Reading with One Hand
I have to admit that before the first Kindle came out, I had my doubts. But it turns out that Amazon reproduced most of the important reading experiences into a digital reader — and added a lot of nice features. It succeeded where many other devices have not. Now Kindle 2 is out, and has got great reviews. Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos also is out plugging the device. Here ihe is in a very funny video with Jon Stewart (watch the video and you will get the title to my post).
All very nice. Then I read Seth Godin’s post about it (BTW, just Part I) . Seth’s critique blew me away.
Don’t get me wrong. Seth loves the Kindle. But read his post, and you might see the device (and business modeling) in a new way. These are wild ideas for market leadership that just might happen. Thanks Seth!
FOLLOW - Chris Snyder at Wired points out a Kindle problem. You cannot read Amazon digital content on any device other than a Kindle. Nor can Kindle users get digital books anywhere but Amazon. Following the IPod strategy, it is winner take all.
2d FOLLOW - Here is a link to a CrunchGear review.
3rd FOLLOW - Larry Lessig weighs in on the settlement between Amazon and the Authors Guild noting that allowing authors’ reps to block out loud reading confers a right they never had. Why do they assert this right? To protect license fees from read alound versions of books that are on the market now.
4rth FOLLOW - Kevin Kelleher at Giga offers a few thoughts on how Mr. Bezos strategy in developing the Kindle matches a larger corporate commitment at Amazon to customer satisfaction (a seemless experience that offers great prices). Agreed.
5th FOLLOW - Fred Wilson has convereted to the Kindle. He has a nice link to a Slate article by Jacob Weisberg arguing that this is the start of seomthing very big.
Tags: Leadership
February 28th, 2009 at 9:36 am
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December 7th, 2009 at 5:39 pm
I pre-ordered a Kindle 2 for my dad for his 80th birthday. Like most people his age he’s a bit of a technophobe, so I expected to have to go set it up and teach him to use it. I was shocked when he called to tell me that it had arrived and not only had he already registered it with Amazon, but he was reading the morning newspaper on it. He loves it! I can’t think of a better tribute to the Kindle’s ease of use.
December 7th, 2009 at 5:48 pm
Jeff Bezos would love to hear it. I am impressed by how quickly the Kindle has gone from relative oddity to core gadget. And with Sony and B&N now producing competing readers, I think Jeff needs to take the Kindle up to the next level again — let’s see if he does
February 8th, 2010 at 7:22 pm
I just got my Amazon Kindle from amazon.com and all I want to say is goodbye to paper but I think the iPad will be kill the Kindle from Amazon
February 8th, 2010 at 9:12 pm
Not sure about that. There may be room for both of them, targeted to somewhat different market niches. But I guess we will find out.