The Kindle and I

[hansel4150]

So, most of us know the hottest gift this season is the e-reader Kindle. But, the Sony e-reader is giving Amazon a run for their money. Personally, I like the Kindle better. So tell me which one you think is better and why. Or you can just tell us what you like about your Kindle or Sony (or the Nook by Barnes and Noble, for the very limited few who got one.) If you're expecting one for Christmas, come back and tell us your thoughts on it. I'll be receiving mine on Christmas so i'll come back and share my experience. Also, if you don't have an e-reader and don't plan on getting one, tell us which one you'd prefer. Thanks and a Merry Christmas to you all.

[Bev Vincent]

I've had my Kindle for six months now and I don't have a single complaint. The most recent software upgrade allows it to read native PDF files without conversion and you can now rotate the display 90 degrees, too. I can't think of anything else I would want it to do that it doesn't already.

[aptpupil]

Hi hansel

I haven't been converted to this style of reading as yet, but I have done my homework.

The Kindle does seem to tick all the right boxes and is definitely the market leader, although I'm not a huge fan of the way that it ties you to Amazon as your only source. Also for those of us over here in the UK market, it doesn't come with a UK plug, so needs to be charged via your computer using a USB connection.

I hear many good things about the Sony Reader, but the small screen size apparently makes reading a touch more difficult as you have to nudge the page up and across in order to reach the end of it, and page turning is also slow, by all accounts.

If you've got the money to spend, the iRex iLiad seems to be the best piece of equipment, and has the added advantage that you can write on it, so as well as making notes on books, you can also use it to write down your shopping list, write music, sign documents etc. It is more expensive though.

[JohnDalglish]

Hi,

Personally, I'm waiting for the second generation machines, and Apple's entry to the market.

I hope it'll have a colour display to do justice to graphic novels.

Long days and pleasant nights

[hansel4150]

I think you're right. Apple is supposed to be releasing theirs soon. Although I predict it will be a lot more expensive. I was going to wait for that, too. But, I looked at the Kindle and saw everything I wanted in an e-reader, so thats the way I went. Money also seems to be an issue, too. If you don't have $260 t ospend, the Sony Pocket Edition is on sale for $200. I'm not sure how they deal with foreign countries though so I can't say if it is available in the UK or other countries outside of the US.

[jwbcubed]

I've had a Kindle 2 since they were released and I LOVE it. I still buy books, I'm a collector and certain authors I purchase regardless. But, I read so much, that having a Kindle is much less expensive that purchasing all those books. I just moved into a bigger house and hauled 300 or so boxes of books, so the kindle is a space-saver for me as well. BTW, the kindle paid for itself (for me) with six months.

[Mr Nobody]

Didn't I read something the other day (somewhere; I read so damn much in different places it all blurs into one) that there's soon to be a device that's an e-reader, phone, personal organiser, MP4 player, and whatever else on the market? If it was right, the Kindle and Sony Reader are already 'dead' technologies. Multifunctionality was always going to trump anything else...though I wonder if Amazon will try playing hardball with their format? I don't really see how they can, unless they tie books to an exclusive deal (which surely no publisher, agent or author in their right mind would accept; I know I wouldn't).

But...meh. I'll wait until one comes along that can make me a cup of coffee and transport me from one location to another instantaneously. And since that day will never come...

[kingsconstantreader]

My boss has the Kindle and he loves it. he's the boss though and can afford to shell out the bucks, i can't. a few years ago i was reading the New Moon series from the library. when i finished the 1st book, they had 3 & 4 ready for me to pick up but not 2. i waited a few days, but as the voracious reader i am, i couldnt wait any longer. i went E-books.com a downloaded it to my MotoQ cell phone. i still finished the book in 2 days. i thought it's be a B***** to read on that tiny screen but i downloaded a reader designed for the cell phone thru the site and didn't have to navigate except to go down further on page. i loved it, especially since it didn't slow me down, it was portable and the book was $6 to download. wish i had known about this when the Plant came out....

[rjt65]

Hey MR N;

I disagree with one point --and that is always that multi-functionality always trumps... unless that multifunctional provides the same or better user experience as the individual device there will still be a market for the separate items.

Cases in point --I have LG chocolate phones for years but still use ipods for music. Phones take Camera and video but most still get separate camera and video devices. So it will bit somewhat for some user sinto the mktplace, but not totally kill off the market---

I want my e reader to be book size and my ipod to be small to use at the gym... if i could brk the ipod off the e reader to use the music than maybe we r talking!

PS - Saw Barnes and nobles e reader it looked sweet.

Didn't I read something the other day (somewhere; I read so damn much in different places it all blurs into one) that there's soon to be a device that's an e-reader, phone, personal organiser, MP4 player, and whatever else on the market? If it was right, the Kindle and Sony Reader are already 'dead' technologies. Multifunctionality was always going to trump anything else...though I wonder if Amazon will try playing hardball with their format? I don't really see how they can, unless they tie books to an exclusive deal (which surely no publisher, agent or author in their right mind would accept; I know I wouldn't).

But...meh. I'll wait until one comes along that can make me a cup of coffee and transport me from one location to another instantaneously. And since that day will never come...

[Mr Nobody]

Hey MR N;

I disagree with one point --and that is always that multi-functionality always trumps... unless that multifunctional provides the same or better user experience as the individual device there will still be a market for the separate items.

Fair enough. But, for me, I'd take a lower quality on the reader IF the device was also, say, a smart-phone or had some other whistles and bells. For one thing, it'd be cheaper in the long run on electricity costs (assuming I didn't splash out on a multi-device docking station and still had to charge each gadget individually).

But anyway, I can't really see the point to e-readers. MP3/4 players...yeah, almost everyone likes music on the go and, at 3-5 minutes each on average, it makes sense. Books, though? Do you need your entire library to be in one place? Really?
The 'green' benefits are questionable at best and the more I hear about "the book's iiPod moment'", the more I want to scream 'It's a totally different medium!' from the rooftops. Not that it'd do me any good. The world moves on and not always for the better.

As I said, for me to even consider a reader, it'd have to have multifunctionality. A stand-alone reading device...I'd rather see books go entirely POD. It's one hit to the environment that way and does away with the wastage of print runs. Readers as they are have a far larger impact than is stated and then there's the continous charging to be done. Besides, I just can't help feeling a bit dubious about the odds of getting to a really good bit, and the battery running out with no chance to charge. That doesn't happen with paper books (and paper books biodegrade really quickly, unlike plastic devices which'll still be around on rubbish tips in about 400 years' time).

Hope that's qualified my earlier statement.