Kindle

[cjsmith]

I finally figured out what the Kindle would be good for.

See, I read paperbacks. I wouldn't want to carry a Kindle around because it is larger than a paperback. If I know I'm going to be waiting a bunch, I'll just carry a book. Duh. I also wouldn't prefer to buy a Kindle-book because it's more expensive than a paperback. PLUS the thing can run out of batteries, or break if you drop it. AND it's got a $399 start-up cost. What's to like?

I figured it out.

Airplanes.

Every December I fly from California to Boston, from Boston to Louisville, and from Louisville to California again (or the other way 'round). Every leg of this trip has two flights. Every flight includes a bunch of waiting time in the terminal. I can easily wipe out two paperback books on one leg, often three if it's a long one or a plane is delayed (and when, in December, are they not?).

A Kindle is a lot smaller and lighter than NINE paperback books.

It's still not worth $399 to me, not by a long shot. But now I can see that it's worth more than zero.

Comments

[hitchhiker.livejournal.com]

I'm very glad ePaper has finally hit the mass market (I've been waiting for it forever), but I refuse to support anything that has DRM baked in.

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

Yeah, that's a serious problem. I don't own an iPod, either. Sony eBook, perhaps, as shoutingboy mentions.

[the-gadgetman.livejournal.com]

I'm guessing from the iPod comments you object to DRM in principle (which I totally understand!), so be aware the Sony also uses DRM. But, like the iPod, it also supports non-DRM formats.

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

I had forgotten, if I ever knew, that the iPod could support non-DRM formats. Is it iTunes that won't give you anything but the DRM format? It's been so long since I even considered looking, I've forgotten!

[firecat]

iTunes has some stuff available in non-DRM formats.