I am finding that the iPhone Kindle application display font and spacing is very easy on the eyes. The two main drawbacks are the size of the screen which requires frequent page turning and not really suitable for manual layouts. Up to now another major drawback has been selecting and purchasing Kindle books on the iPhone, the desktop version of the Kindle site was not suited for the iPhone's screen. The fix: Amazon has just released their iPhone Safari optimized web site accessible via the Kindle application "Get Books" button.
The Amazon iPhone optimized Kindle store web site.
One big advantage for Amazon is that they bypass the iTunes purchase infrastructure to sell you content. This makes logical sense since they have all of the backend applications to deliver, track, and bill purchases; and the most important feature is that it saves them from having to pay Apple a transaction fee which Mac Rumors reports to be 30%. This seems high for a content purchase but Apple Insider reported earlier that for a $.99 song, Apple collects an average of $.30 making the 30% about right.
The Coming E-Reader Debate; E Ink vs Backlit LCD
Over the last year, I debated which E-Reader I should purchase. It was clear that the Kindle was way ahead in the ECO system war, however when Sony announced its Daily Reader with a 7" E Ink touch screen, 3G connectivity, and EPUB book format; this was the E-Reader I wanted. Although pricey at $399, I went ahead and ordered it as a Christmas present to myself. Sony did not disappoint by delivering it on December 22nd.
I love the Daily Reader for its size, battery life, built in protective cover and touch screen (being able to turn the pages with my thumb enhances my reading experience), Apple threw a wrench in the E-Reader world by announcing the iPad. This is a major upheaval in the E-Reader world which was originally conceived as a single purpose device with a specially design E Ink screen which provides paper like contrast and allows reading in direct sunlight. Apple is now touting its In Plane Switching LCD screen as the answer to the E Ink technology with color, high contrast and the ability to read in direct sunlight (I want to see this for myself). In addition to the E-Reader functionality of the iPad you get a Touch iPod on steroids with a 10" screen. Who would not want this type of functionality?
My first impression of the iPad was that it may fail as an E-Reader because of the backlit LCD screen and my assumption that backlit screen might cause eye strain. After doing some research, this seems to be an inaccurate assumption on my part and well described in this February New Times articles entitled "Do E-Readers Cause Eye Strain?".
My big problem with the iPad, is that at 10", I want it to do more since it could replace carrying my Sony VAIO-P and Daily Reader while traveling. The biggest issues I have are:
Apparently that is not what most people think; last week, RBC Capital Markets analyst Mike Abramsky released survey results showing pent up demand for the iPad (via MacRumors).
This was a WOW moment for me, shows the strength of the Apple brand and what people think about their products trusting them to provide the right mix of functionality.
In the end the HP Slate with Windows 7 might be the better choice for my use, but given the lack luster performance of Netbooks, will it perform? Adobe is not waiting for the June release of the HP Slate; it has launched a salvo with this video (via engadget):
This should be interesting year for the E-Reader world...
Posted by sskarlatos on March 09, 2010 at 09:04 AM in Apple, Commentary, e-reader, Sony | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)
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