As Amazon prepares to launch Kindle 2

[katty]

more: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29265336/

As Amazon prepares to launch Kindle 2, a book-loving e-reader explains
Cuddling up to the Kindle
Feb. 4: With even self-described "book people" embracing Amazon's Kindle, the e-reader is poised to become the most popular gadget you don't yet have. NBC's Clare Duffy reports.
Nightly News
updated 6:11 p.m. PT, Wed., Feb. 18, 2009

Helen A.S. Popkin

Sarah Lally Brown is a voracious reader, often devouring three tomes at a time. While the 35-year-old Woodinville, Wash. resident prefers the woodsy, remote area where she and her husband live, 40 miles from Seattle’s city center, she says she wouldn’t be there if they couldn’t get broadband. Still, Brown is not what you’d call a gear head.

As her friends point out, Brown possesses many of the skills that would come in handy in the event of civilization’s collapse — vegetable gardening, canning, sewing, sawing logs, tending chickens (of which she has five) and upholstery (hey, you never know). Many of these skills she either learned or improved thanks to books, lovely bound paper books.

Why then, one might imagine her luddite literary brethren asking, does she not only own — but love — a $359 Amazon Kindle, the e-reader many fear might destroy the publishing industry that creates the books she says she loves? "Why does anybody own a Kindle?" luddites often ask.

[SemiCharmedQuark]

1. I saved and saved and got a Sony PRS 505 and I love it.

It's not as nice as the Kindle, but 100 dollars cheaper. I put all of my textbooks on it. They're cheaper and it's much easier to carry around the ebook rather than a ton of heavy textbooks.

[grannie4peace]

3. are they as "good" as the kindle?

[SemiCharmedQuark]

8. The 505 is not the latest model. It's the older model.

So this is only in reference to the older model. It has the same display type as FDH said below and I guess that's what is really important. I use mine for textbooks so it's fine. However I understand the Kindle allows you to surf the web and read newspapers and blogs (however I also understand that this is rather expensive).

[FormerDittoHead]

7. I got one too. I wish the screen had better contrast, though.

It's the identical screen as the Kindle, yes, and I love reading it WHEN THERE'S ENOUGH LIGHT.

I wish it were quicker on the page turns and browsing. The Kindle lets you search for text, however, I prefer having the extra $100 in my pocket.

I figure I'll buy another such thing when they get the contrast good enough to look like WHITE paper, rather than GRAY paper. The screen could be a skooch larger too.

[SemiCharmedQuark]

9. I agree with you about the light. The PRS 507 has a backlight but

I have read that the combination of the backlight and the touch screen make it harder for reading.

But! I lucked out here. I was at Goodwill and they had just received a shipment of closeouts. Included was the PRS book cover that comes with the book light. I snapped it up for 10 dollars and it makes the book infinitely better

I also agree with you about the contrast. I sprung for the extended warrenty which is good until 2012. Hopefully by then they'll have improved the display.

[qb]

2. I still prefer the satisfaction of working my way through a real paper & ink book. nt

[onehandle]

4. I pre-ordered one for overnight delivery for my wife's birthday.

I'm supposed to have it next Wednesday.

[Kittycat]

5. Why? Save the trees?

You can get the NYT on it, and books. I'd love to have a kindle - just can't justify the price tag right now.

[grannie4peace]

11. i figured that was my 400 dollars from the stimulus package

[Ocracoker16]

6. I plan on buying one in March

[BeeBee]

10. I've had my Kindle (1) for almost a year.

I love it.

[yasmina27]

12. Can't wait!

I pre-ordered mine and it's scheduled for delivery next Wed. :)

[seabeyond]

13. i am a voracious reader. a book a day or every two days.... and no

i wont be cuddling up, i dont think, lol lol, to this thing. i like holding a book, but then again, there is availability

oh

i dont know