Image from Amazon.com
Since I recently became a no-TV-guy, I get my news on the net. So, over at the Fox there was this little article tucked away that announced the possible demise of the Kindle 
It looks like the apps to download and read e-books are all over the cell world, and the screen displays have improved enough to make reading an e-book an OK experience.
The article did give the Kindle some much deserved kudos, crediting Amazon’s reader with bringing e-books into the light of day after nearly a decade of obscurity. I may argue that point a teensy bit in that I think e-books are ubiquitous on the internet and not because of anything Kindle is doing directly. Maybe the device technology can be credited Kindle’s way to some extent but not necessarily the rise of e-books as a reading medium.
I guess I’m curious to know: Have any of you downloaded and read an e-book on your phone? If so, what was the experience like? Do you do it regularly?
The biggest thing Kindle has going for it, is that it’s almost the same experience as reading a book… the size, the look of the text on the pages, the fact that once the text is loaded it’s the device is off.
Even having a battery that lasts weeks is so much more superior to the cell phone.
I’m in the military and I think even if it ends up going down the toilet on the civilian side, it is huge for the military.
Week and even months with no cell phones, very little if no power to charge a cell phone even if you did have service. The fact that you can have millions of books on one small device for easy and light portability.
There is absolutely no way the Kindle is dead because of a cell phone!
Steven-Sanders´s last blog ..Gadget of the Week – XShot Camera Extender
Steven,
I tend to agree. Just because a device can resemble getting the job done, doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the right tool for the job.
Would you vacuum your entire house with a dust-buster?
Great comment Steven.
George
Wow. I absolutely love my Kindle. No bulky books to lug around (especially when travelling and you’re almost done with one and need to bring a second along). It can be read in almost any kind of light and is user friendly. I know there are apps for reading books on your cell phone, but frankly, reading articles and publications is hard enough…I can’t imagine making my way through an entire novel on an iPhone. I’d be cross-eyed in a very short time…
Hi Marilyn,
Nice to have you drop by.
Yeah, I’m still not convinced. I’ll be getting a Kindle. Besides, Mom told me if I crossed my eyes, they’d stay that way.
Cheers
George
I can’t imagine trying to read a book on my phone! I love my Kindle. It’s long on battery, easy to handle and the screen is kind to my eyes. An entire (eventually) library held in the palm of my hand and I can increase the font size. There may be superior ereaders down the road, but never the size of a cell phone.
Laura Eno´s last blog ..Finale – #FridayFlash
Hey Laura,
I’m right on board with you. I can’t imagine trying to read an entire book on a phone. Amazon put big bucks into figuring out the screen and such – with good reason.
Cheers!
George
I definitely agree with all the other comments. While I have the ability to read books on my iPhone (the screen resolution is great and plenty of programs are available), the size of the screen is only big enough to show 2 or 3 sentences at a time. Who wants to have to hit the “next page” button every few seconds??
Evan´s last blog ..Light and Creamy Mac and Cheese
Hi Evan.
Great to see you here again!
I think that’s how most folks are feeling, Evan. Like I said, a dustbuster will do the same thing as a Hoover, but do you really want to clean your whole house with the darned thing?
George
Anyone who has seen my cell phone would laugh at the idea of me actually reading an ebook on it…I’m lucky it makes phone calls most days.
Matt
Matt | Small Biz Bee´s last blog ..13 Ways to Win Customers for Free
Matt,
Now that’s putting it into proper perspective.
I’m in the same cell phone boat my friend. Oh, and it’s your turn to row for a while…
George
We can’t get Kindles in Canada yet (as far as I know) — but even if we could, I wouldn’t. I love reading print books, and I spend FAR too much time looking at a computer screen as it is! If I wasn’t a writer, I might consider reading an e-book, but…..blegh. Gimme a real book!
Laurie PK´s last blog ..Quips and Tips From J.K. Rowling
Hi Laurie,
Obviously as a library guy (and there aren’t many of us, by the way. I’m the only guy in a staff of ten!) I love books. I love the smell, the feel, the look. I’m also a gadget kind of guy so I’ll be getting a Kindle, too. It just won’t be my primary means of reading.
Cheers!
George
I have a smartphone that has a ebook reader, but its not as good as the kindle. The Kindle provides a better reading experience and is similar to the size of most books, you can read longer and more comfortably.
Reading on my phone is strenuous and is only good to pass the time when im waiting in a long line at the grocery store or bank. Go Kindle!
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Hey Tony,
That seems to be the consensus. Interestingly enough, Nathan Bransford did a post this week about how he loves reading books on his iPhone. Seems to be in the minority from what I can tell.
Cheers!
George
My buddy has a Kindle and loves it… and I was thinking about getting one until I read the same info as you. Now I am going to wait it out a few months and see how this pans out.
I am actually more interested in your No More TV is working for you? My wife and I keep talking about it… but we haven’t taken the plunge.
Doug Dillard´s last blog ..Adding Videos Can Liven Up Your Site
Hi Doug,
It is amazing, actually. I was afraid of sever withdrawals, but that so has not been the case. I’ve now got plenty of time for other things like walks with the kid and reading.
I get videos from the library for my six year old and she seems perfectly content. Although last week she fell in love with a National Geographic video on Sabretooth tigers. Watched it about a dozen times. So… ask me any question about Sabretooths. I dare ya. I’ve got all of the answers
George
Very cool George. I think I am going to have a serious talk with my family about this and see what they say. I already know what my boys (6 & 9) will say… but as you said, they can always rent videos.
I am good on Sabretooths right now, but if either of my boys get a school assignment on the subject, I might have to shoot you an email
Doug Dillard´s last blog ..Adding Videos Can Liven Up Your Site