I really want to like ebooks, I really do, however I can't stand the thought of purchasing a device that assumes I am a thief. It's the digital equivalent of employees standing at the door of a store, checking bags and receipts. Except worse. The fact that I can't share books is terrible, I wouldn't be able to read books in open formats even more so.<p>The kindle is definitely the nicest reader, however it seems to Sony reader is the most open.
<i>Sadly, lots of them are now $13, up from the flat $10 that Amazon used to charge for all best sellers. Those prices seem high. The fact that e-books involve no printing, binding, shipping, distributing or taking back and shredding unsold copies ought to save you something. And it’s outrageous that you can’t sell or even give away an e-book when you’re finished with it. You paid for it; why shouldn’t you be allowed to pass it on? (End of rant.)</i><p>Argh. This isn't how pricing works. If it was, Photoshop would cost 40 cents.<p>$13... for a <i>book</i>! Egads!
The music industry lost 10 years believing that DRM works and it may never recover. Now the publishing industry is looking to do the same . . .<p>Software is the only medium in which DRM has any hope of succeeding long-term, and that's only because it typically <i>needs</i> to be managed as a service. Video can tolerate it for now because the file sizes are too large to conveniently separate from the physical media, but that won't be true for long.
I am a fan of books, but I'll only get an ebook reader if:<p>a) I can be confident that books purchased will still be readable in ten years.<p>b) That I can still do all of the usual things I do with books, like lending and moving them from one platform (shelf) to another.<p>c) That at no time there is even the possibility of books being remotely deleted from my device without my permission.<p>d) That ebooks I purchased are owned by me, not rented or temporarily borrowed.
Also of note, Kindle's will be available at all Staples locations this fall. There goes the Nook advantage of being able to try before you buy.<p><a href="http://www.crunchgear.com/2010/08/31/staples-kindle/" rel="nofollow">http://www.crunchgear.com/2010/08/31/staples-kindle/</a>
I don't find the Nook's touch screen to be "balky" at all, at least in comparison to any touchscreen phone. In fact, I think that the use of a touchscreen instead of a hardware keyboard opens the door for a lot more design flexibility.
<i>The Kindle 3 is ingeniously designed to be everything the iPad will never be: small, light and inexpensive.</i><p>I'd hold my breath on that one, at least until Thursday. Having said that, my Kindle is ordered and on it's way.
What is the physical keyboard good for?<p>I understand the need for keyboard on smartphones where you might want to browse, type text, ssh or whatever... But what's its purpose on a reader?<p>UPDATE: Thanks for quick response. I really haven't thought of this, these uses make the device better than I thought. I really wish Amazon will start selling these devices here in Russia (and in 100+ other countries as well) so I can wholeheartedly recommend it. Meanwhile, the local market is owned by Chinese knock-offs sold for $300, while Amazon, Barnes&Noble and Sony don't seem to be interested.
Has any one heard anything about the Kindle Development Kit?
Looks like they are still in private beta.<p>I wonder if there will be Kindle apps (and app store??) coming any time soon.