Amazon unveiled its latest Kindle today. Should we be surprised that it's still not as good as Amazon's own Kindle software running on the iPad? Probably not. With a lower price point and a better machine, how does it stack up against the iPad?
With the relatively high price of the Kindle DX when the iPad launched in in April, everyone--including Amazon--knew that they had to do something to retaliate. The only question was what that response would be. A price drop was a good start, and that did indeed happen, but as Apple is surely gearing up for a new iPad by next year, something more had to be done. Enter the new Kindle.
Amazon continues to hope that black and white will be the new color.
Much like the iPad (and all of Apple's mobile products), you have a choice of which Kindle to buy: a Wi-Fi only model or one with 3G capabilities. These will sell for $139 and $189 respectively come August 27. Along with the price drop, a few extra perks have been dropped into the package: twice the amount of storage space, a smaller and thinner design (same 6" screen size, though), and an even better e-ink display.
The question is: is it really worth it? It's impossible to say with certainty, having not gotten our hands on one, but we can still take a look at some of the pros and cons.
The Kindle has long prided itself on its offering of free 3G access to find and purchase books. Now, for a $50 discount, you can eschew 3G for having only Wi-Fi access. What you must ask yourself is the same question iPad owners have already asked: with so many always-connected devices in our lives already, is 3G access for a secondary device really needed? Honestly, how often will go a full day without Wi-Fi access so as to purchase the latest bestseller?
The e-ink display is definitely a strong selling point for diehard readers. If you've ever taken your iPad in the sun (and it hasn't burned to a crisp, as some are alleging it's been doing), it's hard to read text. But iBooks is always improving (the recent addition of notes, for instance), and both iBooks and the Kindle app now support images, audio, and video, something the Kindle in its current form can't (and may never) do. And let's not forget the fact that you can't view anything in color.
For straight-up book reading, this is hardly an issue, but not all books are novels. Picture books for kids, coffee table-style books with gorgeous photos for adults, and graphic novels are all something that would be rather pointless on the Kindle.
How long will a single-use device hold the public's interest?
Now, most people who think about the iPad (and don't own one) still toss out the notion that they wouldn't know what they'd do with it if they had one. In fact, I have a house guest right now who was making this argument. That is, until I set him up with MLB TV and Plants Vs. Zombies. Since that point, he's become a recliner recluse, cozied up to my iPad. Its sheer versatility can be scary for the technologically challenged, but if you plan to read books and do all sorts of other things, the iPad is a no-brainer.
Will the new Kindle sell? Yes. The eBook reader may still be a relatively niche market, but Amazon has secured its position as the leader of the pack. But in a world of multifunctionality where we'd like to tote around as few devices as possible, the Kindle could quickly find itself viewed as the unnecessary expense, rather than the iPad. Spend a few hundred extra and you get a few hundred dollars extra-worth of entertainment options.
Frankly, we wish Amazon all the luck in the world. If more people are reading, regardless of the platform, that's a good thing. In a slowed economy, the Kindle is an affordable luxury item. But as the future comes barreling toward us, we're not sure how much longer that opinion will hold. How long do you think Amazon can try to skirt the issue and pretend the iPad isn't a threat to their hardware lineup?
4 Comments
I have to ask... How often so people really read in direct sunlight? Ive tested this out for the months I've had my iPad, and only once or twice have I wanted to read a book outside.
Another point... This NYT article [http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/29/books/29ebook.html] mentions Kindle 'enhanced' e-books that CAN'T be read on the Kindle device... Only on the iPad Kindle app. Isn't that a bit silly?
Funny what you said about showing off the iPad playing PvZ to a skeptic. I think I may have recently converted someone with a little Monkey Island demo.
Well, I've got both an iPad and a Kindle. I'm also an avid reader. The iPad isn't remotely in the same class as a pure reading device. The e-ink screen is just simply worlds more comfortable for reading blocks of text over long periods. The iPad might indeed be the better device for casuals readers also looking into tablets, but any serious reader shouldn't write off e-readers simple because they are largely single use devices. Convergence may be the current trend, but in the world of electronics dedicated devices often outclass multipurpose at their specific task. This is no different.
Personally, I spend a lot of time with both devices when at home. The iPad gets more time due to all it's functions. But just like I turn to my consoles or PC when I want a better class of gaming, I turn to the Kindle for reading. However, when I travel there's a good chance I'll just pack the iPad. It can fill my gaming and reading needs over short periods just fine and, yes, traveling with fewer devices is easier.
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