Amazon Enters Gadget Market with Kindle, an eBook Device [Update: Details]
Indeed, the feature set is impressive, with EVDO
- Has a keyboard
- 30 hour battery life
- 2 hour recharge time
- 10.3 ounces
- 5.3 inches x 7.5 inches x 0.7 inches, 800x600 pixel
- SD Slot for storage
- USB 2.0
- Uses E Ink technology
- Adjustable Font size
- Can hold over 200 books
- Can search books for phrase or name
- 3.5 stereo headphone jack
Amazon has reportedly been taking cues from Apple's iPod launch, planning on using similar videotaped celebrity testimonials at launch.
Dedicated eBook readers, however, have not yet seen a commercial success, with early attempts by Sony to create a market for the devices. Apple has been rumored to be working on a similarly sized tablet, though not intended specifically to be an eBook reader, there appears to be much cross-over functionality (web, email) between the devices. In fact, Apple was once rumored to be incorporating eBook functionality into an upcoming iPod with digital book sales handled through iTunes.
Final specs and official announcement is expected later on Monday. Larger image available here.
Update: Official announcement and product page reveals more details and demonstration videos and photos.
- No wifi
- EVDO connection - No monthly contract
- $9.99 for new releases and bestsellers
- 1st chapter of books available for free
- No computer required
- $.99/month for blog subscriptions
- Annotations, bookmarks
- Has a basic web browser: Gizmodo: something called "Basic Web" browsing is available in the "Experimental" section of the menu, along with "Play Music" and "Ask Kindle NowNow."
- Plays MP3s
Top Rated Comments
(View all)
55 months ago
before anyone says that this isn't apple related... let me cut you off.
I think this is very interesting and affects Apple. Certainly a company the size of Amazon entering a market like this which certainly overlaps some iPhone and/or iPod Touch functionality.
Also, there's talk of Apple going into the mini-tablet market in some form or another.
Based on the early description of the Amazon service, I think it's a potentially compelling solution. Wireless everywhere, downloadable books and web. Service charge remains an unknown.
arn
I think this is very interesting and affects Apple. Certainly a company the size of Amazon entering a market like this which certainly overlaps some iPhone and/or iPod Touch functionality.
Also, there's talk of Apple going into the mini-tablet market in some form or another.
Based on the early description of the Amazon service, I think it's a potentially compelling solution. Wireless everywhere, downloadable books and web. Service charge remains an unknown.
arn
55 months ago
this is so ugly -.-. oh my god..
how can this relate to iPod??
the Design...the UI.....
the keyboard??? LOL....gosh.....
how can this relate to iPod??
the Design...the UI.....
the keyboard??? LOL....gosh.....
55 months ago
Looking forward to Macworld 2008 in January.....
What does MacWorld have to do with Amazon releasing this? I think the device they speak of from Apple is the rumored tablet, correct?
this is so ugly -.-. oh my god..
how can this relate to iPod??
the Design...the UI.....
the keyboard??? LOL....gosh.....
LOL, fugly. Some of the comments on Engadget are hilarious.
"Who knew Tandy computer was still around"
"Looks like something out of Buck Rogers"
http://www.engadget.com/2006/09/11/amazon-kindle-meet-amazons-e-book-reader/
55 months ago
Kudos to Bezos and Amazon on this. An integrated ebook reader + ebook downloader + newspaper reader that can fit in a briefcase or laptop bag.. brillant..
So you can download a book on the go, read it on a plane, and then when finished download another book and read it on the way back. No need for books in your bag or anything like that...
Newspaper downloads and magazine downloads are the killer.... Being able to take this on the train or bus and reading your paper vs a laptop will be HUGE...
Kudos... will wait to see the engadget and cnet reviews on the press conference on Monday afternoon.
So you can download a book on the go, read it on a plane, and then when finished download another book and read it on the way back. No need for books in your bag or anything like that...
Newspaper downloads and magazine downloads are the killer.... Being able to take this on the train or bus and reading your paper vs a laptop will be HUGE...
Kudos... will wait to see the engadget and cnet reviews on the press conference on Monday afternoon.
55 months ago
Id love one, but my god the thing looks like a POS...
But yeah, these things are the future
But yeah, these things are the future
55 months ago
Of note, the photos at Engadgets' do not quite appear to be the final version. the keyboard layout is different than on the Newsweek cover and the color is off.
edit: actually, keyboard is same: see http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/official/amazon-kindle-official-details-399-whispernet-ev+do-the-ipod-of-reading-324129.php
arn
edit: actually, keyboard is same: see http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/official/amazon-kindle-official-details-399-whispernet-ev+do-the-ipod-of-reading-324129.php
arn
55 months ago
Not only is the thing ugly looking and shady sounding, the guy on the cover looks creepy.
personally i like holding onto the actual book, I think that books will go away. Im just not ready to let go just yet ^^;
personally i like holding onto the actual book, I think that books will go away. Im just not ready to let go just yet ^^;
55 months ago
Will it be as painful to read on as a computer screen? That's the worst part about ebooks for me. Until there's a good way to read digital text off a surface that isn't backlit and doesn't have blocky res, readers like this will still be a secondary experience to books in every way except convenience.
[ Read All Comments ]
Analytics firm Chitika today released a report showing that by its metrics iOS has now surpassed OS X in overall web traffic share in the United States. Chitika's methodology involves an analysis...
One of the most frequent reasons for an iPhone to go on a trip to the Apple Store's Genius Bar is because of water damage. Typically, a water damaged iPhone can be replaced for a flat $199...
TheVerge's Joshua Topolsky summarizes the iPad 3 casing findings reported earlier today, but also adds his own sources regarding some details of the iPad 3.
Image from RepairLabs
As...
Last July, Apple discontinued the white MacBook from its consumer lineup, pushing consumers toward the company's popular MacBook Air line or the 13-inch MacBook Pro. The company didn't kill...
Popular iPhone Twitter client Tweetbot has finally arrived on the iPad, with a user interface instantly familiar to any current Tweetbot user. Designed for the Twitter power-user, Tweetbot packs a...
