Kindle: the future of books?

I've been looking into the Kindle 2 (from amazon.com). It's very expensive (probably the same cost as almost 1,000 books) with a price tag of $359 [plus shipping] but it can hold thousands of books.

I'm a book person. I like turning pages and I wonder if something happens to the kindle or the files get corrupted *poof* all your lovely e-books are gone with no back up. What I do like about the Kindle is that it is good for the environment and cuts down on the use of trees. And before anyone says anything, yes, I know that when it comes time to throw out the Kindle 2 that it won't biodegrade. But you can take it to a recycle center for proper disposal of computer parts.

Is the Kindle 2 worth it or should we stick to printed books? Please give your opinion or insight.

Tags: gadgets, hardware, kindle, technology

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Permalink Reply by Ron Knights on March 6, 2009 at 8:57am: I've been looking at Kindle because I'm a gadget freak. It's way too expensive for me.

I don't read books much any more. Most of my reading or research is online.

If you get Kindle books from Amazon, they're listed in your account. You can always get them again.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Deirdre on March 6, 2009 at 9:21am: Pricey :(

If the kindle edition was much cheaper than the hard copy version than it is currently, it might tempt me as I have towers of books and bookshelves every where I can fit them in my house (especially our bedroom). Right now, I only see it for travelers and commuters and/or those with bucks to burn.

Using a library would be the most green solution, I suppose.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by SassySweetBren on March 6, 2009 at 10:21am: This is a bit off topic but I just read this morning where a major newspaper in the North West is planning to stop putting out a paper completely. They are going to put it online. Now, that makes me sad.

Even though, I read most of my news online, I feel bad that books and news is going the way of the internet.

Like you Dr. lono, I love to have a book in my hands. There is nothing like picking up a book to read.

We all may be forced to do something of this nature in the future as publishing houses and newspapers start to close down the printed section of their companies.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by dr.lono on March 6, 2009 at 1:55pm: Yeah, that is a major drawback. The cost is way more than what I'd want to spend. I could buy a whole lot with that much money. lol

I could see this maybe being more economical to college students (since those books are always pricey) but the average, non-student, not-so-much. :P Perhaps if they greatly reduced the cost by.... let's say, 2/3's? lol; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by EliteGeek on March 6, 2009 at 10:29am: The Kindle is nice to have for someone who is an avid reader & likes to carry many literary sources with them. Loading over 1GB of literary information onto a single device versus carrying all of those resources in your luggage is amazing. I don't see me using it, but I know it's welcomed by those who will.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by EEngineer on March 6, 2009 at 10:55am: The E-ink is certainly cool, but I don't think it does enough yet to be the future of books. It needs color.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by dr.lono on March 6, 2009 at 1:52pm: Yes! I agree. Color would definitely be more appealing to me too. :)
Make it more like the book itself, and I don't see too many publishing companies printing black & white covers.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Ron Knights on March 6, 2009 at 12:23pm: In my own opinion or experience, books have been pretty darned expensive over recent years. It's kept me from buying a lot of them.

I just don't like going to libraries either.

I can't justify spending $300 on an "empty device" that has no merit of its own. You don't get a library of books for that price. You need to buy the books.

I can buy many different computer-related items for that price.

That will give me a real value, right out of the box.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Jon Sheline on March 6, 2009 at 2:44pm: It's true there's nothing like the physical experience of reading a book printed on actual paper, bound and dust-jacketed. The quiet rasp and soft snap of turning pages, and the slight rough friction of the paper between your fingers has no comparison in the Kindle 2.
And yet, as much as I love picking up and reading a paper book, I have to concede that such a technological advance as the Kindle 2 is exciting. Imagine having a sizable library stored on the Kindle 2, taking it with you in anticipation of downtime. You can pull it out and read whatever you're in the mood for, instead of sticking with the book you're reading that week, or agonizing before leaving the house on which books to take with you.
As far as I'm concerned, it doesn't represent the demise of books at all. It's just a change in the physical medium. Given what we know about illiteracy, and the advances made in video formats, playback, and availability, we have to entertain the possibility of the Kindle 2 (or electronic reading devices in general) keeping the printed word alive.
I just wish I could afford one.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by dr.lono on March 11, 2009 at 12:49pm: Hopefully, as the demand goes down, so will the price. It may take some time.
I had an apartment fire a few years back and it was devastating to have my precious books (limited edition print and signed) damaged or fell as victims to mold from the fire hoses. So I could see the necessary evil of an electronic book. But I do agree that nothing replaces the feeling of paper in your hands and the beautiful dust jackets. Maybe as time passes these sorts of things will be integrated into the newer versions or possible updates.

But seriously, with the recession going on that price needs to come down from the clouds. :P It's waaaaay too high for me.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Ron Knights on March 11, 2009 at 2:49pm: How many years has it been since the Kindle 01 version was first released?!

I do believe version 2 is being sold for about the same price.

I don't see the prices of the Kindle ever going down enough to be attractive to me.

I'd pay maybe $50 for one if I had the money at the time.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Beau Dierman on March 11, 2009 at 3:08pm: I think we should stick to printed books. There is no way to compare the experience of reading an actual book to just reading a screen. Even if all the companies in the world stop printing books, there will still be a huge supply of them. I could go down to my local 2nd hand store right now and find 15 good used books that I've never read for the cost of 1 new book, the prices are just plain stupid.; ▶ Reply to This