Richard Stephenson over at Folio recently wrote about how magazine publishers are getting their content onto the iPad, and in doing so shared a eyebrow-raising anecdote: that the shiny, sexy iPad has made some Kindle owners feel ashamed of their "relic." Is this really happening?

Let's consider the contenders. On one hand, you have the Kindle: a slim, no-nonsense e-reader that presents text competently (and with no backlight) on a black-and-white screen. On the other: the iPad, a sleek, full-color touchscreen of wonder that boasts e-reading as just one of its multitude of abilities. Sure, side by side, the iPad pretty much destroys the Kindle. But to the point of being ashamed to take your Kindle out in public?

It seems ridiculous, especially considering the Kindle can do at least on thing the iPad can't (that being staying readable in bright sunlight) and that the Kindle's just over a year old. But to be fair, I'd have to admit that I'd probably shoot a slightly perplexed look at anyone carrying around, say, a portable CD player these days. It might not be justifiable, but if we didn't all have that desire to own the latest, best and shiniest new gadget, there wouldn't be shiny new gadgets.

What do you Kindle owners think? Do you suffer from Kindle shame? Have you traded in your e-reader for a tablet? Do you want to?

Via Folio