Are You Thinking Of Buying A Electronic Book Reader
I just ordered one electronic book reader, the Amazon Kindle portable ebook reader. I have been waiting for the next generation device. It is very expensive, however, I travel by air almost every week and I have to pack very tight. Don't have much room for books - certainly not for more than one.I feel this is great for light reading (magazines, popular fiction etc). If the price is too high - you shouldn't buy it, in fact use the library.
As for button placement and all this other hoop-la, there is likely a good reason it is the way it and I believe they have tested it alot. I agree, you would think they could perhaps put together a more design pleasing product(Apple)?). But this ebook reader is a straight forward device that serve one simple purpose. You may not be able to have a touch screen with electronic ink with current technology, you need real estate to hold on to the device without smudging the screen. By the way, they likely want wireless phone connection so folks are more likely to make spur of the moment buying decisions (gotta have it now society). Its a huge challenge for manufacturers to cram all these things into one device. Just look at mobile phones, even the iphone and Blackberry aren't any where near perfect and they have been building those things for sometime. iphone has lousy calendaring and Blackberry has lousy internet interface (both these things have been refined over the years). This should get competitors busy with competing products and that is good for all of us.
I own the first-generation Kindle and I absolutely love it. I don't think I'll jump on the upgrade bandwagon right away, however, since it doesn't really seem like *that* big of an upgrade for *another* $400. The improved screen refresh and 16 shades of gray is tempting, though. Maybe if I can pawn my old one off on a friend for $100 or something... we'll see.
Kindle 1G is probably more than enough for most if the sole purpose is just to read books. Physically ugly, probably. But adequate for most of the time.
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