Amazon will host a special news conference in the Big Apple Monday afternoon, part of a PR blitz to bullhorn it's breakthrough new ebook reader, the Kindle. Newsweek has the cover story scoop.
Three cheer for Bezos and company, especially for the Kindle's killer app: internet connectivity. The ability to download your favorite ebooks, via wireless or cellular, could enable Kindle to leapfrog its more attractive competitor, the Sony Reader. But will Amazon obtain front runner status in the ebook arena? Price is certainly an issue. At $400 bucks a pop, the Kindle is not very Kind(to) the wallet. That's quite an investment, on top of your $1800 laptop and $400 iPhone. And speaking of the iPhone, I think a comparison is in order. The 'homerun' products - iPod of course comes to mind - products that are the complete passion inducing package ... are rare.
The iPhone is a triple, the ball boucing off the wall and not over it, because of slow web browsing for one thing. Apple did so much right with the iPhone: hugely successful PR buildup, gamechanging design, unique touchscreen interface, and long list of functions. But Steve Jobs conceded to the Wall St Journal that he was disappointed in the web browsing speed of AT&T's Edge network. So one could say the iPhone receives an A in design, but a B- in features.
Conversely, the Amazon Kindle - and I'm basing this on the picture and description - receives a higher grade in function, say an A-, and a lower grade in design ... I'll be generous with a C- until I actually hold one in person. The minus in the grade for function is due to price. If the Kindle were, say $200, with wireless downloading, and if it sparked lots of ooohhs and aahhhs with its looks and portability, then Amazon would have a bonafied grand slam.
Here's a picture of the upcoming HP ebook reader, announced back in May. Maybe HP is waiting for Amazon's launch, then it'll piggyback off the publicity, and possibly leapfrog the Kindle with its more elegant design. This is the ebook reader I want, with wireless downloading ... and one more request: a hinge in the middle, so it folds in half. I love the dual page look, just like you're reading a real book, and turning the pages. But it's a touch too big, and if it could fold in on itself, it would be more portable, more elegant, cool, and self protecting. Oh, and HP, if you price it one hundred dollars less than the Amazon Kindle, then you'll have the Grand Slam, and ebook fans lining up to be Passionate Consumers of your wonderful new product.
