Kindle Fire-First Reviews

My Kindle Fire is scheduled to arrive Tuesday.  My expectations are medium-high for this low-priced tablet device.  I expect less than my iPad2, but something close to the “others.”  If Amazon did this right it will be a good device for those just wanting a smaller, simple consumption tablet that doesn’t have the Apple premium cost applied to it.  Don’t expect great speakers, a video camera, lots of memory etc.  But do expect decent hardware and lots of content available along with the Amazon backing.

I’ve been browsing the big Tech sites for their reviews and here’s the ones I’ve found interesting:

• The Verge: The new tech site, The Verge calls the Kindle Fire a “great tablet for the price” but they don’t pull punches where there are obvious negatives.  One of the best, most objective reviews I’ve read thus far.
• Wired – The title of this review tells us their opinion:  “Is This Really the Tablet Everyone’s Talking About?”
• NYTimes – Pogue isn’t a big fan of the Kindle Fire:  “The Fire deserves to be a disruptive, gigantic force — it’s a cross between a Kindle and an iPad, a more compact Internet and video viewer at a great price. But at the moment, it needs a lot more polish; if you’re used to an iPad or “real” Android tablet, its software gremlins will drive you nuts.”
• Gizmodo: Gizmodo calls the Kindle Fire “the first real competition for the iPad” which is strong words.  I personally agree mostly because of the low price and the featureset focused on the value shopper.  There are plenty of negatives addressed here though so check out the full review.
• Arstechnica – Ars spends it’s first look giving you just what you’d expect from a first look review – their impressions like this one “The body is thicker than the iPad 2, but because it's only a 7-inch screen that's closer to a 16x10 ratio, it is this close to fitting in the back pocket of my jeans.”  Conclusions will come in the next day or so after actually using it for more than a couple of hours.  I like this take as it’s how I do it.
• Mashable: Another good review of the Kindle Fire
• PC Magazine: PC Mag calls the Kindle Fire the “first easy-to-use, affordable small-screen tablet, the Amazon Kindle Fire is revolutionary.”
• Engadget: Engadget calls the Fire a “usable” tablet.  The reviewer is an obvious Apple fan and takes that slant then entire way through.  This is a good review to read to see a mostly negative take on things.
• Kindle Chronicles – Len Edgerly of the excellent“Kindle Chronicles” Podcast has a review Kindle Fire in his hands.  His review of the Kindle Fire will be one I’ll be listening for as Len is a big fan of the Kindle product in general as well as a huge Apple fan and owner of the iPad2.  For now follow his twitter feed for his takes on the Kindle Fire:

The stakes are pretty high for Amazon with this one.  It certainly doesn’t need to be awesome with the pretty nice price, but it better be a “good” tablet.  If it is, Amazon will change things for itself and become a very serious player even in the same world with Apple and Microsoft.  Fail and they’ve possibly put a bad taste in the mouth of many who may not give their next tablet a chance.

I’ll be providing my own complete review of the Kindle Fire with a good comparison to the iPad2 in the coming days.  Stay tuned for more at GeekTonic!

My Eyes Are Crying for an e-ink Reader

Since the beginning of e-ink readers and tablet computers, kindles and iPads there has been a debate about whether back-lit LCD screens cause more eye strain than the more paper-like e-ink screens.  When I first reviewed the Kindle 2 I admitted then that the Kindle’s e-ink was “easier on the eyes” than reading on a laptop or tablet.  Then the iPad happened. 

I bought the original iPad to try it out and over time found myself using it more and more.  When the iPad 2 arrived I sold my iPad and moved up to the iPad 2 and over the next several months found myself using that iPad2 more to read everything than the Kindle 2.  Then I began travelling a lot for work and for vacations and in the process began looking for ways to “downsize” the gadgets I carried with me.  In the process I started weaning myself from the Kindle.  Yes it had much better battery life, but I wanted – almost needed that iPad as it many times replaced my laptop AND e-reader on trips.  Finally this summer I gave away my Kindle to my daughter since I was using it so little.

Now many months and books later I’m finding I miss that Kindle’s e-ink screen.  Many days I work on a PC all day with it’s dual-screen LCD and then at home catch up on my reading, researching and even working on my PC and iPad at home.  And you know what I’m finding?  My eyes are really strained – I think from non-stop LCD viewing.  Over the next few weeks I’ll be reviewing the new Kindle Fire tablet and the new Kindle touchscreen e-ink reader.  I’m pretty confident I’ll be going back to using both a e-ink Kindle AND a tablet.  If I can get away with a smaller tablet like the Kindle Fire I might even keep that lighter load goal I’ve been working towards.

What about you?  Do you think there is something to the eyestrain argument against back-lit screens versus paper or e-ink?

iPad Frame Giveaway – Enter Today

Last week I reviewed the VidaBox iPad Frame – professional-looking iPad wall mount for your high-tech home automation/media setup.  This iPad mount sells for $159 (power adapter extra) but I have the perfect opportunity for you to get one for free for your own home.

The VidaBox team has agreed to let GeekTonic give the iPad Mount away so you can try it out for yourself for free!

There are two ways to enter with a maximum of one entry per method:

Entry Method 1: The first way to enter is to simply leave one comment below (in this post) with an answer to this question:

“What is the name / initials of VidaBox’s latest iPad charging solution?  And what do the initials stand for?”

HINT:  You can find out the answer to that question at the VidaBox website under “news”.

Entry Method 2: The second way to enter is to comment about this contest on twitter with a “tweet” like this: 

Win a free VidaBox iPad Frame from @vidabox & @geektonic www.geektonic.com

 

Thanks again to the VidaBox team for the donated iPad Frame.  I'll pay for shipping to anywhere in the U.S. (if you're farther then that we can work out the difference in shipping cost)  Only one entry per method per person.  The winner will be chosen from valid entries at random Sunday this week and announced on GeekTonic.

Read the full GeekTonic Review of the VidaBox iPad Frame

More reviews and giveaways coming soon so stay tuned to GeekTonic or better yet, subscribe to GeekTonic so you’re sure to not miss anything.

Frame an iPad with Vidabox iPad Mount

The iPad makes the ideal touch-screen interface for a high-end custom home theater room, home automation setup or home security system.  For many of these applications there needs to be a touch-screen mounted to the wall so it fits in with the room aesthetically with a good way to power the device.  Vidabox, LLC, a well-known media server and integrated control systems company offers an elegant solution for this need with their new VidaBox iPad mount & iPower charging station.

I have the florentine silver iPad Mounting Frame from Vidabox in my home to check it out.  This wall mount is made from excellent quality materials that will look stunning in your high-tech home.  It allows you to semi-permanently mount your iPad onto a wall and transform your iPad into a seamless home automation touch-screen. 

Installation is very easy.  The frame is delivered assembled.  You detach the top of the frame by unscrewing the two hinges.  Slide the iPad into the frame and then connect the iPad cable through the rear cutout of the frame.  Ideally you’ll likely want the iPower add-on available separately from Vidabox.

So then you take the iPower which allows you to charge up to four iPad’s over CAT5.  Definitely a must if this is a professional, high-end installation.

Make no mistake, these iPad Mounting Frames and iPower devices are meant for the high-end installation and custom integrators.  The average HTPC enthusiast won’t be able to drop enough cash to mount their iPad (or multiple iPads) to a wall in their home.  But there is definitely a market for such a device as touch-screen continues to make a splash with the home theater and integrated home market.  Installation is very easy with all parts included and the finished product will aesthetically please the most picky interior designer.  The mounts are available in 6 different colors – Black Metalline, Brushed German Silver, Florentine Black, Florentine Grey, Florentine Silver, Florentine Walnut and Matte Black.  The aluminum frames are 0.71” (19mm) in width. 

The iPower charging station is available exclusively from VidaBox and designed to handle the finicky charging needs of Apple’s iPads.

Cost

The Vidabox iPad Mounting Frame costs $159 and the iPower charger is an additional $399.  Not cheap by any means, but given the target audience will be comparing this solution to proprietary touch-screen devices and more complicated setup schemes, the Vidabox solution is competitive.

Uses for the Vidabox iPad Mount

The iPad Mounts were made with the custom integrator in mind to ensure a place for Vidabox’s own iPad-based vAutomation controls.  I asked others what different uses and/or Pad apps they might want on an iPad built in to a wall and here’s a short list of some great candidates:

• HTPC: Windows MediaCenter, SageTV or XBMC remote control
• Security Monitoring – checking to see who’s at the door
• Audio Server Control such as Sonos & Pandora
• Emerald Observatory 4 iPad
• In some situations: Netflix, Hulu Plus, ABC, EyeTV, and Slingplayer
• Photo slideshows
• Weather apps
• Home Automation: Creston, Control4, and many more

 

Verdict

The Vidabox iPad Mounting Frame isn’t the product every iPad owner will jump out and purchase.  But for the professional installers, DIY-enthusiasts, and others looking to use their iPad for special built-in uses the Vidabox iPad mount is the perfect product.

 

Below is a video of the Vidabox vAutomation 2.0 platform that the company offers for iPad home automation control:

 

Read more about the Vidabox iPad solutions at their website

Gifts Fit for a Geek – Tablets

 

The iPad is probably one of the more hyped devices we’ve seen in the past many years but it’s also a pretty useful device.  It’s only real competition right now is the Galaxy Tab.  If you’re shopping for a tablet device and not sure what to get, here’s some advice:

1. Look at the Apple iPad and the Samsung Galaxy Tab.  Don’t even look at the others as they aren’t in the same league.
2. Expect to pay a lot.  Prices are still at early adopter rates:
• Galaxy Tab is $399 with a Mobile Contract or $599 without
• iPad is $499 for the 16GB WiFi-only or $629 for the 16GB Wi-Fi + 3G.  More for those with more memory
3. If you’re buying for an avid novel reader who is looking for a device primarily for reading books, don’t buy a tablet.  Instead get a Kindle or Nook with e-Ink technology as they are superior for that function.  If you’re buying for someone who reads books some, but wants something for browsing the web, reading magazines and newspapers and for games & other apps, the tablet is your thing.
4. If you’re buying for someone who already has an iPhone and likes it, pick the iPad.  Alternatively if you’re buying for someone with an Android-based phone go with the Galaxy Tab.
5. The iPad has a bigger screen but because of its larger size is less mobile than the Galaxy Tab
6. Know you’re buying an early adopter device.  Expect to see the next new thing in tablets sometime in the first four months of 2011.  If that bothers you, wait.
7. The tablet isn’t good enough to act as a complete laptop replacement.  It’s not as easy to print (sometimes you can’t print at all iPad), touch-screen keyboards aren’t great for lots of typing.  Blogging with one is painful at best.  But as a consumption device it’s pretty awesome.  And they turn on almost instantly.

If you’re still not sure, check out the Engadget review of the Galaxy Tab and their review of the iPad (Original iPad Review and Updated Software Review)

Bottom line, if you’re looking for a “wow!” gift for someone this season, check out the iPad and Galaxy Tab.  It’s very likely to be the best gift they’ll get this season.  I was skeptical of my iPad when I first picked it up, but I honestly use it daily.

Apple iPad

Samsung Galaxy Tab (Verizon)

Blackberry Announces the Playbook Tablet

Today, RIM announced their new tablet – the PlayBook.  Its thankfully not going to be called the BlackPad and looks pretty nice based on the specs and first looks I’ve seen.  But there are plenty of things going against it.

Blackberry’s new tablet, the PlayBook will run a Cortex A9, 1GHz dual-core CPU with 1 GB of RAM, a 7-inch screen, multitasking (looks kind of like the way the Palm webOS handles app switching), 1080p HDMI video, HDMI port, USB port, an e-reader, full document editing and it pairs with BlackBerry phones.  Oh and yes it has a front and rear HD camera and is only 9.7mm thick!  Yes that mouthful of specifications makes this iPad owner drool just a little bit.

Now for the somewhat negative news depending on how you look at it:

• The PlayBook will run on a new platform called BlackBerry Tablet OS.  This could really be good or bad, but yet another platform certainly gives Blackberry some challenges.  Since we don’t have any real hands-on looks at the UI yet beyond demo videos I’ll take a wait-&-see attitude.  We all remember BlackBerry’s last few UI attempts for touchscreen…
• The planned available date is “Early 2011.”  That’s not that long really, but Apple already has a heck of a head start and will sell tons of iPads this Christmas.  And I’ll be surprised if Apple doesn’t get a hardware refresh for the iPad out before this PlayBook makes it to market.  Add to that the many other tablets coming soon – especially the Android variety and things get especially tough.
• It’s going to be expensive.  If this thing doesn’t cost more than the current iPad does I’ll be shocked.  I mean look at the hardware specs!  Price will matter when tablets are already pretty much a luxury item.  I think the hardware demands more cash, but I’m not sure how the mass market will see it.
• They call it a business device – a “professional tablet.”  I know this is to target the existing Blackberry fanbase, but if the focus is on business first that could give the casual users more pause.

All negatives aside, I’m impressed by the PlayBook from what I’ve seen.  It sure looks like it could be a dream tablet for a media enthusiast.  Check out the video below and let me know what you think:

via BlackBerry Blog

The Story of the GeekTonic iPad

It wasn’t supposed to happen this way.  Five months ago I decided to purchase an Apple iPad.  My aim at the time was to do a little GeekTonic review of the iPad with a focus on it’s capabilities as an eReader and Media Player.

I went to the trouble of purchasing my Apple iPad from Best Buy which allowed for a return within 14 days with no restocking fee.  Well even with such good intentions I ran into a few problems:

• I became busy – really busy those next couple of weeks.  And didn’t find the time to write up that iPad review.  Not even time for a quick look or anything.  Never mind the fact everyone was likely sick of iPad articles due to the all-to-frequent Apple Gazing we see on the internet.
• I lost the dang receipt.  Yes, even though MrsGeekTonic probably still doesn’t believe this part of the story I really did intend to return that iMirror device.  I liked it some, but it wasn’t a must-have for me.  Unfortunately for my pocketbook the receipt was nowhere to be found and I haven’t found that thing even now.

So what’s a absent minded geek to do?  I did what any right-minded geek would have – I started using the iPad.  At first it was to try out some of those iPad-specific apps that used that extra screen real estate.  But after a while I found myself checking my RSS Feeds each night and morning using the iPad.  I then began using it to watch a little Netflix streaming. 

After a while I realized I used this iPad a great deal – way more than I ever intended. 

Today I’m not going to get into why this happened.  And I’m not going to say the Apple iPad is the greatest device you could get.  But I am going to explain what I like and dislike about it over the next few months.  And I’ll show you the apps and uses I think you would like about the iPad.  Other tablets will be here soon – likely with Android inside.  But for now I plan to share my iPad experiences just a little along with the HTPC and other media gadget stuff I enjoy. 

To be continued - Stay tuned.

Pogoplug Gets iPad App

It wasn’t long ago when I began enjoying the iPhone app for Pogoplug and today they’ve added an iPad app as well.  This gives me control of my own “personal storage cloud” via the Pogoplug and connected external hard drives.

The Pogoplug iPad app is available for free in the iTunes App Store.  Like the iPhone app before it, the iPad app offers full Pogoplug functionality.

You can access and share files connected to your Pogoplug or stream your media from the Pogoplug-attached storage.  All of this is over the internet.

The Pogoplug iPad App lets users:

• Print from the iPad: The Pogoplug allows printing pictures, documents, emails and more, straight from the iPad
• Browse and open files, including MS Office docs and PDF files: View and edit docs from your iPad
• Watch movies: stream your movies from your Pogoplug to your iPad
• Play music seamlessly from your iPad: Plays entire genres/artists/albums; shows now playing information and finds songs by album cover art
• Share files straight from your iPad: Share videos, pictures, docs and more to family, friends, and coworkers using the my.pogoplug.com site

I downloaded the Pogoplug iPad App this morning and it works very much like the iPhone app.  Another good way to view my media from the iPad.

via Pogoplug

Sonos Music Server Getting iPad Controller App

If you follow me on twitter you likely know I’ve been reviewing a Sonos setup for whole-home, wireless music.  The free iPhone (and iPod Touch) app that controls Sonos is one of the things that makes Sonos an easy device to love.  But I’ve been thinking of how nice an iPad app would be with Sonos given the extra real estate you have with an iPad and the fact that you’re likely only going to be using your Sonos in the house.  Well today Sonos announced they are doing just that and should have a new Sonos Controller for iPad available in the iTunes App Store sometime late August.

The Sonos Controller for iPad will include the following features:

• Landscape and portrait modes
• Multi-pane view
• See your music menu, what’s playing in every room, and what’s in your queue, complete with vivid album art—all at once.
• Quickly search for your favorite artists by typing on the virtual keyboard and browse through albums by pointing and flicking. Then simply drag and drop to add to your queue.
• Price = free.  Like the iPhone app, the iPad app will be available as a free download

Not sure what it’s all about?  Check out this video demo promo by Sonos:

 

You can read more about the new iPad controller at www.sonos.com/ipad.  Visit www.sonos.com to learn more about Sonos.  I’ll have a full review of Sonos in the coming days.

New Wi-Fi Nook And Price Drop

This past March I mentioned that I expected Amazon to drop the price of its popular Kindle eBook reader soon after the Apple iPad arrived and I even had a suspicion that Amazon would release a cheaper Wi-Fi only version of the Kindle.  Both would be great moves to keep Amazons eBook store ahead of the competition.  But to my surprise, Barnes & Noble has moved ahead of the pack with those exact moves and made it official today.  I first heard about the B&N moves from Len Edgerly on Twitter which were then confirmed by Dave Zatz.

A new Wi-Fi only nook is now available for $149 and the 3G/Wi-Fi Nook costs $199 versus the 3G-only Kindle which is still selling for $259.  As much as the GeekTonic family loves their 2 Kindles, it’s going to be pretty difficult for Amazon to justify that $60 price premium over a more, fully-featured Nook let alone the $149 wi-fi Nook.  Take that along with the competition from the iPad and Amazon should see its Kindle sales drop quickly without a significant move on their part.

Amazon, it’s your move.  If you don’t hurry I see the Nook taking the e-reader niche away while Apple gets the rest.

UPDATE:

Amazon responds a few hours later by dropping the Kindle price by $70 to $189 (free shipping)

iPad plus Velcro = Mind Changing!

Not what I expected to be my first iPad post after owning an iPad since it was available, but oh well:

The awesomeness of the iPad plus the amazingness of velcro.  A match made in heaven.

I decided to post this one after viewing the video about 1 minute and 20 seconds in.  Too funny!

iPad + Velcro from Jesse Rosten on Vimeo.

iPad Version Here

Note:  This post and video is not necessarily meant to be taken seriously.  I had to say this for the fanboys on both sides of the “issue.”

via http://jesserosten.com/2010/ipad-velcro

The iPad – A MID device not an eReader

Is the iPad a Kindle Killer?  I watched closely today as Apple announced their new iPad device and as expected it’s a pretty looking thing.  But is it compelling?  Is it a good choice as an eBook reader?  I don’t think it’s even close to being the Kindle-Killer and here’s why:

If you’re a reader of books, you want something that uses a miniscule amount of energy – hence better battery life, you want something extremely light and easy to hold in one hand, something easy on the eyes and ideally something that allows you to purchase books at a better price than if you picked one up from the local bookstore.  While the iPad and really all other MID devices, tablets and netbooks have advantages with other use cases, they really don’t compete (yet at least) with the Kindle or even the Nook eBook reader for that matter.

eReaders Advantages over iPad

• Size – The Kindle is really perfect for reading.  You can hold it in a single hand, read in bed before going to sleep and easily slip it in your bag to carry with you.  The iPad is heave and too big for this purpose.
• Battery Life – Everyone is raving about the Apple-expected, 10 hours of battery life.  The Kindle lasts about a week on one charge.
• Wireless is free.  The Kindle gives you lifetime, free 3G coverage while the iPad requires you pay a monthly $15 - $30 fee or use WiFi.  WiFi is definitely an advantage though and an area where the Kindle must improve in its next version.
• The Kindle does one thing well – very well and that one thing is to be a vessel for reading.  The iPad’s ability to act as an eReader is more of a “bonus feature” and the fact that Steve Jobs showed off the eBook features of the iPad later in the event as opposed to earlier tells that fact.

So what does the iPad have over the Kindle and Nook for the eReader functions?

• Support for ePub (Nook has this, Kindle doesn’t)
• Better for Magazines and Photobooks – Color, video albeit limited make the Kindle & Nook deficient for these purposes in my opinion and the iPad definitely will handle these tasks better
• Faster and more powerful technology
• If you’re a casual reader or just want to read your Kindle books on the iPad you can do that – Kindle books are supported by the iPad as well as many other devices.

I think Dave Zatz said it best with this tweet:

“Amazon/Kindle's got nothing to fear. It's Plastic Logic, and their pricey Que devices, who's in trouble in light of iPad pricing.”

I agree although I think Amazon’s goal is to make the Kindle compete with paper books, not with MID devices such as the iPad.  What we should watch for is to  see what Amazon does next.  Will they drop the Kindle DX for something more like the iPad device?  Will they announce a color and/or flexible screen?  Regardless of the feature set, I’m betting the next Kindle hardware will be focused on being a good e-Reader, not a great app store vessel.