Amazon Kindle: Hands-on first impressions

In the house: Amazon's new Kindle

(Credit: Sarah Tew/CNET Networks)

The slow drip of rumors and leaks about the Amazon Kindle e-book reader exploded into a full-blown flood over the weekend, once it was revealed as this week's Newsweek cover story. Amazon founder and CEO Jeff Bezos filled in all of the remaining blanks (or most of them, anyway) at this morning's New York press conference that officially introduced the product to the world. Some relevant details, finally confirmed:

• Measurements: The Kindle weighs 10.3 ounces and is about the size of a trade paperback book. It's both taller and thicker than the Sony Reader.
• Connectivity: The Kindle connects to the Web via the "Amazon Whispernet," a free high-speed cellular wireless network (Sprint EVDO). Books and other content are available for direct download, without the need for connecting to a PC (though a USB port does provide PC connectivity for transferring files). The Kindle's internal memory can store up to 200 books, and it's expandable via an SD slot (which can also be used to load additional media).
• Books: Once you're online via EVDO, electronic books are available directly from Amazon for up to $10--just click on the title you want, and it's downloaded (and you're charged) in about a minute's time. Amazon is currently offering more than 90,000 titles, including 90 percent of the current New York Times bestsellers. The first chapter of most books can be previewed on the Kindle for free. Amazon keeps track of your purchases, so you can delete the file on the Kindle (to make space for more content) and then download it again later for no additional charge.
• Newspapers and magazines: The Kindle can also be used to subscribe to a variety of periodicals, including The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, Time, Le Monde, and Forbes. Newspaper subscriptions are $6 to $15 a month, and magazines are $1.25 to $3.49. Dailies are automatically delivered to the Kindle overnight, and each periodical includes a free two-week trial. (There appears to be no discount for existing subscribers of these periodicals.)
• Blogs: The Kindle also offers more than 300 blogs, including Slashdot, The Onion, BoingBoing, and Techcrunch--but these are customized Kindle versions that cost at least $1 a month. Moreover, unlike your RSS feeds, you can't add your favorite blog--if it's not on Amazon's list, you can't subscribe to it.
• Web browsing: The Kindle can also browse the Web at large (it has its own QWERTY keyboard directly below the screen), but--unlike the Kindle-ized premium content listed above--most standard Web pages are something of a disaster. The CNET home page, for instance, was rendered as 18 separate pages. Likewise, don't expect support for any plug-ins such as Flash.
• Notation and bookmarks: You can bookmark key passages of what you're reading, and (using the keyboard), make, edit, and export notes. The Kindle also saves your place when reading anything, so you can always pick up where you left off.
• Price and availability: The Kindle reader is now available from Amazon.com for $400.

CNET got one of the first review samples, and we've gotten a chance to put it through its paces. What do we think so far? Here's a quick and dirty appraisal, based on just a couple of hours of use:

The Good: Excellent high-contrast screen does a great job of simulating a printed page; large library of tens of thousands of e-books, newspapers, magazines, and blogs via Amazon's familiar online store; built-in "Whispernet" data network--no PC needed; built-in keyboard for notes; SD card expansion slot; long battery life.

The Bad: Design is ergonomic, but not very elegant; pricing for nearly all the content seems too high, especially considering the periodicals and blogs are available for free online; black-and-white screen is fine for books, but less impressive for periodicals and Web content; lacks a true Web browser; included cover is clumsy and poorly designed; yet another dedicated device you'll need to lug around with you.

The Bottom Line: With its built-in wireless capabilities and PC-free operation, Amazon's Kindle is a promising evolution of the electronic book (and newspaper, and magazine)--but overpriced content could be its Achilles' heel.

In other words, the Kindle is a very promising gadget that offers the potential to revolutionize how we read books and periodicals--but I just don't see myself buying one (and I read about two books a month). But again, that's a very preliminary evaluation. The full review is coming soon. In the meantime, let us know if you have any questions about the Kindle's capabilities. And, of course, your opinions: is the Kindle the next must-have gadget, or is there a dealbreaker or two that keeps it from missing the mark? And how many of you are just holding out for the iTunes Bookstore on your iPhone or iPod Touch? Or would prefer to spend your $400 on an Asus EEE PC instead?

Correction: This article initially misstated the Kindle's built-in connectivity options. It connects to the Web via a high-speed wireless network called Amazon Whispernet.

[05062043]

Amazon's "Kindle"

When I saw this on G.M.A. this morning I thought it was a good idea and that I wanted one. I thought: Save Trees (less paper used) and how convenient to carry in purse instead of a book, which may weigh more. Then I read that each book costs $10 to download (approx.) Most books I buy cost $6-$8. If they lower the price of the downloads I might reconsider but right now I doubt I'll buy one.

[fmou]

The year is 1980!

Ugly...who designed this thing? Who will walk around with it? (not me...)

[Mac User Too]

Lack of an internet browser is a dealbreaker

In this era when even phones have access to the internet, the Kindle's lack of
one smacks of forcing the user to buy Amazon content. Even iPods (which are
much maligned for forcing you to buy from iTunes) allow content from other
(user-created) sources. Amazon should decide if their business model is selling
content (my guess), or selling hardware. If it is selling hardware, then facilitate
free blogs, internet, etc. on the Kindle. If it is selling content, then lower the
price. I'll wait for Apple's mini-tablet and iBooks.

[dr_when]

Put it in perspective

Actually, I still own a Nuvomedia Rocketbook and still use but not with purchased ebooks. I have been interested also in Sony's version of the Ebook. But Sony turned me off long ago with their MemorySchtick(ugh!!). I just ordered the Kindle and love the idea that no matter where I am I can download a new book for just a little more than paper prices. I am not a greeny but book printing has gotten out of hand (look at a second hand book store). I think the price for a book appears to be fair and we shall see. I have an Ipod Touch and use that for web browsing. I don't need an ebook for that. Yes, maybe someday the Touch will support ebooks but the battery life and screen size make that kind of a pain. To me, this is the Rocketbook reborn and like it or not, Amazon has a killer here and this WILL take off in a big way. You read it here.

Doctor When

[saxcodger]

Kindle uses New Yotk Times Reader?

I haven't seen confirmation of this anywhere. But does Kindle use the New York Times Reader software to display newspaper content? It looks like that's what Kindle is using in the pictures. (The Times developed this application for formating its stories and photos on any type or shape of computer display.)

[lmoretti]

Has promises but....

I currently use my smartphone for reading books thru MS Reader - it converts the books to be readable on the screen without scrolling, the typeface is great and its backlit as well. I carry about 100 books on my phone so far. I really doubt i would buy dedicated hardware simply to read books/surf the net. What i would rather see from Amazon is the ebook software and catalog without the hardware. That way i can purchase/download the books onto my tablet pc using wifi and then use that as my reader during travel/commutes.

[jcohen66]

the worst ever

This is the worst ever blog to read. Cnet should be ashamed and red-faced about it. Your information, I'm sure is great, but it's hell to follow and understand.
Joel Cohen. www.RestaurantMarketingBlog.com

[mochant]

Kindle impresions - from someone who has one

To all the nay-sayers: a few thoughts from someone who has a Kindle in hand and is loving it.

1. It's well-designed device, both in terms of the physical and the interaction design. It extends the reading experience in a number of dimensions making it more portable, more interactive, and more practical. Portable because I can now have a vast quantity of material with me without the bulk and weight. Interactive because it has enough connectivity to resources like a dictionary, Wikipedia, and web links to extend the reading experience to these associated data sources. Practical because I will definitely save money paying only $10 for new books instead of $15-20 or paying the cost of waiting for the paperback to come out.

2. I actually like the cover. It *does* seem like a kludge at first but it works well once you've spent a few minutes reading with the Kindle slipped into it. It also addresses the issue of transporting this around either by itself or in my gadget bag free from worries about scratching and bumps.

3. The ability to browse and sample, anytime I want is a game changer.

Yes it has flaws and limitations. Yes the cost of entry is high (as it is for any first-gen device that redefines the space it competes in). Yes, I fully expect that future versions of the device will be more evolved and that, over time, the quantity of content will go up and the price will come down. I still couldn't wait to get my hands on one.

[jclevel1]

Kindling (Hardware solution for DRM)

This device will become kindling before you know it. It is yet another specialized device in a world of multipurpose and multifunctional devices with nothing truly amazing about it to speak of. Why in the world would anyone want to buy yet another "specialized" device and lug it around with them. The only aspect that seems "special" is the eInk, but that is where the novelty ends and the pain begins. Having access to the internet through EVDO is not something that should be deemed special. Being able to download books is not something that should be deemed special. Paying for blogs is something that should be deemed next to criminal. All in all, I think that the Kindle is really just a hardware solution for Digital Rights Management (DRM) and that a PDA, Smartphone, or Ultra Mobile PC (UMPC) would be a MUCH BETTER purchase.

[Rickgil]

It is not advertised as a do-it-all device. It is dedicated to do ONE task, and it does it extremely well. If you want an all-in-one device that doesn't do any single thing particularly well, these devices are everywhere, be my guest.. I like dedicated devices. I may have more things to "lug around", but they all do what they were designed to do very well.

[mlhotz]

Kindle: Will it satisfy everyone's tastes?

I don't own one yet, but it certainly has aroused my curiosity. I have one major concern with this technology though: Availabilty of literature.

90,000 titles, most of which are on the New York Times best sellers list, may sound impressive, but most of that does not really interest me (an probably many others too). I suppose my main question about this technology would be, "how dedicated is Amazon.com going to be to digitize older literature as well as the new?". Unless this technology is going to be much like a library, where many journals, technical and scientific books, historical literature, as well as novels and best-sellers are all available, I cannot see myself spending $400 for such a device. However, if this new technology does prove to satisfy more than just the tastes of those who are interested in reading the New York Times, or Financial Post, then this might just be the technology to convert even the most faithful book readers.

Will I be able to download even the local newspaper that I read every day? Will I be able to use this device to download other literature like academic documents, books and journals? Will all literature offered on Amazon.com be digitized and available for download? The technology certainly has promise, but will Amazon.com come through and make it happen, or will most be spending $400 on a limited tool that we will only use for "some" of our reading pleasure?

I'm going to sit on the fence for a while longer to see where Amazon.com goes with this technology before I make any $400 committment.

[Bill Polhemus]

Version 1.0 Of Anything...

...is usually too limited and too expensive. I don't get why this thing is more expensive than 90% of the smartphones out there - not to mention that the "software" is a bit pricey as well. Why not just purchase books? They're portable and don't need recharging.

Now, if they cut the price down to about $100 less than your typical cell phone, and have the downloads be, say $0.99 to $2.99 depending on content, I'd seriously consider it. Otherwise, this is just "geek factor," nothing more.

[phrelin]

An Almost Un-American Product

It's hard to believe Amazon decided to not allow a connection to the internet with this product unless someone is in a Sprint Service Area. According to Amazon's own service map, this means that within 60%+ of the Continental United States one cannot use this product without traveling over 50 miles to get a Sprint connection.

As Sony Reader users and long-time heavy Amazon users, we were stunned to be deliberately excluded from use of this device by Amazon. It's no big tech feat to have included an ordinary wi-fi connection or a way to connect it to the internet through a computer? And we were so looking forward to buying two.

[EbookSeeker]

There are new reader versions, Sony PRS700BC and Kindle2. You get detail of them at http://www.coolcheapest.com/ebookreader.aspx