[NRPM]

Newsweek's cover story is about a new e-book device from Amazon, the Kindle.

It has an e-ink display and is always online via a cell phone data network, so you can buy books (from Amazon of course), and subscribe to certain newspapers, magazines, and even blogs.

It looks interesting, and I'd love to fool around with one, but the pricetag is pretty high at $399.

[TexGuy]

Wasn’t there a study done sometime back whenever about the significant reduction in comprehension when reading electronic books/computer stories versus reading things via paper products? I maybe wrong but I seem to recall something along those lines.

[ClearCase_guy]

One of these days, an e-book will be marketed that really does the trick. I don't know if this is the one. But I look forward to the day when school children carry a single "book" and can examine their Social Studies textbook, Math textbook, Dictionary, Language Arts, and other books, all with one button. No more backpacks. No more aching backs.

School Systems are likely to mandate the use of a good e-book at some point. There's money to be made here, and so it will come to pass.

[ShadowAce]

[toddlintown]

Reinventing the wheel.

If I lose a paperback book, no big deal. I lose a $25-$300 electronic notepad...big deal!.

Aside from that, Im lucky nowadays that I can still read printed text. I can’t imagine squinting and trying to read a little sh*t box. Same stupid logic as watching a movie on a 3-inch screen.

[RayChuang88]

Interesting idea, but I think it will happen when cellphones get better displays that allow for easy readability of text. The Apple iPhone is almost there for such a combination electronic book/cellphone device.

[w1andsodidwe]

I do the majority of my non-work related reading in the bathtub. Wonder what happens if I drop this thing in the water. Most books are unreadable after a trip into the water. I am intrigued as my book shelves are overflowing.

[Eva]

I do most of my reading in bed. I don’t think that my husband would be too happy about me bringing my computer to bed.

[fishtank]

If FreeRepublic were offered on Kindle, I’d give it a SERIOUS look.