[cwnavy1]

I still use the kindle when I run out of battery in yhe Ipod, or when I leave it at work. Since my place is saved regardless of th reader used, it's no problem. We are giving thought as to which of our kids could use our kindles best.

[jackz]

Wife and I each have the latest Kindles and use and enjoy them regularly. I like the fact that when either of us order a book, they can be downloaded on both kindles at no extra cost. Also, one of the newer kindle covers comes with a built in light that works off the kindle battery and does a great job.

[brostholder]

Google just announced that they will be offering ebooks to compete with Amazon. I have owned a kindle for about a year now, and I love it. But Google's ebooks will be able to be downloaded on iPads, iPhones, and the Barnes and Nobel Nook, but not on my kindle. I think that if I had to do it all over again, I would just get an iPad. Again, I have been very happy with my kindle but would also like to have access to all the books that google has scanned into their database.

[faithfulfrank]

I downloaded the free Amazon app for Kindle on my macbookPro. I already have over 25 books downloaded, many of them free. I've really enjoyed reading these books on my laptop.
I'm holding out for the next generation ipad....which according to recent rumors will be out within 100 days......

Frank

[tudacee]

I'm also waiting for the next gen of the iPad...guess I'll have to start counting from 100 on down.

Part of me also wants the Kindle, but if I get the iPad, it just seems like wanting too much and getting greedy.

what do you think will be in the next IPad???

[jblum8156]

Originally Posted by dominick

Not that it means anything, but the latest issue of Money Magazine rated the Barnes and Noble Nook over the Amazon Kindle and the Sony ebook versions.
I guess that I'm "Old School" in this respect. I read a lot, and I really enjoy going down to Barnes and Noble to spend some time and buy a book. I know that I could browse the books using the ebooks, but I suspect that I wouldn't like it as much. I like the "feel" of skulking around B & N and picking out a new book.
One question though, and this could easily change my entire perception of book buying---(always looking for a deal) I read mostly non-fiction new releases and best sellers. I'm in the B & N club and receive 30% to 40% discounts on most purchases that I make, plus regular coupons for an additional 15%. This brings down the out of pocket price for a newly released book from $28 to $15 - $16 (including tax). What would be the price of a similar book using the ebook devices???

I have a Kindle. The price now is $139 for the standard Kindle, $189 if you get it with built-in 4G connection and WiFi. I downloaded 6 new books this morning for a total cost of $59. Most new books are $9.99, some are less, some are $14 or $15. There are thousands of classics (expired copyrights) that are free.

[faithfulfrank]

There are many newer books that are also free. Some of them are a first of a series, as they are hoping you buy the rest of the series.

As to the next ipad, strong rumors suggest it will be face-time capable, with both front and rear facing cameras. It may also have a SD card slot.

We'll see this spring!

Frank D.

[BBQMan]

Originally Posted by brostholder

Google just announced that they will be offering ebooks to compete with Amazon. I have owned a kindle for about a year now, and I love it. But Google's ebooks will be able to be downloaded on iPads, iPhones, and the Barnes and Nobel Nook, but not on my kindle. I think that if I had to do it all over again, I would just get an iPad. Again, I have been very happy with my kindle but would also like to have access to all the books that google has scanned into their database.

IIMHO, Google has made serious mistakes getting into the ereader market. The Alex is nearly three times the price of the entry Kindle ereader - Kindle 3. They use the same technology for reading, E ink, though Kindle has a newer and better generation. Alex has the same size-reading screen as Kindle 3 and B&N nook - 6". The critical difference is that Alex and Nook they have the same battery life, 6 hours. Kindle 3 has a battery life of 28 DAYS.

Alex also tried to compete with Apple's iPad. The iPad is nearly the equal of a laptop and easier to carry than any laptop including the Mac Air. Failing to use full capable MS applications is its greatest shortfall. Alex falls so far short of this that it is no contest. Again, Alex has a 6 hour battery life and iPad has a ten hour life (I have verified that for the iPad).

Google tried to find a 'sweet spot' between Kindle and iPad - they discovered by trying to be all things too all people, they failed and the result was an ereader that did nothing particularly well and fell short in all too many areas.

If you want a reader - get Kindle. If you want a multipurpose tablet, get the iPad. Sony, Barnes & Noble, Google, etc. are similar to Commodore and Radio Shack in the early days of personal computers.

As for the libraries, Kindle books can be read on computers, iPads, iPhones and Android phones and readers. Google, for some reason, has chosen not to make its books unavailable to Kindle owners. Making your books unavailable to more than 75% of the market makes no sense to me.

I've used every generation of Kindle as well as recent generations of iPhones and iPads. I take my iPhone and iPad nearly everywhere I go. I take my Kindle 3 when I need something smaller than the iPad and want to travel light. It is lighter, fits into the side pocket of my blazer and never needs a charger during the trip. Just my input to the discussion.

[iandwk]

After looking at the Kindle at Staples and the Nook at B&N, we decided to splurge and buy an ipad. You can get free apps for the Kindle and the Nook, plus ipad has their own store for books. I have a very difficult time trying to type on the keyboards that come with the Kindle and the Nook, but can type very well on the ipad. Plus the ipad does a lot of the things that I customarily do with a desktop. Also, since my wife and I both bought one (our Christmas gift to one another), we can both download the same book at the Kindle store since we are using the same Amazon account. You pay a bit more but you get a lot more imho.

One great advantage we have found with an e-reader is the use of the Bible. It's free, it's searchable, and has many other unexpected features. Great for taking to church. Often during a sermon or Bible class something is said that reminds me of a passage, and I seldom can remember where it is. No problem with an e-reader. Just type in a couple of the words and all passages with that combination of words comes up. I think the same feature works with other books, also.

I still like to sit with a book in my lap, but I love the ipad.

[faithfulfrank]

ianwk,
I also have about 3-4 versions of the Bible on my ipod touch. I also use it in church and sunday school.....I suppose some folks think I'm rudely texting on a phone or something, until it's my turn to read a verse or two......and I think the teens get a kick from seeing an "old guy" be tech savvy.....

[joannej]

Originally Posted by BBQMan

I have been using my Kindle since it came out last year. It is a wonderful device that despite being expensive 'out of the box' will save you money on books, newspapers and magazines. It also means a lot less to lug around with you. You can store about 200 books on a Kindle in this nice slim 10 oz package. Most NYT best sellers are $9.95 and the classic books cost only a dollar or two. You will never lose your place in a book again and you will be spared the drudgery of moving boxes of books!

I urge anyone who is interested to go to Amazon.com and then click over to Kindle. The product has been very well thought out and is a breeze to use. BTW Font sizes are easily changed but the color is B&W only. I'll check back if someone has questions.

______________________________________________

I love my Kindle. There are also offers for free books from time to time that can be downloaded on a Kindle. There are also games, like Scrabble, and newspapers & magazines that are downloadable. If you buy the Kindle that does not use whispernet to download books, it only cost $139. There is also a cover that is lit for reading Kindle in the dark.

[Pturner]

Originally Posted by BBQMan

IIMHO, Google has made serious mistakes getting into the ereader market. The Alex is nearly three times the price of the entry Kindle ereader - Kindle 3. They use the same technology for reading, E ink, though Kindle has a newer and better generation. Alex has the same size-reading screen as Kindle 3 and B&N nook - 6". The critical difference is that Alex and Nook they have the same battery life, 6 hours. Kindle 3 has a battery life of 28 DAYS.

Alex also tried to compete with Apple's iPad. The iPad is nearly the equal of a laptop and easier to carry than any laptop including the Mac Air. Failing to use full capable MS applications is its greatest shortfall. Alex falls so far short of this that it is no contest. Again, Alex has a 6 hour battery life and iPad has a ten hour life (I have verified that for the iPad).

Google tried to find a 'sweet spot' between Kindle and iPad - they discovered by trying to be all things too all people, they failed and the result was an ereader that did nothing particularly well and fell short in all too many areas.

If you want a reader - get Kindle. If you want a multipurpose tablet, get the iPad. Sony, Barnes & Noble, Google, etc. are similar to Commodore and Radio Shack in the early days of personal computers.

As for the libraries, Kindle books can be read on computers, iPads, iPhones and Android phones and readers. Google, for some reason, has chosen not to make its books unavailable to Kindle owners. Making your books unavailable to more than 75% of the market makes no sense to me.

I've used every generation of Kindle as well as recent generations of iPhones and iPads. I take my iPhone and iPad nearly everywhere I go. I take my Kindle 3 when I need something smaller than the iPad and want to travel light. It is lighter, fits into the side pocket of my blazer and never needs a charger during the trip. Just my input to the discussion.

I agree with your assessment about the ereaders. I haven't sprung for an iPad. I've used one, but I can't get passed it being just a bigger iPhone without the phone and camera. As a mini-computer, a netbook is more versatile, assuming you already have all those cool iPad/ iPhone apps on your iPhone. Guess I'm in the minority on that one!

[barb1191]

Originally Posted by Pturner

I agree with your assessment about the ereaders. I haven't sprung for an iPad. I've used one, but I can't get passed it being just a bigger iPhone without the phone and camera. As a mini-computer, a netbook is more versatile, assuming you already have all those cool iPad/ iPhone apps on your iPhone. Guess I'm in the minority on that one!

Well, I join you in the minority. I have found it tempting to go for the iPad and then pause to rationalize that my laptop serves most of my online interests and do I really need that iPad? I continue to feel, nope really don't need it. I have the Kindle and am pleased with that and can watch television and movies on my laptop, so my toys are just fine, as we speak.

barb

[BeeGee]

Originally Posted by iandwk

After looking at the Kindle at Staples and the Nook at B&N, we decided to splurge and buy an ipad. You can get free apps for the Kindle and the Nook, plus ipad has their own store for books. I have a very difficult time trying to type on the keyboards that come with the Kindle and the Nook, but can type very well on the ipad. Plus the ipad does a lot of the things that I customarily do with a desktop. Also, since my wife and I both bought one (our Christmas gift to one another), we can both download the same book at the Kindle store since we are using the same Amazon account. You pay a bit more but you get a lot more imho.

One great advantage we have found with an e-reader is the use of the Bible. It's free, it's searchable, and has many other unexpected features. Great for taking to church. Often during a sermon or Bible class something is said that reminds me of a passage, and I seldom can remember where it is. No problem with an e-reader. Just type in a couple of the words and all passages with that combination of words comes up. I think the same feature works with other books, also.

I still like to sit with a book in my lap, but I love the ipad.

I've asked "Santa" for a Kindle this year for Christmas. Have been going back and forth Nook - Kindle. But have decided that the Kindle would meet my needs (that are outlined very well in this thread). I, too, like the idea of taking the Kindle w/me to Church. I've read some reviews, however, about the "print" wearing off the keys on the Kindle. Has anyone experienced this? Thanks

[logdog]

Originally Posted by Pturner

Go for it!

Hoping it will help you decide, here are exerpts from the review I posted on Amazon around May 2008, shortly after purchasing the Kindle 1:

Oh for the love of Kindle! In the month I've owned it, I've spent at least an hour a day (often more), dog at my side, cat in my lap, Kindle in hand, lost in a good read. It has exceeded my expectations because:

* It's easy to read on Kindle. I hate reading text on a computer screen. Reading Kindle is in some ways easier on the eye than reading a print book. For example, pick the size type you want. I read Kindle with its cover on, so it feels like holding a book-- except lighter.

* Need to look up a word in the dictionary? You're a scroll and two clicks away. One more click returns you to your place in the book. As a result, I look up more words that I'm unsure of than I used to.

* Want to read an endnote? Again, you're a scroll and click away--and another click returns you to where you were.

* You can bookmark pages, highlight text and take notes. These are all saved for easy retrieval. Want to search for something in the book you didn't highlight, bookmark or make a note about? No Problem. You can type in a search.

* There's no need to bookmark the page you stopped on. No matter how many different items (books, magazines, blogs, newspapers) you might be reading, when you open an item, it opens to the page you left off.

* With these and other capabilities you would think there would be a learning curve. Not. It is remarkably intuitive and easy to use immediately.

* Kindle is easy to carry in my purse. Waiting at the doctor's office or standing in a long line is no longer irritating. I just turn on Kindle, select content-- and feel content. Wow.

* Wirelessly downloading content is a breeze. It's amazingly easy to find what you are looking for. You can read reviews or download just the first chapter for free before deciding whether to buy. You can save items to buy later, then return to your saved items easily.

* Subscriptions are delivered before you wake up in the morning. Wake up, get coffee, start reading the morning paper. To think you used to have to throw on something decent and go to the end of the driveway!

* It takes two hours to charge and the charge lasts a week even with a lot of reading. Battery life is less when you download content.

Kindle was worth every penny I paid. Let me be the first to make it a verb it: I Kindle daily.

The Nook does everything a Kindle does plus you can share books and check out library books with the Nook. Also, you can take your Nook to Barnes & Noble and read best sellers for an hour at a time for free and they usually offer free smoothies, candies and some other treat when you show your Nook. B&N offers free ebooks every Friday. Most don't appeal to me but there are one or two keepers every month. The Nook also has expansion capability and allows you to change your batteries. The current Kindle has to be sent back to Amazon if the battery dies.

If you like to read for long periods of time, buy a Kindle or Nook (black & white versions). They are both good but I like being able to access library books with the Nook. Dedicated black & white e-readers are easier on the eyes. You can't read them in the dark without a light but neither can you read a regular book in the dark.

If you're an occasional reader, get one of the many color pads. They are much more versatile. You can compare several models plus the Nook and Kindle at Best Buy.