The Catalyst Group, who ran a fairly unscientific study of Google v. Bing preferences, have run another fairly unscientific study of Kindle v. Sony Reader user preferences. The results? The Kindle won on all fronts, beating Sony’s aged ereader handily.
The Group asked 12 interviewees, six men and six women, what they thought of both devices. They were asked about physical controls, the general “feel,” UI, resolution, and shopping experience. Eight respondents preferred the Kindle overall, three preferred the Sony, and one apparently fell asleep and pretended to like both when he or she woke up because there was one tie.
Respondents found that the Kindle had clear navigation and a better shopping experience while some liked the sturdy design of the Sony Reader. Everyone wanted a color device and they would have paid about $210 for the Kindle and $185 for the Sony although the real prices, as we know, are closer to $300.
Obviously asking twelve strangers about two devices is not a very scientific way of getting general insights on a product, but this is more anecdotal evidence than fact. Quote Justin Kazmark for the Catalyst Group:
I think overall people understood that it was more anecdotal and took the qualitative data with a grain of salt. I think the study still delivers some interesting insights despite the small survey pool.
Which do you guys prefer?
I never realized how important this market seems to be. I’m sure it’s a different market than people my age, but I’m always surprised that people are willing to dish out that kind of cash for an app that acts as a reader.
It’s not an important market, and people aren’t willing to dish out cash on this kind of thing.
If you actually read the finding, not one of the 12 people would consider buying either device. “The couple of users who said they would consider buying a Kindle lost interest once retail pricing was discussed”.
Most had already ruled out either device regardless of price. Some were not big readers, some preferred the feel of books, and some just didn’t want another device in their life. No matter how you slice it, people don’t want these things, and will never.
Eventually these reader devices will morph into something totally different. For example, in 10 years, maybe you’ll be able to get a full-color e-ink CrunchPad for $100. Maybe then, people might be interested.
That’s such a dumb statement: “People don’t want these things, and will never.”
According to this Wall Street Analyst they estimate 800,000 Kindle’s sold. http://blogs.zdnet.com/BTL/?p=20473
According to you, 800,000 “nobody”
I’m going on a cruise in a week. No need to pack 20 books. Just take the Kindle and I’ve got all the books with me. $400 is chump change when I get that kind of convenience.
I am not a big fan of reading books so the Kindle does not interest me, however my friend loves reading and writing novels of his own and he didnt seem impressed by it so I am not sure what to make of the Kindle.
Honestly, I really do not know much, neither do I want to….but if you asked me I would most likely pick the kindle 2. You know maybe this market gets so big, schools will buy them in bulk…which will save schools a ton of money on books. And it will environmentalists very happy!
I own a Kindle 2, and I would have to say that I love it way more than I thought I would. The ease of shopping makes buying the books almost an addiction. Since I bought the Kindle, I would say the amount of time I spend reading has increased from about 5 hours a week, to closer to 12. When looking for an ereader, I considered the Sony but quickly rejected it after I saw the two devices side by side. The screen on the Kindle makes it easy to read for hours on end without eye strain.
I love it how you guys post articles about “12 person studies.” I mean, Jesus.
I know, 12 people seems, I don’t know, Mickey Mouse Market Research.
Sony Reader vs Kindle is like all those government elections. Why these readers? Who chose them? Where are the others? Can any of these 2 candidates read DRM-free FB2 files? Compare http://bit.ly/3SStCI (direct non-affiliate link).
Really. What they said. Why would you waste our time even reporting on this?! Is this what you call journalism? Memo to me: consider removing Crunchgear from my news feeds links.
Rabble, Rabble, Rabble
I prefer my iPod touch and all the reading apps available with that, including Amazon’s Kindle app.
It’s my gut feeling that only old people will ever prefer the Kindle over iPod/iPhone, netbooks, or other mobile readers.
By the way, the iPod/iPhone vs. the Kindle would be a much more interesting study. The Sony eReader is barely a contender for the future of books.
I sure hope you’re wrong as I own a Sony Reader. I’ve got to say I really enjoy it.
Even us “old people” know the Kindle is another device to add to the iPod/the iTouch/the netbook and the government tabletPC they are already carrying. And being old, every addtion to weight is a problem.
I own the first-gen versions of both devices (Kindle 1 and PRS-500), and I hands-down prefer the Kindle.
Basically it comes down to two things:
1. Sony’s store is terrible and Amazon’s is, well, Amazon.
2. I can turn the thing on when I’m leaving the house, and by the time I get on the subway, I’ve got that day’s NY Times via Whispernet, without having to plug anything in or press any buttons or whatever.
FYI: In qualitative research – which focuses on user insight, not statistical value – 12 people, chosen scientifically, is a perfectly reliable sample set. It would be “unscientific” if the report was being presented as “statistically significant.” However, Catalyst doesn’t make that claim. Criticizing the sample size completely misses the point of the entire undertaking.
That depends upon how it is presented. Saying 8/12 people likes the Kindle better is unscientific. You shouldn’t present data like that if it’s a qualitative focus.
The Kindle is a nice unit, but its overpriced for what it does.
The competitive advantage of the Sony is the ability to load PDF, Word and Text documents. Amazon is looking to control the entire e-book supply chain.
Well I’m glad we got a solid sample of the population for this article.
I don’t understand the continued references to the fact that you can change text size on the Sony. The kindle has buttons on the keyboard for choosing different font sizes.
I’ve had a Kindle 2 since March. I couldn’t imagine spending my own money on it so I asked all of my family for amazon gift certs for my birthday and then purchased it plus a cover. I LOVE it. For a book lover who reads in any spare moment possible I’ve really enjoyed having the kindle.
I also got sick of running out of space for my books at home, and it was hard to give them away, and god forbid you threw them away. Anyway, two thumbs up for me on the Kindle 2 especially after seeing the Sony next to it in this article.
Still prefer books to ereaders… Though now that Kindle lowered it’s price I might test drive it.
I’m not interested in purchasing ephemeral products. Neither offers a physical book along with the purchase of an eBook. Why would I pay $10 for data when I can buy a book and resell that book when I’m done reading it? I can’t trade in an eBook, I can’t put an eBook on a shelf, and I can’t give an eBook to a friend after I’ve read it. Why would I want to be locked into Amazon’s or Sony’s eBook store for content? Take a page out of the book of Apple and build an open device with WiFi and SD support, and offer a physical component. Otherwise you’re just blowin wind.
Oh look at that, it’s 2:30am and a friend recommended I read The Art of Start by Guy Kawasaki. Brick and Mortar’s are closed. No worries, it’s available on my Kindle. I’ll just buy it real quick so I’ll have it for my 6am flight out today.
Amazon just dropped the Kindle 2 price down to $299.
All you guys saying the Kindle for iPhone is adequate, get back to us after you’ve read 5,000 (paper book equivalent) pages on it.
In fact, anyone who wants to review the Kindle or Sony devices: You’re not allowed to do so until you’ve read 5,000 pages on them. This is a basic bit of common sense that only 5 percent of bloggers and reviewers follow, and 0.5 percent of commenters.
Outside US (Israel), 90% of the readers I see are Sony’s 505. 10% are various, usually Windows Mobile, PDAs. Kindles and iPhones = 0% (people have iPhones, but I have not seen anyone reading a book on one yet).
I’m a guy who likes to browse the bookstore. Having a Kindle is similar. I can browse the Amazon website, read the reviews, and read sample chapters, all before buying the book. If I want the book, I can have it in 60 seconds.
I find it easy to read books on the original Kindle and like carrying it with me, so that in my spare time, I can select among several books to read.