How Much Will The Oprah Bump Do For Kindle?

EcoGeek:

But can Oprah do for the Kindle what she's done for her book club selections? Even with the promotional discount, the gadget costs more than $300 and the e-reader has had a tough time catching on. The environmental benefits are obvious, but it's hard to justify the purchase when checking out books from the library is also an eco-friendly choice. And that's free. Plus there's the fact that most people are holding their dollars pretty close right now. All this could equal a moderate increase in sales, but not an overwhelming response.

Something tells me not to minimize Oprah's influence though. You have to give her credit for the enthusiasm she's created for reading. Maybe she can do the same for reading on a digital device. She has the proven ability to ignite the consumer in all of us, especially if she speaks to our conscience. Maybe next year everyone riding the subway will be listening to their iPod while reading their Kindle. Maybe.

Read the whole story: EcoGeek

Comments

[obama4prez sb2008]

I have wanted a Kindle since it first came out, but I am not so sure it will be beneficial to me. I read a lot of older books, classic literature and books about silent film/golden age of cinema mainly. As far as I can tell, those books are not available through Kindle.

While it may be possible to import those classic novels that are in public domain to the Kindle, since that is majority I read I still cannot justify the hefty price tag. If I can import free books I might as well go with a cheaper reader, even though they don't have all the bells and whistles that the Kindle sports.

I still hope to have a Kindle one day though, maybe once the price tag is more affordable and there's more content.

[DenaL]

Thanks to Oprah, I was able to read all about Kindle and realized how different and better it is than other ebooks. I bought one and can't wait for it to arrive.
We are already overrun with books at home and buying one Kindle is much cheaper than buying or building more book cases (and figuring out where to put them). Amazon keeps track in my account of all the marginal notes I would ordinarily make in my paper books, so I haven't lost a thing.
The device holds 200 book, each of which can be downloaded in one minute! No contracts or minimum purchases. It also has Wikkipedia built in and can get thousands of periodicals automatically loaded on demand. The cost of books is 9.99 or less, including most bestsellers. It doesn't take long to run up a bill for books in excess of the cost of Kindle. No pc required--it's completely portable at 10.6 ounces and about the size of a paperback book.
It gives me great pleasure to think of all the trees which will be saved as I use this device. I don't consider it an expensive gadget, although it would be nice if the price would come down. I consider it a responsble, environmen­tally-frie­ndly, and cost-effective way to read to my heart's contest.

[keltobin]

The Kindle isn't just a luxury buy. I use one because I am losing my eyesight. In particular, I have a problem with white/ black contrast. The Kindle allows me to resize fonts and has a black on gray type that makes reading possible for me again.

[hillaryj]

With the economy the way it is, if I had the money for one of these, I would give it to a Homeless Shelter or Soup Kitchen. This is just another sign of why we are in such a mess financiall­y.........­......gree­d and buying things we do not need!

[bluprojekt]

Although I see your point around the POV of excess spending, I see this device and total social & environmental costs involved with purchasing a book. It takes trees, trees being hauled with environmentally damaging diesel trucks to a power consuming processing facility to break down these logs - which these former living trees in themselves filter green house gases from the atmosphere. Then the paper has to be shipped to a printing facility which in turn then needs to use inks - which have to be created either from dangerous chemicals - or if they are soy based inks - from GMO soybeans and other ingredients that are questionable. Then there is the power used to print each book and the shipping of said book to the retailer - then it has to be shipped once again to the end user. That's alot of environmental - and resulting social - cost just to hold a book.

With a Kindle - you purchase the reader once - then every single book/magazine title you read is written electronically, is purchased and transmitted electronically - and typically at a much lower cost compared to the physical printed version. That's it.

Based upon the two scenarios, the latter has a lower total social and environmental impact than a traditional book - and this coming from someone who just had another book delivered from Powell's in Portland yesterday.

"Now Go Away or I Will Taunt You a Second Time."

[Formeralaskangal]

I'd heard of this kind of devise, but not until Oprah had it on her show did I realize how cool it is. If I could afford it I would love to give one to my sister who has always been a book worm. She has tons of books that she reads over and over. She also checks books out from the library, which is nice environmentally and financially. I read a lot, but not enough to make the Kindle a purchase I'd make for myself, but someday I'd love to get one for my sister (especially if the price comes down in the coming years). Good job Oprah for inspiring more people to read, and to use such an environmentally friendly devise.

[brynn6]

I'd love to have one, but it's not going to happen until the price gets reasonable. Just too little discretionary income.

[walk0nwalls]

Kindle just ain't the same.

Books are still great. Please buy more

(aspiring writer)

[hillaryj]

I agree, there is nothing like a great book in your hands!

[TheBlackCat]

I could never go Kindle, despite the environmental incentives. I just love books. I love cracking open a new one, I love marking my favorite passages and revisiting them over and over. I love books with great cover art and illustrations. I love turning the pages and holding a book in my hand. I love lending books out to people. Electronics are fine for me for news or magazines or something like that, but when it comes to books I am just too attached to ACTUAL books to ever give them up. Not that I don't apreciate what a space and paper saver this great little gadget is!

[bluprojekt]

My mother told me that my dad had come home early from work the day and my mom was watching Oprah and had mentioned the Kindle. Dad asked her if she wanted one for her upcoming birthday. She said of course.

Oprah influenced my parents purchasing decision - my mom said she'll be getting me one - maybe for Xmas since I too am an avid reader and want to simplify my life even further by recycling all the books I have collecting dust on my bookshelves.

"Now Go Away or I Will Taunt You a Second Time."

[mrmcmanus]

One advantage of reading on the Kindle as opposed to an iPod or an iPhone screen is that your eyes don't get tired because there is no backlighting. This would be true of the other e-books as well, those using what is called e-ink. I can attest to the fact that owning a Kindle does not preclude reading regular books as well. However, once you are used to it, it is much easier and faster to read on the Kindle. As a lifelong lover and collector of books, I still was instantly in love with my Kindle. One of the best things is to be able to choose from a large variety of books contained within this one small object. Nothing could be better than that, especially when you are stuck waiting someplace.