Specialise And Succeed – The Amazon Kindle Reader
Currently there’s a lot of interest in electronic devices which fulfil various different functions. Phones which have cameras, can browse the internet, play mp3 music files and even act as satellite navigation systems are splendid examples of these “fusion” devices.
The iPod may well be the best example of all. It’s a music player, phone, web browser and has a huge variety of “Apps” which can range from games to hotel recommendations. It even has a Kindle app which allows users to read Kindle books on their iPod.
The Kindle reader itself could be considered to be a multi-functional device. Over and above its primary function as an e-book reader, it can be used as a web browser. Admittedly, the functionality is somewhat limited, primarily due to its display which is monochrome and not suited to displaying video due to a relatively slow refresh rate.
On the other hand, it is the Kindle’s e-ink technology display which makes it so much more pleasant to read on than either the iPod or a computer screen. As a result of the fact that the display is not back-lit, it generates considerably less eye strain in use when compared to a standard LCD type of monitor.
A further advantage of e-ink technology displays is the fact that they only require power when the screen is being rewritten. The significance of this is that e-book readers can go for lengthy periods on a single battery charge. It’s the perfect scenario for a battery operated portable item. Roughly speaking, e-book readers can perform several thousand “page turns” inbetween charges. For an average reader, that will represent something between four and six weeks of use.
So, the very thing that makes e-book readers such ideal devices to reading books on – the e-Ink display – is placing a limitation on their ability to perform other tasks, such as video display or surfing the web. It can only be a matter of time until color e-Ink technology displays begin to appear, and with a much faster refresh rate. Devices such as the Kindle reader will then become better internet browsers and media players.
In the meantime, based upon the fact that e-book readers are very much the hot gadget of the moment, it does look as if there is still a place for devices which do one job only. Just so long as, like the Amazon Kindle, they do that one job very well.