It is an utterly unfair comparison but one that has been making the rounds ever since Apple released the iPad a few months ago. We are talking of the Kindle vs iPad battle that is being waged between tech users even though one device is designed for reading and another for multimedia consumption.However, if we break it down to just reading books, we think that Amazon’s gizmo has the beating of the iPad in India, for the moment at least. Before you accuse us of being in an advanced stage of intoxication, do consider the following
- Official warranty and support: Let’s face it, warranty and support count for something. As of now, Kindle is officially supported in India, the iPad is not.
- Price: Rs 13,000 officially versus around Rs 30,000 in the grey market. The Kindle takes it here, really.
- Data connectivity: We are not even going to debate whether the iPad is a better device for browsing the Net (it is perhaps the best mobile device for doing so), but the fact is that in India, it can work only on Wi-Fi or can be hacked to run on GPRS. The Kindle may not let you browse the Net freely in India, but you can still get the best of Wikipedia with minimum fuss, with no hacking involved and can, of course, browse the Amazon book store and download books over the air.
- Portability: At around 290 gms, the Kindle is much more portable than the iPad, which is almost twice the weight. With its relatively more book-like proportions, the Kindle is also a lot easier to read from in bed.
- Battery life: Two weeks against about 11 hours – again, the Kindle has a distinct edge here, thanks mainly to the e-ink display.
- The display: If you are looking at just reading content, we will have to go with Kindle’s e-ink display. The iPad’s dazzling display is great for reading books too, but heck, the Kindle’s looks much more, well, booky!
- Book store: Amazon’s Kindle Book Store works in India, Apple’s iBookstore, as of now, does not. Ironically, you can download books from the Kindle Book Store to the iPhone, iPad and iPod touch, but we must admit that the Kindle holds the edge here.
- Better computer syncing: If the iPad has a flaw, it is the fact that one has to depend so heavily on iTunes to sync data with a computer, even when it comes to books. Kindle is in comparison, a doddle to use.
Note: All this could change the moment Apple officially brings the iPad to India, may be even with the iBookstore in tow. As of now, however, we must admit that the e-book reading Force is with the Kindle.
Um, so, you’re saying that the Kindle, which is for sale in India, wins against the iPad, which is not for sale in India? Thanks for the insight.
That’s only part of it, really. The rest is that the Kindle is actually better at display, battery life, syncing and portability, not to mention price. If ye choose to ignore all those, fine, really.
Kindle sounds good for india. But the author is not talking about the cost of books in amazom store. Each book costs minimum $9.99 to download. Thats very high for india. Moreover apple will definitely come with best pricing just itunes .99 cents a song.
I think amazon is charging too much for a e-book, Will you be interested to pay nearly Rs 500 to download a book in kindle..? common be practical
Um…Pranav, I can download a book from any source on to my computer and read it on my Kindle now with the improved PDF support, so the cost factor goes flying out of the windows, unless you want to actually download books on the move. Also, there are books available for prices lower than $9.99, and alas for more than $9.99 too. As for the Apple’s strategy, all indications that its pricing will be similar to Amazon’s when it does bring the iBookstore to India – we do not even have the option to purchase songs from iTunes at the moment, so all this is idle speculation. As of now, I think the Kindle is a great option for someone looking for an e-book reader in India. Yes, real paper books will be cheaper in most cases, but then reading on the Kindle is more convenient in terms of storage as well as reading.
It is interesting that Nimish is endorsing grey market. It is illegal and can put users at risk of jail. Your comparison of iPad to Kindle is like comparing car with car seat. ebook is one of the many features of the iPad…iPad is a general purpose PC and Kindle is a ebook reader. how can you compare a product which is not even available in the indian market. you can’t compare glossy shine ipad, with kindle…if you have ipad you need nothing else…with kindle…you need a full pc. a question, where do you but ipad from grey market?
8 Flaws in this blog:
# Kindle is officially supported in India, the iPad is not.
Flaw: iPad is not launched in india how do you expect support for to be launched product.
# Price: Rs 13,000 officially versus around Rs 30,000 in the grey market. The Kindle takes it here, really.
Flaw: Endorsing grey market is illegal and crime
# Data connectivity:
Flaw: iPad is NOT launched in India yet. Don’t hypothesis.
# Portability:
Flaw: Kindle + Laptop = 2 KG
iPad –few grams.
# Battery life:
Flaw: Can you change battery of iPad?
The iPad’s dazzling display is great for reading books too,
Flaw: It doesn’t work in broad daylight. And its glossy…ipad will burn your eyeballs.
# Book store: Amazon’s Kindle Book Store works in India, Apple’s iBookstore,
Flaw (Repeat 3) iPad is NOT launched in India.
# Better computer syncing:
Flaw: Is Kindle a computer?
What say you, Nimish.
TROLL …. TROLL … GAY FAG TROOOOOLLLLL !!!!!!!!!!!
Well, really. Let’s take this one by one. First off, I cannot see where I have endorsed the grey market. To endorse means to support. I have only given the grey market price of the iPad, that’s all. I have not asked people to buy it from the grey market, so where on earth is the endorsement?
Second, as to how I can compare the two products, well, check the heading: I clearly said that the comparison was as an e-book reader. Both devices handle e-books. don’t they? And oh yes, please do not delude yourself – you are going to need a computer even when you have your glossy shiny iPad for the simple reason that you will need to often sync it with iTunes and because hardly any printer, data card or scanner can be plugged into the iPad. It is a portable multimedia device, not a stand-alone computer.
Thirdly, “how can you compare a product that is not even in India,” well, I have used the product and I know how it functions. Surely that counts for something.
Ah, and now for the eight criticisms:
1. “Flaw: iPad is not launched in india how do you expect support for to be launched product.” I do not expect support for a “to be launched product,” which is exactly my point.
2. “Flaw: Endorsing grey market is illegal and crime” I know that, thank you very much. That is why I am supporting the Kindle on this. Do read.
3. “Flaw: iPad is NOT launched in India yet. Don’t hypothesis.” I know the iPad is not launched in India. Why on earth should I not speculate or hypothesise, as long as it based on valid information? Excuse me, but I do not think you have the right to stop anyone from making a valid hypothesis.
4. “Flaw: Kindle + Laptop= 2 KG. iPad –few grams.” Well, you are going to need a Laptop with the iPad too, sir, whether you like it or not. And the Kindle weighs lesser than an iPad, so the laptop+kindle equation is always going to be lighter than a laptop+iPad one.
5. “Flaw: Can you change battery of iPad?
The iPad’s dazzling display is great for reading books too.” Nope, the iPad’s display is great for multimedia but when it comes to books, Kindle’s e-ink holds the fort. That is my opinion and you are entitled to yours. No you cannot change the battery of the iPad or the Kindle but the Kindle has much greater battery life.
6. “Flaw: It doesn’t work in broad daylight. And its glossy…ipad will burn your eyeballs.” Hmm…my point exactly. The Kindle has a better display for reading in sunlight.
7. “Flaw (Repeat 3) iPad is NOT launched in India.” I know. I keep saying it. That’s why the iBookstore is not available in India.
8. “Flaw: Is Kindle a computer?” Nope. Alas, neither is the iPad.
What say I? Thankee for the response.