So far, based on the initial reviews of the Kindle 2, I would rate my enthusiasm a rousing, “Meh.”
I’m not sure what I think about the Kindle 2, since Amazon isn’t likely to send me a review unit anytime soon. I do think that the cost of entry is high, at least for me. There are some good things, such as USB charging, that have been added, but nothing else seems to make me want to open up my wallet and order it. Without a review unit, it’s hard for me to say, I’m all for whispernet and the cloud without seeing how they work in practice. I’ve read that the mobile versions of websites do work with the experimental browser included in Kindle 1, but again, not something I’m going to count down the days until I have saved enough money to buy it. I mean a mobile version of wordpress would be great, possibly twitter. I’ve read that these apps do work, but then again, it’s impossible to say whether or not they work well.
For me, knowing that these websites work would be a major bullet point for me.
Until I see a unit live, somewhere, and test it out, it’s buying something sight unseen. I mean, I can walk into a sony store and check out their reader. It’s pretty cool, and I’d consider one, but I have yet to see the Kindle so I’m waiting.
And I’m an early adopter. If they can’t sell it to me, they’ve got issues, although I guess they don’t have any issues because they’re back ordered and no one is even getting a Kindle 1. In fact, Kindle 1 preorders that have yet to be fulfilled are getting “upgraded” to the Kindle 2. Crazy.
I will say this:Â If they get the price to around $250, I am there.
Until then, I’ll listen to podcasts on the iPod and wait patiently for a generous price drop or the Kindle 3: Revolution.
How come its only the Kindle you seem interested in and none of its competitors?
Mainly because it seems to be trying to do something other than be “just” an ebook reader. It’s a store, and possibly a place to get all of your files in the amazon cloud. Portable wikipedia access, so it’s basically the bet settler when you’re on the road. Funny though, how sony’s competitive product seems to actually be more open than the Kindle.