How the Kindle DX could be worth the price
The Kindle DX is too expensive.
(Credit: CNET)Amazon announced the Kindle DX Wednesday, sporting a bigger screen, more storage capacity, a built-in PDF reader, and better battery life (a full look at the new Kindle DX can be found here).
It's an upgrade over the current Kindle 2 for sure. But if you thought the Kindle 2 was expensive with its price tag of $359, you're probably shocked that the Kindle DX will retail for $489 when it's made available this summer.
The Kindle DX is too expensive. For what we're getting, which basically amounts to a larger Kindle 2 with more storage, I'm not impressed. But that doesn't mean it can't eventually be worth that price. With a few additions, I think the DX could eventually provide enough value to justify spending $489 on it.
A touch screen
As a Kindle 2 owner, one of the things I miss is a touch screen. I want to be able to highlight different sections of the book with my finger instead of using the knob. And I especially would like to be able to move the page around with my finger, while zooming in on sections with a "pinch"-like feature. Perhaps the
iPhone spoiled me a bit, but I think it's a more intuitive way of using devices like this. It would also make the Kindle feel more like a book instead of a gadget.
A better browser
One of my biggest complaints with the Kindle 2 is its browser. I realize that it's not designed to be a Web-browsing device, but if a browser is included when I open it up, I want it to work well. I've tried on numerous occasions to access different sites on my Kindle. The pages look awful. That's mainly due to the limitations of the Kindle's e-ink technology, but the Kindle DX won't have an improved display capable of handling Web browsing. So, like the Kindle 2, the DX's browser will be useless. Amazon needs to work on that browser.
A few bundled books
Amazon should ship the Kindle DX to consumers with a few free books. They can choose the books to be bundled with their DX at the time of purchase. Amazon can limit the selection to certain titles (books that were published more than a year ago, for example) if it wants, but any way you look at it, letting customers get some free books makes them more willing to spend $489.
Color
The Kindle DX needs color if Amazon wants to charge $489. There's just one catch: that capability is still a long way off.
GigaOm's Om Malik wrote an interesting report recently on the state of color e-books. He found that "a group of researchers at the University of Cincinnati in Ohio came up with a new technology that allows them to re-create the brightness and color capabilities of paper-based media." Those researchers claim they can "mimic the experience of glossy magazines."
Gamma Dynamics, a start-up in the field, is pursuing electrofluidic display technology to bring color to e-books. According to the company's Web site, the "long-term goal of reflective displays is to mimic the appearance of pigment on paper." In controlled tests, the company has been able to add some color to e-paper, but putting it into practice isn't close.
It might seem counterintuitive to suggest that Amazon add color (which won't be available for years) and a touch screen (which is a major technology shift) to a list of features the DX needs so close to its release, but I think it proves an important point: right now, the Kindle DX doesn't offer nearly enough to justify its ridiculous price tag. And chances are, it won't be worth that much until Amazon makes significant improvements to the Kindle.
So, maybe, Amazon needs to reconsider its pricing.
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Don Reisinger is a technology columnist who has written about everything from HDTVs to computers to Flowbee Haircut Systems. Don is a member of the CNET Blog Network, and posts at The Digital Home. He is not an employee of CNET. Disclosure.
One market is Lawyers. Lawyers have to read and mark up mountains of paper every day. Looking at this on a laptop screen is murder. Headaches abound. Lawyers will pay $1000 for it.
In a society built on capitalism, it's perfectly acceptable (nay, essential!) for companies to charge whatever they want. Besides, price is often based on cost of production, which in this case is extremely high. Don't want to pay it? Then don't buy it and stop complaining.
Well said!
That's not to say that toys are bad. if the Kindle 3 has a screen that rolls up (like the one Polymer Vision has demonstrated) it might just be too cool for me to pass up. But right now, meh.
Amazon needs to work a deal with periodical publishers so that the Kindle is free if you commit to a certain dollar value of subscriptions. For example, home delivery of the NY Times where I live (Washington DC) runs almost $700 per year. I am in no way tempted to subscribe at that rate. However, if I got a Kindle in exchange for the $700 commitment, that would be a different proposition.
While $500 is no big deal, the Kindle 2 seems, to me, to be a waste of money. I can pay $489 for a Kindle with no books or buy about 60 paperbacks which are smaller and lighter (individually), and are printed at a higher resolution. You can also write on them and you can transfer them temporarily or permanently to friends without worrying about DRM. The only advantages the Kindle has are searching and storage of multiple books in a small space. Personally, I'll take the 60 paperbacks.
SERIOUSLY, the elegance of the kindle is its simplicity and its clear purpose. the PSP suffers from "swiss army syndrome" by packaging way to many features in an unprepared package. $500 is a great price for the DX, keep in mind that it is not for everybody, and the price reflects that.
Would i buy on, yes i would, the larger screen and PDF functionality are plenty worth it. any one that reads numerous PDF's are technical manuals could benefit from it.
If you want a tablet PC then buy one...or an UMPC.
I disagree about color and web browsing. It's not what the device is for and those "features" are just thrown in to add some icing to the cake to make it more useful. That's not what it's intended for; so why should they put a lot of effort into developing those features? Color? The whole concept of e-Ink is for it not to be color and easier on the eyes.
I love the idea of making college books available on there for half the price, but as was pointed out in another article, you'd have to have it for three years to see a savings.
If the e-textbooks are almost 50% off than you would have saving the first semester of full time college. 3 years is very innacurate for a true full time student.
I buy books that are 200-300 dollars a piece. It would be nice to have a break in price. Not to mention I am a distance learning student through the University of Massachusetts. All of my books need to be shipped to me in California which is almost 100 dollars for 4 books.
With proper support from major universities the Kindle DX will be the newest technology for students. Not to mention that I have heard Universities will be giving free content like school maps and class notes for download. This would be great information to keep on a Kindle.
http://marquescamp.wordpress.com/2009/04/29/the-end-of-the-world-may-be-nigh-and-its-the-kindles-fault/
The Sony Digital Reader is $299. Size of the Kindle 1 & 2. No WiFi. No 3G wireless.
The price of the Kindle(s) includes the 3G wireless. Available in most of the US.
The browser does work, but it is crude by comparison to FireFox on my MacBook Pro. Duh. On the other hand, I can ONLY connect my MPB to the 'net at WiFi hotspots, or to a wire. I have a "subscription" to AT&T WiFI, but I could spend hours driving around towns looking for AT&T hotspots. Sure, there's some free ones. Or I guess I could just park outside someone's house and mooch off their unsecured (usually Linksys) Router.
Guys, the Kindle is a reader. Blogs that come in from Amazon come in great. The Wall Street Journal is easy to read.
The browser? If you have a Kindle, you need to FIND the mobile 'net sites formatted for PDAs. Here's one that works great on the Kindle: http://wapedia.mobi/en/
I'm in "Tornado Alley" and was at a Border's when the tornado sirens started blasting. Border's management, even with their own computers and a WiFi hotspot, couldn't tell how much danger we were in, or how close the storm was to our location.
I flipped open my Kindle, clicked on www.wunderground.com, and pulled up the local radar. Not pretty in greyscale, but certainly clear enough to see the path of the tornadic storm was 10 miles south.
I suppose I COULD sign on to AT&T or Verizon or Sprint or T-Mobile and get a wireless data plan for my computer, at ABOUT $60 A MONTH.
$720 a year for such a plan will more than buy the Kindle DX, which has free wireless thereafter.
I totally agree with the suggestion that the Kindle DX is very useful to attorneys, the medical profession and various scientist.
I just received the K 2.0 on 2/25 and am very disappointed in Amazon's lack of support for their current user base. This is the canned email that I received:
Hello,
We don't have an option to upgrade your Kindle to a Kindle DX at this time. I'm sorry if that's disappointing news.
We're still offering the Kindle (2nd Generation) in addition to the Kindle DX, and we're providing support for all three Kindle models.
You do have the option to sell your Kindle and use the proceeds to purchase a Kindle DX.
Strong customer feedback like yours helps us continue to improve the service we provide, and we're glad you took time to write to us. I'll send your comments to the Kindle team.
Thanks for your interest in Amazon Kindle.
Please let us know if this e-mail resolved your question:
If yes, click here:
http://www.amazon.com/rsvp-y?c=bwbeguag3240634061
If not, click here:
http://www.amazon.com/rsvp-n?c=bwbeguag3240634061
Please note: this e-mail was sent from an address that cannot accept incoming e-mail.
To contact us about an unrelated issue, please visit the Help section of our web site.
Best regards,
Jonathan K.
Amazon.com
We're Building Earth's Most Customer-Centric Company http://www.amazon.com/your-account
---- Original message: ----
_____
In response to Amazon's announcement of the Kindle DX I am contacting you in regards to your policy not to provide existing Kindle 2.0 customers and upgrade path to the DX.
My Kindle 2.0 was purchased (2/9) and delivered (2/25) due to shoulder issues that I have and my ability to carry books and periodicals around.
The portability of the product has helped -- but there are limitations in the product offering of periodicals', magazines, newspapers, and text books and I still have to carry additional things.
If I was aware that there would be an upgraded product announced less than two months and after I received the system that better met my needs I would have postponed the purchase of the product.
It is surprising to find that Amazon.com is not providing an upgrade path for many reasons:
a) Kindle 2.0 was purchased (2/9) and delivered (2/25);
b) Since my purchase of the product I have yet to see another Kindle user;
c) Amazon.com is not a hardware manufacturer and this only hurts its image as it enters the a new and emerging market segment;
d) Early Adopters / Technical consumers like myself are examples to the spectrum of potential Kindle consumers from other Early Adopters all the way to the Mass Market Consumer -- Every time I use the Kindle 2.0 in public I am asked how I like the product, its utility and its limitations.
e) When looking for assistance on the site for customer service I was directed to your Costa Rican call center, although they were courteous they were not very helpful in providing me the information I needed to contact your executive brand, marketing, product management teams regarding my issues. All the information I was provided was the kindlefeedback@amazon.com address.
Since I was not given a direct contact for this issue stated above I trust that your call center operations have directed me to the appropriate email address to review my comments and concerns.
I am interested to know if anyone has experienced the same lack of support or some other acomodation.
I have no idea why you'd expect one, as they are not an industry norm.
- by c-n-e-t May 16, 2009 8:00 AM PDT
- So with these "few additions" Amazon's DX is supposed to be worth it, huh? What are you, some sort of *******?!!?! What you suggest sounds like a completely different machine! While you were completely revising it why didn't you suggest they include a teleportation button?!?, *******!!
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