Kindle Crumbling? - The Kindle

The first Kindle was introduced in 2007. Amazon is currently selling the Kindle 2, the second generation of Kindle, and the Kindle DX, a version of the Kindle with a bigger screen. They are 1/3 of an inch thick, about the size of a regular magazine, and weigh 10.2 oz.

What makes these different from other devices is that they have a 3G cell connection to Amazon's own eBook store. The store has over 350,000 books available to buy for the Kindle, along with daily newspapers and magazines. The Kindle is limited to around 1,500 books kept on the device, but you can delete a book and download it again it if needed.

Other eBooks

There are plenty of other eBook readers available, but the Kindle is the only one able to access the Amazon bookstore. I don't think any of them will be successful. The only other device to throw its hat into the ring is the iPod Touch. Amazon themselves have built an app for the iPhone and iPod Touch that can use the Amazon store. This seems rather funny, since Amazon wants to sell it's Kindle, but is also allowing the iPod to use the same store.

The iPhone and iPod Touch are certainly not as good to read on as the Kindle, but nonetheless it's entirely doable. Don't hold your breath for an Apple eBook reader. I don't think Steve Jobs sees this as a device that people would want. He is very focused on the iPod Touch. If you can carry a device that can do anything from music to eBooks to games, why bother to make one device that does eBooks only?

Asus is rumored to be coming out with an eBook reader soon. It will sport the eee name that has made a killing in the netbook market. This may hit the market by Christmas, but no information has been leaked about it.

Next: Why paper needs to go >>
 

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