[Macworld]

Post your comments for Kindle 2 price plunge signals e-book reader competition here

[patriotusa]

I'm not so sure the iPhone is the optimal e-reading platform. It's fine when there is not a device with a bigger screen available and you don't have a lot of time, but it is not something you would want to spend a couple of hours reading on. For example, I bought "The Horse Soldiers" to read on the Kindle iPhone app. This worked out fine when I was reading short chunks of the book in restaurants or at the doctor's office. But when I sat down in my easy chair at home to really dig into a few chapters, I couldn't stand reading it on the small screen for more than about 10 or 15 minutes at a time. I went out to Barnes and Nobles and bought the physical book so I could read it at home. I suspect if I had a Kindle I would have not had this need. With the lower price I am more likely to explore this option.

[flowney]

Time is simply not on the side of Kindle. As a dedicated device (one trick pony), it does not compete well with a multi-function device such as the iPhone or iPod touch. Apple's rumored iTablet, iSlate or whatever they wind up calling it will erase Kindle's single significant differentiator: screen size.

[spinoza2]

Correction: the Sony Reader most certainly has an integrated store of its own, much like iTunes. It works well and its Library management software is, while primitive, functional and easy-to-use. I much prefer managing my books on my own PC, rather than via Amazon's servers. This is much easier, and I have more control over my ebooks.
What is lacking on the Sony Reader is wireless to permit ordering books directly from the device, which is what you may have meant.
The Sony Reader doesn't get as much attention in the media as the Kindle, but there are indications it has sold as well as the Kindle. There's really no logical reason that the Sony Reader doesn't get as much media attention, it works just as well as the Kindle, in some ways better.

[dennishenley]

I understand scientists (especially physicists) and their obsession with a Theory of Everything. I'm not sure I understand why the average mortal wants a device that incorporates all possible features. Why settle for one device that does some things great, other things good and still others so-so? Why not determine what you want and then get products that do what you want in the best possible way?
I admit it. I've wanted an ebook reader since I was in 6th grade (circa 1964). The Kindle provides me with what I dreamed about. I've tried to read books on my iPod Touch, but after a few minutes I switched to an episode of Alton Brown's Good Eats. The iPod Touch has a lot of great apps, but not for reading books.
When I'm reading on the Kindle, I'm lost in the world of the book. There are no distractions and the Kindle does everything that I wanted from an ebook reader. I can make the type larger if necessary and I can carry around a library.
I don't mind carrying an iPod Touch and a Kindle. After all, I've got everything in my backpack. It's not an onerous task to have more than one device.

[sterlingz]

While I agree that the iPhone is not optimal for reading for long periods, and I love my Kindle 2, I do have to agree with the author's desire to consolidate functions into fewer devices, and have high hopes for Apple's tablet if it ever comes to fruition. On the last couple of trips where I've brought my iPhone, MacBook Pro, and Kindle, the Kindle has barely even emerged from my bag. I use it much less today than I did when I bought it after launch, simply because it is one more device, and I'm less likely to have it around. I have to make a concerted effort to use it, but then again, it beats hauling around a bag full of books (or moving with them).

The Kindle store is the killer feature. Sure, you can load up the Sony with classics and your own PDFs, but it's the access to current titles that really makes the Kindle shine. I can see an author on TV and be reading an excerpt of their book minutes later, and buy if I like it.

$60 is helpful. Even if it doesn't open the floodgates, it will make people who were on the fence at least give it a second thought.

[TehNeo]

@flowney: Even if Apple releases the mysterious "iTablet," Kindle will still have the advantage of free EVDO, a passive display and the long battery life that comes with it. Among other tricks up its sleeve.
@spinoza2: Yes, Sony has a store NOW, but the article says Sony didn't have a store in the Kindle 1 era.

[spim]

on the other hand ... I have no problems reading on the iPhone
I've finished several titles and love having lots of information at arm's reach.
Of course, it's not the same as having a physical book in my hands, but I've had no qualms about the changed reading experience.
> Why settle for one device that does some things great, other things good and still others so-so?
[/quote]
because, for me (and apparently others), we prefer only carrying one device.
I have no doubt that the Kindle does its job better than the iPhone, but for my money (which is limited) I much prefer having the one do-it-all device.

[RebelDeb]

I read Neal Stephenson's Ananthem (nearly a thousand page hard cover book) using my Kindle iPhone app. And I had no problem reading it at home for hours at a time, as well as on the train and in restaurants.
What I am doing, though, is segregating my books. I share mystery books I buy with my Mom and sister, so I still buy those in hard back or paperback. But my Sci-fi and business books I buy all on Amazon and read on my iPhone.
I used to say I wouldn't buy a Kindle until the price dropped to that of an iPhone (so it still has $100 to go!) But - the more I read on the iPhone, the less I see the need for a Kindle.
People I have told about reading on the iPhone have been skeptical -but really - when you read (unless you are speed-reading) you only read about a paragraph at a time. Which is what fits on the phone.
I think Amazon should continue to invest in cornering the e-book sales market - and maybe on the Kindle DX, focusing on ways to enhance the text book experience - but I think the Kindle, and other readers, won't gain "ipod-like traction" - because ultimately people would prefer to only have to drag around one device.

[sporks]

Personally, I think the Kindle price dropped because the units aren't selling well.

[spinoza2]

@TehNeo: Yes, Sony has a store NOW, but the article says Sony didn't have a store in the Kindle 1 era.

The first Sony Reader came out about a year before the first Kindle. I bought mine the same week it was released, and I can assure you that the Sony Store was around since the beginning, fully up and running with a nice selection of books. The Sony Reader wouldn't make sense without a store.

I do use my iPhone Kindle app, but I agree with the others that the reading experience is not as good as with the dedicated ereaders, there's just no comparison. But I admit to having read whole books on my iPhone, without problems.

I suspect the tech journalists creating an artificially contrived competition between the iPhone and the dedicated ereaders are not really book readers themselves; for the American media a "competition" always sells. After all, only about 10% of Americans read actual books. When you consider that only a small fraction of these 10% of readers are technologically literate as well, that's not very many who belong to the generally literate elite...

[RobK]

I demand to know where the "early adopters" are, and why aren't they SCREAMING about this price drop?!??! Amazon needs to hand out $60 gift certificates!!!!
I AM (of course) being facetious.

[GetMeOnTop]

Consider this...
Steve Jobs is back, many expect some sort of "announcement" or press conference "soon". Maybe Bezos knows, or thinks he knows something.
Maybe Apple is about to drop the much awaited "iPad".
Last week I was in Mexico and a top Spa Resort, while there I met a guy that works on the Apple Design team - I knew I could not ask him directly, so while conversing about what he does etc, I said something the effect of yeah, that would be great to do on the new tablet coming out soon. Well I have been in "the people" business for a long time, and pride myself on facial expressions and body language, and I was as sure as I could be, that his verbal answer, "Yeah, waiting for mine too" combined with his facial and body language says start waiting on line now, and bye bye Kindle!!
GetMeOnTop

[reinkefj]

I'd suspect that before I leap on any bandwagon it has to be under 100$. (Minimize my buyer's remorse.) And, I don't like wht I've been reading about the price fixing on Kindle Books. (That is that despite near zero cost, everything is 10$.) Add to that DRM and you have to rebuy if you need to redownload too many times. (Not my idea of a good user experience!) Argh! So, I'm not in the ebook market yet. "Reinke Faces Life"