Amazon re-Kindles its eBook war against iPad
I had written in an earlier post, that probably the biggest loser with the release of iPad would be Amazon. If you think about it, the iPad is set up squarely against the Kindle by Amazon. Who in his/her right mind wouldn’t want to read books on the amazing screen of the iPad? I was then of the opinion that a great way for Amazon to curtain its losses against the declining sales of Kindle would be to release an app that allows iPad users to purchase and download eBooks from Amazon and read them on the iPad.
Apple for sure has planned such an app on the iPad, but the power of Amazon lies in its already existing ties with the publishers and the range of books that it can offer through its ebook delivery system. The only thing that could work against the favour of Amazon is if Apple puts together a much better software than Amazon, in terms of usability.
Amazon meanwhile has announced that it has upgraded its already existing Kindle app for the iPhone, to support the iPad. So now iPad users, who would have bought their iPads just a few days back, can already start buying and reading books on their fabulous hi-res touch screen device.
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/kindle/id302584613?mt=8
Has Amazon gone 1-up over Apple? Only time will tell.
the screens of the two devices are not comparable (so are the devices themselves). the kindle never set out to be a computer – and will never be. the audience for kindle are people who just want a good reader. any laptop screen has a higher resolution than the kindle’s but that’s not the point. e-ink provides a far better experience reading for long periods compared to a lcd/crt display. you and i may not have faced trouble but i know many people who refuse to read for long on computer screens if they have a choice. agreed that some part of the e-books market would be shared but it would be comparing an ipod to a laptop
Correct, the kindle never set out to be a computer, but when you have a device that costs as much as a kindle, offers the same features as it, and does a whole lot more, then I would certainly consider it. The lower specced kindle devices might be cheaper and good VFM, but when you compare the flagship offering Kindle DX and iPad, then the iPad is a winner by miles. I think it offers a much better book reading experience than the Kindle DX.
I don’t know about eInk, but like you said, I can read comfortably on a high res laptop or phone screen without any discomfort. Maybe people will start getting used to that once they realize the value proposition that iPad offers over the Kindle.
And when it comes to comparing an iPod and a Laptop, Lets say, you love playing games while on the move(not considering genre and graphics capability), which device would you carry around? I would take an iPod for sure. Its easily more portable, and it darn more fun than a lappy. Both are not designed specifically for gaming, but when one device can do that job better than the other, then I would consider it.