My previous e-reader having died, I found the pocket-friendly form and market-beating price tag of the kindle irresistible. If I stick to Project Gutenberg for my books, I’m not sucked in to Amazon’s Orwellian World, but I have the advantages of the latest technology (including notably an e-ink screen that is no longer slow) fronting my library.
But what about the with-keyboard versions? That’s potentially an even more interesting device, depending on what software I can run on it. If I can install some basic utilities it becomes truly the ideal portable computer. How basic? Just a text editor and it becomes the ideal companion for events like FOSDEM and for real backpacking, with both keyboard and screen being a whole lot better to use than the pocket-puter (aka smartphone), as well as decent battery life. Add a set of regular smartphone/tablet-like apps (like email, calendar, notebook) and the ability to install apps, and it really begins to look like the device I’m waiting for.
Is that feasible? A couple of shops where I’ve asked say no chance. What would I have to do to make it happen? And is anyone playing with interesting ideas like running Linux or an open-ish Android on a kindle?
