Special Pages - Reports

Monday, August 23, 2010

Kindle 3 reviews bursting forth today

The Kindle Chronicle's Len Edgerly has a full video review of the Kindle 3, after being able to try it out for 3 days.  This gives a good feel for how more responsive the unit is than the Kindle 2.

Mike Cane tweeted a flurry of pointers to the many reviews.  He also has reactions to Barnes & Noble's Len Riggio telling the world he sees no need to use a Nook, in these words (by Riggio):
  ' “I like to hold the book instead of the device,” he said. “I would rather own multiple books than a single book that carries everything.” '

(I didn't catch the source though.)

 Here are links to a few of the reviews he linked (I have to rush out so I'm using only a few for now and they are choice summary statements, mainly).
' . The Telegraph (UK)
  ...the e-reader for the mass market
It's smaller, faster and cheaper than its predecessor. The Kindle is ready for the mainstream, writes Matt Warman
  For now, however, where the iPad has its place, so too does the Kindle. Speaking as a consumer, I’ll be buying a Kindle; but I’ll be waiting for tablet computers to evolve before I spend any money on them.

. PC Magazine's Dan Costa
...The latest edition's improvements aren't revolutionary, but the Amazon Kindle remains the best dedicated ebook reader on the market.
...overall, with a lower price, a slimmer, lighter design, higher-contrast screen, and other improvements, the Kindle remains our Editors' Choice for ebook readers.

. WIRED's Steven Levy
...The new third-generation Kindle only makes that future brighter. All its basic virtues—instant downloading from an abundantly stocked store, light weight, ability to read in sunlight—are still there, with significant improvements in text readability, physical design, and battery life.
...Amazon's awareness that it is at the forefront of a movement that may have powerful and unexpected consequences on the centuries-old practice of reading.

. CNet's David Carnoy
...The bottom line: The third-generation Kindle's winning combination of noteworthy upgrades--an improved screen, better battery life, lighter weight, and lower price--vaults it to the top of the e-book reader category.

[He points out that Amazon is marketing it as a ""purpose-built reading device."  And, re the cover with light] ---> The slim light draws power from the Kindle and tucks away into the case (at first glance, you don't even know it's there). The only downside is it's expensive at $59.99, but we have to say, we really liked it.
...As with the Nook, the combination of Wi-Fi and the new browser makes for better surfing, but it still remains a somewhat sluggish, less than fluid affair. The browser's more useable overall, and more Web pages will display properly formatted. But using the navigation button to jump from link to link on a Web page can become a little tedious. And we didn't have much luck logging into our Yahoo or Gmail Webmail accounts.

[ That's odd since customers find gmail not difficult with the Kindle 2. ]

In the end, much as Apple tends to do with its mobile devices, Amazon has simply taken an e-reader that was already good and improved it. Those improvements aren't so great that it will make owners of the second-generation Kindle or Nook feel bad about what they've already bought. But if you're already a Kindle fan, you'll most likely be tempted to pawn off your older model on a friend or family member and purchase this model.
  At these prices, we can actually say the latest Kindle is a solid value for readers looking to make the jump to e-books. '




Mike Cane
also leads us to this great
"E-Ink Man" picture at the left in Jack Hidary's story about the $-worth of Jeff Bezos and Amazon, at Huffington Post.



Kindle 3   (UK: Kindle 3),   DX Graphite

Check often: Temporarily-free late-listed non-classics or recently published ones
  Guide to finding Free Kindle books and Sources.  Top 100 free bestsellers.
    Also, UK customers should see the UK store's Top 100 free bestsellers.

3 comments:

  1. There are a couple more that you missed:
    http://www.the-digital-reader.com/2010/08/23/k3-reviews-are-popping-up-all-over/

    You can delete this comment if you want.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thanks for the link, Nate!

    (rushing off for hours)

    ReplyDelete
  3. I popped mine open and found a larger 1750 mAh battery inside. I also tried to measure screen contrast objectively and Kindle 3 indeed has better contrast than any other eReader that I've measured - Kindle 3 Screen Review

    ReplyDelete

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