it's not really necessary and if I do I can just read on my iPhone. Anyway, it's funny how we want something gadget-wise for so long and then are disappointed when we get it. It rarely happens to me but it did with the Kindle.
I still want a kindle but I have a suspicion that I'll end up in the same camp as you. I've had some problems reading on the iPhone but have finally given in to age and made the text bigger :( which seems to have solved many of the problems.
I still want a Kindle, but more than anything I now want to try it for a while before committing any sort of cash to it (and I know that once I get it I'll want to re-purchase all my books for it which is another reason to avoid it!).
I'm over the whole physical/tactile thing with regards to books. The convenience of the ability to store the entire library of congress in the palm of your hand (maybe a slight exaggeration but not by much) makes up for my missing the smell of paper or whatever. I am a crotchety old fart about some things, but not e-readers.
Quote from: Jobydrone4of20 on October 17, 2011, 07:11:16 AM
I'm over the whole physical/tactile thing with regards to books. The convenience of the ability to store the entire library of congress in the palm of your hand (maybe a slight exaggeration but not by much) makes up for my missing the smell of paper or whatever. I am a crotchety old fart about some things, but not e-readers.
Yup my overflowing bookshelf is thanking me for getting that Kindle!
For someone that does tons of reading, like a new book every week or so, then the Kindle is perfect. I don't read that much so physical books work for me.
I have 2 Kindles in my cart at Amazon but still haven't pulled the trigger...but my wife really wants one so I think we will be a Kindle family. She doesn't like reading on the iPad.
I got one for my mom (she's almost 70) and it took her about three months to fall in love with hers. She's a huge reader and doesn't limit herself to the Kindle but is using it more and more. Of course, then I had to set up her house for wifi, help her on multiple occasins with her Amazon account, but overall it was probably one of the best gifts I've ever given her.
Quote from: Bryancd on October 17, 2011, 08:23:22 AM
I have 2 Kindles in my cart at Amazon but still haven't pulled the trigger...but my wife really wants one so I think we will be a Kindle family. She doesn't like reading on the iPad.
You should. I just bought one and I love it. I have my tablet, but it just feels better reading from a Kindle ... if that makes sense.
I still go both ways! (Wait - that didn't sound right!)
I love my Kindle and feel it's much easier to read off it than a printed paperback. But I still buy regular books too. One thing that I pay attention to still is the price. It bugs still to pay the same money for a digital copy as a physical book. You should always save a dollar or two - at least. But for the small cost of the Kindle there are a TON of epub books out there that are free or dirt cheap. And that makes it worth it just on it's own.
Quote from: Rico on October 17, 2011, 08:50:42 AM
I still go both ways! (Wait - that didn't sound right!)
I love my Kindle and feel it's much easier to read off it than a printed paperback. But I still buy regular books too. One thing that I pay attention to still is the price. It bugs still to pay the same money for a digital copy as a physical book. You should always save a dollar or two - at least. But for the small cost of the Kindle there are a TON of epub books out there that are free or dirt cheap. And that makes it worth it just on it's own.
Most of the books that I'm interested in are big time cheaper than the hardcopy when I buy them. New books too.
Chris - are talking mainly hardcovers vs. Kindle pricing? Because most of the time I see paperbacks very close to Kindle pricing. Also, I don't buy a lot of brand new books just published.
Yeah, that's a good question. How quickly are new releases made available for the Kindle? I like buying the STAR WARS hardcovers usually on the week of their release. If I go all Kindle, will I have to wait until the paperback versions come out to get a digital copy? If so that would be an issue for me.
Quote from: Rico on October 17, 2011, 08:56:22 AM
Chris - are talking mainly hardcovers vs. Kindle pricing? Because most of the time I see paperbacks very close to Kindle pricing. Also, I don't buy a lot of brand new books just published.
Yeah hard cover and paperbacks for the most part when I get them new. I just bought one and saved like 10 bucks. As for the releases, they are day and date for the books I read.
For big new releases Bryan, it's pretty much gotten to be simultaneous. It's older books usually that are more of an issue. Upcoming example (Kindle version up on release day too).
http://www.amazon.com/Star-Wars-Plagueis-James-Luceno/dp/034551128X/ref=sr_1_6?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1318867263&sr=1-6 (http://www.amazon.com/Star-Wars-Plagueis-James-Luceno/dp/034551128X/ref=sr_1_6?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1318867263&sr=1-6)
OK, good, that makes me feel better.
I've only run into one confusing situation. I'm reading the Dark Tower series, I got up to book 3 and went to buy book 4, suddenly books 3, 4 and 5 were no longer available via Kindle (still available in dead tree and audio forms). I also checked iBooks and it was the same.
After a few months they became available again. I imagine there was either a licensing issue or maybe some kind of e-format specific deal had run out on those titles.
Aside from that no problems. In the meantime I started reading the Fate of the Jedi series and they are all there in Kindle form, including the latest book that came out in August.
edit: Also people will be happy to note that despite the fact Dark Tower book 3 dropped from the store temporarily, my "copy" was unaffected, it was always available on my device and on my account for re-download.
Quote from: Bryancd on October 17, 2011, 09:06:37 AM
OK, good, that makes me feel better.
Did I also mention that you can also loan other's books as long as you have their kindle email?
Quote from: X on October 17, 2011, 09:13:27 AM
Quote from: Bryancd on October 17, 2011, 09:06:37 AM
OK, good, that makes me feel better.
Did I also mention that you can also loan other's books as long as you have their kindle email?
Is that a hint? ;)
If I read more books, I think the Kindle would appeal to me more, but for now, my iPad and iBooks satisfy my book needs.
Still, looks like good tech :)
King
Don't understand the whole Kindle is better to read from than iBooks. I think the iBook reader for my iPad 2 is awesome. I'd say it's just an incredible waste of money to have the iPad iBooks AND go out and buy a Kindle. Just my worthless opinion really...:)
Quote from: QuadShot on October 17, 2011, 11:57:12 AM
Don't understand the whole Kindle is better to read from than iBooks. I think the iBook reader for my iPad 2 is awesome. I'd say it's just an incredible waste of money to have the iPad iBooks AND go out and buy a Kindle. Just my worthless opinion really...:)
The kindle has an e-ink screen which is not backlit. A lot of people report their eyes getting tired from reading an active backlit screen like the iPad. I definitely prefer my Kindle over my iPad for reading, it's also easier to hold in one hand since it's smaller.
Quote from: billybob476 on October 17, 2011, 11:59:16 AM
Quote from: QuadShot on October 17, 2011, 11:57:12 AM
Don't understand the whole Kindle is better to read from than iBooks. I think the iBook reader for my iPad 2 is awesome. I'd say it's just an incredible waste of money to have the iPad iBooks AND go out and buy a Kindle. Just my worthless opinion really...:)
The kindle has an e-ink screen which is not backlit. A lot of people report their eyes getting tired from reading an active backlit screen like the iPad. I definitely prefer my Kindle over my iPad for reading, it's also easier to hold in one hand since it's smaller.
You can adjust the backlight down on the iPad. So, how do you go about reading your Kindle in a darkened room? And I can't imagine the Kindle is that much more comfortable to hold than the iPad.
Quote from: QuadShot on October 17, 2011, 12:03:50 PM
Quote from: billybob476 on October 17, 2011, 11:59:16 AM
Quote from: QuadShot on October 17, 2011, 11:57:12 AM
Don't understand the whole Kindle is better to read from than iBooks. I think the iBook reader for my iPad 2 is awesome. I'd say it's just an incredible waste of money to have the iPad iBooks AND go out and buy a Kindle. Just my worthless opinion really...:)
The kindle has an e-ink screen which is not backlit. A lot of people report their eyes getting tired from reading an active backlit screen like the iPad. I definitely prefer my Kindle over my iPad for reading, it's also easier to hold in one hand since it's smaller.
You can adjust the backlight down on the iPad. So, how do you go about reading your Kindle in a darkened room? And I can't imagine the Kindle is that much more comfortable to hold than the iPad.
lol, the same way you read a book in a darkened room, you turn on the light! And as for one-handed holding comfort, the Kindle 3 weighs 8.5 ounces, the iPad 2 wifi weighs 1.3 pounds.
Sorry, not sold. There are situations when you need a light to read by. Let's just call it a matter of preference. I for one will never waste my money on a Kindle.
Yeah, Jamie get's eye strain reading her books on the iPad. I haven't tried it myself, but at $76 the Kindle is almost an impulse purchase, to be honest. I like the fact it'so small and weighs nothing and I can still use my little book light. I read mostly before I fall asleep and enjoy a dark room and a little book light glow as opposed to the iPad. The Kindle replicates the physical book experience much better.
Quote from: QuadShot on October 17, 2011, 12:13:34 PM
Sorry, not sold. There are situations when you need a light to read by. Let's just call it a matter of preference. I for one will never waste my money on a Kindle.
Wasn't' trying to sell ya, just giving my reasons. Also had my Kindle long before we got the iPad.
Quote from: billybob476 on October 17, 2011, 12:21:02 PM
Quote from: QuadShot on October 17, 2011, 12:13:34 PM
Sorry, not sold. There are situations when you need a light to read by. Let's just call it a matter of preference. I for one will never waste my money on a Kindle.
Wasn't' trying to sell ya, just giving my reasons. Also had my Kindle long before we got the iPad.
Well, it's not a matter of preference if someone simply can't read for a prolonged period of time using a backlit screen. It's a very real issue.
Some people definitely prefer one over the other. We had the debate over reading on the iPad when it first came out over a year ago. PErsonally, not ever having a problem with the backlight, I prefer the iPad indoors, while I'd give the nod to the Kindle in an outdoor situation due to the iPad screen being next to impossible to view in direct sunlight..
That's the other place I do most of my reading, sitting out by my pool!
Quote from: billybob476 on October 17, 2011, 09:09:38 AM
I've only run into one confusing situation. I'm reading the Dark Tower series, I got up to book 3 and went to buy book 4, suddenly books 3, 4 and 5 were no longer available via Kindle (still available in dead tree and audio forms). I also checked iBooks and it was the same.
After a few months they became available again. I imagine there was either a licensing issue or maybe some kind of e-format specific deal had run out on those titles.
Aside from that no problems. In the meantime I started reading the Fate of the Jedi series and they are all there in Kindle form, including the latest book that came out in August.
edit: Also people will be happy to note that despite the fact Dark Tower book 3 dropped from the store temporarily, my "copy" was unaffected, it was always available on my device and on my account for re-download.
Nice to know the books were still there. I had a similar experience with eReader.com. I've got a few S.C.E. books over time but once Barnes and Noble bought eReader, I think they realised they had no licensing setup for the UK and withdrew a whole load of books including all of Star Trek.
To this day they're not back but my copies are still there to download.
So there are a few pros and cons then.
Cons
- Price of books. For paperbacks, Kindle versions are the same price as the physical copies. I can buy used paperbacks for as low as 1 penny from Amazon but you do have to pay the $4 shipping but that's still cheaper!
- Can't read the Kindle in the dark.
- You end up spending a lot due to impulse buys.
Pros
- Convenience. Ooh someone mentioned an awesome book! I can buy it and read it NOW!
- Easy on the eyes. Less eye strain over long periods of time.
- Take thousands of books with you.
I guess my problem is I just like physically holding books and taking them with me. Plus they are just cheaper. I wish I could have both the physical and electronic versions.
The cons don't really factor in for me. I watch the pricing, I don't ever read in the dark and I've never been an impulse shopper.
Quote from: Rico on October 17, 2011, 02:26:44 PM
The cons don't really factor in for me. I watch the pricing, I don't ever read in the dark and I've never been an impulse shopper.
That's me too. I could happily work within those constraints.
Quote from: Rico on October 17, 2011, 02:26:44 PM
The cons don't really factor in for me. I watch the pricing, I don't ever read in the dark and I've never been an impulse shopper.
Ditto. As for reading in the dark ... do it the same way you do with any hardcopy book. Requiring the same lighting levels as print media isn't really a con. As for the pricing ... Bucks off of a Hard back is well worth it and the paperback that I'm buying aren't cover price either... maybe I'm reading in the wrong genre.
Quote from: X on October 17, 2011, 03:12:37 PM
Quote from: Rico on October 17, 2011, 02:26:44 PM
The cons don't really factor in for me. I watch the pricing, I don't ever read in the dark and I've never been an impulse shopper.
Ditto. As for reading in the dark ... do it the same way you do with any hardcopy book. Requiring the same lighting levels as print media isn't really a con. As for the pricing ... Bucks off of a Hard back is well worth it and the paperback that I'm buying aren't cover price either... maybe I'm reading in the wrong genre.
I have to agree with X, plus there are booklights that can be equipped to Kindle's so I see this as a non-issue. And I don't even have one xD. If you want backlight screens, well, iPad it then.
King
Quote from: KingIsaacLinksr on October 17, 2011, 05:03:44 PM
I have to agree with X, plus there are booklights that can be equipped to Kindle's so I see this as a non-issue. And I don't even have one xD. If you want backlight screens, well, iPad it then.
King
Or buy a Kindle Fire! I found on my Nook Color that changing the background to grey is very comfortable for long periods of reading on a backlit device. I'm sure the Fire will probably allow for similar settings.
Kevin
There's a sepia setting on the iPad that I use, don't know if it would help the headaches some people get. I would say that the ability to read in the dark on the iPad is a pro, but I'm a glass half full kind of guy ;)
I have trouble reading text (books) for long periods off the iPad - even with the brightness down. I need to try that sepia setting sometime. I still feel the Kindle actual reading experience can't be beat. I like having two devices.
Also I have to say if I'm reading a history book or anything with diagrams, the iPad has the Kindle beat, but for straight up novel reading my preference is the Kindle.