An article by Mike Elgan, Computerworld
Last April, I wrote a column titled, “Why e-books are bound to fail.” My reasons: cost, the availability of better alternatives and, most importantly, book lovers love paper books.
I was wrong.
Last week, I set out to deflate the hype about Amazon’s new Kindle e-book reader and to tell you why it will fail. But while researching this column, I became convinced of the opposite: Kindle is revolutionary and will succeed in the market. Some percentage of book lovers, including me, will buy one to replace their beloved paper books, magazines and newspapers.
I’m not going to reproduce basic facts about Kindle widely covered elsewhere. If you want the basics, read the Newsweek cover story by Steven Levy, Linda Rosencrance’s excellent Computerworld report or check out Amazon’s own Kindle marketing page.
Instead, I’ll reveal some surprising facts about Amazon’s Kindle. But first let me tell you why the Kindle is such a revolutionary device.
Hype Unbounded
Does anyone need a better explanation for the level of skepticism that the Kindle has met when you run into schlock like this:
“Game-changing revolution”? This guy doesn’t have a clue one way or the other. He’s just rushing in to get on the bandwagon before anyone can make a claim more outlandish than his.
In ancient Greece, the Locrians were famous for requiring people to put a noose around their neck before suggesting a change to their constitution. If the suggestion was approved, the noose came off. If not…
I wish something like that would apply to writers like this. It might make them a bit more circumspect in their predictions.
I’ll love it when…
I’ll love the kindle when I can easily rip my print books to it.
Or, at least, when I can upload kindle books from my library.
I Agree
The Amazon Kindle has been able to combine lots of tools to make ebooks manageable. With whispernet, I no longer have the need to go to a book store and purchase $25 books when I can purchase $9.99 books from the comfort of my own home.
Kindle Version 1.0 Is a Great Start
I tend to believe the Kindle is a huge step in the right direction. I also think it opens the door for an interesting new content model for books. I blogged about it here: http://jwikert.typepad.com/the_average_joe/2007/12/unlimited-conte.html
I’m curious to see what others think of the concept.
Joe Wikert
Publishing 2020 Blog (www.joewikert.com)
Kindleville Blog (www.kindleville.com)