Kindle...

Have you checked out The Sony Reader? It's similiar to the Kindle.

I have the Sony Reader, and it's very, very cool. The difference is that the Sony Reader requires software on your PC to download books & to load them onto the Reader (unless you put them on a memory card). Also, the Kindle has a feature I really WISH the Reader had, a search function through the documents. But I'm sure the Sony Reader will have that in the not too distant future.

But the Reader does work anywhere, whereas you have to be in a service area to get the wireless service for the Kindle. I'm sure they'll eventually expand the area where Kindles work... Just like cell phone coverage has expanded.

Hewene

Yeah, that's my hope. And maybe by the time they do this kind of device will be perfected (and cheaper).

And more books too!

As Hewene pointed out, it's the wireless aspect of this one that sets it apart from an ebook reader or a palm pilot.

Maybe one day they'll expand that wireless network to Oz?

I didn't wait and bought an obsolete ebookwise reader from a company that has gone bust and I adore mine - because it does work with the PC and I use it with a program that allows me to load fanfiction on it to read away from the PC - I can get books for free, too from the Guttenberg Project etc., but it is the ability to load on text files and read them anywhere that is great. It will run for eight hours at a time off of a charge. I read in the dark - I can enlarge the print, bookmark, take notes, search - whatever I need to do. And I dictate how it is inventoried and provide the structure for it to suit me. Eventually I will get a kindle or watever survives but right now I am thrilled with my ebookwise.

I have an old Palm Pilot that I bought on ebay - you can load and read text files on it. But I love the idea of whole books, on demand.

Hopefully the wireless network will expand to include Oz.

I just wonder if this kind of thing is the wave of the future? They've been talking about paper-free society for a long time - and much as I love the physicality of a book in my hands, I must admit I love the idea of the convenience. 200 books in your hand!

Grr, yes. I know. Sucks, doesn't it? I spend so much time on the damn bus that I needed something to read and books are bulky and hey, what if I wanted to read epic fanfic occasionally? I sure ain't gonna print it out and haul that to work. The Kindle seemed perfect...until you get to the fine print and the part where it doesn't work in Australia (just like damn TxtLj grr!). :(

I'm not as patient as you are though, and I ended switching my iPod for an iPaq because I can read ebooks, read/write fanfiction, and play music on the one wee device. There's no wireless book downloading (*sigh*) but it's as close to a Kindle as I can get (with some awesome extras).

I bought an old Palm Pilot off ebay - it's very handy - but when I see how much more this Kindle can do... *sigh*

So, tell me about your iPaq. What does it do/cost etc. Worth it?