How's The Kindle Actually Doing?

Normally I’m not a guy who cares about sales numbers. If it has nothing to do with my business, then I just don’t want to know. I have a passing interest in things that I like, such as video games. When the guys at Infinity Ward are rewarded with high sales for such a superb game I’m happy for them and the lucky individuals who get to play Call of Duty 4. But I have to admit to being intrigued by how well Amazon’s Kindle is doing, and now I can sort of find out.

I don’t hate the Kindle, or e-books as a general rule. Let’s get that out of the way right up front. I’m sure that some e-books are fine, and even the Kindle looks like it’s something that I could eventually get used to. Not that anyone should get used to the exorbitant price. But here’s my problem: my eyes begin to hurt and water just thinking about reading an entire book on an electronic device. Getting some news or reading forums is one thing, an entire novel on a screen is an undertaking I just can’t abide.

I’m currently in the middle of book 2 of A Song of Ice and Fire by George RR Martin. And let me tell you that no amount of intrigue would keep me following the tale of the Lannisters or Jon Snow on The Wall if my eyes were burning.

Over at Silicon Alley they’ve taken a look at how Kindle stacks up to past gadget phenomenons. Compared to previous e-books the Kindle is a rousing success. But when compared to hot items like the first year sales of the iPod, things aren’t looking so hot. The iPhone is an unfair comparison because that item has the iPod support fully behind it. It looks like I’m not the only one who thinks an e-reader may not be the best purchase choice.