The new Kindle Touch: Whoa!

[ISiddiqui]

Holy crap, I'm drooling over this!

Gorgeous touch screen eInk reader for $149 with 3G and $99 for Wifi.

[jeff061]

And a strong price point on their color. I'm liking what they are doing, hopefully competitors follow suit.

[ISiddiqui]

You mean the Fire tablet (ie, the color)?

[DaddyTorgo]

Hey - they got the sub-$100 kindle out there! Hot shit! And touchscreen.

And a $79 Kindle too? Fuck me - that's practically in the region of "impulse technology buy" there.

Not super-excited about the "Kindle Fire" frankly - but I hope it sells enough that they release a 10.1-inch tablet with wifi+3G later on. That was the rumor - they're launching the fire first, and then the bigger one later on. I'd be more in the market for a higher-end one.

Nice aggressive price points though. Holy fuck.

[jeff061]

Originally Posted by ISiddiqui

You mean the Fire tablet (ie, the color)?

Yeah, may pick it up to have something small when I travel to do simple stuff with that's not company controlled. Waiting on reviews.

[heybrad]

I'm sure I'm behind the times with this question... but is it significantly cheaper to buy books for a Kindle than it is to buy the physical book?

[ISiddiqui]

Usually... all books were $9.99 or less for a while and most books still are. However, when Apple tried to get into the ebooks business with iBooks, it allowed the publishers to be able to play that against Amazon, resulting in some publishers mandating $15 price points.

[DaddyTorgo]

Yeah - I saw at least one book I wanted recently (a new release) that was $14.99 for ebook and $14.82 for hardcover.

[Ksyrup]

Bill James' book on true crime is still $14.99. I was going to buy it for the ipod, but haven't so far. I kinda wished they were cheaper, on average (my wife has a kindle and the prices don't seem any different, but her frequency of purchase seems to go up... ).

[cschex]

Was waiting until Xmas to get my wife her own eReader, and she liked the touchscreen of the Nook even though I have a Kindle and all of my ebooks are through Amazon. This is now a no-brainer 1st day purchase for me

[ISiddiqui]

Was an example of where competition screwed over consumers.

[DanGarion]

Pretty impressive, but I think the Fire should have been packed with more memory, 8 GB just isn't enough in today's world. I'm assuming the Fire runs a Amazon version of Android so it will be rooted pretty quickly.

[wade moore]

Originally Posted by DanGarion

Pretty impressive, but I think the Fire should have been packed with more memory, 8 GB just isn't enough in today's world. I'm assuming the Fire runs a Amazon version of Android so it will be rooted pretty quickly.

It isn't?

What do you need the HD space for with a device like this?

This is a cloud-enabled, low-cost tablet. I'd much rather a $200 device with 8 GB than a $350 device with 32, that's for sure.

[DaddyTorgo]

Originally Posted by DanGarion

Pretty impressive, but I think the Fire should have been packed with more memory, 8 GB just isn't enough in today's world. I'm assuming the Fire runs a Amazon version of Android so it will be rooted pretty quickly.

But the fire is just the entry-level tabloid. And it's equipped with all of Amazon's CloudDrive stuff built right in. So the idea is two-fold:

1) More powerful (more memory) tablet next year
2) With CloudDrive and Amazon Music and everything, you don't need to actually store all that much stuff on your device. You store it in the cloud, and access it via WIFI (and yes - for me personally I don't like that as much unless the device also has 3G, because it requires pre-planning to some extent, but for an entry-level device it makes sense).

[wade moore]

So, this has me VERY interested. I too will await some reviews, maybe try to get some hands on - but this is very appealing to me.

[DaddyTorgo]

I guess it won't be sold thru retailers though right? So how are people going to get hands-on time?

Or will it be in retailers?

[wade moore]

Originally Posted by DaddyTorgo

I guess it won't be sold thru retailers though right? So how are people going to get hands-on time?

Or will it be in retailers?

I know the Kindle is currently sold at Target. Not sure about any other retailers.

[gstelmack]

Originally Posted by heybrad

I'm sure I'm behind the times with this question... but is it significantly cheaper to buy books for a Kindle than it is to buy the physical book?

Note that there are also plenty of Kindle-only books that are fairly cheap. $0.99 for some scifi books to get you into a series, and lots of $3-$4 books from non-established authors. Big publishers are definitely trying to screw everybody over, even though their costs are way down with eBooks, but the smaller guys are taking advantage. Poke around some and you might find some new authors to follow.

[DaddyTorgo]

I don't take credit for doing the math on this, but

You can now buy the entire Kindle lineup for less then a 32GB iPad. Wow.

[Rizon]

Originally Posted by heybrad

I'm sure I'm behind the times with this question... but is it significantly cheaper to buy books for a Kindle than it is to buy the physical book?

None of the books my wife and I were interested in were less. We pretty much use the Kindle now to play free games.

[cschex]

Re: the ebook price. For Kindle owners, accessing Kindle books via your public library launched in many areas this week. In my experience, the libraries have quite a few less books overall but newer bestsellers and popular books are well-represented on what's available through Kindle.

[stevew]

200 is the sweet spot for tablet pricing. I also heard that this device is very similar in construction to the BlackBerry Playbook.

[DanGarion]

Originally Posted by wade moore

It isn't?

What do you need the HD space for with a device like this?

This is a cloud-enabled, low-cost tablet. I'd much rather a $200 device with 8 GB than a $350 device with 32, that's for sure.

The could is great if I have 3G/4G access. But when it comes to movies, music things like that the could is useless without internet. All I did is read the info off of Amazon's site, I didn't see anything there about this being the "entry" tablet. So if that is the case great. But it should still have a SD card option or something to it... IMO.

[DaddyTorgo]

Originally Posted by DanGarion

The could is great if I have 3G/4G access. But when it comes to movies, music things like that the could is useless without internet. All I did is read the info off of Amazon's site, I didn't see anything there about this being the "entry" tablet. So if that is the case great. But it should still have a SD card option or something to it... IMO.

It is the "entry" option - the kicked-up version of it won't be ready till 2012, so they decided to release this now in advance of the holidays to compete with the new Nook and all...

[Galaril]

i was going to hold off till xmas to buy a Kindle but just got a new Samsung Galaxy 4LGTE 10 inch tablet from my work and so was going to just go with the kindle app for android. I am curious what people who have used the android kindle app think about it overall. I know it won't have the novelty of the e-ink which for me along with less glare are the kindle devices most compelling features as well as these new low prices.

[DaddyTorgo]

Originally Posted by Galaril

i was going to hold off till xmas to buy a Kindle but just got a new Samsung Galaxy 4LGTE 10 inch tablet from my work and so was going to just go with the kindle app for android. I am curious what people who have used the android kindle app think about it overall. I know it won't have the novelty of the e-ink which for me along with less glare are the kindle devices most compelling features as well as these new low prices.

Grab one of the new $79 kindles. At that price it's not breaking the bank...

[Doug5984]

I'm liking what I'm seeing.

I'll probably get a fire when the 2nd generation comes around- I just picked up a HP touchpad when they were dirt cheap, so that'll hold me over for a few years.

[sabotai]

Originally Posted by heybrad

I'm sure I'm behind the times with this question... but is it significantly cheaper to buy books for a Kindle than it is to buy the physical book?

Depends on what you mean by "significantly". The vast majority of books I have wanted to buy have had a cheaper Kindle version, but it's usually by $1-$3. Some of the more expensive books can be much cheaper. But those small differences add up over time and I'd say that at this point, the money I saved by buying the Kindle versions have paid for my Kindle.

But then again, I read a lot. If it weren't for the occasional book I want that doesn't have a Kindle version, I would think that the UPS driver would conclude that I died or moved away.

The best way to tell is to just go through Amazon looking for all of the books you want or have bought recently and make note of the difference and add them up.

[Subby]

Excellent overview and analysis of the Fire:

Amazon's Kindle Fire Is Built To Blaze Through Amazon Purchases | Fast Company

Dangarion - the point is that this is not a full featured tablet. Anything but, to be honest. It's sole purpose is to consume content you purchase from Amazon.com.

[Young Drachma]

1024x600 resolution.

[jeff061]

Not sure if you are posting that as a positive or a negative. Id imagine that is plenty high enough for a screen that size.

[bob]

Originally Posted by cschex

Re: the ebook price. For Kindle owners, accessing Kindle books via your public library launched in many areas this week. In my experience, the libraries have quite a few less books overall but newer bestsellers and popular books are well-represented on what's available through Kindle.

This has to be a YMMV situation then. My library had about 200 books total for Kindle, and most of them were crap.

[Super Ugly]

Originally Posted by gstelmack

Big publishers are definitely trying to screw everybody over, even though their costs are way down with eBooks

Not looking to single you out, but that's not necessarily the case - not for the entire industry, anyway. E-books eliminate printing and distribution costs, yes, but the production costs (copy-editing, typesetting etc.) are still there. That's the most expensive part of the entire process, print or digital. In my part of the industry (I'm an editor for a large academic publisher) the revenue generated by an average print title is pretty crappy ... If I cut the prices of books to reflect what the public feels e-books are 'worth', I'd be out of a job pretty quickly and my authors would receive even less in the way of royalties.

That's academic publishing, but it's a similar story for the big-time houses too.

[Super Ugly]

Dola, before anybody points out mistakes in my spelling or grammar, I should point out that I'm an acquisitions editor, not a copy editor.

[DaddyTorgo]

Originally Posted by Super Ugly

Dola, before anybody points out mistakes in my spelling or grammar, I should point out that I'm an acquisitions editor, not a copy editor.

[Scoobz0202]

I'm liking what I'm seeing in the Kindle reader area. I'll withhold judgement on the tablet until I see some videos of it, read hands-on impressions, etc.

I actually just placed my Kindle 3 on ebay and ordered the newer, non-keyboard edition with ads for 80 bucks. Figure I should get that out of my current kindle and I never use the keyboard anyways. The smaller and lighter weight are too enticing. I'll get a touch when that comes out.

[RainMaker]

When it comes to books, I find a lot of success buying them used on Amazon or Half.com. If it's not something that's been released in the last 6 months or year, you can usually get it in really good condition for $4-$5 plus shipping. Cheaper than the eBook version.

My gripe with the Kindle and books is you don't own it. If the Kindle goes under (I know it's unlikely) or another eBook comes out that just kills the Kindle, you have to hope there is an app on their to read your books.

Don't get me wrong, if the price comes down a bit more, I'd be interested. But buying physical books at under $10 is still cheaper and I can either give it away or re-sell it when I'm done.

[DaddyTorgo]

Originally Posted by Scoobz0202

I'm liking what I'm seeing in the Kindle reader area. I'll withhold judgement on the tablet until I see some videos of it, read hands-on impressions, etc.

I actually just placed my Kindle 3 on ebay and ordered the newer, non-keyboard edition with ads for 80 bucks. Figure I should get that out of my current kindle and I never use the keyboard anyways. The smaller and lighter weight are too enticing. I'll get a touch when that comes out.

Talk to me about this Kindle 3 of yours...

[bob]

My biggest gripe with the Kindle - i would expect books that are now available as paperbacks for 7.99 to that price, not 9.99.

The thing i like best - being able to download the first chapter or so of any book. I've avoided buying a ton of books that I thought I would like by downloading the first chapter.

[Super Ugly]

Originally Posted by bob

The thing i like best - being able to download the first chapter or so of any book. I've avoided buying a ton of books that I thought I would like by downloading the first chapter.

I seriously need to use this feature. I recently bought Peter Gent's 'The Franchise' to keep me occupied on a business trip. I wish I'd tried a sample chapter first. The book is beyond awful.

[cougarfreak]

Originally Posted by DaddyTorgo

Talk to me about this Kindle 3 of yours...

I've had one for three years now, what's up?

[Scoobz0202]

Originally Posted by DaddyTorgo

Talk to me about this Kindle 3 of yours...

I read books on it. It's pretty cool


I mean. Make me an offer. It's a year old, but it's left my house once. No visible marks that I can see. I'm not looking to be greedy, just not get ripped. I'd be reasonable with you if you didn't like it or felt like I was dishonest. I have my ebay as 7 days I think, but if on day 13 you said hey man, what the fuck, I wouldn't be that guy that said fuck off

EDIT: Forgot to add. It does not have 3G access. WiFi only. (Never felt the need for 3g on a kindle)

[RainMaker]

The thread title also deserves this.

[ISiddiqui]

I approve!

And I have a Kindle 2 (I paid a lot for it too). So it is likely about time to upgrade. The eInk Pearl screen is enticing as well.

[molson]

Originally Posted by RainMaker

When it comes to books, I find a lot of success buying them used on Amazon or Half.com. If it's not something that's been released in the last 6 months or year, you can usually get it in really good condition for $4-$5 plus shipping. Cheaper than the eBook version.

My gripe with the Kindle and books is you don't own it. If the Kindle goes under (I know it's unlikely) or another eBook comes out that just kills the Kindle, you have to hope there is an app on their to read your books.

Don't get me wrong, if the price comes down a bit more, I'd be interested. But buying physical books at under $10 is still cheaper and I can either give it away or re-sell it when I'm done.

Ya, the reason I haven't started with e-books yet is that it's just a great time to buy used paper books. If you've ever wanted to fill up your shelves, now's the time. And it's not like I travel with more than 1-2 books at a time, so a kindle really isn't that much a space saver.

[Scoobz0202]

Yea. I've said it before. I go back and forth with my kindle and physical books. I'll read a few on the kindle and then turn to my shelf that has 30+ books that I have yet to read that I had prior to the kindle. I also order the physical copy to any book I read on the kindle that I really enjoy. Yea, I am not saving any money.

Edit: That's not a knock on the Kindle, though. That's just my obsession with books. I still have my dream of having a room in a house that I can turn into a library. First step, acquire enough books.

[RainMaker]

Even if the ebooks start becoming cheaper, you still have to read a lot to make it worthwhile. I think your typical ebook is $2 cheaper than the regular book new. So you're still looking at having to buy 30-35 books to break even. And unless you're an avid reader, there will probably be a newer, better eReader by that time.

And while people tout convenience, I'm never reading more than one or two books at a time. It's not like I need a library of 100 books at my fingertips.

[Galaril]

Originally Posted by molson

Ya, the reason I haven't started with e-books yet is that it's just a great time to buy used paper books. If you've ever wanted to fill up your shelves, now's the time. And it's not like I travel with more than 1-2 books at a time, so a kindle really isn't that much a space saver.

Agreed the lasy year I have bought all my books off amazon for anywhere from $1-49 including shipping and in great or near new condition even some hardcovers. Only paid full price for the new George RR Martin book.So, probably am going to stay out of the ereader market until they all drop prices on books in a few years.

[Buccaneer]

Originally Posted by wade moore

It isn't?

What do you need the HD space for with a device like this?

This is a cloud-enabled, low-cost tablet. I'd much rather a $200 device with 8 GB than a $350 device with 32, that's for sure.

You mean one has to choose whether they are able to read/access or not, depending on location and coverage and other technological glitches? It sounds disadvantageous to having to plan ahead in order to read/listen/access and to hope that you are still able to do so once there. Listening to my complete music/audiobook collection depends only upon me remember to charge the batteries.

[ISiddiqui]

Originally Posted by Scoobz0202

Yea. I've said it before. I go back and forth with my kindle and physical books. I'll read a few on the kindle and then turn to my shelf that has 30+ books that I have yet to read that I had prior to the kindle. I also order the physical copy to any book I read on the kindle that I really enjoy. Yea, I am not saving any money.

Edit: That's not a knock on the Kindle, though. That's just my obsession with books. I still have my dream of having a room in a house that I can turn into a library. First step, acquire enough books.

The funny thing is that the relationship between the Kindle and paper books have gone the way of High Definition programming to Standard Definition. Just as I can't really watch SD programming anymore, I can't read a paper book all that often. I have books that I started reading a year and a half ago, but I haven't made much of a dent, because 99% of my reading is on my Kindle.

It helps that I do most of my reading on the train, where the lighter, thinner Kindle is much more useful and the fact that I can immediately download a new book after I finish one is major plus.