I'm sure even non-traveler, voracious readers would be interested in $10 books instead of $30 ones. (upfront costs, yadda yadda.) I'm not a voracious reader so I'm not super interested in this concept, but the fact that it carries documents like PDF intrigues me. I can see this morphing into a device somewhere between a laptop and a PDA.

Another thing I like about it is that it seems to be the thin wedge towards free cell based internet browsing without a cell service contract.

The Kindle comes complete with free access to the Sprint high speed wireless network. This is primarily for accessing Amazon to purchase and download books but also includes a rudimentary Web browser that can go anywhere (though the electronic paper screen doesn't display non-text very well).

Can you resell a Kindle book? Can you lend one to a friend (who has a Kindle) like I could with a real book? Typically it's the draconian DRM that keeps me away from this technology.

No, no sharing except between multiple Kindle's linked to the same account. Kinda ironic, actually, considering Amazon's new DRM-free mp3 service.

Amazon also touts the fact that you can load your own Word and PDF files onto the device but buries the fact that they charge you per document for the privilege.

No thanks, I'll wait until someone puts out an open platform version.

Correct. So you can pay for Time Magazine with no photos and The Washington Post without Comics. Meh.

One of the things that interested me was getting newspapers through this device. I could eliminate the stacks of newpaper I take to recycling every few weeks. But I don't like reading newspapers on line so I don't know if I'd like this any better.

But no comics? Total show stopper.

I think Moonliner hit most of the negative points that will keep me from picking up this baby. DRM = teh suck!

Kindle 2.0 is due to launch soon. Did anyone ever try out the v1.0 of this device?

The new one is slimmer, holds more, runs faster, does better graphics (but still black and white) reads aloud and has all the same DRM issues as it's predecessor.




So what's the vote, pick one up, pass, or see what the future brings...

I'm sorry, there are great benefits to this I am sure.

But nothing beats lounging on the couch with a nice cup of something warm on a stormy day and an engrossing book to savour. I'll remain a luddite, no Farenheit 451 for me.