6 ms·

The Kindle Won

17 points by jordanmessina 16y ago

borism 16y ago
B&N nook - Crunchies 2010 Best New Gadget winner: http://techcrunch.com/2010/01/08/crunchies-winner/ http://techcrunch.com/2010/01/08/crunchies-winner/ Whatever, TechCrunch!
showerst 16y ago
iPad, anyone? I know they're not quite for the same purpose, particularly considering the advantages of eInk for a reading-only medium, but not to even mention it seems bizarre.
- raimondious 16y ago
  This article is a bunch of opinions on a foggy premise. Won what?
  - code_duck 16y ago
    Agreed, it seems pretty content free. TechCrunch is not known for in-depth, insightful journalism, I suppose.
- edash 16y ago
  This article was explaining why Kindle (the software, not the device) has won. Kindle is available for the iPad (and the iPhone, where iBooks isn't yet available) and anyone who already has a large library of Kindle books will be more likely to stick with Kindle than move to iBooks. The device is going to struggle (I think Seth Godin's suggestion to reduce the price to cost is a good one) but the software is where they need to win in order to accomplish what Amazon really wants: a large market share in eBooks.
  - ihodes 16y ago
    I've got iBooks on my iPhone right now—it's available.
  - dieterrams 16y ago
    But in typical TC linkbait fashion, they were fully aware that referencing "The Kindle" would immediately make people think of Kindle the device. Nobody refers to the software that way.
  - showerst 16y ago
    Ah, I'd missed the distinction, thanks.
- Splines 16y ago
  I find it ironic to say so, but you also have more choice on the iOS devices. Personally, I read using Stanza on my iPhone, because I feel it's a better reading application than the Kindle App. I don't think Amazon is going to drop the Kindle hardware anytime soon, purely because it's the only real way to get consumers locked in on the platform. Any other device has alternative reading applications, and switching is relatively easy. Apple could have, in a sort of passive-aggressive manner, attacked Amazon by making the iBook application capable of plugging into arbitrary e-book marketplaces/readers. This provides consumers choice and convenience, while removing Amazon's control on the platform and leveling the playing field.
  - rbanffy 16y ago
    There is a non-zero chance of Apple killing apps like Stanza because they create a confusing user interface by replicating functions already provided by the standard iBooks application. It may be unlikely, but all they have to do is to slow down the approval of them or create additional terms to the developer agreement.
jamesbressi 16y ago
I really enjoy my Nook over a Kindle. @showerst I have an iPad but just can't read books on it as long as I cam with e-ink (but with the addition of anti-glare/matte screen protector it is a bit better than before)
- unexpected 16y ago
  Why do you like your Nook more than a Kindle? When I was deciding between the two, the Kindle seemed more usable and more book-like. The user experience seemed better to me - didn't want to trade that for a color screen, less battery life, and weird usability quirks.
  - rbanffy 16y ago
    The Nook is easily hacked and runs Android. That's enough for me.
    - borism 16y ago
      indeed. I also liked design much better. And WiFi! and thanks to nookDevs we now have a range of Android software on Nook both from community and B&N itself (including browser, which AFAIK Kindle still struggles with)
1053r 16y ago
Has anyone seen any numbers on the difference between people using iBooks vs the kindle app on the iPad or iPhone? Anecdotally, I've heard lots of people say they wanted to get an iPad so they could use the kindle app, but the plural of anecdote is not data.
- bjelkeman-again 16y ago
  Usability wise I think iBooks is a lot better than Kindle on the iPad. For example: better page turning, easier to see how far you are into a book, better bookmarking, better search. I am not impressed by the Kindle software.
awa 16y ago
I think its a close battle between Nook & Kindle currently, both are good ebook readers, hence the quick price drop by Amazon in response to B&N. I think the next versions of both devices might decide the winners
- aplusbi 16y ago
  In terms of hardware I think you are correct. However the Kindle doesn't just refer to the device. It's also an app available on Windows, Mac OS X, iPhone/iPad and will be release for Android soon as well. Supposed B&N are going to release a Nook app, but it might be too little, too late.
  - runevault 16y ago
    They already have ereaders for win, mac, iPhone, and blackberry, plus a seperate one targeting the iPad. So they already can be read on most devices. Neither has one targeting the android platform yet so it seems rather even.
Tiktaalik 16y ago
I think that the war is just beginning. Currently eReaders are still niche products and I never see them on the street. However, they're just getting into stores now, where people will finally be able to interact with them before buying. Now that they're in stores I think competition will really start to heat up. Many folks will be seeing eReaders for the first time. Kobo has a presence at Borders in the USA and Indigo/Chapters in Canada. Kindle I understand is in Target and I'm not sure about anything in Canada. On the other hand one certainly wonders if the fight is irrelevant when considering the mighty iPad.
parallax7d 16y ago
Won? How can you win an ongoing battle?
InclinedPlane 16y ago
I find these "X won" "Y won" blog posts to be getting tiresome. This industry is one of the most fluid, most innovative, and most dynamic in history. The products, services, and companies at the top of the heap today will not be the same at the top of the heap in a year, let alone 5 years or 10. Things change. Every company has to keep up with the competition or they will fall behind. There is no Ragnarok-esque finish line, it just keeps going. If Apple had stopped at the iPhone v.1 it would have been an interesting footnote in history. As far as eBooks, we're in early days yet. I doubt we've seen anything even close to the "winner" for eBooks yet.
rbanffy 16y ago
I would like to say that DRM-free formats, will win, if they hadn't already. All the ebooks I have purchased are in DRM-free formats and I won't buy books in DRM-encumbered formats. All the magazines I subscribe to are either delivered in PDF or as dead trees. If I ever buy a DRM-ed title, I'll crack it and transport them to whatever device I have that I want to use. I currently favor the Nook and intend to buy one as soon as it becomes available here (or I pass through some place where it's available), mostly because it's easy to hack and runs Android. I currently read with Stanza and GoodReader on my iPod, but will move over to the Nook as soon as possible.
- MichaelGG 16y ago
  I used to think the same way. I'm very anti-DRM; I tend not to buy any products with DRM. But for books? I just really do not care. I used to save every book I bought, and for what purpose? Apart from a few reference works, I almost never re-read a book. It's a $10 spend, I'll read it in a week/month, and quite frankly, I don't mind throwing it away after that. Topping it off, Amazon has the best customer support I've ever experienced. I bought a couple of Kindles, broke one, returned it - got a new Kindle overnight plus a refund from just one email to support. I actually had to call them to let them know they didn't owe me a refund! I know this apathy towards DRM is harmful. It's the same apathy that leads to disgusting locked down and censored systems like the stuff from Apple (and WinPhone7). I don't put up with it on my phone (unlocked N1), I refuse to get any iPads, etc. -- but just acting as a consumer that wants to read eBooks, Kindle is nothing short of perfect.
  - rbanffy 16y ago
    > I don't mind throwing it away after that That's the point. I do and I keep them stored in a way I can quickly search books and magazines. Right now it's broken, but I had my home media server with my book and magazine collection neatly searchable via web. The ADSL modem was not very fast, but it was more than good enough for that.
minouye 16y ago
FWIW I finally bought a Kindle this week and the software and device portability really didn't factor into my decision. I still fail to understand how people are able to read books on their phones. My eyes start hurting after a couple of minutes. Am I in the minority on this?
- makmanalp 16y ago
  No, people who read books on their phones generally don't read any significant amount by any measure.

17 points by jordanmessina 16y ago

B&N nook - Crunchies 2010 Best New Gadget winner: http://techcrunch.com/2010/01/08/crunchies-winner/ http://techcrunch.com/2010/01/08/crunchies-winner/ Whatever, TechCrunch!

showerst 16y ago

iPad, anyone? I know they're not quite for the same purpose, particularly considering the advantages of eInk for a reading-only medium, but not to even mention it seems bizarre.

raimondious 16y ago
This article is a bunch of opinions on a foggy premise. Won what?
- code_duck 16y ago
  Agreed, it seems pretty content free. TechCrunch is not known for in-depth, insightful journalism, I suppose.
edash 16y ago
This article was explaining why Kindle (the software, not the device) has won. Kindle is available for the iPad (and the iPhone, where iBooks isn't yet available) and anyone who already has a large library of Kindle books will be more likely to stick with Kindle than move to iBooks. The device is going to struggle (I think Seth Godin's suggestion to reduce the price to cost is a good one) but the software is where they need to win in order to accomplish what Amazon really wants: a large market share in eBooks.
- ihodes 16y ago
  I've got iBooks on my iPhone right now—it's available.
- dieterrams 16y ago
  But in typical TC linkbait fashion, they were fully aware that referencing "The Kindle" would immediately make people think of Kindle the device. Nobody refers to the software that way.
- showerst 16y ago
  Ah, I'd missed the distinction, thanks.
Splines 16y ago
I find it ironic to say so, but you also have more choice on the iOS devices. Personally, I read using Stanza on my iPhone, because I feel it's a better reading application than the Kindle App. I don't think Amazon is going to drop the Kindle hardware anytime soon, purely because it's the only real way to get consumers locked in on the platform. Any other device has alternative reading applications, and switching is relatively easy. Apple could have, in a sort of passive-aggressive manner, attacked Amazon by making the iBook application capable of plugging into arbitrary e-book marketplaces/readers. This provides consumers choice and convenience, while removing Amazon's control on the platform and leveling the playing field.
- rbanffy 16y ago
  There is a non-zero chance of Apple killing apps like Stanza because they create a confusing user interface by replicating functions already provided by the standard iBooks application. It may be unlikely, but all they have to do is to slow down the approval of them or create additional terms to the developer agreement.

jamesbressi 16y ago

I really enjoy my Nook over a Kindle. @showerst I have an iPad but just can't read books on it as long as I cam with e-ink (but with the addition of anti-glare/matte screen protector it is a bit better than before)

unexpected 16y ago
Why do you like your Nook more than a Kindle? When I was deciding between the two, the Kindle seemed more usable and more book-like. The user experience seemed better to me - didn't want to trade that for a color screen, less battery life, and weird usability quirks.
- rbanffy 16y ago
  The Nook is easily hacked and runs Android. That's enough for me.
  - borism 16y ago
    indeed. I also liked design much better. And WiFi! and thanks to nookDevs we now have a range of Android software on Nook both from community and B&N itself (including browser, which AFAIK Kindle still struggles with)

1053r 16y ago

Has anyone seen any numbers on the difference between people using iBooks vs the kindle app on the iPad or iPhone? Anecdotally, I've heard lots of people say they wanted to get an iPad so they could use the kindle app, but the plural of anecdote is not data.

bjelkeman-again 16y ago
Usability wise I think iBooks is a lot better than Kindle on the iPad. For example: better page turning, easier to see how far you are into a book, better bookmarking, better search. I am not impressed by the Kindle software.

awa 16y ago

I think its a close battle between Nook & Kindle currently, both are good ebook readers, hence the quick price drop by Amazon in response to B&N. I think the next versions of both devices might decide the winners

aplusbi 16y ago
In terms of hardware I think you are correct. However the Kindle doesn't just refer to the device. It's also an app available on Windows, Mac OS X, iPhone/iPad and will be release for Android soon as well. Supposed B&N are going to release a Nook app, but it might be too little, too late.
- runevault 16y ago
  They already have ereaders for win, mac, iPhone, and blackberry, plus a seperate one targeting the iPad. So they already can be read on most devices. Neither has one targeting the android platform yet so it seems rather even.

Tiktaalik 16y ago

I think that the war is just beginning. Currently eReaders are still niche products and I never see them on the street. However, they're just getting into stores now, where people will finally be able to interact with them before buying. Now that they're in stores I think competition will really start to heat up. Many folks will be seeing eReaders for the first time. Kobo has a presence at Borders in the USA and Indigo/Chapters in Canada. Kindle I understand is in Target and I'm not sure about anything in Canada. On the other hand one certainly wonders if the fight is irrelevant when considering the mighty iPad.

parallax7d 16y ago

Won? How can you win an ongoing battle?

InclinedPlane 16y ago

I find these "X won" "Y won" blog posts to be getting tiresome. This industry is one of the most fluid, most innovative, and most dynamic in history. The products, services, and companies at the top of the heap today will not be the same at the top of the heap in a year, let alone 5 years or 10. Things change. Every company has to keep up with the competition or they will fall behind. There is no Ragnarok-esque finish line, it just keeps going. If Apple had stopped at the iPhone v.1 it would have been an interesting footnote in history. As far as eBooks, we're in early days yet. I doubt we've seen anything even close to the "winner" for eBooks yet.

rbanffy 16y ago

I would like to say that DRM-free formats, will win, if they hadn't already. All the ebooks I have purchased are in DRM-free formats and I won't buy books in DRM-encumbered formats. All the magazines I subscribe to are either delivered in PDF or as dead trees. If I ever buy a DRM-ed title, I'll crack it and transport them to whatever device I have that I want to use. I currently favor the Nook and intend to buy one as soon as it becomes available here (or I pass through some place where it's available), mostly because it's easy to hack and runs Android. I currently read with Stanza and GoodReader on my iPod, but will move over to the Nook as soon as possible.

MichaelGG 16y ago
I used to think the same way. I'm very anti-DRM; I tend not to buy any products with DRM. But for books? I just really do not care. I used to save every book I bought, and for what purpose? Apart from a few reference works, I almost never re-read a book. It's a $10 spend, I'll read it in a week/month, and quite frankly, I don't mind throwing it away after that. Topping it off, Amazon has the best customer support I've ever experienced. I bought a couple of Kindles, broke one, returned it - got a new Kindle overnight plus a refund from just one email to support. I actually had to call them to let them know they didn't owe me a refund! I know this apathy towards DRM is harmful. It's the same apathy that leads to disgusting locked down and censored systems like the stuff from Apple (and WinPhone7). I don't put up with it on my phone (unlocked N1), I refuse to get any iPads, etc. -- but just acting as a consumer that wants to read eBooks, Kindle is nothing short of perfect.
- rbanffy 16y ago
  > I don't mind throwing it away after that That's the point. I do and I keep them stored in a way I can quickly search books and magazines. Right now it's broken, but I had my home media server with my book and magazine collection neatly searchable via web. The ADSL modem was not very fast, but it was more than good enough for that.

minouye 16y ago

FWIW I finally bought a Kindle this week and the software and device portability really didn't factor into my decision. I still fail to understand how people are able to read books on their phones. My eyes start hurting after a couple of minutes. Am I in the minority on this?

makmanalp 16y ago
No, people who read books on their phones generally don't read any significant amount by any measure.