I’m now one month into my 2010 iPhone 365 Project! I spent the morning relaxing while drinking some tea and reading. But, I wasn’t reading a traditional “book”, I was reading on my Amazon Kindle. I’ve had it for a month and absolutely love it! I took this photo this morning of my Amazon Kindle 2 in my lap while I was still wearing pajamas.
To be honest, I knew Apple would be releasing their iPad soon and easily surmised it would look and function like a large iPhone or iPod Touch. But, that didn’t stop me from buying the Kindle. I bought the Kindle due to three factors:
- Electronic Ink Screen – Low glare and usable in sunlight
- Long Battery Life – 2 weeks of regular use without recharging
- FREE 3G Network Connectivity – Yes, FREE!
Please don’t get me wrong, I would love an Apple iPad. It would be absolutely beautiful for showing my photography portfolio to potential clients … but, I currently use a thin lightweight laptop for that. It would be great to access the administrative functions of my website and proof gallery remotely … but, I currently use my iPhone for that. It would be great to buy books online … but, I use my Kindle for that.
While most people seem to want a Kindle versus iPad debate, the three items listed above are still the most important to me in an eBook Reader. But, honestly, if the iPad would offer free 3G connectivity for purchasing books and a reasonable battery life (at least a week of reading a few hours a day), I would likely make the switch as soon as possible and put up with a backlit screen. But, for me, those two items are deal breakers in an eBook Reader … your mileage may vary.
As I see it, even though you wouldn’t know it by all of the recent blog chatter directly comparing the two, the problem is most people don’t understand the Apple iPad is more than an eBook Reader. Even though Ito much, much more than that … and more than a laptop as well … it will likely take a while for it to find its niche. When all is said and done, I’ll probably still buy an iPad solely for the possibilities it offers me as a photographer; however, I’ll likely wait a year for a new version to push the prices down.
As long as book publishers don’t start choosing exclusive sides, both Apple and Amazon will have devout followers. However, if publishers like Macmillan ultimately choose, it will be the eBook consumers that are hurt.
How about you? How do you plan on using an Apple iPad?
iPhone 365 Project Day 31: Amazon Kindle versus Apple iPad
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I’m actually looking forward to getting an iPad. The fact that I can add 3G without a lock-in contract is a great selling feature for me. My only real disappointment is that it is missing a forward facing webcam. My inner Trekkie says it’s time
As a voracious reader I struggled over the purchase of an e-book reader. I decided on the Amazon Kindle II and it’s something I’ll never regret. I don’t have to worry about space to store books (lacking in my humble abode despite converting a closet to a library), books are cheaper and now that I have around 70 odd stored on my Kindle. I’ll never lack for read material. Project Gutenberg books (I found a whole collection of the “Scarlet Pimpernel” books that have been out of print for years!), Amazon free books and the ones I buy. Apple can take their iPad, I have my Kindle.