2008 Woodie Awards
Kindle makes reading easy with e-book technology
Abbey Snyder
Issue date: 12/6/07 Section: TruLife
Watch out books, there's a new electronic book reader in town.
Amazon.com recently released the Kindle, technology's newest stab at an electronic book reader. But although the device already sold out, many still are skeptical of whether it will succeed.The Kindle is a revolutionary reading device that is designed to make reading a breeze, according to Amazon.com
"We set out to design and build an entirely new class of device - a convenient, portable reading device with the ability to wirelessly download books, blogs, magazines and newspapers," according to a description of the product on Amazon.com. "The result is Amazon Kindle."
Running at about $400 each, the Kindle allows readers to store up to 200 books that can be wirelessly downloaded using any cellular wireless connection.
Donald Bindner, professor of computer science, said he's excited that a new and improved e-book reader is available but not sure if it will do well or not.
"Some people think it's the greatest thing," Bindner said. "Some people think it's kind of clunky. We'll have to see how it works. Nobody's ever put out an e-book reader that's been a successful e-book reader."
Bindner said that although there are some downfalls to the Kindle, it does have some features that set it apart from e-book readers that have come and gone.
"[The Kindle] actually has a cellular modem inside, so it can connect to a cellular telephone network instead of having to connect to the nearest wireless network," he said.
In addition, Bindner said the Kindle uses electronic ink, which lengthens the battery life of the device.
"You get the effect like paper of dark on light like ink," Bindner said. "It's really good ... for something like an e-book because you change a page, and it takes electricity ... and then you spend the next 30 to 60 seconds reading and not actually using [the battery] in any way."
University Bookstore Manager Steve Pennington said another positive aspect of devices like the Kindle is they help conserve resources.
Amazon.com recently released the Kindle, technology's newest stab at an electronic book reader. But although the device already sold out, many still are skeptical of whether it will succeed.The Kindle is a revolutionary reading device that is designed to make reading a breeze, according to Amazon.com
"We set out to design and build an entirely new class of device - a convenient, portable reading device with the ability to wirelessly download books, blogs, magazines and newspapers," according to a description of the product on Amazon.com. "The result is Amazon Kindle."
Running at about $400 each, the Kindle allows readers to store up to 200 books that can be wirelessly downloaded using any cellular wireless connection.
Donald Bindner, professor of computer science, said he's excited that a new and improved e-book reader is available but not sure if it will do well or not.
"Some people think it's the greatest thing," Bindner said. "Some people think it's kind of clunky. We'll have to see how it works. Nobody's ever put out an e-book reader that's been a successful e-book reader."
Bindner said that although there are some downfalls to the Kindle, it does have some features that set it apart from e-book readers that have come and gone.
"[The Kindle] actually has a cellular modem inside, so it can connect to a cellular telephone network instead of having to connect to the nearest wireless network," he said.
In addition, Bindner said the Kindle uses electronic ink, which lengthens the battery life of the device.
"You get the effect like paper of dark on light like ink," Bindner said. "It's really good ... for something like an e-book because you change a page, and it takes electricity ... and then you spend the next 30 to 60 seconds reading and not actually using [the battery] in any way."
University Bookstore Manager Steve Pennington said another positive aspect of devices like the Kindle is they help conserve resources.
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