I think I might need a new blog category: why I won’t be buying … First Leopard, now, Kindle. Kindle, at first blush, sounds pretty cool. I’ve been waiting for devices using the e-ink technology for a while now. And, I’m an avid reader, so the idea of being able to carry a bunch of books with me in a small package (instead of the usual very heavy pile I travel with) is quite appealing. And $10 a book is great – I love the idea of not using all of that paper. But …
Why am I not buying a Kindle?
- No wifi – uses Sprint’s EVDO network (for me, that makes the Kindle basically a brick when I’m at home.)
- Closed – can’t upload open document formats
- Can only buy books from Amazon
- I’m still not clear about what happens when you buy your 201st book – do you have to throw out one?
- Can’t share books – I like to loan out my books to people.
I want something like a Kindle that:
- Has wifi (EVDO would be a nice addition, but some of us live in areas where the EVDO network does not go)
- Allows me to share books with people.
- Allows me to upload any open document format (.odt, rich text, pdf)
- Allows any vendor of books (like Lulu, for instance) or any independent author to provide books for the device.
Sorry, Amazon. Kindle is a bust for me.
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
Look at the iRex Iliad. It supports the open formats, and any book that is not DRMed is sharable. A friend loves his, but I’m not ready to plunk the money down yet as most of the books I want to read just aren’t available digitally yet (like say, textbooks…)
Thanks! That looks very interesting (and very pricey, too!)
I agree! Amazon has this thing sewed up tight, whereas books are to be shared.