[Publib] RE: The library in your shoulder bag (Kindle)

[Donna Block]

A thought I just had ... If the recent surveys are accurate, and
Americans really are reading less, then are eBook readers like the
Kindle really a good business model?  Someone who doesn't like to read
books isn't going to spend $400 on an eBook reader.  I don't think that
people who only read books when they are forced to for work or school
would want to spend that much, especially if they could get it for
"free" at a library.  And if they like to search the Internet while
they're on the go, they can just get a phone that includes Internet.
Why would Amazon's ereader (or any ereader) be immune to the problems
that libraries and bookstores face?

-Donna Block
(my own 2 cents)

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Message: 7
Date: Mon, 21 Jan 2008 14:10:30 -0800 (PST)
From: Joe Schallan <jschallan at yahoo.com>
Subject: [Publib] The library in your shoulder bag (Kindle)
To: Publib <publib at webjunction.org>
Message-ID: <60444.72578.qm at web59115.mail.re1.yahoo.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1

I've finally taken a little time to investigate
Amazon's Kindle ebook reader, including watching the
video on Amazon's site, and reading the user's manual
and FAQ file. Since I've seen little discussion of the
Kindle on Publib, I'll share my observations.

Previous attempts at ebook readers (e.g., the
Rocketbook reader) were fiascos. The ergonomics of
those devices, particularly their displays, could not
match the experience of a book printed on paper.

The Kindle uses e-ink technology to provide a crisp,
paperlike display. It can hold about 200 typical book
or newspaper files. You can adjust among six font
sizes, giving you, in efffect, your choice of a
regular edition or a large-print one. You can use an
SD card to expand its capacity so that you can also
download mp3 files for audiobooks or music.

Like earlier, failed ebook readers, the cost of entry
is high: the Kindle is $399.  Once you have the
device, the cost of content may be lower than
traditional media -- Amazon claims an average cost of
about ten dollars per book.