It’s Kindle 2.0 Launch day, and you’ll find all about it, well, practically everywhere. Amazon has not yet sent a device for review (call me!), but I would like to tell you about my new Sony Reader.
Which is awesome.
First off: touch screen, people!
The touch screen leads to quite a bit of trickle-down quality, especially from an aesthetic standpoint because the device is mostly screen. If you want to take notes, it’s very simple: a keyboard pops up on the screen and you simply type on it. It’s also easy to navigate because you just touch which book you want to read, so there’s no scrolling.
The display itself is a wonder: if you haven’t seen e-ink you haven’t seen… uh, e-ink. The best comparison I can make is that it’s like an Etch-a-Sketch. It’s not backlit. It’s not like reading on a PDA or laptop. Repeat: it’s not like reading on a PDA or laptop. It doesn’t strain your eyes any more than paper. Repeat: it doesn’t strain your eyes any more than paper. And the pages turn noticeably faster with this version of the Reader. It’s just a tiny blink.
(And yes, I know that there will still be comments from people worried about eye-strain)
But perhaps my favorite underrated aspect of this device is quite simple: a built-in nightlight.
Because the screen isn’t backlit, you can only read it under light. Thus, having a nightlight is basically indispensable for reading at night.
Other cool features:
– you can easily change the font size and layout if you’d like to read bigger or on widescreen.
– multiple ways to change pages, whether pressing a button or “flicking” the touch-screen with your finger
– an approximation of page numbers, unlike Kindle’s bewildering “locations”
– the leather case snaps shut easily with a nice magnet
– you only need to charge it, at most, once a week
The Reader does have some drawbacks: the e-book store is not yet Mac compatible, and I do miss the lack of wireless. For an average reader I don’t think this would be a problem because you can easily load up a bunch of books on a single plug-in and be good to go for a while. When you’re an agent dealing with a thousand partials, however, I miss the wireless.
You can check out the Reader at your friendly neighborhood Target, Borders, and other stores.
I honestly, honestly never thought when I got a Kindle and Sony Reader that I’d become a raving lunatic of a fan of these devices. But what can I say? I really feel like it’s an improved reading experience. I like reading with one hand so I can hold onto the bus/train with the other hand. I like the lack of clutter. I like getting books instantaneously. I like being able to easily search a book and have access to a ton of them. I like how they always open up to the last place I left off.
We’ll always have paper books, and I’d always want to have some of my favorites. But now that I have e-readers: I can’t imagine going back.
UPDATE: In the comments section people have been weighing on the new commenting system (an embedded window) vs. the old one (separate page with icons). Let’s put it to a vote, and I’ll change it accordingly:
beckylevine says
Nathan, this may be a silly question (I’m trying to keep up with all the technology–honestly!) but why do you have BOTH a Kindle and a Sony Reader. Is there a place where they don’t overlap?
Thanks!
Anonymous says
I was sold until “the e-book store is not yet Mac compatible”. I was lucky enough to browse one in action in Heathrow’s T2 lounge recently – a very patient fellow traveler let me take a look. The leather case was a nice touch and it did look lovely. Perhaps 2.0 will be Mac friendly and wireless?
Did you see GalleyCat’s story on % of Amazon books sold for Kindles? “Kindle sales make up more than 10 percent of sales of books that are available in both traditional and e-book form.”
Ink says
A thousand partials? You need to slow down, my good man. Have a siesta.
My best, as always,
Bryan
Nathan Bransford says
beckylevine-
They’re slightly different experiences. The Sony Reader feels like more of a streamlined device than the Kindle, whereas the Kindle really benefits from the wireless. It all depends on what you’re looking for in an e-reader.
Jo says
I want it.
Unfortunately it costs $400 so I won’t be getting it.
Nathan Bransford says
Jo-
Yeah, it’s not cheap, especially in these times.
Anonymous says
I totally Kindle and Sony Reader stupid; so don’t laugh at me when I ask, can you actually write your mss on it? Don’t laugh!
Ulysses says
Thanks for this. I find myself rethinking my original resentment of these devices. I guess I’m a Luddite of sorts and found the thought of reading a book on a machine to be philosophically objectionable. However, it seems there are a lot of things to recommend the experience. Once the price falls into the “not unreasonable” range, I’ll have to rethink my non-buying decision. (It’s not often I can include the non-single negative).
Fitz#11 says
2 e-readers?
p. i. m. p.
Anonymous says
I was drooling until, like the Anonymous before me, arrived at the bit about the Sony not being Mac compatible.
Drat.
Marvelous update, though. Thanks, Nathan! So glad to see you’re embracing modernity.
Maybe now you’ll be able to read my book…
Nathan Bransford says
I should note re: Mac compatibility that there are some work-arounds, although since I have a PC at work I’ve never really needed to explore them.
Anonymous says
Not only am I totally Sony Reader and Kindle stupid, apparently I have a brain malfunction when it comes to typing all of the words I mean to.
Nathan Bransford says
anon-
No, these devices aren’t ideal for typing. Laptop will steal beat them there.
clindsay says
I loved my Sony Reader until it stopped working after five months. I am bereft! I seriously feel naked without the damned thing. And unfortunately, I can’t afford to replace it.
*sigh*
Anonymous says
Darn, I was hoping it would be something small and portable I could haul around with me, and use when my creative urge hit me.
Ink says
Colleen’s post does bring up an interesting point… are the e-readers durable? What happens if there’s a glitch? Repair services? Warranty? I’m just thinking if you put your whole library on an e-reader and something starts to fizzle inside… will you need $400 lying around to regain access to your library? That would be… problematic. Especially since I have an odd Gremlin-like effect on most forms of technology.
My best, as always,
Bryan
CB says
Nathan
Why the new format? I miss seeing all of the smiling faces. It’s also harder to pick out your replies.
Newbee says
It sounds like they need to create something like this that has a keyboard for us writing people. Then it would be a perfect blend of a reading and writing tool. Well worth the pretty price.
Ugly Deaf Muslim Punk Gurl! says
I just saw photos and saw how small the Kindle is, and it looks so comfortable. Now I’m beginning to think this is something I should buy. I hate clutter and I don’t want to buy any more books for my room.
Dara says
It’s something I’d check into when it goes down in price (like significantly…I can hardly buy a traditional hardcover now).
I’d still be hesitant to get one as I’m pretty clumsy and forgetful, and I’d worry that I’d break it or lose it 😛
But it does sound nifty–especially the power supply part and only needing to charge it once a week (even though I’m still of the opinion a book should not require a power source at all, BUT the fact that this doesn’t need to be charged as often is an improvement).
Nathan Bransford says
CB-
I prefer the one-click commenting. Do other people not like it? I know you lose the icons, but a looooot of people e-mailed me who were confused by the old commenting system.
clindsay says
Since I used my Sony Reader primarily for reading partials and manuscripts, the lack of Mac compatibility wasn’t a problem for me. The Mac sees the Sony Reader as a USB flash drive. You turn your Word docs into RTFs and then drag and drop them on the computer.
The reason I chose Sony Reader over Kindle at the time was almost exclusively the price difference. I bought my Sony Reader about six months ago for $200 on sale. I couldn’t justify spending an additional $100-$150 for the Kindle just for the wireless function (which is awesome; three of my agent friends and several editors I know here in NYC have Kindles and LOVE them – and they aren’t as clunky as they look in photos, by the way).
For me, the reading experience between Kindle and Sony Reader was identical. They were both easy to read in direct sunlight and both had almost the same age turn rate. It was primarily the price that made up my mind.
But I also expected the Sony Reader to be a little more durable than it apparently is. That has been a huge disappointment to me. The 90 day warranty was an even bigger disappointment. I’m still trying to get hold of someone at Sony to discuss this with, so we’ll see what happens. But, damn! Two days without it and I am already in withdrawal.
For the record, I read books and manuscripts primarily on a Palm Tungsten E for seven years, quite happily using eReader and Documents to Go. If the battery on that thing hadn’t finally died, I may never have upgraded.
T. Anne says
Thank you for the Etch-a-sketch analogy. (I actually own one and know how to use it. DId I mention how affordable they are?)
Since I’m primarily a mac girl, it doesn’t sound like the sony would be for me. I do like the fact they are readily available just about anywhere. Not too long ago I saw them at Costco.
Eventually, I’ll get in line at amazon for the k2.
Steve Fuller says
I like the old commenting style because there are a number of people I know who leave good comments, so I look for their pictures instead of reading 200 names. Just my opinion.
Anonymous says
I liked the old way also, but because I didn’t have to scroll all of the way down to post a comment, and I miss the pictures. They kind of add a little personality to each post. And there were a few pictures I really enjoyed Looking at. LOL 😉
Martin Willoughby says
Now all they have to do is make it cheap…or make the ‘books’ cheap.
Mira says
Awesome. It’s not ladylike to drool, so I’m just panting with my tongue hanging out.
Or is that not ladylike either?
Sometimes, it’s so hard to live up to the high standards of ladyship.
Mira says
Oh, and my two cents – I like the new commenting system. It’s much more simple.
And ladylike.
Anonymous says
I also like seeing the pictures, because it is easier to spot earlier comments by the same people.
Rick Daley says
Nathan,
If a partial leaves a laptop going west at the speed of light, but takes eighteen .005 millisecond stops at ISP routers and POP’s along the way before reaching an agent’s inbox, and that agent already has 1,000 partials to read, what is the agent’s favorite color Kindle?
I’m excited to try one, but like others here I will wait until the pricing comes down a bit. It’s good to know that are more like reading paper and not backlit, that was one of my biggest concerns.
My only complaint about the new comment format is that it’s harder to make fun of the word verification 😉
nancorbett says
Okay. So, it looks like the Sony reader can present lots of different electronic document formats, so if I buy an e-book from someplace other than the Sony store, I should be able to load it on the Sony reader and read it, right? As long as the format is supported?
I want to make sure I’m not limited to only books the Sony store has to offer.
-Nancy
Nathan Bransford says
Nancy-
Yeah — I haven’t yet tried this aspect and thus didn’t mention it, but it supports a variety of formats.
Scott says
Well, I pre-ordered my Kindle 2.0 today. In fact, I’ve been waiting for the imminent announcement for months. I’ve also been saving up for quite a while.
My ultimate decision to buy an e-reader was the – eventual – cost savings of an ebook versus the hardbacks I prefer to read. In a year’s time I can save a good portion of money and make my backpack much lighter when I travel.
In the end, I have fallen victim to technology. Resistance is futile! : )
S
Lady Glamis says
Nathan,
I certainly miss the old commenting you had… I miss being able to see people’s pics. And it was so easy to pick out your comments with your orange shirt. 🙂
As for the e-readers, I think it is fantastic that you have found something that works so well for you!
I was talking to my parents who have a Kindle. They brought up a good point – it’s very hard to get a feel for how big the book is that you’re reading. They miss being able to close the book and see how far you’ve read and how much is left.
Does the Kindle or Sony Reader have a bar that tells you how far you’ve read? And how easy is it to skip back to a page where you want to check back on something?
Nikki Wadley says
Thank you for this post. I was considering buying a Kindle. I am definitely going to get one now!
Kim Lionetti says
Thanks for posting this.
I love my Kindle, but the lack of page numbers drives me C-R-A-Z-Y! When you download Word documents to the Reader do those page numbers correspond? Would make revision letters so much simpler!
But first they need to make it Mac compatible. Come on!
Nathan Bransford says
Kim-
They don’t correspond exactly to manuscript page numbers and it depends on how big you have the font. But they’re much closer (and make much more sense) to real pages than the Kindle. The formatting conversion also seems to be smoother on the Reader than the Kindle.
as meredith says
i had been thinking of the Kindle–and may yet break down and get one–but decided to just go with an iPhone instead. Granted, an agent isn’t going to want to do all their reading on a little iPhone, but as something to have handy to read a few pages in the doctor’s waiting room, it’s perfectly good. And can play audiobooks while you’re on the treadmill. A friend read huge books on his Palm while he was stationed in Iraq. And Google and Amazon have promised to make more ebooks available for mobile devices.
Linda says
I’ve been back and forth on this whole Kindle vs. Sony Reader deal and I’m still not sure which to get. The Sony seems great for no other reason than it’s much much cheaper, but at the same time it’s the Kindle I hear nothing but praise for. Now I know the value of a dollar, if there’s really not much difference I’ll go for the Sony, then again five months is an awfully short amount of time to have an expensive device crap out on you. Ugh…choices, choices….
acpaul says
For my part, I didn’t go with either Kindle or Sony’s e-reader.
Instead, I spent my 300 on a ‘netbook’ which is a mini laptop with a 9 in screen, a keyboard just large enough for comfortable typing. It weighs in at only 2.5 lb, so it’s much more grab n go than a laptop.
I love the thing. I can take it wherever I go and work on my mss.
Newbee says
Wow! The cold meds have made it hard for me to type anything that makes sense. I think I’m all done for today…LOL.
lotusgirl says
For commenting, I miss having the cheery orange shirted Nathan smiling at us too. Plus, since there are sooooo many fans of your pages these days, sometimes I just want to quickly find my friends comments to save time and without the pictures that is much harder to do. You’ve just gotten to be such a popular place to visit and comment that. I can’t keep up anymore and get any writing done.
One of the big things I hate about my e-Book is that there are no pages listed. I guess they haven’t fixed that. Colleen’s loss of hers brings up one of my other main worries.–that after I pay a lot of money for a reader it could be broken in the first year (or five months) and, of course, not when it’s still under warranty. That just seems WRONG!
Is the kindle mac compatible?
Jen says
Not Mac compatible? Boooooooooo!!
Nathan Bransford says
Ok — decided to put the commenting system to a vote. If you’ve already weighed in, please be sure and vote in the main post!
Anonymous says
Nathan,
I’m another person who misses your old blog format. I loved the little pictures, even though I hadn’t added one for myself yet. Also, I can’t figure out how to post this comment any other way than Anonymous.
My family owns one of the first Kindles. Bought it when it first came out. A couple of features on it broke: one of the scroll bars broke and ink lines wouldn’t go away. Amazon replaced it very quickly. We were delighted. Love the Kindle! The Sony Reader looks great, too.
– Marilyn Peake
https://www.marilynpeake.com
Anonymous says
Just saw the voting for blog format…and voted. Yaaay, voting.
– Marilyn Peake
https://www.marilynpeake.com
Michael Pickett says
Oh, I didn’t know that this was the new comments system. I change my vote to the old system.
Anonymous says
testing comment
Anonymous says
hate this new one
sandra o'briant says
How much does it weigh? Do you read in bed? If I’m reading a good book, I like turning on my side with the pillow tucked under my head and sort of curling around the book. Is the Sony cuddle compatible?