What's up with Amazon's Kindle?

Amazon's little bit of kindling set off a wildfire last week, as suddenly every blog on the Internet had to have its story. I decided to hold off, let the opinions come in, and then decipher for myself. Since I don't have my hands on one of my own, I'm going on the statements of others (and my experience with other readers).

People simply aren't 100% impressed with the device. Some folks continue saying that traditional books can never be replaced, while others bemoan the less-than-Apple design and the surprisingly high price ($400) of the thing. And, well, they're right. It could be prettier (the current Sony Reader certainly is), and it could be cheaper.

But while it's not as pretty as Sony's Reader, Niel Gaiman summed it up for me: "It's not an ebook, it's a library."

For two reasons -- first, because you can store hundreds of books on the thing. But second, because the EV-DO wireless broadband lets you download books anywhere, whenever you want one. This is a vast improvement over Sony's Connect Store.

While it's easy enough to plug in your Sony Reader, there is nothing easier than getting a new book for the Kindle. That's what sets it apart, hands down ... and that's why I kinda want one.

One other thing sets it apart, actually, and that's the marketing. Amazon is showing a commitment to the Kindle that Sony has never had to its offerings.

Handing out free versions to best-selling authors across the world (with no idea whether or not they would actually like the thing) was risky and bold and results in some really awesome advertising videos at Amazon:

• Neil Gaiman, author of numerous fantastic books
• Toni Morrison, Nobel Laureate
• David Handler (aka Lemony Snicket)
• Guy Kawasaki (blogger)
• Michael Lewis (author of Moneyball)

Amazon has done a good thing here. And while it's definitely a first-generation device, it's hard to listen to the above folks talk about the Kindle without starting to think that this could indeed be the future of the printed word.

If anyone can do it, it's Amazon. But I'm going to wait and see if they can do it in a more refined (and less expensive) package in the next generation.