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Emanuel
Veteran Poster
Username: Emanuel
Post Number: 417
Registered: 03-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, November 20, 2007 - 09:50 am: | 
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Did you hear about Amazon.com's latest electronic device? It's called Kindle and is supposed to revolutionize how we read books. The screen is supposed to be easy on the eyes and the pages are supposed to be easy to nagivate. Are you ready for this? http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000FI73MA/ref=amb_link_5873612_2?pf_rd_m=ATVPD KIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=gateway-center-column&pf_rd_r=1SZGMZYZSN0RTZ2PFN4W&pf_rd_t=101& pf_rd_p=329252801&pf_rd_i=507846 |
Chrishayden
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Chrishayden
Post Number: 5759
Registered: 03-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, November 20, 2007 - 11:33 am: |
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Print will have a renaissance when dwindling power supplies force a cutback in electronic appliances |
Urban_scribe
AALBC .com Platinum Poster
Username: Urban_scribe
Post Number: 573
Registered: 05-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, November 20, 2007 - 02:13 pm: |
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Y'know, Emanuel, when you asked this question previously, it sparked a conversation between a colleague and me. She made an interesting point: despite all the revolutionary technology, electronics, and new gadgets and such, paper (print) will never die because paper doesn't corrupt. Depending upon paper quality and type, paper can "live" for hundreds even thousands of years. No electronics or other doodads can make that claim, no matter how sophisticated they may be.
I found her perspective fascinating. I can't refute it, so all hail to print!  |
Troy
Veteran Poster
Username: Troy
Post Number: 939
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, November 20, 2007 - 02:17 pm: |
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Emanuel in the late 90's I thought eBooks would be more popular than they are today: http://aalbc.com/writers/ebooks/Allaboutebooks.htm
I learned despite Microsoft's hype over cleartype. The technology just was not ready.
I think the biggest win for this device is the fact that you do not have to pay a recurring access fee.
If this thing were in color I would be beside myself in anticipation.
I think this would be a great Xmas gift -- despite not yet seeing the physcial device.
The price is still a problem (expensive). I also saw an optional device for a light. It seems one would not need a light source, obviously the technlogy does not generate light -- hence the amazing battery life.
Books are not going aways anytime soon. Books are just so much cheaper, can be passed around and you don't have to worry about breaking or losing them.
Newspapers are another story. This is yet another blow to the dwindling numbers. I would defintely prefer to read the Wall Street Journal on this device. I hate having to recycle.
Also I'll strangle ANYBODY who is thinking about buying this thing without going through AALBC.com. Simply click the Amazon link on every AALBC.com page or just click here: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000FI73MA/ref=nosim/aalbccom-20
I also liked Amazon's videos. High quality images, not heavy on the music and not trying to overwhelm you with dazzling animation.
I wonder how much it would cost me to get Morrison to hype AALBC.com?
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Emanuel
Veteran Poster
Username: Emanuel
Post Number: 419
Registered: 03-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, November 20, 2007 - 03:32 pm: |
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I know I ain't buying no $300.00 device to read electronic books when I can read them at cost now. It might make more sense for when you're reading books you need to find excerpts from like the Bible or a college textbook. I can't see buying this to read novels though. I'd be interested in sampling the device. Troy, I'll bet you could convince Amazon to send you one to review and report to AALBC readers. A review can be valuable. |
Hen81
Regular Poster
Username: Hen81
Post Number: 20
Registered: 09-2007
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, November 20, 2007 - 10:33 pm: |
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The other issue with this device is that all ebooks are not compatible with it. First the books to be in ebook format period.
Many books that come out will have to be bought in print format which means Kindle is not a complete solution.
Until a common format is settled on ebooks will be marginal in the market. How many ebook readers will you want to keep up with?
www.DTPollard.com |
Troy
Veteran Poster
Username: Troy
Post Number: 942
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, November 20, 2007 - 10:39 pm: |
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Emmanuel, do you think the AALBC.com demographic would buy one of these devices -- even with Morrison's promo?
I'm going to run an ad for the device until a couple of days before Xmas. I'll let you know how many I sell.
Usually you have to send those eval devices back, so I can't be bothered. But I really would like to see one.
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Emanuel
Veteran Poster
Username: Emanuel
Post Number: 421
Registered: 03-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, November 24, 2007 - 03:03 pm: |
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Sure Troy, why not? Readers are readers. The important thing is that you get your free one from Amazon considering all the traffic you send them. You'd be surprised how easy it is to get free stuff by doing things like this. In the past, all it took for me was to send an e-mail to a company to ask them to be my corporate sponsor at booksignings. For the brand exposure at my signings and on my website, they send me merchandise to give to customers. It's a win/win situation. |
Emanuel
Veteran Poster
Username: Emanuel
Post Number: 422
Registered: 03-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, November 24, 2007 - 03:05 pm: |
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I'm really surprised at all the customer reviews the Kindle has received already. Last time I checked, over 650 customers reviewed it. The reviews differ too. |
Yvettep
AALBC .com Platinum Poster
Username: Yvettep
Post Number: 2465
Registered: 01-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, November 25, 2007 - 10:08 am: |
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The older I get the more I come to appreciate technology that allows me to INCREASE TEXT SIZE to read, making it easier on my eyes. LOL But I would probably only use something like this device for very limited purposes. And if it is true that not everything would be available in this format, then that would be a definite turn-off at this price point. |
Troy
Veteran Poster
Username: Troy
Post Number: 945
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, November 25, 2007 - 10:43 am: |
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Emmanuel, you are right. I request a free one. Apparently the device is on backorder until December. This is a mistake, unless they are hedging on a lack of demand.
Hen81 it does not appear to be a big deal to save your book in a format that can be used by the Kindle.
Emanuel, the Amazon reviews are typically so biased; written by people with an axe to grind or based upon ignorance or stupidity, I rarely give them much stock. (sidebar: you know authors actually write "reviews" of their own books on Amazon)
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Emanuel
Veteran Poster
Username: Emanuel
Post Number: 423
Registered: 03-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, November 25, 2007 - 02:29 pm: |
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I thought Amazon stopped allowing anonymous reviews and reviews from people who didn't buy their products directly from them. I used to post book reviews there but stopped because I was no longer allowed. |
Libralind2
Veteran Poster
Username: Libralind2
Post Number: 978
Registered: 09-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, November 25, 2007 - 04:34 pm: |
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I have posted reviews on Amazon by just registering. You have to do it with a credit card and I havent purchased anything
LiLi |
Troy
Veteran Poster
Username: Troy
Post Number: 950
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, November 29, 2007 - 01:45 pm: |
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Emanuel, I pulled the Amazon ad. It generated a decent amount of attention, based upon click throughs, but I did not sell a single device.
I pulled the ad for 2 reasons;
(1) the device is not available for shipping. This is bizzare behavior on Amazon's part. Perhaps they are just manufacturing enough devices to meet actual orders?
(2) In today's Wall Street Journal Walter Mossberg trashed the device; "...the device is poorly designed", "...software interface also is clumsy." "...The device itself is just mediocre."
I also tried to request an evaluation model. I discovered that it is not easy to reach a live person at Amazon (admittedly I did not invest too much time), I did email a couple of addresses. Long story short I did not get a response.
It seems eBooks still have a way to go.
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