When the Samsung E6 eReader becomes officially available will update this post to a full Kindle Vs Samsung Reader E6 review. For now let’s just contrast the E6 and the Kindle based on what we know.
Kindle vs Samsung Reader – Areas Samsung E6 Reader will probably win
The Samsung E6 is an eWriter in addition to an eReader and brings significant advantages -
- A touchscreen and a special electromagnetic resonance stylus pen which allows for handwriting and use as a digital notebook. It also makes note-taking much easier.
- A clear, readable screen – The video seems to show that the touch layer hasn’t affected readability. Will confirm this after it formally releases.
- Free Books from Google. These are the standard million plus free public domain titles.
- WiFi 802.11 b/g and Bluetooth support. Samsung haven’t said much abou 3G support.
- Voice recording functionality to add memos.
- Utilities like a Journal, Calendar, and Organizer - although the Kindle App Store should neutralize this advantage when it arrives. The Organizer syncs with Outlook.
- Slider form factor that enables a more compact eReader.
- Support for ePub.
- Samsung EmoLink technology that lets users share content between Samsung readers.
- Micro SD card slot.
- B&N’s LendMe feature that lets users share their eBook with one other user one time for 14 days (if Publishers have enabled it).
The E6 also adds some features to help it take on the Kindle (not advantages but equalizers) -
- Lower price of $299. It’s much better than the earlier $399 price Samsung had quoted.
- Barnes & Noble’s Library of eBooks. Note: This isn’t really an advantage as the Kindle Store is better in range and price.
- Text to Speech Technology.
- Built-in mp3 player.
- 2 GB internal memory.
Please check my post reviewing features of the Samsung E6 for a good video of the E6. The E6 hadn’t seemed like much of a threat because Samsung had talked about a $399 price point. However, now that Engadget has revealed that the Samsung E6 will be retailing at B&N for just $299 Kindle vs E6 becomes a very interesting contest.
Kindle vs Samsung Reader E6 – Areas the Kindle will probably win
The Kindle has to ward off new contenders like the E6 until the arrival of the Kindle 3 and the Kindle App Store and it has some weapons to help it -
- Kindle Store is still the best eBook store with the lowest prices and the cheapest prices.
- The Kindle is priced at $259 and it’s a solid, low price.
- In terms of free books the Kindle has the support of the Internet Archive (1.8 million titles), the British Library (65,000 titles), its own free public domain books (20,000 plus titles) and can also use Google Books (they can be converted into Kindle format).
- WhisperNet with free Internet, worldwide free Wikipedia, 60 second downloads, and WhisperSync.
- Apps for iPhone, Blackberry, PC, and soon Mac that all share notes and your place in your book.
- The simplest to use interface and a focus on reading.
- A physical qwerty keyboard (although the keys are tiny).
- Available Internationally in 170 plus countries (over a hundred of which have WhisperNet).
The Kindle App Store will provide some additional benefits -
- All the basic utilities like a calculator, a calendar, a notepad, and more.
- New apps we haven’t thought of yet.
The Kindle App Store is a big unknown and it’ll be cool to see what developers dream up – It might end up becoming an unbeatable advantage.
Kindle vs Samsung E6 – Recommendation before E6 is released
Kindle vs Samsung is quite a contest -
- The E6′s WiFi is not as good as the Kindle’s 3G but it’s close.
- You get ePub support and B&N’s store and Google Books with the E6 and that almost balances out the Kindle Store’s advantages.
- With features like voice recording, EmoLink, LendMe, and Outlook syncing the E6 beats the Kindle on add-on features.
- The Kindle’s free Internet is a big advantage.
- The Kindle App Store is a wild card and in my opinion will become a big Kindle advantage.
The Samsung E6 might edge out the Kindle because of its support for writing and taking down notes. That eWriter functionality adds a ton of value and the Kindle, even with its free Internet and upcoming Kindle App Store, might not be able to take on that.
If taking down notes and having a Journal is not a big deal to you or the Kindle App Store and Free Internet are very important to you then the Kindle is the device for you. Otherwise it’s worth waiting for the Samsung E6 to see how it reviews.
Amazon has to do something big before the E6 launches – Otherwise the Kindle is likely to lose the Kindle vs Samsung Reader E6 battle.
Filed under: kindle vs Tagged: | kindle vs samsung, kindle vs samsung reader
I tried a couple of the Samsung readers at CES and the pen performance was very impressive, almost like writing with pen and paper.
wow. wow. If that’s true Samsung have a winner on their hands.
CES also had a 10″ version. Wonder when it will be released. Why is 6″ becoming the “standard” size? I’ve said this before: most of the books on my shelf have 8 or 9″ of text per page, and that to me seems the ideal size. I find 6″ too small, and 10″ too large to carry around and am dismayed that 6″ screens are the primary size offered.
As for WiFi vs. 3G, to me it really doesn’t matter. Most of the time, it will be turned off. How often will you really need 3G. WiFi will do. 3G is more convenient, but load up the reader with many books and you can be good for months.
Good point on the 3G and WiFi. 3G is a bit better because you don’t have to be near a WiFi hot spot. Plus it’s free.
I think ereaders that use 8″ or 9″ screens without a keyboard will convince people that bigger screens don’t become unwieldy.
8″ would definitely beat 6″ – There might even be some economies of scale around 6″ screens that larger screens have to overcome.