frankenreview - Gizmodo

posts about #frankenreview more →
Gizmodo's Amazon Kindle 2 Review Matrix
10 Takes on the Blackberry Storm
Round Up: Nine iPhone 3G Battery Life Test Results
6 Takes On The Samsung Instinct (aka iPhone Hunter)
6 Takes On The Netflix Player
5 Takes on the Canon Rebel XSi
First 6 Takes on Zune 80 (Verdict: Better Than iPod Classic?)
9 Takes on Asus Eee PC
10 Takes on OSX Leopard
7 Takes On Palm Centro

Your version of Internet Explorer is not supported. Please upgrade to the most recent version in order to view comments.

Dsmvwl Admin Promote to frontpage Approve user Ban user ×

yoshi
02/26/09

In reply to Gizmodo's Amazon Kindle 2 Review Matrix
I am hoping Apple execs are looking at Kindle 2 saying "We gave Bezo's and Company their opportunity now IT'S TIME! Let's break out the Apple eBook fellas."

Apple eBook

Touch Screen like iPhone

Internet Access

App and Bookstore

Itunes

Basically one big ass iPhone eBook type device.
Reply

yoshi was starred yoshi was unstarred

frigg
02/24/09

In reply to Gizmodo's Amazon Kindle 2 Review Matrix
I can't make up my mind about this. If I used it, actually used it, then it would be great. But if I didn't feel comfortable reading from it, and used it just long enough to hate it, then it would be a big waste of money.

An elderly author who I never thought would like something like this recently told me he bought one and loved it. So I'm thinking, if he liked it maybe I should get over my predisposition to think it's an antiseptic substitute for a real book, a harbinger of a society when eink will eventually supplant all printed materials except wedding invitations, but a harbinger nonetheless. Ahhhh. I don't want to buy a harbinger. I don't even know what a harbinger is. I should read more. Maybe I'll get one of these things after all.
Reply

frigg was starred frigg was unstarred

weatherman
02/25/09

@frigg: I think you're feeling the same way I felt almost a year ago. I wasn't sure that I'd like reading on one, and didn't want to lay out the $400 (at the time) for the Kindle. So instead I got a used PRS-500 for $130 and it has been one of the best tech purchases I've made. Of course now that I've spent a year with the slightly older (and less clear) screen technology, I'm inclined to upgrade to a Kindle 2, but I'm holding off for the moment.

My recommedation to you would be to take advantage of all the people who are upgrading their readers right now and get a used reader for cheap. In the next few months I think we'll see a lot of Kindle 1's and Sony 500/505's hit ebay and craigslist, and you'll probably be able to get a 500 for about the same price I did, and a used 505 should go for no more than $200.

Here's a little trick I've used that works really well; type in the product that you want into google and do a nationwide search of craigslist. You'll often find that people are selling them cheaper than on ebay and some are willing to ship. Example: prs-505 site:craigslist.org.
Reply

weatherman was starred weatherman was unstarred

weatherman
02/25/09

@weatherman: oh, and it seems that Kindle 1's are going for about $150 right now on craigslist.
Reply

weatherman was starred weatherman was unstarred

AloysiusChiron
02/24/09

In reply to Gizmodo's Amazon Kindle 2 Review Matrix
I think the textbook idea has a lot of possibility. Ever see how many books junior high kids carry around in their backpack? I am sure the pro-scoliosis society will lobby against it.

I'd love to see more manual type books get Kindle-ized before I will bite. I'd love to have a Kindle loaded with books on using Pro Tools, Logic, Reason, etc. all in one place ready for consultation as needed. I buy a ton of these non-fiction instructional books, but none are ever available on Kindle.
Reply

AloysiusChiron was starred AloysiusChiron was unstarred

frigg
02/24/09

@AloysiusChiron: I agree. It'd be great to have easy reference for those apps on a kindle.

Slightly OT, but have you checked out Macprovideo:

[www.macprovideo.com]

They have a lot of good instructional videos for Logic, ProTools, etc.
Reply

frigg was starred frigg was unstarred

Gary_7vn
02/24/09

In reply to Gizmodo's Amazon Kindle 2 Review Matrix
Korea will start to distribute digital textbooks to all student in 2013.

[en.wikipedia.org]

This should be done here and done now. Digital textbooks are superiour in every way. They are greener, richer, searchable, cheaper, updateable - just better.

I was very happy to see, that unlike in the past there is only one bookosaur claiming that we will prise his greasy paperback from his cold dead hands. The times are changing at last. I have been advocating for ebooks for over 20 years.

This kindle is getting there. Almost. I would like to see one with an lcd screen on the other side for web surfing and multimedia content. Now that's change you can believe in.

Are you listening Obama?
Reply

Gary_7vn was starred Gary_7vn was unstarred

frigg
02/24/09

@Gary_7vn: Korea is a model for subsidized broadband and other tech innovation that many in the Obama administration do seem to admire.
Reply

frigg was starred frigg was unstarred

Dreamwriter
02/24/09

In reply to Gizmodo's Amazon Kindle 2 Review Matrix
How come there's always someone in these who says "it's WAY more expensive than buying a used book"? If you're the kind of person who scrimps and saves and only buys ratty old yellowing used books or only ever checks books out from the library, then the Kindle is obviously not for you.

But for the rest of us, who actually buy new books from bookstores, it's a great deal. Brand new hardcovers go for $20-$25...but only $10 on the Kindle. Older paperbacks tend to go for the same price on Kindle as if you bought the book itself. The Kindle ends up saving money in the long run, depending on the books you buy.
Reply

Dreamwriter was starred Dreamwriter was unstarred

Platypus Man
02/24/09

@Dreamwriter: OK, so let's use your numbers and see when it pays for itself. For the biggest difference, let's say all the books you're buying are $25 in the bookstore (as per your estimate) and $10 on the Kindle. Well, the Kindle is $359, but let's call that $360 for easier math. Before it's even started to save you money, you'll have to buy 24 books ($600 in stores or $240 on Kindle).

So, yeah, if you're going to buy at least 24 books, it'll even out, but not before then. And it'd take me a while to read through 24 books. But if that's a different story for you, then go for it.
Reply

Platypus Man was starred Platypus Man was unstarred

weatherman
02/25/09

@Platypus Man: well if you read the newspaper daily, it pays for itself in one year as well. $359 + $14/mo for the wireless subscription to the New York Times = $527. Yearly home delivery subscription to the NY Times (in NYC) = $551.

Other newspapers and magazines are even less expensive, and they're all ad-free.
Reply

weatherman was starred weatherman was unstarred

OMG! Ponies!
02/24/09

In reply to Gizmodo's Amazon Kindle 2 Review Matrix
"The I-phone lets you read books in the dark, something you cannot do on Kindle".

When am I going to read in the dark? At the movies? For $12 a ticket, I'm watching the movie. In the middle of the night? I have a lamp. And I sleep. Sometimes.
Reply

OMG! Ponies! was starred OMG! Ponies! was unstarred

Derek Tishler
02/24/09

@OMG! Ponies!:

at night? Vampires don't read huh? Dude your racist...
Reply

Derek Tishler was starred Derek Tishler was unstarred

bobothepanda
02/24/09

@Derek Tishler: Racist isn't the right word, but i totally agree, really can't prejudice like that Ponies.
Reply

bobothepanda was starred bobothepanda was unstarred

frigg
02/24/09

@bobothepanda: It's the subtle forms of discrimination against the undead that hurt the most.
Reply

frigg was starred frigg was unstarred

sdsviet
02/24/09

In reply to Gizmodo's Amazon Kindle 2 Review Matrix
definitely would have love some sort of backlight as i usually read at night and in places where a table lamp isnt close by and i dont want the whole room lit just to read.
Reply

sdsviet was starred sdsviet was unstarred

dirtybacon
02/24/09

@sdsviet: back-lit screens aren't as comfortable to read. I do grumble that I need a booklight for reading my Sony reader at night, but that is the same for books.
Reply

dirtybacon was starred dirtybacon was unstarred

MobileEMP
02/24/09

In reply to Gizmodo's Amazon Kindle 2 Review Matrix
Until I win the lottery, I'm probably just going to stick to real books. You have to realize that $10 is an absurd price to buy a book that may or may not have DRM on it; especially after its prohibitive initial price tag. I think I'll just go to half priced books or get cheap used books somewhere else.

Before you yell at me and say that you can't just have the selection that the Kindle has at your fingertips from a real book, ask yourself, "How many books do I really read in a week?" I think you will find that ordering real books from Amazon and reading a book in the time it takes you to wait for those is a far better solution.
Reply

MobileEMP was starred MobileEMP was unstarred

dirtybacon
02/24/09

@MobileEMP: I agree with you... but for people who travel it's worth it. I am one, and so I bought myself a Sony reader.
Reply

dirtybacon was starred dirtybacon was unstarred

RyaninCalgary
11/20/08

In reply to 10 Takes on the Blackberry Storm
No WIFI = POS
Reply

RyaninCalgary was starred RyaninCalgary was unstarred

sos10
11/20/08

@RyaninCalgary: indeed.
Reply

sos10 was starred sos10 was unstarred

Jrsy Devil's Advocate®
11/20/08

In reply to 10 Takes on the Blackberry Storm
How long before the Poular Mechanics guy is ripping one of these apart to clean the lint out from under the click-screen once this gets disabled just like his iphone...

[gizmodo.com]
Reply

Jrsy Devil's Advocate®
11/20/08

In reply to 10 Takes on the Blackberry Storm
@tsunamisurf: Wow, that was deep and insightful...
Reply

tsunamisurf
11/20/08

In reply to 10 Takes on the Blackberry Storm
pns
Reply

tsunamisurf was starred tsunamisurf was unstarred

Kaiser-Machead
11/20/08

@tsunamisurf: Looks like someone should've used a 3 and a 1 instead.
Reply

Kaiser-Machead was starred Kaiser-Machead was unstarred

klaybc
11/20/08

@tsunamisurf:

Pens?

Pansy?

Ponsu?

What? What!?
Reply

klaybc was starred klaybc was unstarred

Jrsy Devil's Advocate®
11/20/08

@klaybc: He was just showing his appreciation for the large 'button' layout of the touch/click screen. Now he can use his fingers for input instead of tapping away with his favorite, small stylus like implement....
Reply

Earlier discussions Other discussions Show all discussions Show featured discussions only Start a new discussion

Gizmodo Team

SUBSCRIBE TO Gizmodo

Login

Reset Password

Register

Submit Your Comment