Nathan Bransford - The Forums

Amazon could release a new slimmer Kindle in August, Bloomberg News reports, citing “two people familiar with its plans.”

Bloomberg reports that the new Kindle would be thinner than existing models and although the next model would still offer a black and white screen, it would have a sharper and more responsive display.

http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/05/2 ... pected/?hp

Ugh, so confusing.

I'm stressed trying to decide what to get. I can't stand reading on a computer (backlighting and all that jazz), so that's why I'm hesitant about an iPad, but I love all the other stuff it does. But then, do I want to spend a few hundred on something that is *only* an e-reader like the new Kindle? Grr...

It's fun to play the early adopter game if you have the cash, but once the technology is out it's often best to just buy what you want to buy. Look at the apple product cycles as an example. The average time between new iPhone models is 178 days. iPod Classic, 262 days. iPod Nano, 296 days. MacBook, 195 days*. Get it?

There's going to be a new Kindle every year or so. It'll get cheaper, faster, slimmer, bigger hard drive, 4G, new colours, anodized, and waterproof over time.

If you're going to buy something, wait for the next refresh, then buy it and don't look back... or forward as the case may be. The bigger issue for me right now is not which e-reader to buy, it's when or where I'll be able to buy e-books I want at a reasonable price. I had 6 books in my amazon cart last week, and decided to look for them as electronic versions just out of curiosity. Not a single one available. I've mentioned the pricing disconnect in the Kobo thread, but I've also seen e-book versions selling for $16 when the paper is going for $14 on the same page.

Also, as always, Google's entry will change everything. This applies to bookselling and e-reader/iPad thingys.

*Source for days: Mac Buyer's Guide

Also, as always, Google's entry will change everything.

What google entry has changed anything? All I remember from google is the iphone wannabe. One look at that thing was enough to see it wasn't a contender.

Sarcasm.

I've heard that the iPad is really quite amazing for ebooks, and that it is actually much nicer than the current Kindle that is out.

Plus, you get a few more things you can do with it, which might be helpful depending on what you need it for.

But I would wait a little bit anyway to see what the new Kindle might be like before jumping in and getting an iPad. In the meantime, borrow books from the library so that you're not spending any unnecessary money on hard copies or technology you might not want after all.

A big benefit of the iPad is that it keeps you from accidentally coming across indecent smut by telling you what you can and cannot view on it:
Apple Bans Cartoon Boobs in Joyce’s Ulysses

Wired wrote:Robert Berry, the illustrator of “Ulysses Seen,” said that an image of a woman with exposed breasts was one of the offending panels in the comic version of the book. He offered to pixelate the image or cover it up with a fig leaf, suggestions that were rejected by Apple. “We basically had to lose all of her body and just tighten in on her face,” Mr. Berry said. “It is rather disappointing.”

I for one welcome our digital overlords. So glad I don't have to think for myself any more.

I second Mark. Bravo to Big Brother Steve Jobs for saving us all from the horrors of women's exposed breasts! It has now been proven beyond all doubt that nipples are the main cause of the decline of civilization. Also people whose first and last names begin with 'J', like James Joyce and Janet Jackson. Thank heaven Jobs wasn't named John.

I don't know how much good Jobs's stance will do but it sure is good to see someone stand up to the porn industry. I'm so thankful I don't have the burden of parenthood in the current state of our society.