Holding my breath for a Kindle 4?
May 31, 2011 1:04 PM Subscribe
Kindle 3 now.... or wait for Kindle 4?
So it's getting time for me to get an e-reader. My wife loves her Kindle and really wants to share books with me - so getting a Nook or a Sony reader will probably not fly.
If you read the rumors throughout the blogosphere, the Kindle 4 may be coming out in the next 6-9 months, have a color screen, touch functionality and will make you a latte before you get up in the morning.
I am expect to use the Kindle mostly for reading...but the idea of having color for children's books, graphic novels and occasional web browsing is tantalizing.
But I'm not certain this is worth the wait or that it's even going to happen. My guess is that if Amazon drops something with a color, touch sensitive screen it will be more of an Android tablet than an e-reader. And even if there is a color e-reader, the first round of color technology might be worse that the current polished monochrome tech.
I've thought about getting a Nook Color, rooting it and using the Kindle app, but I'm fairly sure I'd prefer the screen and the battery life of the Kindle. We both have iPhones which get used for casual web browsing at home. And we'd probably get a proper tablet PC once the prices drop another couple hundred bucks or so.
So should I take the leap now, or might it be worth waiting to see what the future holds?
So it's getting time for me to get an e-reader. My wife loves her Kindle and really wants to share books with me - so getting a Nook or a Sony reader will probably not fly.
If you read the rumors throughout the blogosphere, the Kindle 4 may be coming out in the next 6-9 months, have a color screen, touch functionality and will make you a latte before you get up in the morning.
I am expect to use the Kindle mostly for reading...but the idea of having color for children's books, graphic novels and occasional web browsing is tantalizing.
But I'm not certain this is worth the wait or that it's even going to happen. My guess is that if Amazon drops something with a color, touch sensitive screen it will be more of an Android tablet than an e-reader. And even if there is a color e-reader, the first round of color technology might be worse that the current polished monochrome tech.
I've thought about getting a Nook Color, rooting it and using the Kindle app, but I'm fairly sure I'd prefer the screen and the battery life of the Kindle. We both have iPhones which get used for casual web browsing at home. And we'd probably get a proper tablet PC once the prices drop another couple hundred bucks or so.
So should I take the leap now, or might it be worth waiting to see what the future holds?
But I'm not certain this is worth the wait or that it's even going to happen. My guess is that if Amazon drops something with a color, touch sensitive screen it will be more of an Android tablet than an e-reader. And even if there is a color e-reader, the first round of color technology might be worse that the current polished monochrome tech.
Seems to me that you've answered your own question here. What you want is an e-reader with an e-ink screen, not something halfway in between an e-reader and a tablet PC, and mediocre at both.
As far as consumer electronics go, the Kindle is cheap. Proceed directly to Amazon, do not pass Go, do no collect $200. Buy a Kindle 3.
posted by InsanePenguin at 1:12 PM on May 31, 2011 [2 favorites]
Seems to me that you've answered your own question here. What you want is an e-reader with an e-ink screen, not something halfway in between an e-reader and a tablet PC, and mediocre at both.
As far as consumer electronics go, the Kindle is cheap. Proceed directly to Amazon, do not pass Go, do no collect $200. Buy a Kindle 3.
posted by InsanePenguin at 1:12 PM on May 31, 2011 [2 favorites]
If all you're going to do on your e-reader is read, and you're happy with the form factor and display of the current-gen Kindle (Kindle 3), there's no real reason to wait. There's only so much room left for innovation in e-readers without making them more tablet-like, so it's not likely that if you got a Kindle 3 today you'd regret it when the Kindle 4 comes out.
posted by Godbert at 1:12 PM on May 31, 2011
posted by Godbert at 1:12 PM on May 31, 2011
I don't think there's going to be any drop-dead features on the 4. I'm real close to upgrading from my 2 because I travel internationally, and I'm not holding out for the 4. All I do or want to do on mine is read or buy books to read.
posted by Lyn Never at 1:18 PM on May 31, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by Lyn Never at 1:18 PM on May 31, 2011 [1 favorite]
My husband wanted to get a Kindle, but got given a Nook colour. He hacked it and down loaded the reader and now loves that damn thing. He uses any excuse to get on the damn thing, he'll use that instead of look out the window to see what the weather is like.
As a hacked cheaper tablet for a geeky guy to read books on as he falls asleep at night its great. Some of the kids books you can get for it are amazing too. But as something to read books on in a serious manner I find it very hard on my eyes and annoying, but then I find all e-readers annoying and hurt my eyes so I might not be the best judge.
If you really just want to read on what every you get I'd say get the Kindle and get it now. If you keep waiting for the bigger and better versions of electronic gadgets to come out you'll never buy one.
posted by wwax at 1:18 PM on May 31, 2011
As a hacked cheaper tablet for a geeky guy to read books on as he falls asleep at night its great. Some of the kids books you can get for it are amazing too. But as something to read books on in a serious manner I find it very hard on my eyes and annoying, but then I find all e-readers annoying and hurt my eyes so I might not be the best judge.
If you really just want to read on what every you get I'd say get the Kindle and get it now. If you keep waiting for the bigger and better versions of electronic gadgets to come out you'll never buy one.
posted by wwax at 1:18 PM on May 31, 2011
There's always going to be another version. Just get the one you want.
posted by The corpse in the library at 1:30 PM on May 31, 2011 [2 favorites]
posted by The corpse in the library at 1:30 PM on May 31, 2011 [2 favorites]
The kindle is cheap. It's $139. A purchase that small does not need a year of thoughtful consideration and waiting. If you end up not liking it you can always sell it, right?
posted by PercussivePaul at 1:40 PM on May 31, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by PercussivePaul at 1:40 PM on May 31, 2011 [1 favorite]
If you would have considered rooting the Nook, you might also consider cracking the DRM on your wife's Kindle titles to you can read them wherever you please.
posted by Trurl at 1:41 PM on May 31, 2011
posted by Trurl at 1:41 PM on May 31, 2011
I have the 3 and it's great. I don't miss the color because I'm just reading on it. Touch screen would be nice, but the button interface is pretty intuitive. I say just get it. Better to have it than wait for the possibility of something that might not come to pass in the near future.
posted by Kimberly at 1:50 PM on May 31, 2011
posted by Kimberly at 1:50 PM on May 31, 2011
I'll add my $0.02 about the Kindle. Sure, you can (sort of) browse the web with it and post snippets to Facebook. But, it's reader and that's all -- which is exactly what I, the oh-so easily distracted, love about it.
So, in terms of thinking about a future (read "enhanced") version, ask yourself, do I really want a tablet with a lot of power and features, or do I want a minimalist device that does one thing really, really well.
No right or wrong answer here.
posted by robabroad at 1:53 PM on May 31, 2011 [1 favorite]
So, in terms of thinking about a future (read "enhanced") version, ask yourself, do I really want a tablet with a lot of power and features, or do I want a minimalist device that does one thing really, really well.
No right or wrong answer here.
posted by robabroad at 1:53 PM on May 31, 2011 [1 favorite]
I agree. Love my Kindle 3 with 3G. It would be nice to have an iPad, but since I'm a heavy reader Kindle works for me for now. It's also very portable. You never run out of something to read! It's a miracle!
posted by lazydog at 4:03 PM on May 31, 2011
posted by lazydog at 4:03 PM on May 31, 2011
As a Kindle 3 user, I don't really see any reason to wait. The device functions perfectly for reading and I can't think of any feature that would make the experience significantly better.
posted by special-k at 4:21 PM on May 31, 2011
posted by special-k at 4:21 PM on May 31, 2011
Kindle 3 is a fantastic device, and at the current prices I see no reason to wait. Form factor, battery life, and readability make it hands down the best device for reading books on the market, and I don't see any radical changes to that in the 6-9 month time-frame. If they do come out with a tablet I think it will be much rougher around the edges and have worse battery life while costing significantly more. Only real question then is to 3G or not to 3G. Personally, I think lifetime 3G for $50 is totally worth it, but if you don't travel it might not be for you.
posted by sophist at 8:30 PM on May 31, 2011
posted by sophist at 8:30 PM on May 31, 2011
Another Kindle 3 user here saying that I don't see any reason to wait. If I ever want to read any fancy color e-books, I'll just get an iPad, and I can use my laptop or smartphone for internet stuff. I had the same reservations at first so I'm sympathetic, but in practice once you'll have it you'll probably be glad that you have a solid e-ink device upon which to read books and not do much else.
Honestly, for me it's a huge advantage that the Kindle doesn't have more than rudimentary internet browsing capabilities, because I'm never tempted to use the internet when I want to be reading; I've been weaning myself off compulsively clicking/reloading websites out of habit and relearning to focus for longer periods of time, so the last thing I want is for my ereader to be a tablet. Just something to consider if you find the internet distracting. There's generally nothing stopping me from using my phone or a computer if I find myself desperately needing internet access, and if those aren't available and it's seriously necessary the Kindle can do it sort of, but the step of needing to go get another device for that access keeps compulsive distraction at bay, so the Kindle is exactly what I need. If you aim for uninterrupted reading then I'd actively advise against a tablet, at least not as your primary ereader.
posted by Nattie at 11:13 PM on May 31, 2011
Honestly, for me it's a huge advantage that the Kindle doesn't have more than rudimentary internet browsing capabilities, because I'm never tempted to use the internet when I want to be reading; I've been weaning myself off compulsively clicking/reloading websites out of habit and relearning to focus for longer periods of time, so the last thing I want is for my ereader to be a tablet. Just something to consider if you find the internet distracting. There's generally nothing stopping me from using my phone or a computer if I find myself desperately needing internet access, and if those aren't available and it's seriously necessary the Kindle can do it sort of, but the step of needing to go get another device for that access keeps compulsive distraction at bay, so the Kindle is exactly what I need. If you aim for uninterrupted reading then I'd actively advise against a tablet, at least not as your primary ereader.
posted by Nattie at 11:13 PM on May 31, 2011
Er, to be clear, when I say "tablet" I am referring to the Nook Color, because it's essentially categorized that way in my head.
posted by Nattie at 11:15 PM on May 31, 2011
posted by Nattie at 11:15 PM on May 31, 2011
FYI - There have been some rumors around that Amazon may be giving away Kindles for free later this year - perhaps to Prime subscribers. Maybe when the 4 drops, the leftover 3s will be free?
posted by thatguyjeff at 7:18 AM on June 1, 2011
posted by thatguyjeff at 7:18 AM on June 1, 2011
This thread is closed to new comments.
Anyway, don't get a Nook.
You might want to consider getting a Kindle 2 and an iPad.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 1:07 PM on May 31, 2011