Comments on: The obligatory comment (or two) about the Apple iPad

By: Modesto Inscore

Modesto Inscore — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 04:14:30 +0000

I’ve been a fan of Apple for sometime, they produce gadgets that is aesthetically beautiful while working like a champ. Alot of companies aren’t able to say that, it’s typically one or the other. Companies don’t usually take aesthetics seriously like Apple. With me stating that I’ve got to say that I’m very excited about the upcoming Tablet. One thing I question though, is it too soon? I think that this product may be ahead of its time. What do you think?

By: iPad news

iPad news — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 03:45:30 +0000

Couldn't agree with you more. I'm stoked for the Ipad though!Thanks!

By: Kindles, iPads, and cell phones (oh my!) « The Magic Echo Chamber

Kindles, iPads, and cell phones (oh my!) « The Magic Echo Chamber — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 13:13:35 +0000

[...] introduction into the marketplace will do to the former. I talked about it a little bit in my post when the iPad was introduced, and in the comments section there. There is some understandable defensiveness from those who have [...]

By: David Forbes

David Forbes — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 22:42:16 +0000

Just be be clear, I have nothing against dedicated eReaders like the Kindle and Nook and Sony devices. I don’t have any particular use for them, but that certainly shouldn’t devalue how those who own them or want to own them feel. My take on this is simply me looking at the future market as logically as I can and finding their value points rapidly diminishing. But hey, I’m guessing the future and we all know how accurate that can be! I just wanted to make sure that I’m not rooting *against* them or hoping them to fail or anything like that — I’m not.

By: David Forbes

David Forbes — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 20:08:55 +0000

Hi Tony. Thanks for writing. Your points are all valid in their own way, but not really for me. I have no desire for a dedicated, single-function device. I agree with you about the multitasking on the iPad (and I mentioned it in my post). I won’t be buying one until that’s available.

As for e-ink … I really, really dislike it. It just looks dull to me. I don’t use supernova-bright LCDs (I keep the brightness down pretty low), and I prefer backlighting, so for me the iPad is the winner hands-down. The page turning on a Kindle is so excruciatingly slow and bad that I get irritated putzing around with one.

You mentioned portability in the Kindle’s (or other dedicated eReader’s) favor, but here’s my take on that. For traveling (which is where I would use an eReader the most), I would have to take an eReader *and* a laptop in order to do what I need to do. For me, the iPad simplifies this, since I can check email, surf the web, and write on a single device. That’s simply not possible on a dedicated eReader.

And even if I ended up using an iPad for my primary reading at home, I still like the ability to have access to my website or Twitter feed or Facebook account or email with the touch of a screen on a single device.

I still think that once the iPad is out in the market and the public gets a feel for it, the price of dedicated eReaders is going to be forced down pretty quickly. I just don’t see them remaining competitive at their price points for what they offer. And if the iPad is even moderately successful, dedicated eReaders are going to become largely a niche market.

By: Tony

Tony — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 16:00:35 +0000

Not disappointing, but a little premature. The eReader will be around for quite some time. (I am typing this on an Apple MacBook Pro btw) As a multi use device, the iPad is weak in that it is not multitasking, no OSX, weight (cannot replace an eReader for portability) and price in order to get the higher end model (0ver $800.00) If you want to read and do some net surfing, the $499.00 will do just fine. However, a backlit LCD WILL damage your eyes. It is a medical fact. That is the purpose behind an eReader. It is designed for reading only. eInk is not for surfing the net or browsing. These devices are designed to have the same portability as a paperback, which they achieve nicely and the reading experience is comfortable for hours at a time.

Bottom line, the overwhelming consensus is that until Apple builds an iPad with a camera, multitasking and some sort of “eInk like” solution, the eReader has a firm grip in the market.

I do appreciate an author giving his opinion about a very cool device though. It has sparked some interest in your work and I will be interested in reading some of your work. Thank you!

By: David Forbes

David Forbes — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 13:33:07 +0000

I’m not sure why you’d find my view depressing. I’m not against eReaders in the least. I’m just not a huge fan of fairly expensive, single-purpose electronic devices. I’d much rather have a multi-purpose device (but that’s just me). My sister-in-law has a Kindle and I guess I’m not really wowed by a monochrome display. I don’t get headaches from reading from an LCD, so I don’t see what the big deal is with e-ink (other than it can’t be backlit, which is a negative in my view). I haven’t held an iPad yet or seen one in person so I can’t say whether the size will be awkward or not. It doesn’t seem like it should be, but I’ll need to play with it to be sure.

I still think the Kindle and Nook’s days are numbered unless they drop their prices drastically. The higher-end Kindle is $489 for a device that does one thing only. The lower end is $250. Compared to the iPad at $499, there’s not much of a competition. I think for eReader only devices to survive they’ll have to drop to sub-$100 pricing, and pretty quickly.

By: Karrde

Karrde — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 02:42:21 +0000

I find it a little depressing that an author of all people would actually refer to this as a eReader killer.

I’ll give all credit that Apple makes a great vertical integration with tier products. And I think the iBooks store will be a boon for digital books, but a Kindle/Nook killer it isn’t

glossy screen + active lit display + iBooks == instant headache

It’s also too big to reasonable carry and hold for reading purposes.

Yes I do happen to have a Nook on the way, and I love my Apple products (even my AppleTVs). Like you this will likely find a place in my life sometime in the future, but for now I’m happy with a iMac/MacBook/Nook/Android combo in my life.