A long time ago I’d written a Kindle 2.0 and Kindle 3.0 wish list. After all the recent news, and especially after seeing the Sony PRS-700 and PlasticLogic eReaders my wishlist for the Kindle Reader V2 is a little different. In fact I have two lists.
Kindle 2.0 Most Wanted List
These are the features I really, really think the Kindle 2.0 should have, and missing these is a deal breaker. I’m still going to buy it – however i’ll be upset if these don’t make it in.
- Price below $300. This is really important. A sub $250 price is on my wishlist. However, a sub $300 price would be enough to create a lot of Kindle 2.0 sales.
- A better looking Kindle. I really hope that BGR got the wrong pictures and it was just a photoshop hack. Kindle 2.0 should be clearly better looking - prettier and/or sleeker and in more colors.
- A writeable eInk screen on the Kindle 2.0 that lets people use Kindle 2 as a journal and/or notebook. This is borderline – it might very well fit into the wishlist – however, putting it in here because it would really extend functionality.
- Better usability i.e. better next and previous buttons and a better case.
- A mechanism (like a Kindle App store or opening up the platform) that lets 3rd party developers create applications for the Kindle 2.0 (and for Kindle 1.0). It’ll be a matter of weeks before developers create Folders, Calendar, and other useful apps, not to mention crosswords, sudoku, and lots of games.
- A piece of software that lets any Kindle owner (2.0 or 1.0) find and connect with other Kindle owners using just the Kindle. Also, make it as simple as possible.
- Be able to buy anything from Amazon, not just kindle store items.
- Kindle Specific Sales Charts easily accessible from the Kindle (2.0 and 1.0), with a separate section for self published authors. Basically, something that encourages self published authors, while also letting users vote for their favorite books of all types.
Another good list of Kindle Features wanted at Pat Loughery’s Blog.
Kindle 2.0 Wish List
These are features that probably are unrealistic for the Kindle 2, and so would fit into Kindle 3.0. However it’d be awesome if one or more of these made it into Kindle 2.0.
- A colour screen.
- Sub $250 price.
- A full function browser. With JavaScript support by default + good security.
- Full PDF support.
- Share your Kindle edition book (or the first 3 chapters) with one other Kindle owner.
- Free Blog Subscriptions.
- Multi Touch Screen (perhaps use Jeffrey Han’s stuff).
The Wishlist could be a lot longer – however, I’m just listing Kindle 2.0 features that would be realistic. Weell, actually a lot of the features on the wishlist are a bit of a stretch – like the color screen. PlasticLogic’s ultrathin, flexible reader and Sony’s touch screen have raised the bar on what’s expected of the Kindle 2.0. I really hope Amazon Kindle 2.0 meets or exceeds it.
Filed under: kindle 2, kindle 3 | Tagged: kindle 2.0, kindle 2.0 wishlist, kindle 3.0
i think a user-servicable battery should be on the “must have” list also. batteries dont last forever, and if you use the kindle like i do, you have to charge every other day, not once a week. im already about to need a new battery, and if i have to send it back to the manufacturer to get one, or go through a complicated and warranty-voiding process to replace it myself, i simply *will not* buy it. thats exactly why ive never owned (and never will own) an ipod.
thats a good point – i’m having the same nightmare scenario trying to replace the fan on my laptop. apparently the easiest (and only) way to do it is mail it in. a week without a laptop – obviously they don’t understand that i can’t live without my laptop.
1. A sub $300 price tag is indeed essential for true mass market penetration, but I wonder if production costs make such a price point feasible at the moment.
2. I am wary of the concept of a “better looking” Kindle. In its current incarnation, because of its own plainness, the device itself disappears as you are reading, much like the physical shell of a book seems to vanish as you get absorbed in the words. A “sleeker” Kindle that tries to call attention to itself with its looks may indeed prove a distraction from the material you are reading.
3. I can barely tolerate reading my Kindle with the smudge of my accidental fingerprints marring the screen. I don’t even want to think about having to tolerate the consequent scratches from touch screen stylus manipulation.
4. Wholeheartedly agreed.
5. In other words, make it more like the iPhone.
6. Interesting concept, but to what end? Please expand on this idea.
7. I can also see how this could diminish the Kindle’s identity as a book reader by having it attempt to be a “jack of all trades” device. This may result in consumer confusion and, consequently, consumer apathy. Perhaps the Kindle should remain focused on its task as a book reader rather than attempting to become an all-purpose Amazon.com gateway.
8. This will only appeal to a small subset of users, and would be better handled at the website than the Kindle device itself.
The battery on a Kindle IS user serviceable. That’s why they’re sold on Amazon. Did you look inside the back cover? You just unplug it and plug in a new one.
2. and 7. are good points. i think there’s a little bit of leeway amazon can take whilst still keeping the kindle primarily an erader. so i think 2. is doable, and 7. might be too distracting.
5. yes – turn it into a platform that other people besides amazon can benefit from. this in turn will strengthen it more.
6. Book Clubs, Book Reviews, Finding like minded people. Lots of other social benefits + a sense of community.
8. yes – perhaps this is better done through a website – however the Kindle should have a link to it. Basically turn the Kindle and Kindle users into a means to find the best authors, and the best books. Something independent from traditional publishing.
@tashabear
we’re talking about the kindle 2.0… which, according to unconfirmed reports, does NOT have a user-servicable battery. OR an SD slot. both of which are dealbreakers for me.
A writeable eInk screen on the Kindle 2.0 that lets people use Kindle 2 as a journal and/or notebook would be incredibly valuable. Of course, there’d have to be some sort of touch or pen reactive screen to implement that. I’d buy it in a heartbeat.
But what I really really want is .epub / OEB support. C’mon, all the cool kids are doing it!