Well, now that it seems the Kindle and Nook have survived the onslaught of the magical and master-of-all-trades iPad it’s worth wondering what next great battle eReaders will have to survive.
The Press, sensing that the iPad isn’t ridding them of these pesky little eReaders that threaten to destroy their Book Publishing brethren, have decided it is going to be super-cheap Android based Tablets.
Kindle 3, Kindle 4 vs Tablets – Assumptions
The Press’ Champion – Android powered Tablets. All of the iPad’s features and none of its polish. Super low prices and you get what you pay for. The infinite promise of Android which will one day, perhaps in the distant future, be fulfilled.
Readers’ Champion – Kindle 3, Kindle 4. Dedicated to Reading unless you want to read videos. Focused on one thing unless the one thing is rat-in-a-maze level dopamine inducing distraction. Neither the absolutely-critical-for-reading sex appeal of Apple nor the openness of Android.
This will start with the Kindle 3 sometime this year. Kindle 3 will probably have an eInk Pearl screen. It will continue with a color Kindle 4 that has Qualcomm Mirasol screens or PVI color eInk. Kindle 4 will probably arrive in mid to end 2011.
The Kindle 3 will be taking on the first generation of Android Tablets that will be struggling to get their bearings. The Kindle 4 will be taking on far more polished devices that use Pixel Qi screens and Openness 3.0 (so open their processor chips fall out).
The number of assumptions should clearly indicate the future illustrated in this post is as likely as the chance of a straightforward ‘the-buck-stops-here, we aren’t going to make any excuses’ apology from Steve Jobs.
Android Tablets’ two big advantages over the iPad – when it comes to Kindle killing
Do note that this part applies only when it comes to killing the Kindle and Nook. It is impossible for any product to be better than an iWhatever. If it is the universe ends (though not before Apple puts up a ‘look-when-i-hold-it-with-two-hands-and-squeeze’ death grip video to protest).
We are now faced with the painful realization that the iPad has not cleansed the world of the heathen eReaders. Thus, we look for another saviour and cheap, knock-off $150 Android Tablets are the Press’ new chosen ones.
They do come with several huge advantages including two even Apple people will recognize as indisputable -
- Very cheap prices – Android Tablets for $100 and $150. Basically prices closer to the prices at which Apple will be selling iPad accessories than to iPad prices.
- Very open OS – Android is the OS of infinite promise and infinite openness. Open people love it.
There are also a few benefits Apple people might refuse to acknowledge – You get to buy something that is not Apple, you don’t have to sit through soap opera style commercials, you don’t have to worry about people trying to kill you to steal it away.
The Press will, therefore, make two seemingly paradoxical claims – iPad is outselling every Android Tablet because it’s better; Although Android tablets aren’t selling they’ll still kill the Kindle.
Kindle 3 Vs Tablets of the 1st Android Generation
It’ll be quite an interesting comparison because Kindle 3 will probably only have a black and white eInk screen and we know how important color and video are for books.
- Round 1 goes to Kindle because there’s Kindle for Android so even people on Android will be buying books from Amazon. This is akin to finding out that even if you win your pay check is half that of the loser’s.
- Round 2 goes to Android Tablets because it gets tens of millions of dollars of free publicity and the Press lead naive people astray about its readability.
- Round 3 goes to Android Tablets because there’s a color screen and it’s awfully easy to pretend people will be perusing textbooks in color as opposed to less noble pursuits.
- Round 4 goes to Kindle because there’s Free Internet and there are lots of good features for reading.
- Round 5 goes to Android because openness is so important. It holds a promise so vast that we can’t comprehend it. Openness is a caterpillar that will one day blossom into a beautiful butterfly with poison tipped wings that it will gently brush against every closed competitor.
- Round 6 goes to Kindle because it’s easy and free of distractions – easy to get books, easy to read, easy to focus on reading.
- Round 7 goes to Android – There will be so many devices out there with Android and who cares about actual statistics on books read or books bought – The only important statistic is that there are 127 million potential readers who may any day break their vow of reading celibacy and all read a book a year and make Android the most important channel ever.
- Round 8 goes to Android – As the Kindle is reeling from the realization that half the stadium audience is Android’s entourage Android unleashes Google Editions.
- Round 9 is almost a knock-out - People are wondering if the Kindle is out. How can it take on openness and millions of public domain books and orphan works? There’s no way it could come back.
- In between rounds the Kindle’s coach whispers into its ear – It can’t box. What do you mean it can’t box? It almost knocked me out. Yes. But that’s an illusion. It can’t really box. Look carefully – Its hands aren’t moving.
- Round 10 - The Kindle suddenly realizes that this is a battle of reading devices and it’s the only one that has a readable screen and it’s the only one that’s actually focused on reading. Android Tablets were sunning on the artificial beaches of Paris instead of training. The Kindle rushes in with new energy and the Android Tablets are shocked – Where did this come from?
- Round 11 – It’s a knock-out. The Press are distraught. As are all the Android tablet makers that spent weeks copying the design of the iPad. What do you mean we had to train for boxing? No one cares about boxing. So what if this is a boxing match. We trained in openness and watching movies.
There you have it – The match turning on the surprising realization that boxers are supposed to be able to box. The Kindle realizing at the very end that it’s the dedicated reading device and Android Tablets specialize only in doing everything and they aren’t very good for reading.
Kindle 4 vs Tablets of the 2nd Android Generation
Here we have a different sort of Android Tablet - one that has a special reading mode. Perhaps it’s Pixel Qi, perhaps transflective LCD.
At the same time Kindle 4 comes in with color – which means you can finally read Winnie the Pooh the way it was meant to be read. If that isn’t a life changing event don’t know what is. It makes Kindle 4 vs Android Tablets Generation 2 a sight to behold.
The Kindle 4 vs Tablets – A play in 4 Parts
A dark brooding main in a jacket reminiscent of Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat is arguing with a relaxed and tall woman dressed in an elegant evening dress.
I am Mr. Android Tablet and I am open.
What does that mean?
Mean. Well, in practical terms it doesn’t mean anything – but it sounds good. Anyways, forget that. I have 200,000 Apps. So you should concede all readers to me.
Two hundred thousand Android apps – That’s impressive. How many of them are relevant to reading or, for that matter, useful for anything?
They don’t have to be useful – they just exist and that’s a really big number. Two hundred thousand – it even sounds big.
That doesn’t impress me and it’s not going to impress readers either.
I am open and I support ePub and Google Editions has millions of books that were never checked out of libraries.
Yes, but people only care about books. As long as they can get the books they want to read they don’t care about ePub or scanned books from 1887 that weren’t read even when they were in print.
This isn’t about reading.
I thought this was about reading.
Well, you, my dear, are wrong. This is about readers doing what’s good for Publishers and Big Corporations.
The Curtains at the side part – A reader jumps in
He looks at the two protagonists and after a puzzled look at the technicolor outfit of Mr. Android Tablet speaks to him.
Mr. Android Tablet – You’re not really a reading device are you?
The Android Tablet turns angrily to the customer and thinks – That came out of nowhere (I should have read the script instead of playing Tetris).
Then he speaks -
What does reading have to do with this. I can do more than just read. In fact, you don’t even have to do that stupid reading. You can just play games instead.
Mr. Android Tablet – Are you a reading device? I definitely think I’d like a device meant for reading.
The 2nd generation Android Tablet is puzzled – No one told me about this. Since when have consumers started thinking.
Openness. Openness. Openness.
More than just reading. More than just reading. More than Just Reading.
He smiles broadly at the reader as he realizes it’s true – it works.
Well, OK, but I want a device that’s good for reading.
Mr. Android Tablet is really flustered now. What sort of magic is this. Neither of the magical words worked. What was that I was told about the iPad playbook?
LCD is just as good as eInk. LCD is better than eInk. LCD is better than paper.
Get a device that does more than just read. I’m sexy. I’m desirable. I’m magical.
I have no death grip. (wrong playbook, think, think.)
LCD is beautiful. LCD is technicolor. LCD saves kittens and puppies.
But you’re hurting my eyes. And I’m tempted to check my Facebook. Could you recommend a reading device?
Mr. Android Tablet is distraught. It’s always worked before. How can it fail? How can Apple’s SexyCoolBeautiful magic fail? It’s all been a waste.
Mr. Android Tablet is in anguish as his thoughts flow through and streak his rainbow jacket with shades of grey – 3 years of waiting for Pixel Qi and I’m still not able to sell myself as a dedicated reading device. How come the Karate Kid becomes a 12th level Black Belt in 10 minutes and even after 3 weeks of pretending to be an eReader I can’t get it right? I’m a disgrace. I need to go read up on the iPad playbook a little more.
Android Tablet exit – stage right.
Stage Left - A group of mean-looking men walk in. They seem overly anxious and uncomfortable on the stage.
The Press Jump In
Hey, Mr. Customer Man, since when have you been allowed to think for yourself.
What do you mean?
We told you the Kindle was dead. We’ve been telling you this for years and you still don’t get it. What’s the big fuss about a dedicated reading device anyways?
Well, I love to read and I want a device specialized in reading – like the Kindle 3 or the Nook 2 or the Kindle 4.
No, no – You aren’t getting the point. We tell you what to do. If you start reading and become smart how are our advertisers going to fool you into buying all their worthless products?
I would think that’s a good thing. You know – it’s probably good if we don’t buy worthless products.
How can you be so heartless? We save democracy. We work tirelessly for you. All we ask is that you buy a device that is so much better than any dedicated device. You broke our hearts once – Are you going to do it again?
Ummm… This is getting awkward. Goodbye.
The End
The reader turns to the Kindle and motions that they should head off.
Suddenly a svelte figure in black and white rushes on to the stage and cries out – No. This isn’t decided yet.
The reader turns in surprise – I thought this was decided. I want a dedicated reading device. Who are you?
I’m Nook 2.
Filed under: Color Kindle Reader | Tagged: color kindle, kindle 3, kindle 4 | 4 Comments »
