Amazon’s new ebook reader or as they describe it ‘wireless reading device’ named Kindle has launched. Whilst currently it’s a US only device (big surprise there, just once I’d like a UK market first gadget), it’s something I’m really seriously considering. The thought of storing up to 200 books in one device that is about the size of a paper back and a bit lighter, really appeals to me.

To ebook or not to ebook

There seems to be a divide amongst people - those that like ebooks and those that prefer the paper variety. Personally, I’ve wanted for a while to go totally digital with regards to my reading material. I love the idea that all I want to read is there in one place. Don’t get me wrong I do see the ‘new book smell’ and ‘get’ having a library. The thing is I sort of feel the same way about books now that I do about having shelves of cds or vinyl. Call it a craving for a more minimal living if you will but to have everything stored on one device and not in rows of shelves really has something about it.

I was originally put off the idea of going totally digital with regards to my reading material, by the lack of quality in ebook devices. I’ve seen a range of them and none ever seemed to really be both small enough or have enough space. It seems the times are changing with Kindle and a few other devices I’ve seen out there. Kindle seems to have the edge a little for me with the Amazon library at your finger tips, all be it a small portion on the launch.

I love the idea of not only reading but also interacting with my books. Being able to increase text size really is something I’m welcoming. I’m part mole where my eyesight is concerned and this is not helped by staring at pixels all day. Adding notes and as the Amazon advert says ‘dog earing’ pages through Kindle, that really appeals to me. I often read something that triggers me wanting to write a blog post or remember it for later and this would make that easy for me. Currently my clumsy method is to jot down in my moleskin or since my iPhone note in that. To be able to do it in one device now that would be something I’d like.

Kindle difference?

Apart from the selling point of linking into Amazon, the one thing I really like about Kindle is it’s not trying to be like other devices which combine photo albums with music and ebooks. It really is a reading device pure and simple. Yes, this does seem contary to my craving for the portable all in one device. When it comes to one device having all my reading needs though I’m happy if it does nothing else and does that well. You see, I like the ritual of reading a book and Kindle seems like it would still provide me with that just be able to have all my books I could want to curl up with on the sofa. Not only can you have books though, there are newspaper and blogs that you can also read in this device. With the ability to expand the already quite impressive storage with a SD card, I’m hard pushed to find a problem with it from what I’ve read so far. I buy almost 100% of my books through Amazon already.

Could this be the replacement I’ve been looking for?

The US price of $399.99 does concern me a little, if I’m taking this as a literal $ to £ then one article I read that stated it would be £200 in the UK is right. I’m not so convinced though as that sort of cross pricing never really happens. If it is nearly £400 I’m not sure I can quite justify the expense yet. But if all books are around £10 (they are $9.99 in the US) and this extends to cover technical books that can run at £20-£50 a time, then this could turn out to actually save me money in the long term. Yes, it won’t do much for some more design books as in black and white but for coding I think it would work just fine.

I’ll have to wait and see both when and at what price the UK service comes. I’m hoping it’s not going to be as long as we had to wait for the iPhone but sadly it probably will be. I’m slightly concerned about how many and how wide the titles available will be. Just sticking to best or new sellers won’t really work for me as I tend to niche read. However, I am sure the library will grow with time and demand. It does seem you are tied to the ‘Kindle’ library but only time and review reading of those lucky people to get their paws on it will tell on that one. There is the option of emailing your documents though - it says word and images - and if this also includes PDF’s then the options are all there for what I want. I’m really looking forward to how this device pans out.