Guess what came in the mail yesterday?  An Amazon Kindle courtesy of Salado Press (I’m currently working on a project that involves converting their books over to a digital format for all major e-Reading devices).  Only $79.00 for an ad supported model or $109 ad-free version.  The advertisements show as a screen saver and do not interrupt reading.  This 6” E Ink Display reader with built in Wi-Fi is simply impressive!  Weighing less than 6 ounces and beautifully designed for functionality, this little unit is incredible.  Let’s look at it more in detail….

Read More …

I love to read, and my absolute favorite is anything paranormal, sci-fi, or fantasy.  However, like most people, I have tightened my wallet, and cut back on purchasing books.  Luckily for me, Amazon has plenty of great reads for free or under $4.  Start with one of the originals, Bram Stoker’s Dracula for the low, low price of FREE.  By favorite book blog, Bitten By Books, has put together a list of 101 books – 83 free and 18 other dirt cheap titles mainly in the world of paranormal, sci-fi, fantasy, horror, and few other fun titles.  Make sure to go check them out.

The Amazon Kindle – THE (dedicated) eReader of choice for a great many people. Small and portable, its mobile broadband capabilities make it one of the best ways to shop for and read digital content on the go. As of today – $139 for the Wi-Fi only version.

The Apple iPad – in many ways it looks like Flav-a-Flave’s iPhone (especially if you hang it off a REALLY big gold rope chain). In many ways, its a ground breaking, Enterprise encroaching, totally end-user friendly, Star Trek PAD that has set the whole netbook/tablet/computing world on its ear.  As of today- $499 for the Wi-Fi only version.

I’m not going to pit these in a head to head review, but I AM going to bring a couple key points to light.  Let’ take a quick look at what both devices provide and then I’m going to let you decide if one, the other or both devices might be best for you.

The Amazon Kindle 3
Smaller, thinner, faster, lighter and less expensive.  In a nutshell, that’s what Amazon is hoping is going attract you to its native e-reader as opposed to an Android phone, a PC, an iPhone or an iPad. The Amazon Kindle forewent a color screen and tablet based touch screen in its 3rd generation ebook reader. Instead, it chose to make updates to its eInk technology and screen, providing for a sharper screen and a smoother page turning experience. At $139 for the Wi-Fi version, you can still shop and purchase content directly from the Amazon Kindle Store right on the device; but now, you’re going to be at a Starbucks, MickeyD’s or other Wi-Fi hot spot.

Here are a rundown of the Kindle 3′s features:

• All-New, High-Contrast E-Ink Screen – 50% better contrast than any other e-reader
• Read in Bright Sunlight – No glare
• New and Improved Fonts – New crisper, darker fonts
• New Sleek Design – 21% smaller body while keeping the same 6" size reading area
• 17% Lighter – Only 8.5 ounces, weighs less than a paperback
• Battery Life of Up to One Month – A single charge lasts up to one month with wireless off
• Double the Storage – Up to 3,500 Books
• Built-In Wi-Fi – Shop and download books in less than 60 seconds
• 20% Faster Page Turns – Seamless reading
• Enhanced PDF Reader – With dictionary lookup, notes, and highlights
• New WebKit-Based Browser – Browse the web over Wi-Fi (experimental)

The 3G version offers FREE wireless access for shopping and web browsing for $189.

The Apple iPad
Apple’s iPad is effectively a giant iPhone.  However, with iBooks and the iBookstore, the iPhone, as well as the iPad, is a native eBook reader. However, this is an eBook reader with the power of the iPhone/iPad. Applications, music reader, movie player, picture viewer in full 9.7"LED-backlit glossy, widescreen goodness. The cool thing here is that the iPad can also run the Amazon Kindle application.

Let’s think about that for a second – The iPad can run the Amazon Kindle application, meaning that it functions as a Kindle as well as an iPod, portable movie player, native eBook reader (iBooks) as well as a Kindle.

Brass Tacks
And that kids, is the point.  What is Amazon trying to sell – Kindles or Content?  If its Kindles, they’re doing a crummy job.  The Kindle 1 was good for what it did. The Kindle 2 was an improvement in form factor and device performance; but not necessarily in device.  Something akin to the iPad probably would have been a better move.  The Kindle 3 may be cheaper, faster, smaller and lighter; but it is NOT an iPad competitor, and in the long run, never will be, at least NOT with the screen that it has.

You’re NOT gonna use it to watch movies, surf the web, send and receive mail or anything else other than read on it. Using it for notations WITHOUT a touch screen seems awkward at best. Reading in black and white isn’t a big deal; but even for $139, I want it to do more than it does…and largely because  it CAN.

It surfs the web…for free. It plays music. Its light, fast and quick.  I haven’t even seen the device; and already I think its nothing more than a Kindle 2 with a fresh coat of paint. Sadly, I don’t see the Kindle lasting very much longer; but that’s no big deal… Here’s why.

Amazon’s business here is the CONTENT. It will continue to sell Kindle books even if the Kindle hardware takes a dirt nap.  The Kindle application, available in the Apple AppStore, the Android Market and for the PC will insure that you can buy, sync and read Kindle books for years and YEARS to come.  The application insures that when the Kindle hardware finally dies (and it will, kids… its just a matter of time…UNLESS Amazon decides to release a <pick a platform> tablet/iPad competitor of its own), that the business will go on.

If you buy an iDevice from Apple, you can read iBooks or Kindle books and won’t have to worry about leaving content behind on your new device.  If you buy an Android phone or tablet, your Kindle books will sync there.  Its really a win-win situation for them…

I see the Kindle 3 being the last TRUE Kindle device. Next time, if its not an Android (or other platform) tablet/device, I think the hardware will do VERY poorly.  My Apple iDevice, Android device or PC can do everything that my Kindle can do and more and still do it (in just about every form factor except my desktop PC) in an easy to use form that is really much more appealing.

What do you think? Why not join us in the discussion, below and sound off…

Kindle DX

Do you think that eReader manufacturers are just a little nervous about the iPad?  Well, if all the recent price drops are any indication, ABSOULTELY!!!  Honestly, who could blame them.  Unless you only want to read, why limit yourself to a device that only lets you read ebooks.  So, in order to keep people interested, here are the new LOWER prices:

Amazon:

Kindle 2:  $189 – a savings of $90

Kindle DX:  $379 – a savings of $110

Barnes & Noble:

Nook 3G:  $279 – a savings of $80

Sony:

Pocket Edition:  $149 – a savings of $20

Touch Edition:  $169 – a savings of $30

Daily Edition:  $299 – a savings of $50

Pocketbook:

Pocketbook 360:  $199 – a savings of $40

Pocketbook 301:  $219 – a savings of $60

Pocketbook 302:  $279 – a savings of $60

If you have been waiting to grab a Kindle, this is a great time to get one.  I still believe, given Amazon’s & B&N’s book selections, that the Kindle and Nook are still the way to go.  The $189 is almost tempting, but for now, I’m sticking with paper.  Plus, I am also interested to see what others come up with to battle the iPad.  I have an Android phone that I’m lovin’, so an Android tablet would be a great addition to the family. 

via Gear Diary

Shaun at PDA-247.com put together his thoughts on the state of reading e-Books on the iPad.  In short, he concludes that Apple has missed the boat by doing little to enhance the reading experience.  While the built in iBooks application does it’s job in slick packaging, it provides less of a user experience than, gasp, the Kindle app for the iPad.  Read Shaun’s full thoughts here.