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The Spectacle Blog

Amazon Playing an Interesting Game

By Hunter Baker on 7.1.10 @ 12:14PM

One thing that has been lost in iPad mania is that many people are looking for a top notch document device. I am one of those people. I don't need to carry the whole internet around, but I would like to be able to go on a trip with a nice library of books and a load of pdf documents.

The new Kindle DX is definitely getting closer to being a superb portable document solution. It has a big screen. It is thin. It has pdf support and a nice keyboard. And, of course, it comes with free 3g wireless built into the price. I also noticed that they've made it black instead of white. It looks quite a bit like the much awaited, but maybe now not forthcoming, Plastic Logic Que.

If the notetaking and highlighting functions are good with this new unit (the original Kindle is a little clunky in that respect to me -- I really want a stylus), then this could be the device many professionals, academics, and students will want to have around. The big battery life (say, a week) and the lack of eyestrain are big selling points. I know the Apple folks downplay reading on a backlit screen, but I know from personal experience with the original Kindle that it does approximate a book whereas computer screens do not.

One more point of interest. The new Kindle DX can apparently post highlighted passages of books and articles directly to twitter and facebook accounts. That strikes me as a great additional feature. Better still if it could post to wordpress and other blog platforms.

View all comments (5) | Leave a comment

MikeN| 7.1.10 @ 12:45PM

Is the Kindle DX back-lit? The original Kindle is not, as your passage implies.

MikeN| 7.1.10 @ 12:48PM

OK, so you are complaining about a back-lit screen, which the Kindle does not use.
Agreed the look is more book-like, but that also means in anything less than bright light, it is hard to read.

JP| 7.1.10 @ 1:24PM

I am holding off purchasing one until I see many of the issues resolved (back-lit, ability to highlight text, etc...). I like the concept of Kindle, but would like some more features added before putting out a few hundred bucks. I can get along without a color screen -how many books out there feature colored fonts?

Teflon93| 7.1.10 @ 1:39PM

Since cheap reading lights are easy to come by, it makes me laugh whenever somebody expresses distress at the Kindle not being backlit. Backlighting causes eyestrain. Toplighting as with the sun or a reading light does not, making the Kindle an ideal beach or long trip companion.

You can also download content wirelessly in seconds---no computer needed. This includes many popular newspapers and magazines.

You can't play games on it.

But then, adults don't anyway.

E-bookReader| 7.1.10 @ 2:40PM

I have a nook -- I can play chess and sudoku. Not that I really do. Has all the features of a Kindle - except you can browse the net on a nook (sort of -- I can live without this feature -- I just want to read books and stuff), I like the navigation better, and there are about twice as many books available. So far, I'm happy. There really isn't a WHOLE lot of difference among the different devices.

I, too, am amused by those who want the backlighting. Then buy an iPad. I like the look of the e-ink and don't want to stare at a computer screen.