Why the iPad won’t replace the Kindle
by Jeff Thomason
Originally published April 27, 2010 on Examiner.com
It’s been almost a month since the iPad came to Idaho. Only two Best Buy locations received Apple’s new wunderkind — the store in Boise and the store in Idaho Falls — and it quickly sold out. After hearing about its book reading app, some in Southeast Idaho wondered what this would mean for the Amazon Kindle, the most popular eReader. After using both, it is clear the Kindle has nothing to fear. Here are just a few reasons why:
E Ink®
The beauty of the Kindle is it’s like reading an actual book. The E Ink technology doesn’t cause eyestrain and can be read in bright sunlight. The iPad is a computer screen with all the associated drawbacks.
Weight
The Kindle weighs 10.2 oz, about the same as a hardcover, and can be held comfortably for hours. The iPad comes in a pound and a half and is not so comfortable to hold for more than a few minutes.
Simplicity
The Kindle was designed to read books. Period. Some have criticized this as a limitation, but it is actually an advantage. There aren’t dozens of extra features that can distract you after you’ve sat down and cozied up with the latest bestseller.
Read your books on multiple devices
Kindle software is available for your Mac, PC, iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, or Blackberry so your books aren’t tied to one device, and the Whispersync will automatically sync your current location, bookmarks, and notes between all devices. As of now, any books you buy thru iBook on the iPad are iPad only, although the iPhone OS 4.0 promises to extend it to the current generation of iPhones and iPod Touches.
Price
The Kindle costs $259. The iPad starts at $499, but you’ll probably end up spend much more to get enough memory and 3G to really take advantage of what it can do.
The Kindle does an excellent job of reproducing a standard book and improving upon the experience. Amazon got it right. The only thing the iPad adds is color, which most books don’t use. The Kindle looks to have a long and healthy run ahead.