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Amazon to release Wifi only version of Kindle eReader for $139

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Andrex said:
Why not? Are eReader 3G antennas inferior to the iPad's? Are they slower? Is that why they cost less?

The answer is of course, no.

Read what I wrote again. Trust me, the answer is in there.

numble said:
Oh wow, didn't think this would become another Apple thread.

My fault, just trying to inject some logic.
 
So I saw the price and was like "Yeah, that might be enough to get me to bite finally" (because I'd been considering one for awhile, but then I looked at the 3g version one more time and thought "Only 50 more to get books anywhere. . ."

So I still haven't made up my mind.
 
I don't know why you'd be arguing for something to be more expensive in any case, though. Unless you're just a lapdog. :P
 
Andrex said:
I don't know why you'd be arguing for something to be more expensive in any case, though. Unless you're just a lapdog. :P

He is implying the Kindle is subsidized. I don't know whether that is true or not but that would make it cheaper to the consumer.
 
Shanks said:
He is implying the Kindle is subsidized. I don't know whether that is true or not but that would make it cheaper to the consumer.

The subsidation is included in the $50 (the Wi-Fi model obviously isn't subsidized.) That means the 3G and subsidation cost are both less than $50.
 
Shanks said:
He is implying the Kindle is subsidized. I don't know whether that is true or not but that would make it cheaper to the consumer.
iSuppli last year said that the direct material costs of the Kindle 2, not including the battery or labor, or any possible royalties or licensing fees for IP, was $177. And companies have said that iSuppli is always lowballing the figures.
 
ultron87 said:
So I saw the price and was like "Yeah, that might be enough to get me to bite finally" (because I'd been considering one for awhile, but then I looked at the 3g version one more time and thought "Only 50 more to get books anywhere. . ."

So I still haven't made up my mind.
Yeah, I'm considering the same but, really, I'm personally connected to wifi so often during the course of the day I'm not sure it would matter.
 
Pre-ordered the 3g Kindle with the cover with the light, been waiting all year for this to come out so can't wait for it to get to my doorstep.
 
Shanks said:
He is implying the Kindle is subsidized. I don't know whether that is true or not but that would make it cheaper to the consumer.

Precisely. The difference is that Amazon pays the subsidy. Initially it was built in to the price of the Kindle, but now that they're in a pricing war with B&N, Amazon is simply eating it. No one knows the exact figure, but I read somewhere it was a couple of hundred dollars per device. I'll try to find the link.
 
Boonoo said:
That image, Barkley's Justice's avatar, is making Chrome mad D:
It doesn't trust herohill.com

Is that what's causing it? Thought it was an ad. Yeah, it's screwing with Chrome. >:/
 
Andrex said:
Why not? Are eReader 3G antennas inferior to the iPad's? Are they slower? Is that why they cost less?

The answer is of course, no.
how much do you think the average person will spend on books for their kindle vs apps from the apple store?
 
The Faceless Master said:
how much do you think the average person will spend on books for their kindle vs apps from the apple store?

That's not what I was talking about. I was talking strictly about hardware costs.

But regardless, 3G capability (not even 3G subscription costs) isn't worth $130 to me and I'm sure many agree. Getting back on topic...
 
Why are people fighting about Apple? we all know the fruit themed toymaker loves nothing more than to rip people off with massive premiums on their devices, Apple thinks they can charge more than the competition because they are Apple, and so far it's proven to be true.
 
Zinga said:
Why are people fighting about Apple? we all know the fruit themed toymaker loves nothing more than to rip people off with massive premiums on their devices, Apple thinks they can charge more than the competition because they are Apple, and so far it's proven to be true.

Right, it's time to get back on topic.
 
Vyer said:
Why is Andrex all in a huff in here? Is the Kindle running Android?

Just discussing the Kindle and its competition. That's what threads are for.
 
I think I might finally jump into the ereader club. 139 isn't such a bad price. I think I could live without the 3g and save 50 bucks. Good move on Amazon.
 
I’m still happy with my 2nd gen Kindle but I think I’ll upgrade to a 4th gen model for 99 bucks in a year or two. I wouldn’t mind something even lighter and smaller than what I have now.

If I was curious about what ebooks were all about, those 140 and 150 dollar models out now from Amazon and B&N are great options.

Oh, and I don’t think the nook looks better than the Kindle for one main reason: it’s fat. it’s half an inch thick but the kindle is only .33” thick. profile counts too when considering the shape of these things.
 
I really love my kindles abilty to just simply be able to access the store wherever I am in this world without having to worry about wifi. It's the perfect thing if you travel a lot. It's amazing they were able to make deals with so many providers around the world. Though I guess it helps that there are only small amounts of data transfer.

+ being able to email myself new documents on my kindle is great too.
 
LCfiner said:
I’m still happy with my 2nd gen Kindle but I think I’ll upgrade to a 4th gen model for 99 bucks in a year or two. I wouldn’t mind something even lighter and smaller than what I have now.

If I was curious about what ebooks were all about, those 140 and 150 dollar models out now from Amazon and B&N are great options.

Oh, and I don’t think the nook looks better than the Kindle for one main reason: it’s fat. it’s half an inch thick but the kindle is only .33” thick. profile counts too when considering the shape of these things.

This is the same though I had on the Nook when I held it. I didn't get to play with it though; what all is the touchscreen section used for?

Either way at 140-150 bucks these things are hitting really good prices for greater mainstream adoption.

Shanks said:
BACK ON TOPIC.

I've been on topic dude. Backseat mod someone else.
 
Vyer said:
This is the same though I had on the Nook when I held it. I didn't get to play with it though; what all is the touchscreen section used for?

Either way at 140-150 bucks these things are hitting really good prices for greater mainstream adoption.



I've been on topic dude. Backseat mod someone else.


touchscreen is for the keyboard plus navigation within menus and the store. whenever I’ve seen a Nook in action, the split navigation between the LCD and the e-ink screen seems harder to grasp that the Kindle’s more pedestrian display of items all on one screen.
 
LCfiner said:
touchscreen is for the keyboard plus navigation within menus and the store. whenever I’ve seen a Nook in action, the split navigation between the LCD and the e-ink screen seems harder to grasp that the Kindle’s more pedestrian display of items all on one screen.

What about for navigation within the book? Ie turning pages, moving between chapters, etc?

If it's simply for navigation of your library or the store the differences aren't as great IMO.
 
Vyer said:
What about for navigation within the book? Ie turning pages, moving between chapters, etc?

If it's simply for navigation of your library or the store the differences aren't as great IMO.


the nook has the same big physical buttons as the kindle on the side for turning pages. that bottom screen is typically turned off during reading (it would be a battery waste to have it on all the time)

starting text searches and dictionary queries within a book are handled by the LCD
 
Vyer said:
I've been on topic dude. Backseat mod someone else.

It was sarcasm. Andrex said it twice right after he said what he wanted to say. Suppose I should have tagged it or something.
 
Shanks said:
It was sarcasm. Andrex said it twice right after he said what he wanted to say. Suppose I should have tagged it or something.

Understood. Sometimes my meter is on the fritz. :D
 
Vyer said:
Why is Andrex all in a huff in here?
I noticed that. What's the guy's deal?

Andrex said:
I think they have to be converted by Amazon. :/
No. That was the case a while back. Native support now.

I just want to know if the presentation for PDFs has been corrected. I've heard conflicting reports on how easy it is to read academic articles on the Kindle 2. Some say its frustrating while others say you can turn it horizontally and one page is divided into two. If that's the case, sounds fine to me.
 
This is kind of neat. There are now power contacts built into the hinge connectors so a case that uses the hinges can power built-in peripherals using the kindle battery rather than require separate batteries. Amazon is selling a case with a built-in light, for example.
 
teiresias said:
This is kind of neat. There are now power contacts built into the hinge connectors so a case that uses the hinges can power built-in peripherals using the kindle battery rather than require separate batteries. Amazon is selling a case with a built-in light, for example.

Right! Very cool, this new price point and cool features like that finally made me bite. I just pre ordered one. I am sick of stuffing Perdido Street Station in my back every day. These things seem like a commuters dream. August 27th can't come soon enough.
 
For all of the soon-to-be Kindle owners: seek out some of the self-published and indie books. I've found alot of really enjoyable books for a buck or so. I find I take alot more chances with books now that I can get a free sample of anything and try alot of smaller authors for less than $3.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/0140289011/?tag=neogaf0e-20

That book, for example, is an incredible read and the entire trilogy is $2.50 per book. Gritty modern pulp, but incredibly funny at the same time.
 
So how does Whispernet work on the WiFi-only Kindle? I assumed that the 3G service was responsible for the syncing previously. The feature will be rather useless if I have to stop reading at a wireless hotspot before switching to reading on another device for the two to sync up. Anyone have a clue?
 
I feel I would definitely pick one up when they drop to $99. It would alone be worth it for all the public domain books you can throw on there.

$99 probably won't come for awhile though. Maybe not until they launch a color version, then throw the B&W one under $100.
 
Stealth said:
So how does Whispernet work on the WiFi-only Kindle? I assumed that the 3G service was responsible for the syncing previously. The feature will be rather useless if I have to stop reading at a wireless hotspot before switching to reading on another device for the two to sync up. Anyone have a clue?
That's exactly how it would work. It's no different than whispernet on the wifi only iPad and iPod Touch.
 
Stealth said:
So how does Whispernet work on the WiFi-only Kindle? I assumed that the 3G service was responsible for the syncing previously. The feature will be rather useless if I have to stop reading at a wireless hotspot before switching to reading on another device for the two to sync up. Anyone have a clue?
Considering I keep the 3G turned off on my Kindle anyway I can't imagine it being much different. I still have to turn on the radio too sync.

Granted, I rarely read on any device besides my kindle so syncing isn't a big issue for me. Mainly I just make a point of turning on the 3G every Friday so I can get my latest Instapaper delivery.
 
Socreges said:
I just want to know if the presentation for PDFs has been corrected. I've heard conflicting reports on how easy it is to read academic articles on the Kindle 2. Some say its frustrating while others say you can turn it horizontally and one page is divided into two. If that's the case, sounds fine to me.
I want to know this as well. I also want to know if most academic books are available.
 
Amir0x said:
Who cares who forced who to do what (or who copied who), the competition has clearly caused Amazon to get sane about the pricing. And if "copying" forces them to do something GOOD, then this is to be applauded, not mocked.

I prefer the Nook but I am glad there is a competitor like Amazon to keep the companies developing their products and continually forcing prices down. $139 is definitely the perfect price for this thing.

I agree. Also, it makes more people want to buy them. I am always encouraging my friends to read more and e-book readers seem to interest them, but the price does not. I love my Nook as well and haven't regretted buying it because I use it all the time.
 
Stealth said:
So how does Whispernet work on the WiFi-only Kindle? I assumed that the 3G service was responsible for the syncing previously. The feature will be rather useless if I have to stop reading at a wireless hotspot before switching to reading on another device for the two to sync up. Anyone have a clue?
I guess I don't see the problem. You're concerned that the wifi Kindle can't do the impossible.
 
Zinga said:
Why are people fighting about Apple? we all know the fruit themed toymaker loves nothing more than to rip people off with massive premiums on their devices, Apple thinks they can charge more than the competition because they are Apple, and so far it's proven to be true.

We're probably fighting about Apple because people came into the thread with mega trollbait comments like the one you just said.
 
As someone who bought a kindle 2 and returned it to wait a few months for kindle 3, I am very happy.

The only thing is the Black case, I'm not wild about the black case contrasting with the screen. Might actually hurt they eyes... maybe that's just me.
 
kaskade said:
I think I might finally jump into the ereader club. 139 isn't such a bad price. I think I could live without the 3g and save 50 bucks. Good move on Amazon.


Same here. Good shit, Amazon. I might buy one for my mother and I.
 
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