I think you've missed the point. It's not supposed to take the place of 1 magazine or 1 book, it's supposed to take the place of many of those items, you can't fold 4 magazines and two books up enough to fit in your pocket.
Honestly, I'd rather cram a few magazines and a newspaper into my briefcase than carry a large, inflexible chunk of plastic and glass around with me. No thanks; I'll stick with my macBook, which is going to be traveling with me in any event.
I toyed with getting a Kindle for reading books, but the kiss of death was the poor selection of material available for purchase. Unless you want to read bestsellers, you may not find what you're looking for. I made a list of the 10 books sitting in my "to-be-read" pile and only found 2 of them available through the Kindle site.
I think everyone on this forum has to take two steps back and realize the significance of this idea into the world.
The kindle or this new device from Plastic Logic are incredibly important to the world for several reasons. These devices are simplistic and one dimensional because they are not meant to be all-in-one devices. For the same reason that the ipod only played music when it first came out.
1. not everyone in the world can afford a laptop or an iPhone or a Blackberry. The low-income families that can't even afford a computer is what i believe prototype devices like these are trying to sell for.
2. The education system needs something like this that's affordable enough to have it as something that a student could buy as a supplement to textbooks. that way, their 4-year tenure in HS/College/etc. could be instantly downloaded to these devices instead of 100's of pounds in books and notebooks. Think of the paper we can save by not printing these books.
3. I've read online that eBooks were partially conceived to lighten the load of the backs of small kids that had to carry up to 60 lbs. of books between classes. Devices like these could solve that problem, along with the constant distraction iPhones/iPods/Blackberrys and laptops are in a school environment. If every kid had textbooks on a device without the distraction of being on Facebook in the middle of a lesson would be a great help to teachers of the world. I think the only feature i'd add to these devices would be a way to take notes via handwriting recognition.
4. this would be an amazing accomplishment for the library industry as well. think of a device like this that you could plug-in or upload library books on this device. you need a dedicated device like this to prevent copy protection. Also for magazines and newpapers, you could go to a corner news stand and upload the newest addition for a quarter or something.
For all intents and purposes i think everyone has a point that the world now likes multi-tasking devices that are all-in-one. but the reality is that not everyone can afford something like that. If you drop print additions, how will some one who lives on food-stamps be able to read the paper? you NEED devices like these dedicated e-print devices that are affordable (i'm talking less than $50) that only read magazines, books, school/college text books, and the ability to take notes. We should have been in this transition 18 years ago when the Internet began to become mainstream so it's about time this started to surface.
Honestly, I'd rather cram a few magazines and a newspaper into my briefcase than carry a large, inflexible chunk of plastic and glass around with me. No thanks; I'll stick with my macBook, which is going to be traveling with me in any event.
Yes. Or my iPhone. Or a netbook/tablet that can have the screen flipped and in portrait mode for reading. A little clunky but having the keyboard allows me about 80% of the functionality I need from a notebook. The other 20% being games and code development (without pulling out my hair).
I certainly agree with the price argument... getting some DRM'd bits, which I can't even lend out to friends, for almost the same price as a printed edition, is not attractive at all.
Still, I can't say how big the benefit of e-ink really is – it may be minor, but some of the arguments do make sense, and I would not call all of them BS...
- Any backlight has a fixed temperature; reading on a backlit device, the eyes and the brain do have to switch between the ambient light and the device all the time.
- People dealing with ergonomics have been arguing against strong contrasts since ages. Actually, quite a few of the most expensive literature editions are printed on tinted paper (mostly chamois) to reduce the contrast. Interior architects specialized in ergonomic workplace design argue against white walls and try to put old-fashioned (yellow) light-bulbs everywhere. If this does really do something, or if this is voodoo, I can't say.
- CVS (Computer Vision Syndrome) is not a myth... it exists, and some companies already spend considerable amounts of money to e.g. abolish reflective screens and avoid scattered light.
This isn't really true. The background temperature on all monitors can be changed very easily.
The contrast can be adjusted as well.
On the iPhone, most book reading programs allow you to change the color, and density, of the background, which is the same as changing the color temp, as it affects the entire background. Want it yellow, pink, tan, grey? Whatever. How about a paper-like pattern? Done!
Using a computer in an office, where they may not let you adjust the orientation of your monitor is something else. We're talking about book readers, vs other portable computing devices.
Right now, D-ink, or E-ink, isn't very good. It takes a while for the page to change, sometimes a second. That's annoying. It can't be easily read in anything other than good quality light. That makes it much less useful. I like to read from my iPhone at night, when my wife is sleeping. I don't need to turn a light on. With the Kindle, you have no choice. Any money you might save in recharging is far more than made up for even with the compact fluorescent light I have.
It offers, in the case of the Kindle, only 16 grey shades, from light grey to not quite black.
But that's just the half of it. Some day, most of these problems will be fixed.
The real problem is the concept of the standalone book reader. I don't see it lasting.
Great idea dude .Except a tablet will work just fine .Type or write one handed .Just like a clipboard.
Are you serious? You expect people to hold up a big tablet and balance it in one hand while touch typing on the virtual keyboard with the other!? Do you have any idea how uncomfortable and slow that would be?
Quote:
Originally Posted by brucep
And a double screen like thing where you have glass on top and bottom would also be fine , we would adjust.
Why force people to type on a big piece of glass when a MultiTouch trackpad-sized display would not only enable the MultiTouch gestures already built into Mac OS X (and used by a number of Apple's bundled applications), but also enable direct touch manipulation of elements pulled down from the main display and/or widgets that let you turn down the volume, place/move pins on a map, draw on photos, turn dials in GarageBand, et cetera, et cetera, et cetera?
I think everyone on this forum has to take two steps back and realize the significance of this idea.
The kindle or this new device from Plastic Logic are incredibly important to the world for several reasons. These devices are simplistic and one dimensional because they are not meant to be all-in-one devices. For the same reason that the ipod only played music when it first came out.
1. not everyone in the world can afford a laptop or an iPhone or a Blackberry. The low-income families that can't even afford a computer is what i believe prototype devices like these are trying to sell for.
2. The education system needs something like this that's affordable enough to have it as something that a student could buy as a supplement to textbooks. that way, their 4-year tenure in HS/College/etc. could be instantly downloaded to these devices instead of 100's of pounds in books and notebooks. Think of the paper we can save by not printing these books.
3. I've read online that eBooks were partially conceived to lighten the load of the backs of small kids that had to carry up to 60 lbs. of books between classes. Devices like these could solve that problem, along with the constant distraction iPhones/iPods/Blackberrys and laptops are in a school environment. If every kid had textbooks on a device without the distraction of being on Facebook in the middle of a lesson would be a great help to teachers of the world. I think the only feature i'd add to these devices would be a way to take notes via handwriting recognition.
4. this would be an amazing accomplishment for the library industry as well. think of a device like this that you could plug-in or upload library books on this device. you need a dedicated device like this to prevent copy protection. Also for magazines and newpapers, you could go to a corner news stand and upload the newest addition for a quarter or something.
For all intents and purposes i think everyone has a point that the world now likes multi-tasking devices that are all-in-one. but the reality is that not everyone can afford something like that. If you drop print additions, how will some one who lives on food-stamps be able to read the paper? you NEED devices like these dedicated e-print devices that are affordable (i'm talking less than $50) that only read magazines, books, school/college text books, and the ability to take notes. We should have been in this transition 18 years ago when the Internet began to become mainstream so it's about time this started to surface.
What purpose? The ideal product would be flexible and approaching the quality of a high-end glossy magazine. As such, it would offer far less interactivity compared to a computer (5, 6 or 7 years in the future), would draw on much less power (since it would be encapsulated color dots that "reset" only when necessary), and it would act functionally like a book, magazine or newspaper.
I know this is an idea.
But I can't see the usefulness to it. People will want to be connected. They will want to see their media. They will want to communicate with their friends, family, and business associates. They will want to play games. They will want to write, run spreadsheets. they will want to surf the internet.
Why would they want to carry a dedicated bookreader, even if it has some of the basic functions?
I don't believe it.
What we'll see is what we're already seeing. Portable computers will continue getting thinner, just as Apple, in what some here think is a obsession with thinness, is already doing (and now, maybe those people can get some idea why).
The book reader will be subsumed into a future portable computer, thinner, lighter, more powerful, with longer times between recharging, and it will go away.
I mixed up my specifications... I meant 150 lpi (as in screen printing), with the equivalent of 300 dpi... Also, it's very possible that these future displays could utilize something similar to stochastic printing to achieve very high quality with a 'random' e-ink pattern.
Stochastic printing requires much higher resolution than does regular printing. I'm not sure it really matters for displays.
Printing is very different than displays. a computer display seems much sharper at a given resolution than does the printed page because of the way printing must be done.
For those who haven't thought about it, printing in a magazine is like your inkjet, except that it only uses four colors, other than for expensive specialized printing.
Because of that, a halftone pattern of many more dots on a side are needed to reproduce just 256 shades, and in practice, rarely more than about 240 are ever managed. You need a resolution of 2,400 x 2,400 to reproduce a theoretical 256 shades (in color) at a 150 line resolution.
The problem is that because of the way ink works, it spreads, and overlapping dots tend to obscure the finest details, even though they should be reproduced (again, in theory). Line screens aren't perfect either, and slight misalignment is normal.
A monitor with a 150 ppi resolution will reproduce detail that would require over 200 dpi on even the finest papers, because each dot on the monitor can reproduce the entire 256 shades. If the monitor is set up properly, you can also get at least 240 of them, and often more. You don't get the smearing that happens with ink on paper.
I think everyone on this forum has to take two steps back and realize the significance of this idea into the world.
The kindle or this new device from Plastic Logic are incredibly important to the world for several reasons. These devices are simplistic and one dimensional because they are not meant to be all-in-one devices. For the same reason that the ipod only played music when it first came out.
1. not everyone in the world can't afford a laptop or an iPhone or a Blackberry. The low-income families that can't even afford a computer is what i believe prototype devices like these are trying to sell for.
2. The education system needs something like this that's affordable enough to have it as something that a student could buy as a supplement to textbooks. that way, their 4-year tenure in HS/College/etc. could be instantly downloaded to these devices instead of 100's of pounds in books and notebooks. Think of the paper we can save by not printing these books.
3. I've read online that eBooks were partially conceived to lighten the load of the backs of small kids that had to carry up to 60 lbs. of books between classes. Devices like these could solve that problem, along with the constant distraction iPhones/iPods/Blackberrys and laptops are in a school environment. If every kid had textbooks on a device without the distraction of being on Facebook in the middle of a lesson would be a great help to teachers of the world. I think the only feature i'd add to these devices would be a way to take notes via handwriting recognition.
4. this would be an amazing accomplishment for the library industry as well. think of a device like this that you could plug-in or upload library books on this device. you need a dedicated device like this to prevent copy protection. Also for magazines and newpapers, you could go to a corner news stand and upload the newest addition for a quarter or something.
For all intents and purposes i think everyone has a point that the world now likes multi-tasking devices that are all-in-one. but the reality is that not everyone can afford something like that. If you drop print additions, how will some one who lives on food-stamps be able to read the paper? you NEED devices like these dedicated e-print devices that are affordable (i'm talking less than $50) that only read magazines, books, school/college text books, and the ability to take notes. We should have been in this transition 18 years ago when the Internet began to become mainstream so it's about time this started to surface.
All the reasons you're giving FOR this device are reasons AGAINST it.
Ae you forgetting that it costs almost $400, and that this newer, bigger one, unless they are willing to lose money on every one they sell, will cost even more?
Do you really think that people who can afford, or aren't willing to spend money on a smartphone that can do everything this can do, and much more, will be willing to spend more on a book reader.?
I doubt that very much.
The people who are buying this are buying it for the novelty value, and the social value of having others ooh and ah it.
The book reader will be subsumed into a future portable computer, thinner, lighter, more powerful, with longer times between recharging, and it will go away.
I don't see any other possibility.
The problem with this viewpoint is that the Kindle is already a portable computer, running Linux. It is in effect a Netbook, with a slow processor, monochrome display, and weak web browser. But it comes with a built-in, PREPAID cell phone connection for data only. And 2 GB of storage.
And it already is thinner, lighter, with longer times between recharging. As with other computers, it will get more powerful over time, but it is the pre-paid cellular connection that is its primary hook, compared to computing devices.
My contention is that just because we're used to a large book, doesn't mean that that must be theway going forward.
When pocket books frist came out, people didn't believe they would sell, because despite their much cheaper price, it was thought that the much smaller size wouldn't be functional.
They were wrong.
I don't see the need for a separate, large bookreader, when we have other devices that can do the job just as well, or even better.
I use the iPhone when in the subway, standing, holding a pole.
The thing that's great about this device, my Samsung i330, and Palm Treo 700p after that, is that I only need one hand to hold it, and turn the pages.
I don't think these devices are going to be popular with people during their commute, during a very crowded rush hour, do you?
And then what de we do about the lack of computing ability? I can't imagine many people willing to carry one of these, but not a small computer.
While these are somewhat slighter than most portables, the portables are catching up.
As both the Atom and ARM get more powerful, and use less current, where will these bookreaders fit in?
The problem with this viewpoint is that the Kindle is already a portable computer, running Linux. It is in effect a Netbook, with a slow processor, monochrome display, and weak web browser. But it comes with a built-in, PREPAID cell phone connection for data only. And 2 GB of storage.
And it already is thinner, lighter, with longer times between recharging. As with other computers, it will get more powerful over time, but it is the pre-paid cellular connection that is its primary hook, compared to computing devices.
It's still a very limited device.
I'm not saying that it can't morph into something more useful. In fact, earlier, I said that it was a computer.
But, what's the point of having a device with a more powerful processor and graphics not being an actual computer? Nothing!
As for linux, well, forget it. People don't want Linux.
Netbooks started coming out with Linux, but consumers have shown that they don't want them as much as more traditional OS's.
The Kindle can get away with it because it doesn't do much. It's basically an embedded OS with limited functionality. As soon as programs can be used, people will want Windows, or if Apple gets its act together, OS X.
For the near term, this is how it's going .... as a replacement for very expensive college textbooks. A very smart positioning of the new Kindle, IMO.
Quote:
Amazon Expected To Unveil Large-Screen Kindle
2:57 pm ET 05/04/2009 - Dow Jones
By Dan Gallagher
Amazon.com Inc. (AMZN) is widely expected to lift the wraps on a new large-screen Kindle device this week, which could be the first in a line of electronic reading devices geared toward newspapers and textbooks.
The online retail giant has scheduled a news conference for Wednesday - 10:30 a.m. EDT - at Pace University in New York City.
Amazon did not disclose details about the event, but the New York Times reported over the weekend that the company is expected to unveil the latest version of its Kindle e-book reader. This device would reportedly have a larger screen optimized for newspapers, magazines and textbooks.
The Times also said that the newspaper's parent company is expected to be one of Amazon's partners in providing content for the device, citing unnamed sources.
Shares of Amazon were recently trading up 0.7% at $79.48. The stock is up 60% since the first of the year.
A new Kindle designed for newspapers could be the first of many such devices. Two newspaper publishing companies - News Corp. (NWS) and privately held Hearst Corp. - have disclosed plans to develop similar e-reader devices. A Silicon Valley startup called Plastic Logic is also developing a large-screen e-reader device geared toward newspapers.
News Corp. is the owner of MarketWatch, publisher of this report.
This week's event would be just three months after Amazon updated the first version of the Kindle, which was originally launched in November 2007. The Kindle 2 sells for $359 over Amazon's Web site and can be used to download and read books in an electronic format.
Amazon has never disclosed sales figures for the device, though some analysts believe the company has already sold more than half-a-million units. In its most recent earnings report, the company said sales of the device "have exceeded our most optimistic expectations." Amazon surprised Wall Street with stronger-than-expected earnings growth for the period.
For newspapers, some publishers are hoping that e-reader devices might help reverse the fortunes of an industry that has been in a severe decline of light. Newspaper circulation continues to fall - down 7% in the past six months, according to the latest Audit Bureau of Circulation data - as more readers flock to the Internet for news.
My contention is that just because we're used to a large book, doesn't mean that that must be theway going forward.
When pocket books frist came out, people didn't believe they would sell, because despite their much cheaper price, it was thought that the much smaller size wouldn't be functional.
They were wrong.
I don't see the need for a separate, large bookreader, when we have other devices that can do the job just as well, or even better.
I use the iPhone when in the subway, standing, holding a pole.
The thing that's great about this device, my Samsung i330, and Palm Treo 700p after that, is that I only need one hand to hold it, and turn the pages.
I don't think these devices are going to be popular with people during their commute, during a very crowded rush hour, do you?
And then what de we do about the lack of computing ability? I can't imagine many people willing to carry one of these, but not a small computer.
While these are somewhat slighter than most portables, the portables are catching up.
As both the Atom and ARM get more powerful, and use less current, where will these bookreaders fit in?
I can't find a place for them.
I'm talking newspapers. Is there an App for NYT, WSJ, NYPost? I am under the impression that books are the only thing that works for what you describe. And the Kindle itself only accepts newspapers, magazines.
Comments
I think you've missed the point. It's not supposed to take the place of 1 magazine or 1 book, it's supposed to take the place of many of those items, you can't fold 4 magazines and two books up enough to fit in your pocket.
Honestly, I'd rather cram a few magazines and a newspaper into my briefcase than carry a large, inflexible chunk of plastic and glass around with me. No thanks; I'll stick with my macBook, which is going to be traveling with me in any event.
I toyed with getting a Kindle for reading books, but the kiss of death was the poor selection of material available for purchase. Unless you want to read bestsellers, you may not find what you're looking for. I made a list of the 10 books sitting in my "to-be-read" pile and only found 2 of them available through the Kindle site.
The kindle or this new device from Plastic Logic are incredibly important to the world for several reasons. These devices are simplistic and one dimensional because they are not meant to be all-in-one devices. For the same reason that the ipod only played music when it first came out.
1. not everyone in the world can afford a laptop or an iPhone or a Blackberry. The low-income families that can't even afford a computer is what i believe prototype devices like these are trying to sell for.
2. The education system needs something like this that's affordable enough to have it as something that a student could buy as a supplement to textbooks. that way, their 4-year tenure in HS/College/etc. could be instantly downloaded to these devices instead of 100's of pounds in books and notebooks. Think of the paper we can save by not printing these books.
3. I've read online that eBooks were partially conceived to lighten the load of the backs of small kids that had to carry up to 60 lbs. of books between classes. Devices like these could solve that problem, along with the constant distraction iPhones/iPods/Blackberrys and laptops are in a school environment. If every kid had textbooks on a device without the distraction of being on Facebook in the middle of a lesson would be a great help to teachers of the world. I think the only feature i'd add to these devices would be a way to take notes via handwriting recognition.
4. this would be an amazing accomplishment for the library industry as well. think of a device like this that you could plug-in or upload library books on this device. you need a dedicated device like this to prevent copy protection. Also for magazines and newpapers, you could go to a corner news stand and upload the newest addition for a quarter or something.
For all intents and purposes i think everyone has a point that the world now likes multi-tasking devices that are all-in-one. but the reality is that not everyone can afford something like that. If you drop print additions, how will some one who lives on food-stamps be able to read the paper? you NEED devices like these dedicated e-print devices that are affordable (i'm talking less than $50) that only read magazines, books, school/college text books, and the ability to take notes. We should have been in this transition 18 years ago when the Internet began to become mainstream so it's about time this started to surface.
Honestly, I'd rather cram a few magazines and a newspaper into my briefcase than carry a large, inflexible chunk of plastic and glass around with me. No thanks; I'll stick with my macBook, which is going to be traveling with me in any event.
Yes. Or my iPhone. Or a netbook/tablet that can have the screen flipped and in portrait mode for reading. A little clunky but having the keyboard allows me about 80% of the functionality I need from a notebook. The other 20% being games and code development (without pulling out my hair).
I certainly agree with the price argument... getting some DRM'd bits, which I can't even lend out to friends, for almost the same price as a printed edition, is not attractive at all.
Still, I can't say how big the benefit of e-ink really is – it may be minor, but some of the arguments do make sense, and I would not call all of them BS...
- Any backlight has a fixed temperature; reading on a backlit device, the eyes and the brain do have to switch between the ambient light and the device all the time.
- People dealing with ergonomics have been arguing against strong contrasts since ages. Actually, quite a few of the most expensive literature editions are printed on tinted paper (mostly chamois) to reduce the contrast. Interior architects specialized in ergonomic workplace design argue against white walls and try to put old-fashioned (yellow) light-bulbs everywhere. If this does really do something, or if this is voodoo, I can't say.
- CVS (Computer Vision Syndrome) is not a myth... it exists, and some companies already spend considerable amounts of money to e.g. abolish reflective screens and avoid scattered light.
This isn't really true. The background temperature on all monitors can be changed very easily.
The contrast can be adjusted as well.
On the iPhone, most book reading programs allow you to change the color, and density, of the background, which is the same as changing the color temp, as it affects the entire background. Want it yellow, pink, tan, grey? Whatever. How about a paper-like pattern? Done!
Using a computer in an office, where they may not let you adjust the orientation of your monitor is something else. We're talking about book readers, vs other portable computing devices.
Right now, D-ink, or E-ink, isn't very good. It takes a while for the page to change, sometimes a second. That's annoying. It can't be easily read in anything other than good quality light. That makes it much less useful. I like to read from my iPhone at night, when my wife is sleeping. I don't need to turn a light on. With the Kindle, you have no choice. Any money you might save in recharging is far more than made up for even with the compact fluorescent light I have.
It offers, in the case of the Kindle, only 16 grey shades, from light grey to not quite black.
But that's just the half of it. Some day, most of these problems will be fixed.
The real problem is the concept of the standalone book reader. I don't see it lasting.
Great idea dude .Except a tablet will work just fine .Type or write one handed .Just like a clipboard.
Are you serious? You expect people to hold up a big tablet and balance it in one hand while touch typing on the virtual keyboard with the other!? Do you have any idea how uncomfortable and slow that would be?
And a double screen like thing where you have glass on top and bottom would also be fine , we would adjust.
Why force people to type on a big piece of glass when a MultiTouch trackpad-sized display would not only enable the MultiTouch gestures already built into Mac OS X (and used by a number of Apple's bundled applications), but also enable direct touch manipulation of elements pulled down from the main display and/or widgets that let you turn down the volume, place/move pins on a map, draw on photos, turn dials in GarageBand, et cetera, et cetera, et cetera?
I think everyone on this forum has to take two steps back and realize the significance of this idea.
The kindle or this new device from Plastic Logic are incredibly important to the world for several reasons. These devices are simplistic and one dimensional because they are not meant to be all-in-one devices. For the same reason that the ipod only played music when it first came out.
1. not everyone in the world can afford a laptop or an iPhone or a Blackberry. The low-income families that can't even afford a computer is what i believe prototype devices like these are trying to sell for.
2. The education system needs something like this that's affordable enough to have it as something that a student could buy as a supplement to textbooks. that way, their 4-year tenure in HS/College/etc. could be instantly downloaded to these devices instead of 100's of pounds in books and notebooks. Think of the paper we can save by not printing these books.
3. I've read online that eBooks were partially conceived to lighten the load of the backs of small kids that had to carry up to 60 lbs. of books between classes. Devices like these could solve that problem, along with the constant distraction iPhones/iPods/Blackberrys and laptops are in a school environment. If every kid had textbooks on a device without the distraction of being on Facebook in the middle of a lesson would be a great help to teachers of the world. I think the only feature i'd add to these devices would be a way to take notes via handwriting recognition.
4. this would be an amazing accomplishment for the library industry as well. think of a device like this that you could plug-in or upload library books on this device. you need a dedicated device like this to prevent copy protection. Also for magazines and newpapers, you could go to a corner news stand and upload the newest addition for a quarter or something.
For all intents and purposes i think everyone has a point that the world now likes multi-tasking devices that are all-in-one. but the reality is that not everyone can afford something like that. If you drop print additions, how will some one who lives on food-stamps be able to read the paper? you NEED devices like these dedicated e-print devices that are affordable (i'm talking less than $50) that only read magazines, books, school/college text books, and the ability to take notes. We should have been in this transition 18 years ago when the Internet began to become mainstream so it's about time this started to surface.
What purpose? The ideal product would be flexible and approaching the quality of a high-end glossy magazine. As such, it would offer far less interactivity compared to a computer (5, 6 or 7 years in the future), would draw on much less power (since it would be encapsulated color dots that "reset" only when necessary), and it would act functionally like a book, magazine or newspaper.
I know this is an idea.
But I can't see the usefulness to it. People will want to be connected. They will want to see their media. They will want to communicate with their friends, family, and business associates. They will want to play games. They will want to write, run spreadsheets. they will want to surf the internet.
Why would they want to carry a dedicated bookreader, even if it has some of the basic functions?
I don't believe it.
What we'll see is what we're already seeing. Portable computers will continue getting thinner, just as Apple, in what some here think is a obsession with thinness, is already doing (and now, maybe those people can get some idea why).
The book reader will be subsumed into a future portable computer, thinner, lighter, more powerful, with longer times between recharging, and it will go away.
I don't see any other possibility.
I'll say this again...
Much as I understand that you are itching to get your point across... double posting is wasteful and uncool.
I mixed up my specifications... I meant 150 lpi (as in screen printing), with the equivalent of 300 dpi... Also, it's very possible that these future displays could utilize something similar to stochastic printing to achieve very high quality with a 'random' e-ink pattern.
Stochastic printing requires much higher resolution than does regular printing. I'm not sure it really matters for displays.
Printing is very different than displays. a computer display seems much sharper at a given resolution than does the printed page because of the way printing must be done.
For those who haven't thought about it, printing in a magazine is like your inkjet, except that it only uses four colors, other than for expensive specialized printing.
Because of that, a halftone pattern of many more dots on a side are needed to reproduce just 256 shades, and in practice, rarely more than about 240 are ever managed. You need a resolution of 2,400 x 2,400 to reproduce a theoretical 256 shades (in color) at a 150 line resolution.
The problem is that because of the way ink works, it spreads, and overlapping dots tend to obscure the finest details, even though they should be reproduced (again, in theory). Line screens aren't perfect either, and slight misalignment is normal.
A monitor with a 150 ppi resolution will reproduce detail that would require over 200 dpi on even the finest papers, because each dot on the monitor can reproduce the entire 256 shades. If the monitor is set up properly, you can also get at least 240 of them, and often more. You don't get the smearing that happens with ink on paper.
Cool- I had no idea. They don't really advertise that part much. I would def now consider a Kindle.
The whole thing works better on the computer.
I think everyone on this forum has to take two steps back and realize the significance of this idea into the world.
The kindle or this new device from Plastic Logic are incredibly important to the world for several reasons. These devices are simplistic and one dimensional because they are not meant to be all-in-one devices. For the same reason that the ipod only played music when it first came out.
1. not everyone in the world can't afford a laptop or an iPhone or a Blackberry. The low-income families that can't even afford a computer is what i believe prototype devices like these are trying to sell for.
2. The education system needs something like this that's affordable enough to have it as something that a student could buy as a supplement to textbooks. that way, their 4-year tenure in HS/College/etc. could be instantly downloaded to these devices instead of 100's of pounds in books and notebooks. Think of the paper we can save by not printing these books.
3. I've read online that eBooks were partially conceived to lighten the load of the backs of small kids that had to carry up to 60 lbs. of books between classes. Devices like these could solve that problem, along with the constant distraction iPhones/iPods/Blackberrys and laptops are in a school environment. If every kid had textbooks on a device without the distraction of being on Facebook in the middle of a lesson would be a great help to teachers of the world. I think the only feature i'd add to these devices would be a way to take notes via handwriting recognition.
4. this would be an amazing accomplishment for the library industry as well. think of a device like this that you could plug-in or upload library books on this device. you need a dedicated device like this to prevent copy protection. Also for magazines and newpapers, you could go to a corner news stand and upload the newest addition for a quarter or something.
For all intents and purposes i think everyone has a point that the world now likes multi-tasking devices that are all-in-one. but the reality is that not everyone can afford something like that. If you drop print additions, how will some one who lives on food-stamps be able to read the paper? you NEED devices like these dedicated e-print devices that are affordable (i'm talking less than $50) that only read magazines, books, school/college text books, and the ability to take notes. We should have been in this transition 18 years ago when the Internet began to become mainstream so it's about time this started to surface.
All the reasons you're giving FOR this device are reasons AGAINST it.
Ae you forgetting that it costs almost $400, and that this newer, bigger one, unless they are willing to lose money on every one they sell, will cost even more?
Do you really think that people who can afford, or aren't willing to spend money on a smartphone that can do everything this can do, and much more, will be willing to spend more on a book reader.?
I doubt that very much.
The people who are buying this are buying it for the novelty value, and the social value of having others ooh and ah it.
GOOD LORD! Did you see how disgusting that woman's arms looked?
Hey,
why the bad blood? U have a choice to either use Kindle or leave it......just dan simple!
The whole thing works better on the computer.
Not for reading on a subway, Mel.
I'll say this again...
I think everyone on this forum has to take two steps back and realize the significance of this idea.
...
Why did you feel the need to repost your message 9 minutes later prefaced with "I'll say this again..."? That's just weird.
Or maybe you wanted us to take 4 steps back but only 2 steps at a time?
I know this is an idea.
The book reader will be subsumed into a future portable computer, thinner, lighter, more powerful, with longer times between recharging, and it will go away.
I don't see any other possibility.
The problem with this viewpoint is that the Kindle is already a portable computer, running Linux. It is in effect a Netbook, with a slow processor, monochrome display, and weak web browser. But it comes with a built-in, PREPAID cell phone connection for data only. And 2 GB of storage.
And it already is thinner, lighter, with longer times between recharging. As with other computers, it will get more powerful over time, but it is the pre-paid cellular connection that is its primary hook, compared to computing devices.
Not for reading on a subway, Mel.
I mean a small laptop, netbook, or my iPhone.
My contention is that just because we're used to a large book, doesn't mean that that must be theway going forward.
When pocket books frist came out, people didn't believe they would sell, because despite their much cheaper price, it was thought that the much smaller size wouldn't be functional.
They were wrong.
I don't see the need for a separate, large bookreader, when we have other devices that can do the job just as well, or even better.
I use the iPhone when in the subway, standing, holding a pole.
The thing that's great about this device, my Samsung i330, and Palm Treo 700p after that, is that I only need one hand to hold it, and turn the pages.
I don't think these devices are going to be popular with people during their commute, during a very crowded rush hour, do you?
And then what de we do about the lack of computing ability? I can't imagine many people willing to carry one of these, but not a small computer.
While these are somewhat slighter than most portables, the portables are catching up.
As both the Atom and ARM get more powerful, and use less current, where will these bookreaders fit in?
I can't find a place for them.
The problem with this viewpoint is that the Kindle is already a portable computer, running Linux. It is in effect a Netbook, with a slow processor, monochrome display, and weak web browser. But it comes with a built-in, PREPAID cell phone connection for data only. And 2 GB of storage.
And it already is thinner, lighter, with longer times between recharging. As with other computers, it will get more powerful over time, but it is the pre-paid cellular connection that is its primary hook, compared to computing devices.
It's still a very limited device.
I'm not saying that it can't morph into something more useful. In fact, earlier, I said that it was a computer.
But, what's the point of having a device with a more powerful processor and graphics not being an actual computer? Nothing!
As for linux, well, forget it. People don't want Linux.
Netbooks started coming out with Linux, but consumers have shown that they don't want them as much as more traditional OS's.
The Kindle can get away with it because it doesn't do much. It's basically an embedded OS with limited functionality. As soon as programs can be used, people will want Windows, or if Apple gets its act together, OS X.
http://www.forbes.com/2009/05/04/kin...partner=alerts
A new article from Forbes that just came into my mailbox that reinforces what I've been saying:
http://www.forbes.com/2009/05/04/kin...partner=alerts
For the near term, this is how it's going .... as a replacement for very expensive college textbooks. A very smart positioning of the new Kindle, IMO.
Amazon Expected To Unveil Large-Screen Kindle
2:57 pm ET 05/04/2009 - Dow Jones
By Dan Gallagher
Amazon.com Inc. (AMZN) is widely expected to lift the wraps on a new large-screen Kindle device this week, which could be the first in a line of electronic reading devices geared toward newspapers and textbooks.
The online retail giant has scheduled a news conference for Wednesday - 10:30 a.m. EDT - at Pace University in New York City.
Amazon did not disclose details about the event, but the New York Times reported over the weekend that the company is expected to unveil the latest version of its Kindle e-book reader. This device would reportedly have a larger screen optimized for newspapers, magazines and textbooks.
The Times also said that the newspaper's parent company is expected to be one of Amazon's partners in providing content for the device, citing unnamed sources.
Shares of Amazon were recently trading up 0.7% at $79.48. The stock is up 60% since the first of the year.
A new Kindle designed for newspapers could be the first of many such devices. Two newspaper publishing companies - News Corp. (NWS) and privately held Hearst Corp. - have disclosed plans to develop similar e-reader devices. A Silicon Valley startup called Plastic Logic is also developing a large-screen e-reader device geared toward newspapers.
News Corp. is the owner of MarketWatch, publisher of this report.
This week's event would be just three months after Amazon updated the first version of the Kindle, which was originally launched in November 2007. The Kindle 2 sells for $359 over Amazon's Web site and can be used to download and read books in an electronic format.
Amazon has never disclosed sales figures for the device, though some analysts believe the company has already sold more than half-a-million units. In its most recent earnings report, the company said sales of the device "have exceeded our most optimistic expectations." Amazon surprised Wall Street with stronger-than-expected earnings growth for the period.
For newspapers, some publishers are hoping that e-reader devices might help reverse the fortunes of an industry that has been in a severe decline of light. Newspaper circulation continues to fall - down 7% in the past six months, according to the latest Audit Bureau of Circulation data - as more readers flock to the Internet for news.
-Dan Gallagher; 415-439-6400; AskNewswires@dowjones.com
I mean a small laptop, netbook, or my iPhone.
My contention is that just because we're used to a large book, doesn't mean that that must be theway going forward.
When pocket books frist came out, people didn't believe they would sell, because despite their much cheaper price, it was thought that the much smaller size wouldn't be functional.
They were wrong.
I don't see the need for a separate, large bookreader, when we have other devices that can do the job just as well, or even better.
I use the iPhone when in the subway, standing, holding a pole.
The thing that's great about this device, my Samsung i330, and Palm Treo 700p after that, is that I only need one hand to hold it, and turn the pages.
I don't think these devices are going to be popular with people during their commute, during a very crowded rush hour, do you?
And then what de we do about the lack of computing ability? I can't imagine many people willing to carry one of these, but not a small computer.
While these are somewhat slighter than most portables, the portables are catching up.
As both the Atom and ARM get more powerful, and use less current, where will these bookreaders fit in?
I can't find a place for them.
I'm talking newspapers. Is there an App for NYT, WSJ, NYPost? I am under the impression that books are the only thing that works for what you describe. And the Kindle itself only accepts newspapers, magazines.