High-quality unboxing photos of Amazon's Kindle eBook reader
Amazon's new Kindle device, dubbed by some as the 'iPod of reading,' has been shipping in limited quantities since its introduction a few weeks ago. AppleInsider is preparing a full review, and offers these quality unboxing photos in the meantime.
Despite early criticisms of the device and its $400 price tag, the Kindle electronic eBook reader sold out in just over 5 hours following its debut on November 19th, a representative for Amazon told AppleInsider.
Since then, the device has taken a beating from the mainstream media. Early reviews have expressed general appreciation for Amazon's run at a fresh concept but fault the retailer's inexperience in developing consumer electronics for the device's clunky and cumbersome user experience.
Still, Amazon has managed to remain completely backlogged on new orders and is warning customers that they should not expect their Kindle in time for the holidays if they're just now placing orders.
"Due to heavy customer demand, Kindle is temporarily sold out," reads a message on the retailer's website. "Because we ship Kindles on a first-come, first-served basis, please ORDER NOW to reserve your place in line. Your Kindle will not arrive by December 25th."
Since Amazon's strategy with Kindle and its electronic eBook store mirrors that of Apple's iTunes+iPod ecosystem, AppleInsider plans a full review in the near future.
Despite early criticisms of the device and its $400 price tag, the Kindle electronic eBook reader sold out in just over 5 hours following its debut on November 19th, a representative for Amazon told AppleInsider.
Since then, the device has taken a beating from the mainstream media. Early reviews have expressed general appreciation for Amazon's run at a fresh concept but fault the retailer's inexperience in developing consumer electronics for the device's clunky and cumbersome user experience.
Still, Amazon has managed to remain completely backlogged on new orders and is warning customers that they should not expect their Kindle in time for the holidays if they're just now placing orders.
"Due to heavy customer demand, Kindle is temporarily sold out," reads a message on the retailer's website. "Because we ship Kindles on a first-come, first-served basis, please ORDER NOW to reserve your place in line. Your Kindle will not arrive by December 25th."
Since Amazon's strategy with Kindle and its electronic eBook store mirrors that of Apple's iTunes+iPod ecosystem, AppleInsider plans a full review in the near future.
Comments
I'd rather be seen carrying around the actual book than that thing.
Yes it sold out in 5 hours. I'm guessing to technology enthusiasts such as magazines and TV shows.
Call me old fashioned, but why not just buy the book instead?
I'm sure a real book is gonna be much more relaxing to read, and the UI is sooo intuitive.
And bringing up the "iPod of reading" is not enough. It's not the iPod of reading, not yet at least.
Yeah yeah, cheap Zune shot, I know.
I do like that it's not symmetric over its yz-plane... probably to emulate the feel of holding the back half of the book folded backwards. Cool for reading, one-handed, left-handed. Crappy for typing two-handed. Plus if you're a right-hand book-holder, it might get kind of heavy, holding up all that mass placed so far away from the center of gravity.
Re-reading this post, I see that I'm a huge nerd. yz-plane. Center of gravity. Brown zune.
-Clive
It needs to go back to the drawing board until there's a touch-screen keyboard and no bulk besides the screen.
The Star Trek novel is a funny example because Kindle's industrial design looks like a 1980s idea of the future.
I fail to see how this relates to Apple though.
And bringing up the "iPod of reading" is not enough. It's not the iPod of reading, not yet at least.
I agree. I'll go to Gizmodo (or others) for non-Apple reviews. Maybe AppleInsider needs a plain "Insider" section, because it is fun to pick on the Kindle!
I personally think it's pretty cool. The design is not "awesome" but it's not that bad. The sony eReader is much nicer, but Kindle is where it's at for content.
I absolutely love the idea of just being able to download a book from anywhere. Can you imagine being able to get your newspapers and blogs on this thing? FROM ANYWHERE!
The entry price is steep- but once it gets down to $99 I'm sure it'll be huge.
If anyone hasn't seen eInk in person I suggest you take a look. The first time I saw the sony, I thought it was a fake demo model until I pressed a button and the screen changed. It looks like real print!
Anywho- I don't think the Kindle is as bad as everyone is making it out to be.
www.amazoninsider.com
OK, I'll admit it. I clicked the link out of curiosity!
heh, kinda funny.
The price includes unlimited wireless internet access for the Kindle Store (books, magazines, newpapers), Wikipedia, and I think an "experimental" general web browser. No monthly fees or contracts.
E ink is exceptionally suited for lots and lots of reading as well as extending the battery life significantly.
In all seriousness though, it's not that nice looking, but it's not "that ugly" either. It's a bit retro, and sort of Ok looking. The main minus though is not its looks, bur rather the fact that it doesn't have a touchscreen. Amazon should have went back to the drawing board to give it a touch-screen.
Captain Rappaport's eyes widened as the ship drew nearer to the Borg cube, hanging in space like a floating cancer. He gulped deeply.
My god that's bad writing. Like remedial eighth grade bad. Just sayin'.
[CENTER]"The Kindle will dwindle."[/CENTER]
brilliant lol