Amazon Kindle Faces Unexpected Demand – Company

zippyjuan · 03-25-2008, 08:30 PM

http://www.xbitlabs.com/news/multime...d_Company.html

Quote:

Amazon Kindle Faces Unexpected Demand – Company.
Amazon Apologizes for Low Availability of Kindle

Category: Multimedia

by Anton Shilov

[ 03/20/2008 | 01:48 PM ]

Despite of skeptical expectations around the industry, Amazon Kindle device that enables people to read electronic books and texts faces unexpected demand that Amazon cannot meet. As a result of such unprecedented demand, chief executive of the company had to apologize on the front page of the world’s largest online store.

“We had high hopes for Kindle before its launch, but we didn’t expect the demand that actually materialized. We sold out in the first 5.5 hours and have been scrambling to increase our manufacturing capacity ever since. We’ve been shipping on a first-come, first-served basis, but many customers have to wait as long as six weeks after ordering. We hope to be able to announce to you within the next few weeks that we’re back in stock and that when you order a Kindle, we’ll ship it to you that very same day,” Jeff Bezos, the founder and chief executive officer of Amazon said in his open letter to customers.

Many industry observers as well as high-ranking executives said that Amazon Kindle electronic book reader will not become successful due to various limitations. Moreover, Steve Jobs, chief executive of Apple, the company most known for its portable digital players that playback music and videos as well as for iTunes media store, said that people do not read anymore at all.

“It doesn’t matter how good or bad the product is, the fact is that people don’t read anymore. 40% of the people in the U.S. read one book or less last year. The whole conception is flawed at the top because people don’t read anymore,” said Steve Jobs in and an interview without revealing the sources of his information regarding people’s unwillingness to read.

However, both observers and Mr. Jobs appeared to be wrong: Amazon Kindle is in demand, which means that numerous customers are still interested in reading.

Amazon Kindle is a portable device that measures by 7.5” x 5.3” x 0.7” (19.05cm x 13.4cm x 1.77; height x width x thickness), weighs 10.3 ounces (292 grams) and features black and white 6” screen with 600x800 resolution. The device features EV-DO connectivity to download the content everywhere in the USA, however, it is unclear whether users in Europe will get GPRS/EDGE/HSDPA technologies. The amount of memory inside Kindle is unknown, but the device also supports secure digital (SD) cards, which will allow to store considerable amount of content. Battery time is unknown, but considering usage of flash memory and electronic paper screen, it is highly likely that the device can work for a long time.

Kindle customers can wirelessly shop the Kindle Store, download or receive new content – all without a PC, Wi-Fi hot spot, or syncing. However, it is impossible to browse the Internet using the device. More than 90 000 books are now available in the Kindle Store, including best sellers and new releases, which are $9.99, unless marked otherwise. Kindle is available for $399 at Amazon.com.

Jeffbx · 03-26-2008, 10:14 AM

Does anyone have or even know of anyone who has one of these?

I just don't see the appeal.

Maarchk · 03-26-2008, 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeffbx

Does anyone have or even know of anyone who has one of these?

I just don't see the appeal.

your own walking library. You wouldn't need a bookshelf. its like having an mp3 player for people who like to read. I can see the point in it. If i traveled a lot I could see this being much easier to transport in my lap top bag then taking 5 books with me.

I actually don't read.<--(illiterate)
But I could see anyone who loves to read buying one of these so they don't fill their shelves up and don't have to carry a bag of books. Just one simply device. And, if they can buy new books for 10 bucks, thats cheaper than when they usually come out in hardbound copy only.

ray · 03-26-2008, 11:40 AM

If i read more books, like i did in high school and college, I would probably buy one of these and get ebooks. I used to juggle a book or two at a time, so having an ebook reader would be nice.

You know what would make it nicer? Wifi connectivity that automatically refreshes RSS feeds as well.

Chgoman · 03-26-2008, 09:27 PM

If it cost $99 I could see it being pretty nice, but for a few hundred bucks, that's a lot of money to save some space.

ray · 09-24-2008, 07:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ray

If i read more books, like i did in high school and college, I would probably buy one of these and get ebooks. I used to juggle a book or two at a time, so having an ebook reader would be nice.

You know what would make it nicer? Wifi connectivity that automatically refreshes RSS feeds as well.

So I've been researching the Kindle lately as I've started reading more and more again, and just noticed that I had posted a comment earlier this year...

Apparently the Kindle does have EVDO connectivity and can download books, magazines, newspapers, blog feeds automatically. The downside is, you have to pay for all content including blogs that I can read online for free.

Has anybody used one yet? Most of the reviews i have read online are pretty favorable, especially when it comes to battery life (with the evdo turned off).

Chgoman · 09-25-2008, 10:08 AM

I have a friend who got one and it was pretty nice. I still have a hard time with the cost of it. For $350 buck and to still have to buy the books, that's a big investment. If you buy hardcovers right when they come out, it could pay for itself over time, but if you buy softcovers or used books, The books for kindle can actually cost more than in print.

I really want to like the kindle, but economically I just don't see it until the price drops by over half.

ArkiStan · 09-25-2008, 03:53 PM

i really don't see the point cause the only reason i buy books is to decorate my shelves and make myself look intelligent to the friends who rarely visit me.

totally pointless device.

wung · 09-25-2008, 09:54 PM

yeah, $360 is a lot of money to spend. it's on my wish list though ... i'm waiting for the price to drop and for the 2nd gen to come out ...

Jeffbx · 09-26-2008, 05:42 AM

I'd probably take one of these if someone handed it to me, but do you know how many books I can buy for $360?? I'll stick with the analog method, thanks.

mojo · 09-29-2008, 07:23 AM

these things are hot

09-29-2008, 07:23 AM	#11
mojo Fleet Admiral Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: about 15 min away Posts: 8,165	these things are hot __________________ say "hi" to lumbergh for me

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03-26-2008, 10:14 AM	#2
Jeffbx Fleet Admiral Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Michigan Posts: 9,390	Does anyone have or even know of anyone who has one of these? I just don't see the appeal.

03-26-2008, 11:40 AM	#4
ray captain awesome Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 7,054	If i read more books, like i did in high school and college, I would probably buy one of these and get ebooks. I used to juggle a book or two at a time, so having an ebook reader would be nice. You know what would make it nicer? Wifi connectivity that automatically refreshes RSS feeds as well.

03-26-2008, 09:27 PM	#5
Chgoman Lieutenant Commander Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Mission Viejo, CA Posts: 696	If it cost $99 I could see it being pretty nice, but for a few hundred bucks, that's a lot of money to save some space.

09-25-2008, 10:08 AM	#7
Chgoman Lieutenant Commander Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Mission Viejo, CA Posts: 696	I have a friend who got one and it was pretty nice. I still have a hard time with the cost of it. For $350 buck and to still have to buy the books, that's a big investment. If you buy hardcovers right when they come out, it could pay for itself over time, but if you buy softcovers or used books, The books for kindle can actually cost more than in print. I really want to like the kindle, but economically I just don't see it until the price drops by over half.

09-25-2008, 03:53 PM	#8
ArkiStan Admiral Join Date: May 2000 Location: Recession Central Posts: 5,898	i really don't see the point cause the only reason i buy books is to decorate my shelves and make myself look intelligent to the friends who rarely visit me. totally pointless device.

09-25-2008, 09:54 PM	#9
wung Lieutenant Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 435	yeah, $360 is a lot of money to spend. it's on my wish list though ... i'm waiting for the price to drop and for the 2nd gen to come out ...

09-26-2008, 05:42 AM	#10
Jeffbx Fleet Admiral Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Michigan Posts: 9,390	I'd probably take one of these if someone handed it to me, but do you know how many books I can buy for $360?? I'll stick with the analog method, thanks.

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