Amazon Kindle discussion

I am a self-published author of short stories, so the more devises out there the better, in my opinion. My husband, on the other hand, does not like the kindle fire. HE does not see the point if you already have an iPad. Do you think that Amazon will always have a plethora of devices or do you think they will eventually all be like the fire, an all encompassing?
Elle Lapraim

The Kindle Fire is for people that don't have an iPad. I don't want an iPad and so would choose the Fire over that. I have an aversion to Apple products because they are too expensive and not compatible with Windows. I would much prefer the Kindle Fire, and I think Amazon will always have a plethora of devices because customers want options. With the economy the way it is, I think that as long as they offer cheaper options, people will prefer those :)

♥Meagan♥ wrote: "The Kindle Fire is for people that don't have an iPad. I don't want an iPad and so would choose the Fire over that. I have an aversion to Apple products because they are too expensive and not compa..."

That makes perfect sense.

I also do not own an iPad, nor any type of tablet. I have the 3rd generation Kindle, but would love to have the Fire as well, so that way when I am done reading something, I don't have to put down my Kindle, grab the laptop and update on Goodreads. This way it will be all within my reach!

I think that the Kindle Fire is nice but I am going to wait until they come out with a 3G version. I go camping and in the mountain and I need 3G so I am going to keep my Kindle 3rd generation until then. I was going to buy it until I saw it was not 3G. I think sales would have been much higher if it was 3G.

Plenty of people, like myself, think that the Kindle Fire will be preferable to the iPad because it'll be a bit smaller, lighter, and have better access to Amazon, where we get most of our stuff anyway. Things like the Silk server-supported browser, are exciting enhancements, and at 1/3 of the price...it's 3x as nice.

For me, the Kindle Fire seems like it would be too much like a computer....and I don't need or want another one. I'm very happy w/ my Kindle 2nd Gen, and when the time comes and I need to replace it, I would probably just get one of the regular ones.

I love my iPad and have a few thoughts on the various Kindles. My wife has last year's Kindle 2, an there are two things about it that are better than an iPad. 1) it's light as a feather and feels great in your hand if you are spending hours reading. and 2) the e-ink is amazing. There is definitely at least a little bit of eye-strain from staring at the backlit computer screen of a tablet, even a screen as great as the ipad's. Plus, you can't take an iPad (or any backlit tablet) to the pool or beach on a sunny day. e-Ink looks great in the sun.

So my advice as one who has both in the family, if you really want an e-reader and not a tablet, I'd buy that new Kindle Touch (the old compass and typing pad on the regular Kindle 2 is a pretty bad interface). A more convenient touch screen is exactly what Kindles need.

But if you want more than an e-reader, I'd think long and hard about buying anything other than an Apple. The biggest thing with the iPad... it just works, and does exactly what you want it to do. I know you've heard that before, but it's true. I absolutely love mine and have used it every day for a year and half with no problems whatsoever.

Ooh Melissa, way to sell it! I want one, although they aren't available in the UK so my wallet is safe!

I think that the Kindle fire is for people that can't afford an Ipad like me. lol I would love the IPad but the one I want is $800 plus

Jennifer wrote: "Plenty of people, like myself, think that the Kindle Fire will be preferable to the iPad because it'll be a bit smaller, lighter, and have better access to Amazon, where we get most of our stuff an..."

Jennifer I agree it is so nice it just needs 3G.

Yeah, I'm tempted by the Fire but when would I use it? Same argument I have with myself when I look at shiny iPads..when would I use it?

I hope my willpower doesn't crumble!

I think it will take a lot of the pressure off my Android Phone as an entertainment device.

I'm with Shirley, I'll wait until it comes out in 3G. I love my Kindle 3G anyways so I am not in any hurry.

If you don't want to spend a chunk of change, get you a Kindle Fire. I own a Motorola Xoom, my wife owns an Ipad 2. To me neither were worth the money we spent. And this is from a person who owns several PCs, laptops, a Macbook and a Mac. *Shrug*. Maybe' I'm just so comfortable using those that I have been unimpressed by the tablets.

Because this is a new market place the product is in flux but will all calm down eventually like the mobile phone. Speaking as an indie ebook author whats really exciting me are the ebook readers being made in less developed countries like India. Maybe we should all buy those?

I am an avid apple user and also a die hard kindle fan. I have had every kindle starting with the first generation. Naturally, when the iPad came out, I bought that as well....and sold it. I have an iPhone and having a 650$ iPad that does everything the phone in my pocket does but bigger was pointless. Since it doesn't play flash player, justifying it as a laptop wasn't happening. As an ereader, it sucked. Yes you can get the kindle app and beautiful colored magazines-that you can't read outside or near a window. So I went back to the store to replace my beloved kindle that I sold thinking the iPad would replace it. On to the kindle fire. Yes I absolutely pre-ordered it, no it will not replace my kindle 3 and I will keep both. Lesson learned, you just can't replace or put a price on the e-ink technology that lets you read at the park or near a pool. The tablets just don't look as good and are harder to read. I'll be a happy owner of both to use for the different purposes they will serve, and when I need a laptop...I will use my MacBook air.

Vanessa, you've touched on the issue of screen readability.

One of the great benefits to readers of the Kindle was the e-ink and screen technology, which meant that reading it was not too far removed from reading words on paper. There's no Kindle Fire available as yet in Australia - for those who have now experienced the new product, how does the Fire tablet screen compare - for reading - with the original dedicated e-reading devices?

Iain wrote: "Vanessa, you've touched on the issue of screen readability.

One of the great benefits to readers of the Kindle was the e-ink and screen technology, which meant that reading it was not too far r..."

The Kindle Fire doesn't come out until November 15, so very very few people have actually used one, and I don't think anyone in this group has. And the Fire screen uses an LCD screen just like all other tablets, so it's going to have the same drawbacks.

Elle wrote: "I am a self-published author of short stories, so the more devises out there the better, in my opinion. My husband, on the other hand, does not like the kindle fire. HE does not see the point if yo..."

I agree. I'm uncomfortable with Apple products, maybe due to my over-reliance on Windows, Apple just seems wrong to me. Kindle Fire is laid before me as an reasonable option. I have Kindle 3, so I'm really comtemplating whether is it necessary for me to have Kindle Fire.

We ordered the Kindle Fire the day it was announced. We had been contemplating purchasing an Ipad 2 to replace our dying HP netbook but changed our mind after researching the Fire. I have a Kindle 3 and my wife has a Kindle 2. We will continue to use these devices as our primary ebook readers because e-ink technology is perfect for extended reading (I have the cover with attached light for late night reading in bed while my wife sleeps) . The Fire will be used for our casual computing needs and for watching videos. Using the Kindle Fire as an ebook reader was not a factor in our decision to purchase the device.

I don't think you will see a Fire 3G model. One of the advantages of a Fire is streaming video from Amazon as well as music and other services. To do that on 3G/4G takes bandwidth and would require a user to purchase a data plan from a phone company.

The only way for Amazon to have a 3G/4G model is to partner with the phone companies but you would still have to pay for the bandwidth.

I will be getting a Kindle Fire. I don't see the benefit in spending money on an iPad. For $499, I could buy two Kindle Fire's and a Kindle Touch!

Also, don't think Apple has any special apps that I just have to have.

Thanks Ralph and Kiwi. It will be intersting to get further comments once people have the Kindle Fire in hand.

By the sounds of it though, the LCD tablet screen, whilst great for many of the uses, doesn't replace the "readability" of the dedicated e-reader Kindles, for book reading.

I'm a fairly recent owner of a 3G keyboard Kindle, and loving it.

Hi, Iain ~ just wondering why you got the 3G keyboard Kindle rather than the Touch. I'm in the market for a new Kindle (not the Fire; like you, I just want it to read books on) and have been going back and forth, back and forth, unable to decide which I'd like more. And don't get me started on the Dx (even though it seems like it's being phased out, I'm tempted; bad eyesight). Too many choices!

If I were getting something now, I'd go for the 3G Keyboard, too. (I bought a new K3 3G about a month before the latest versions came out.) Like you, I want it for reading almost exclusively. 3G rather than wifi only because I don't want to have to worry about whether wifi is available where I'll be. Keyboard because I don't like typing on a touch screen. I can use the touch screen on my phone, but I constantly make mistakes (fat fingers?) and have to re-key. Although I could live with a touch screen kindle if I had to or if the cost differential was enough to be worth the frustration. Don't really do much typing on the Kindle; don't search much or make notes.

So, it depends how you use the Kindle, I'd say, and whether wifi availability is an issue for you.

Hi Mary, I purchased my Kindle when it became available at retail outlets in Australia, and only the keyboard (wifi or 3G) available here in stores, my understanding is that the new models including the Fire not available outside of the US just yet. That said, I would've gone for the keyboard anyway, as like Betsy I've not got into touch screen products, though I certainly don't discount that for future purchases.

Did I mention I'm loving the Kindle 3G keyboard?:)

Thanks, Betsy and Iain ~ I've been leaning toward the keyboard version, though I have nothing against touch screens. It's just that I'm used to turning the pages by clicking the buttons with my thumbs. I agree about the 3G; it does come in handy when I'm commuting on a train that doesn't have wifi.

And yes, Iain, I seem to recall your mentioning that your love for the K 3G keyboard. :)