gadgets Archives - Page 3 of 3

I’m not a gadget freak but I am surrounded by around 30 engineers who are and are always bringing something new in to show.

I’m particularly interested in the way that hand held devices are moving in respect of their use for business. Today Sian Steen reviews her new Kindle 3. As a book reader it isn’t obviously a business tool but it falls into a category of handheld devices that will almost certainly encourage business uses.

Trefor Davies with the Kindle3 reviewed today — Trefor Davies with the Kindle3

My own observations are that it is exceptionally good as an eBook – the clarity of the text was great – but it doesn’t yet replace tablets such as the iPad and Samsung Galaxy. However the price point is so much lower than the tabs that I’m sure it won’t take much evolution to make it compete in that space. The tradeoffs will be battery life in exchange for colour and touch screen.

Sian writes:
I’ve been waiting for a Kindle for a very long time. I’m not referring to the 3 week gap between pre ordering and the device arriving. The original Kindle was released (US only) in 2007. It sold out in 5 hours. I wanted one. Kindle 2 was made available to UK residents, but it was a cut down version.

After reading up about the original Kindle with all its fantastic features, I made up my mind that until I could have all of these things I would wait. Kindle 3 has everything the original Kindle had and more and all of it works on the UK version. It’s been almost 3 years, and the wait is finally over. For me, the Kindle 3 is the definitive eBook reader.

I’m not a bandwagon jumper-onner when it comes to gadgets. I think it is because I am inherently a skinflint. In the case of the iPad I have waited for someone else to buy one for me to have a go. I’m sorry boys and girls but having had a go it isn’t compelling enough for me to now go out and get one myself.

The problem is that it is actually a third device. I currently have a laptop and a Nokia N97. I need a laptop and I need a phone. The iPad doesn’t replace either of them. I would use an iPad around the house. In fact sad though it may be I take both my laptop and N97 to bed with me. The iPad would by and large replace the laptop here as a device that will let me access gmail, facebook, twitter et al. Not sure I would pay the price though. it needs to be down at the sub £200, maybe £150 and then it would be one of those gadgets you can hang on the kitchen wall or prop it up on the dresser.

Anyway that’s it for now on the iPad. Photos below are Richard from Timico who is clearly pleased with his and who let me have a go.

Richard displays the near pencil like dimensions of his iPad