To "Kindle" or not to "Kindle" ...that is the question

AND truthfully I am not sure I know what the answer is? Amazon is now saying that the sales of this device have been so successful that they can't produce them fast enough. (See Amazon/Kindle)

I am a bigtime reader. I loooove to read. Always have, always will. I honestly can say that since I have topped the scales to the other side of 50, I enjoy reading more than sex. OK. So if that is the case, why don't I have a Kindle?

I am the perfect possible purchaser: I have the money (although I think [much like the iPhone] the price-point for the Kindle is too much = $359.00, it has come down $50.00 from original price). I have the desire and the need, and most importantly, with this economy --- I would love to save money. And I know I could with this device. For example, I want to buy Michael Pollan's new best-seller "In Defense of Food," and if I bought the Kindle-version of this book it would only cost me $9.99. This would save me about $13.00 off the retail price ---- SO, why don't I buy the Kindle?

There are two main reasons (and both have to do with what motivates most shoppers):
1) I'd like to hold one before I buy it; and 2): I don't trust Amazon's ability to service this hardware once I have spent the $360.00 to buy it. From past dealings with Amazon, it is very difficult to talk to anyone in person at that organization. There is a dedicated phone line, which I haven't called, but will probably do so if I decide to buy one: 866-321-8851.

But, I am waiting to see them show up on eBay, a bit cheaper --- and then --- when that does happen, how is the ownership transfered? Although, anyone who has one says that will NEVER happen --- Hmmm?

The following comes from a Blog: (http://kindlegeek.com/wp/archives/23)

Top 10 Reasons Why Kindle is Better than a Book

After several weeks using Kindle, we’ve come to the conclusion that it’s better than a book. Here are the top 10 reasons why.

1. It’s lighter and smaller than most books.
2. Kindle remembers your place. No need to find a bookmark when you pause.
3. You can hold the Kindle to read and turn the pages with one hand.
4. It lies flat, stays open by itself, and never flops closed on you.
5. You can read in large type, small type, or anything in between, switching as you want depending on the style and density of the material, eye fatigue, lighting conditions, and mood.
6. You can bring your entire stack of reading with you everywhere - on a plane, on the subway, even on the throne. Kindle holds hundreds of books, meaning that you don’t have to choose which one or two books to take with you.
7. You can buy new books, and start reading them in seconds, without getting out of your chair.
8. You can highlight passages, take “clippings”, make marginal notes, and “turn the corners” electronically on pages, all reversibly, without damaging your book.
9. Kindle has a built in dictionary and will look up any word in your book with two clicks.
10. Find a topic about which you want to know more? You can read the Wikipedia entry directly from your Kindle.

And so whether you agree with this or not, whether you have a Kindle, or want to have a Kindle it still sort of feels like the new Apple AIR --- all dressed up and no place to go.

I am waiting. But getting closer everyday toward giving in. There is a rumor out there (and Oprah didn't address this on her recent show that was dedicated to the Kindle.) that there is limited access to the content on the Kindle (like the way you can't copy songs so many times from the iTunes Store...) I guess maybe I'll call that number above and ask them about that because that would suck for college professors and students who constantly refer to their books.

We will see what happens when I meet someone who has one (roadblock number one), and when we start to see substantial reviews from those who do have problems with them and have called Amazon's customer service line ---- roadblock number two).

In the meantime, stay tuned to the station . . .