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I believe I have just seen the Kindle Killer.
Apple today announced the iPad. As one would expect from Apple, it is gorgeous, and the feature set makes it a device that I suspect is the death knell of the Kindle and the Nook. Apple has the existing infrastructure in the iTunes store model to add e-books, they're using the e-book platform with a software program (iBook) that is gorgeous all on its own, in a 10 inch (well, 9.7 inch) display. They already have Penguin, Hachette, Macmillan, Simon and Schuster and HarperCollins on board with this, so they have five of the six large trade publishers in their corner. Given that iBook also reads other formats, who knows what can be added to this...
...and it's not (especially for Apple) outrageously expensive. Starts at $499, which yes, is more than the Kindle, but you're getting a hell of a lot more than a Kindle. You're getting a device that displays full color. You're getting a device that responds to touch. You're getting a device that can use any of the thousands of iPhone or iTouch apps that already out there. You're getting a device which can use the iWork suite of software. You're getting a device which will play videos. You're getting a device that will import and display your photos. You're getting a device which will download and manage your e-mail and your calendar. You're getting a device that gives you a full (virtual) keyboard if you want to type something (and to which you can add an external keyboard if you wish). You're getting a device for which there's no right way to hold it -- it will display correctly in any orientation. You're getting a device that will play video (supposedly) for 10 hours. You're getting a device on which you could take classroom notes or write a story. You're getting a device that's weighs only as much as a hardback book (and not a doorstopper fantasy novel, either -- it's 1.5 pounds) and is half an inch thick.
I suspect this is going to be hot.
The 3G model will have an AT&T data plan that would be a separate cost, but I note that the device is not 'tethered' to AT&T -- I suspect we're going to hear about other options with this one before it's finally released in March (for the wireless-only model) or April (for the wireless + 3G model).
Given our budget, this is something I won't be able to get, but boy, am I going to want one. In fact, I already do...
'Bye Kindle.
Apple today announced the iPad. As one would expect from Apple, it is gorgeous, and the feature set makes it a device that I suspect is the death knell of the Kindle and the Nook. Apple has the existing infrastructure in the iTunes store model to add e-books, they're using the e-book platform with a software program (iBook) that is gorgeous all on its own, in a 10 inch (well, 9.7 inch) display. They already have Penguin, Hachette, Macmillan, Simon and Schuster and HarperCollins on board with this, so they have five of the six large trade publishers in their corner. Given that iBook also reads other formats, who knows what can be added to this...
...and it's not (especially for Apple) outrageously expensive. Starts at $499, which yes, is more than the Kindle, but you're getting a hell of a lot more than a Kindle. You're getting a device that displays full color. You're getting a device that responds to touch. You're getting a device that can use any of the thousands of iPhone or iTouch apps that already out there. You're getting a device which can use the iWork suite of software. You're getting a device which will play videos. You're getting a device that will import and display your photos. You're getting a device which will download and manage your e-mail and your calendar. You're getting a device that gives you a full (virtual) keyboard if you want to type something (and to which you can add an external keyboard if you wish). You're getting a device for which there's no right way to hold it -- it will display correctly in any orientation. You're getting a device that will play video (supposedly) for 10 hours. You're getting a device on which you could take classroom notes or write a story. You're getting a device that's weighs only as much as a hardback book (and not a doorstopper fantasy novel, either -- it's 1.5 pounds) and is half an inch thick.
I suspect this is going to be hot.
The 3G model will have an AT&T data plan that would be a separate cost, but I note that the device is not 'tethered' to AT&T -- I suspect we're going to hear about other options with this one before it's finally released in March (for the wireless-only model) or April (for the wireless + 3G model).
Given our budget, this is something I won't be able to get, but boy, am I going to want one. In fact, I already do...
'Bye Kindle.