The Good, The Bad, and the Kindle?

Monday, 12 July 2010 06:37

The Amazon Kindle - Books in 60 seconds

Amazon love books so why not go wireless?

There's plenty of debate on why? What's the difference between a paperback and carrying a device that needs charging. In the end it's up to the consumer, but the US has embraced wireless reading.

The Good:

It's slim, lighter than a typical book, you can download texts using the wireless 3G network - free. The battery will last you a week with wireless - without for up to 2 weeks and you can access social networks such as Twitter and Facebook.Newspapers and magazines from around the globe are accessible and the screen is 6" and reader friendly - no glare even in direct sunlight.

The Bad:

You still pay for texts, but it is cheaper than most book, particularly New Releases.

Price: if you're not an avid reader the cost will take a while to recoup. At around US$200, it's definitely a luxury item.

The Kindle Lowdown:

It uses electricity, albeit on a small scale, and has electronic devices, but what minimal carbon footprint it may leave may still be less than that of millions of glossy magazines, printing presses and glossy book sleeves. And can you snuggle up in bed reading a kindle the way you can with a battered paperback? Will the sand render it useless at the beach? What on Earth do you buy the fussy friend or rellie that has everything if you can't buy them a book? Last but not least - what about those days of walking into Borders and breathe in the heady scent of books and coffee and shamelessly whittle away hours browsing the aisles?

This one is very much up to consumer choice.