I was just browsing through some books on amazon. Of course, they have ads about the Kindle, their electronic reading device plastered all over the site. But when I looked at a specific book, the price to download it to the Kindle was $9.99, while the paperback was $11 or $12. That's WAY too small a difference! I don't think I would be interested unless there were substantial savings, maybe half or less. Could be I'm cheap, but when I think of the huge cost savings for the publishers, it feels like a rip-off. I'm in favor of saving trees, but why should the publishers earn massive profits at our expense? The price for the Kindle itself ranges from about $200 (used, 1st generation) to $399 or so for the newest version.

I do think these wireless reading devices are a great idea, and will be a benefit to society. But they have a ways to go before we give up physical books!