This will be just one of a blizzard of posts about the Kindle DX, available for pre-order today; naturally enough Digital Media Minute is pleased to add to the snowstorm. Disclaimer: I haven’t seen it in action except for the slick video on the Amazon site, but hardly any other commenter has either, and in any case I’ve never believed that an info deficiency should stand in the way of a strong opinion….
Just a few thoughts: the larger screen (9.7″/24.64 cm diagonally) appears to make it practical as reader for newspapers. If the increased screen size allows the reader to peruse the page without constantly adjusting the screen and breaking his visual and mental focus on the subject matter, then this could be a huge break for the newspaper industry. I’d contend that the real catalyst, even more than the improved reading experience, is that the newspaper industry knows that it no longer has the luxury of NOT trying something radical to save itself. The industry must still transform itself, but a critical piece of infrastructure now exists for it to do so. My opinion: the additional 3.7″/9.4 cm does it.
The biggest problem with reading on a screen, that may be solved with the Kindle DX, has always been that the eyes are forced to wander to a page control to scroll down or around, resulting in a non-continuous reading experience broken up by the short pauses to control text area. The gestures you use with iPhone are a usability improvement over a mouse in most respects, but when combined with the size of iPhone (right now, in May 2009), the page control interruptions are still too obtrusive for the kind of leisurely mulling-over that characterized reading before computers.
The screen is supremely easy on the eyes (1200 x 824 pixel resolution at 150 ppi, 16-level gray scale). The technical issues of content delivery (via Amazon Whispernet to provide U.S wireless coverage via Sprint’s 3G high-speed data network) and on-device storage 3.3 GB of usable memory (~3500 books & documents), battery life are all cleared hurdles. Publishers of every kind are more receptive than ever to alternate delivery methods. Screen size is no longer a compromise. Have we reached the tipping-point for really large-scale reader adoption?
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
No, Price must come down. I believe the cheapest Kindle is $359 (?) and that’s too high of a price point. First company who can deliver a truly affordable “Kindle” along with the Content will win and establish mainstream adoption. Amazon could do it if they lower their price point, but Apple also has the delivery mechanism (iTunes) in place as well. Not sure if Apple would want to enter that space, but it’s feasible.
Thanks for the comment Evan. As to the price point, it’s pretty clear that Amazon is trading market penetration and market share for profit now. This usually happens with sexy 1st-gen gadgets of course (8 GB iPhone at $599 initially, was it?!), and the price will fall as competing gadgets are introduced and market share becomes the priority.
At $489 I’m not buying either, but how interesting will it all be when the ‘i-Pad’ comes out?
Two things though: I’m not sure that a larger ‘pad’ device from Apple will be as friendly on the eyes as Kindle, unless they really change the screen. Just my opinion. Also, as easy as it is to find/install apps from the App Store (have to love it), Amazon has a delivery method that may be just as good for content, especially for timely content such as newspapers, coming over Sprint’s 3G high-speed data network, delivered automatically each day. Books in < 60 seconds, apparently.
It’ll be be fun to see how it plays out. As you imply, the pressure will soon be on Amazon to lower the price, and increased adoption of these kinds of devices might really change the way we read.
Anyway thanks for the comment Evan, and please visit again.