Steve Jobs Dishes On The iPad, Disses Kindle (VIDEO)

The Wall Street Journal's Walt Mossberg got a chance to chat with Steve Jobs after the Apple iPad announcement.

The video of his interview captures Jobs dishing about the iPad--and dissing the Kindle. (see video below. The iPad talk starts around the 1m 55s mark.)

Mossberg asks why users would want to shell out $14.99 for an ebook on the iPad, when they can buy ebooks for Amazon's Kindle for $9.99.

Steve Jobs' retort: 'Well, that won't be the case.' Mossberg presses him on whether that means Apple's prices will go down, or Amazon's will go up, to which Jobs offers a cryptic, non-committal, 'The prices will be the same.' He also points out that publishers have been withholding content from Amazon.

Mossberg asks Jobs about the iPad's battery life, pointing out that its 10 hours of battery is puny next to the Kindle, which can go weeks without charging.

Jobs dismisses the comparison: 'Ten hours is a long time. You're not going to read for ten hours.'

He also says the device offers 140 hours of continuous music playback.

Gizmodo notes of Jobs' Kindle critique:

Most impressive to me is how dismissive jobs is of the only clear advantages Kindle has right now.

Mossberg ends the brief interview asking if he should write his review of the iPad on the new tablet. Jobs: 'Sure.'

(via AllThingsD)

WATCH:

Comments

[karsonc]

04:44 PM on 03/10/2010

The Kindle rocks. Track prices over time for the Kindle: http://www.productvibe.com/product.aspx?id=101

[Gudrun]

11:01 AM on 02/11/2010

When I read, I want to read. I don't want to be surfing the web or looking at videos while I'm reading. I don't even listen to music when I read!

[Chesher]

11:45 AM on 02/01/2010

All I can say is how I will use the iPad:

My 15 year old daughter would like a computer - but all she does is visit Facebook. I cannot see paying for a full blown computer (and I don't want to buy a cheap Windows portable). She likes video conferencing with friends - but iPad does not have a camera. Someday soon, I am sure there will be a camera included or that can be attached.

Therefore, I see an iPad for use by my kids around the house. A no-brainer for me.

[Krek]

05:23 PM on 02/01/2010

"I cannot see paying for a full blown computer (and I don't want to buy a cheap Windows portable)"

So you are not going to buy something now that is cheaper and would do the job; instead you are going to wait for something more expensive down the line. That makes no sense.

[LightShadow62]

05:25 AM on 02/02/2010

No-brainer sounds like a good description for you.

[Ivorywine]

11:32 AM on 02/01/2010

I LOVE LOVE LOVE my Kindle. Are there improvements that could be made? Absolutely. Does the IPad look interesting? Absolutely. But, I am a reader. The Kindle does a great job at being an electronic book. Easy on the eyes, can be read in any light, small enough to fit comfortably in my purse, and the two week charge IS a big deal. As a reader, I'm not interested in music or multi media content......just teh low tech story. The IPad looks like a whole lot of fun for web surfing, but I doubt I would do as much reading on it. To me, they are comparing apples and oranges.

[planetmango]

02:12 AM on 02/01/2010

Kindle vs. iPad as a reader?? Wait until the multimedia extra content starts showing up in e-books and see how quickly Kindle users start looking over your shoulder at your cool, multifunctional iPad. I'm sure we'll start seeing color graphics and even video and audio being added to e-books very soon... but not on the Kindle. But I suppose Amazon will come out with a new model Kindle to accommodate the new multimedia e-books, but they will be playing catch up. All of this because Apple effectively raised the bar about a mile.

There were numerous announcements at CES about tablets coming out soon from different manufacturers. They all wanted to get a jump on Apple's announcement. The problem is that they all thought the iPad would be in the $1000 range, because that's what Apple has always done. Bring out a great product at a premium price. All of those companies are scrambling now, going back to the drawing board in a panic because of Apple's $500 starting price. Apple flat out blind sided them all with that. Whether you like the device or not, plan to get one or not, once again Apple has abruptly changed the direction of technology. It should be very interesting to watch the results unfold over the next few years. Apple is always fun to watch.

[Chach]

06:56 AM on 02/01/2010

Are you insinuating that publishers are going to begin adding multimedia to books just because the capability is there?

I'm pretty sure that people who read books will be okay doing just that, reading text. Kindle still trumps iPad as a reader if you're not interested in the dog and pony show and you don't need to compulsively check email or send text messages between paragraphs of any one of the millions of books that have been written to date (without multimedia content) which you might be reading.

[MsLilyBe]

08:38 AM on 02/01/2010

Also keeping in mind that if you are someone who compusively checks email and texts the iPad still isn't for you because it doesn't multitask. Even my cell phone (an LG) multitasks. I have a Kindle and with respect to Steve Jobs I *have* been known to read for 10 hrs (or longer if its a particularly good book) After looking at the "feature" list for the iPad I realized that between the Kindle and the cell phone I've already got all of the features that are the "selling points" of the iPad.

I think it's an excellent starting off point for tablets but I think I'll wait to see what's next.

L

[oliviafdupont]

12:41 AM on 02/01/2010

Maybe refurbished it will be worth the price? Hmmmmm, I'm going to put this in the yahoo, myspace, bing category (although bing could make it with some revised technology-probably not-hmmm maybe with some help from special forces) and say FAIL. It's sad because I really do love you Apple, I really do. Hope Ipad gets a new name, better focus, and a much lower price.

[oliviafdupont]

12:37 AM on 02/01/2010

I think IPAD is a transitional technology with a bad name. It would be worth talking about if it was also a phone, a wall projector, had a camera equivalent to the nokia N95, shot hd video, was a full on laptop, and rolled up. Now before you start calling me names, let me tell you why. All the technology I mentioned is out there. (yes you will soon see laptops that fold and unfold or rather roll and unroll) Is it possible to fit everything I listed into one device? Would it be worth it economically for Apple to do so? I don't know. IPAD is not worth the price, especially considering the amount of devices I already carry around. WOW. Touchscreen. That's cool, but still not worth it. A Touch Screen Macbook, around the same size with an attachable keyboard, well that would be worth it. Who doesn't want a touch screen roll up laptop with optional keyboard that can project onto a wall (for dual screens) that also shoots HDvideo with a 10megapixel camera and a souped up lense that you can make phone calls, mms, and sms with? In order for me to get excited a device has to combine at least two of the technologies I listed.I think there are many who would agree with me. I don't own a kindle because I don't want to carry more stuff and I don't want to buy a souped up Apple competitor to kindle.

[NeoStar9]

04:58 PM on 01/31/2010

I seriously see no reason at all to get an iPad. My kindle is just fine for reading. Looking forward to what new models they come out for that as I still have the Kindle 1. I already haven iPod Touch and really I didn't really need that but oh well. It works well for podcast, the odd movie, and the music I listen to. I've gotten a lot of use out of it but once it goes I'll be getting a cheaper replacement. I don't buy from iTunes anyway so it won't be missed. If I need something more then what my Kindle or iPod Touch can give me I'll use my laptop. Which is of more use then the iPad. The iPad is just a giant iPod Touch but without the usefulness of it being small and easily portable. It doesn't work as well or even like a laptop. It can do a lot of things but if you want a device that just does the one thing you need it's a waste of money. I don't even understand why they made other then then "quest for more money".

[HeevenSteven]

10:47 AM on 01/31/2010

I'm underwhelmed. No multitasking is a huge omission. Apparently you can't listen to tunes while you read, or email, or surf? WTF? So if that's what you do, you need to keep your Ipod handy.

[Wide Stance]

12:53 PM on 01/31/2010

Ah, the great engine of technological ignorance rumbles on. You CAN listen to music simultaneously with another task on the iPad, just like you can on the iPhone.

(It never ceases to amaze when people don't let their ignorance of the facts get in the way of their need to express an opinion.)

[HeevenSteven]

04:35 PM on 01/31/2010

Apparently I misunderstood; I stand corrected about the tunes, but you could have done that without the insults. (The abrasiveness of commenters here never ceases to amaze me. )

But I am correct that you cannot multi-task. Anything else, oh oracle of tech?

[sueno]

09:50 AM on 01/31/2010

Does any of these 'devices'
offer word processing?

[planetmango]

01:50 AM on 02/01/2010

Watch any of the announcement videos on the Apple website (thereby bypassing rumors) and you'll see the iPad does full on word processing, spreadsheets, and Keynote (like Powerpoint) presentations.

[LightShadow62]

01:14 PM on 01/30/2010

Prediction of future conversation:

"I've got 200 books on my iPad. How about you?"
"Well I have 265. I win!!"
"How many have you read?"
"Read? Well....um.... none."
"Me either. Isn't the iPad great?!?!"

[Wide Stance]

01:34 PM on 01/31/2010

You're telling me that no one has ever bought a hard cover book (or paperback), and not read it?

(I bet you have at least one on your coffee table right now.)

[LightShadow62]

04:38 PM on 01/31/2010

Actually I can say that I do not.
My wife is an avid reader and has all of her books on he Sony eReader (which she loves by the way). The books and magazines that I purchase are either on technical information that I need and therefore use or articles concerning my business which I use to try and keep ahead of the curve.
I also have quite a few audio books that I use when I travel. Nothing passes the time on the highway like a well read book (unabridged of course).

If I'm not going to use it, I don't purchase it.

[Eris23]

10:46 AM on 02/01/2010

Who buys a book and doesn't read it? It makes about as much sense as buying a CD and not listening to it. Oh, wait. I guess I could see that being the case amongst people who might fit the mold of Apple Cultists, so long as having that book or CD on display was an indication to others that they are hip. ;)

[Peter Noble 2]

12:32 PM on 01/30/2010

E-ink is superior for reading text. It's not as sexy as watching videos, not Flash of course flow around text and browse the web in full color.

The main problem he has is selling the 3g versions. the price of entry is high and many of his target audience already feel they pay too much to AT&T for their iPhone service to willingly add another data plan.

Having it the same aspect ratio as Barney Rubble's TV leaves me totally uninterested in watching movies on it. not being able to read and listen to music at the same time is kind of dumb but maybe there is some basic multitasking?

Anyway good luck but so far it looks like all other tablets, underpowered and neither great at one thing or another.

I love buying Apple products but this is the first since the Cube that really has not made me reach for my credit card. Jobs looked spaced out and ill in the interview... I hope the latter was and is not the case.

[SanityForOnce]

09:01 PM on 01/30/2010

I've read a number of people complain about the 4:3 aspect ratio of the screen for watching movies. OK, having a black bars isn't ideal, but how would a 16:9 ratio work for eBooks or webpages?

By having a 4:3 aspect ratio, the iPad only makes a compromise in one area, watching movies. There's never going to be a perfect device that handles everything equally well, there's always going to be some design compromises.

Given the starting price point, Apple managed to deliver quite a bit. I'm sure it will evolve overtime. The first iPhone didn't have nearly as many features as it does now. Developers will be the ones who ultimately add value to the product with all the new apps that can take advantage of the larger screen and faster processor.

There's still two months to the launch, so I wouldn't pass any final judgment on the iPad just yet.

[rob357]

09:49 AM on 01/30/2010

Both will do very well...Kindle will continue to sell (their connection to the store makes them a force) and people will buy the iPad (can't underestimate the ecosystem that Apple has). My sister bought the Kindle and loves it. And my wife wants the iPad and she's no techie nor a die-hard Apple fan, just your typical avid web surfer.

[delta7777]

05:33 AM on 01/30/2010

Kindle v. iPad...
think of it this way
do you watch color television,
or is black&white TV your choice
(do they even make those any more??)

are the books and magazines you read
printed only in black&white (er...sorry, black&gray)
or do you prefer the ones with color illustrations.

When you sit down with your youngest children,
do you read to them and teach them to read
from books printed only in black&white??

Think about how wonderful it is
to be reading to these children from a Kindle,
as opposed to reading from an iPad.

The iPad should find a large market
as a 21st century educational introduction
for young children to reading and the world of literature
as well as the world of computers and the internet.
It is truly revolutionary in this.
(only how to keep them off disastrously addictive video games)

to the

[LightShadow62]

01:03 PM on 01/30/2010

Problem comes when you teach them to read on the same device they play video games on.

[brettrobbins]

04:21 AM on 01/30/2010

AAPL stock has dropped 10% since the announcement. Interesting...