Wednesday, February 23, 2011

The next gen?

OK, so the iPad Two is apparently close to being announced. That's kewl. But what I'm wondering about is, in the fall, what will the Kindle 4 be like? Amazon is totally dominating in ebooks, but hardware-wise they are getting their butt kicked by everybody else (except in weight). The Kindle's screen contrast, its ease of operation, and processor speed, all need serious updates to be up to snuff this year. I hope they'll be up to it, because the Kindle could really rock if it became all it could be.

And like I've said, it also needs better features for reading other content than books. Web, articles, magazines, etc. I think in short the Kindle 4 needs to be a small and light tablet, only focused on reading rather than Angry Birds and navigation apps.

For reading I'd like something the size and weight of the Kindle 3, only with the screen contrast and resolution of the iPhone 4. Yummy.

6 comments:

TC [Girl] said...

Eolake said...
"...only focused on reading rather than Angry Birds and navigation apps."

LOL! FUNNY you but YES! GOOD idea! :-D

"For reading I'd like something the size and weight of the Kindle 3, only with the screen contrast and resolution of the iPhone 4. Yummy."

...and color...as you mention, more recently! :-)

Too bad they can't crank it out, sooner than fall! That's a HELLOFA LONG time to wait, when we're talking "tablet/e-reader wars"!! Another "minus." :-(

Eolake Stobblehouse said...

Right.
Admittedly it seems unlikely, but if Amazon wants two levels of Kindle, one with the e-ink screen and one with a good screen (haha), they could conceivable release the first model of the color device any time now.
It would be wise too, to keep the e-ink screen version as an econo-model.

TC [Girl] said...

Eolake said...
"...and one with a good screen (haha),"

Ironic, isn't it? a reading screen that's CRAP! [eyes rolling]

"...they could conceivable release the first model of the color device any time now."

Hey! What's the hurry?! The Kindle's only been around how long?! ;-) Since the 'Pad,' it is quite surprising that peeps are STILL willing to put up w/the fact that the screen sucks and no color...STILL!! Such "tolerant" peeps! :-)

"It would be wise too, to keep the e-ink screen version as an econo-model."

Yes! Good idea if a person knows that they're just going to be reading mainly text w/no graphics.

Stephen A said...

The interesting things are happening where the dinosaurs don't tread:
http://www.the-digital-reader.com/2011/02/25/asus-eeenote-to-sell-for-under-200-in-the-us/

Eolake Stobblehouse said...

Thanks, Stephen.
I wonder if the contrast of the screen is significantly better than the Kindle3?

Eolake Stobblehouse said...

But the resolution sounds very high.

And pressure sensitivity? Kewl.