![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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.
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
From:
no subject
If you don't use your computer to do heavy-lifting, capital-W Work -- to create novels, websites, or corporate presentations, to edit and process professional video or photography, to program, debug, and compile software -- then the iPad is potentially your next computer. I suspect that's a significant percentage of the larger set of 'all computer users.'
I also suspect that for a significant percentage of Kindle users and potential Kindle users, the iPad is the better choice -- for those who don't buy a hundred books a year, but only two or three now and again. The iPad is an e-book reader with a significant catalog (five of the six Big Sisters of publishing have already signed on; Random House being the only holdout so far), melded with all the computer they need. Why buy a Kindle when for a couple hundred bucks more you get everything else you need in one (very attractive) package?
It may not kill the Kindle, but I would argue that it sure as hell is going to cripple it.
For you, though, the Kindle may still be the best choice: better battery life (it doesn't have to light up a screen), it weighs less, and you don't want/need a device to do the other tasks that the iPad could do.
From:
no subject
B
From:
no subject
From:
no subject
B
From:
no subject
B
From:
Comparing Jobs and Obama
B
From:
Re: Comparing Jobs and Obama