Portable eBook Readers

Posts Tagged ‘Amazon Kindle’

E-book readers and e-books have been hot topics for some time now. In 2009, the market for e-book readers rocketed and one of the most important driving factors was the release of the Amazon Kindle in February of that year. Amazon followed up with the launch of the large format Kindle DX in the summer of 2009 and, in the second half of the year, manufacturers of personal electronics were lining up to release their own e-book readers and secure a share of the emerging market.

It’s a clear indication of just how influential Amazon were – and remain – to the development of the market that almost every new reader announced was instantly christened the “Kindle Killer”. The Kindle reader was, without a doubt, the industry standard that had to be matched and then beaten.

However, there was nothing to suggest that any new reader which would offer serious competition to the Kindle was anywhere in sight. It wasn’t until the launch of the Apple iPad – a very different device – that there was any serious threat to the Kindle’s dominance. Even then, the death of the Kindle as a result of consumers turning to the iPad just doesn’t seem to have materialized. Shortly after the release of the upgraded third generation Kindle in August 2010 Amazon, for the umpteenth time it seems, had sold out of the devices and prospective customers faced a wait of several weeks before their new readers could be shipped.

Of course, the fact that the latest upgrades were accompanied by a further price cut might go some way to explaining the resurgence in the popularity of the Kindle. Amazon’s new Wi-Fi only Kindle was priced at just $ 139. If you consider that the Kindle 2.0 was selling for $ 359 at its February 2009 launch, that’s a very significant price reduction. It takes the Kindle – and e-book readers in general – much nearer to the sub $ 100 impulse buying price range for personal electronic devices. If this was prompted, or possibly hastened, by the release of the iPad is debatable, but ultimately irrelevant. The price reduction would have happened anyway, but there is still a lot of scope for further price cuts – and probably in the not too distant future.

However, whilst Amazon and Apple may be enjoying a good deal of success, the same cannot be said for other e-book reader manufacturers. Several planned e-book readers have either been postponed or cancelled all together. The Plastic Logic Que reader, for example, is pretty well dead in the water. The well established Dutch company Irex went bankrupt when they ran out of cash following poor US sales returns for their Irex reader. Sprint and Hearst’s planned Skiff has been cancelled.

Are we heading towards a polarised market with Amazon dominating the low cost “pure” e-book reader sector and Apple cleaning up in the more expensive tablet computer that sometimes serves as an e-book reader market? There’s a large gap in the prices of the Kindle and the iPad. Is there sufficient space between the two devices, in terms of both specification and price levels, to allow new players to enter the market?

Recently Amazon advised that sales of Kindle books have overtaken the sales of hard cover books. It seems highly probable that e-book sales will catch up with and eventually overtake paperback sales – and probably in the not too distant future. It looks like e-books may well be the future of reading, but just what type of device will you choose to read them on?

Discover the Amazon Kindle for yourself and view the wide range of Kindle accessories available to help you customise your reader.

Related iPad and Kindle article

• Another Way to Look at the iPad vs. Kindle Debate (pogue.blogs.nytimes.com)

Image via Wikipedia

The recent surge in the popularity of both e-books and e-book readers has been heavily influenced by Amazon. The Amazon Kindle reader first appeared on the market in November of 2006 and further updates followed with the release of the Kindle 2.0 in February of 2009 and the launch of the third generation Kindle in August 2010. The large display Kindle DX was released in the summer of 2009 and also had an upgrade in August 2010.

Many business analysts forecast that, regardless of Amazon’s influential role in the development of the e-book and e-book reader market, the release of Apple’s iPad would effectively kill off the Kindle. However, after the launch of the third generation Kindle – accompanied by a reduction in the retail price – Amazon has sold out of their readers again. Demand seems to be holding up, and then some, for what is now Amazon’s best selling item.

Some people have accepted e-books quite readily. Others seem to remain attached to traditional physical books. However, for the majority of people the convenience of being able to carry large quantities of reading material around with them, coupled with the ease of operation offered by e-book readers, has turned out to be an attractive proposition. Recent e-book reader price cuts, prompted or at least hastened by the launch of the iPad, have made e-book readers more attractive to many consumers.

Amazon recently confirmed that they are now selling more Kindle books than traditional hardback editions. The low selling priced e-books – they use no paper or ink and have no delivery fees to speak of after all – certainly helps. It can’t be very much longer before e-books begin to outsell paperbacks.

As well as the price, the ease with which e-books can be bought is another influencing factor. Readers can download a book to their Kindle in under a minute, whatever the time of day, just as long as they can connect to the Amazon Kindle store.

One possible stumbling block for many readers was a reticence to be “tied” to any particular e-book reader. This issue has been very effectively addressed by Amazon who have released a large number of free “apps” to allow Kindle books to be read on a wide range of different devices. Currently, Kindle books can be read on the Mac, the PC, the iPhone, the iPad, the Blackberry smart phone and any device which uses the Android operating system. It’s a clever move on Amazon’s part. Not only does it address customer’s concerns about being tied to one particular brand of hardware but every new app acts as a separate retail outlet for Amazon’s massive selection of Kindle books. At the moment, around about 20% of all Kindle book sales are estimated to be aimed at non-Kindle hardware.

It looks as if portable ebook readers are here for the long term and that they will gradually begin to account for a higher and higher proportion of book sales. It also seems probable that Amazon will continue to be a driving influence in the world of digital publishing in future.

Learn more about the Amazon Kindle for yourself and view the wide range of Kindle accessories available to help you personalise and protect your reader.

Related Amazon Kindle article

• New Amazon Kindle searches spike to challenge iPad mini (weblogs.hitwise.com)

It’s been a long time coming – or at least that’s how it feels – but Amazon has finally unveiled its new, upgraded and enhanced Kindle electronic reader. Christened the third generation Kindle by Amazon – but more likely to be known as the Kindle 3 – there are a variety of improvements.

The new features of the Kindle 3 seem likely to press all the right buttons for e-book reader fans. It keeps the same 6″ e-ink technology screen, but the display’s contrast has been improved by 50%, which should make reading even better. Page turn speed, already good in the Kindle 2.0, has been made 20% faster.

The overall dimensions of the reader are shrunk by 21% and the weight is a mere 8.7 ozs – 15% lighter. With the Wi-Fi turned off, the battery will now last for a month – even with the Wi-Fi on, a 10 day life is achievable. On board storage capacity has been increased from 2 to 4 GB, enough for approximately 3,500 books. So the new Kindle is lighter, smaller, easier to read, has an extended battery life and allows users to carry a small personal library with them wherever they go. What more could you ask for from a mobile reader?

For many, a color screen would have been one item on their wish list. However, whilst Amazon have been working on a color e-ink technology display, it is not ready for commercial release at the moment. Perhaps this might be incorporated in the next Kindle 4 release. There is no SD slot available for memory expansion, something which some users may also have liked to see. Nevertheless, considering that the memory capacity is now at 4GB, most people won’t suffer too greatly as a consequence of this.

In addition to the various upgrades, Amazon have reduced the price and introduced a new Wi-Fi only model for those who don’t see the need for a 3G connection. Just $ 139 will get you the new entry level Wi-Fi only model, with the 3G plus Wi-Fi version available for$ 189. The new Kindle 3 now comes in graphite, the same as the new DX model, in addition to the original white color.

Amazon has also opened a dedicated UK Kindle store on their British website. UK customers will no longer need to get their Kindles shipped from the States. To begin with the UK Kindle store will have 400,000 Kindle books available. It seems reasonable to suppose that Amazon may consider opening other dedicated Kindle stores for its other “local” websites in France, Germany etc. in the future.

The Kindle 3 seems to be in high demand. Potential customers currently face a 4 week wait before their readers are shipped. It does start to look as if reports of the Kindle’s imminent demise at the hands of Apple’s iPad were somewhat premature. The new upgrades, the lower prices and the fact that there is no monthly payment for connectivity, will be very appealing to many consumers. It looks as though the launch of Amazon’s new Kindle 3 may serve as a timely reminder of just how influential the company is, and will continue to be, in the world of books in general and e-books in particular.

Learn more about the Amazon Kindle for yourself and view the wide range of Kindle accessories available to help you personalise your reader.

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• Kindle 3 vs Sony Reader 650 – Thoughts (ireaderreview.com)

Amazon is enjoying great success with its latest third generation Kindle reader right now. An upgrade – which includes a new display with 50% better contrast, a new smaller and lighter body, quicker page turns and a doubling of memory capacity from 2GB to 4GB – accompanied by a price cut and the introduction of an entry level Wi-Fi only model, has seen demand for the Kindle reader really take off.

Currently, the new upgraded Kindles are out of stock and prospective customers face a wait of three to four weeks before any new ones start shipping. Kindle books are now selling more than conventional hard cover editions on a regular basis. It can only be a matter of time before e-books begin to sell more than paperbacks.

Amazon has also launched a dedicated UK Kindle store so that UK customers no longer need to have their Kindles shipped across the Atlantic and can pay for their Kindle purchases in their local currency. It seems reasonable to assume that similar “local” Kindle stores will be opened for other Amazon international websites such as France, Japan, Germany etc. in the relatively near future.

Just at the moment, everything seems to be coming up roses for Amazon. Although many industry analysts predicted that the release of the Apple iPad would sound the death knell for the Kindle, there is little evidence to suggest that this is, in fact, the case. Amazon’s policy of releasing free “apps” to allow Kindle books to be read on a variety of different devices looks to be paying dividends. So, considering what a huge success they have had with their first manufactured product, it’s probably no surprise that Amazon is reported to be considering developing prototypes for consumer gadgets other than the Kindle in their Lab 126 research facility.

Amazon has made no comment on what they may, or may not, be developing, but it has been suggested that they may be looking at mobile phones and music and/or movie players. However, industry watchers suggest that, if Amazon wanted to enter the market with another gadget, then they would need to ensure that they add value rather than simply releasing another piece of personal electronic tech onto the market.

A great deal of the success of the Kindle reader must be attributed to Amazon’s strong association with books and reading in general. The massive choice of Kindle books on offer – more than 630,000 and increasing every day – and the fact that these can be read on so many other devices has been a real feather in Amazon’s cap. Any new gadget that Amazon decided to launch would probably need some similar type of support in order to achieve anything approaching the level of success enjoyed by the Kindle.

Discover the Amazon Kindle for yourself and view the wide range of Kindle accessories available to help you customise and enhance your reader.

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Technology has fast taken over every walk of life, including interests like reading. E-books have fast replaced typical books because they offer more comfort to the enthusiastic reader. If you also are ardent on e-books, then having an e-book reader becomes the most obvious thing to do. Though there are so many preferences accessible in the market as regards eReaders, there are a handful that top the list as the best eBook readers.

The 1st name that comes to mind in this regard is Amazon Kindle. It’s in fact famous to be the flagship launch for the concept of e-book readers. This device was launched at first in two versions- Kindle Wi-Fi and the Kindle 3G. Well naturally, the 3G model arrives at quite a price. It helps in downloading e-books according to your comfort and desire. For example, in case you are looking for books on disability, merely use this device to download them and you may begin with the reading as and when you want.

The Barnes & Nobles Nook is also considered to be one of the greatest available eBook readers. It’s equipped with many handy features, including a standard black and white E-ink main display that also makes it a most coveted reading tool. The device has an additional touch screen; strategically positioned towards the bottom as well. Another great attribute of this certain reader is its ability to support most formats and compatibility with external memory cards for greater storage space.

In case you are looking for an extremely enhanced version of eReaders, then the Sony PRS 900 Reader Daily Edition is a great alternative. In fact, this one is the greatest option from Sony eReaders. It has a 7 inch display with touch navigation. So, even if you’re reading heavy text on subjects like patents, you will not have an issue. The only downside of this eReader is the heavy price tag that it features. Priced at $ 399, this 1 can be slightly unaffordable.

Another name that makes to the list of well-liked eReaders is Spring Design Alex. It not only has features of an eReader, but is also a complete version of Android. Its big size supports extra functionality. With a dual screen layout, it comes accompanied with touch screen LCD at bottom and black and white coloured eReader at the top. While you could always make use of this gadget to read books, you can get to see videos on the same. Since it is compatible with varied formats, watching videos of step by step guide self tanning lessons will no longer be difficult.

So, wait no more. Pick your pick and get started with your e-reading right away.

Here are a few more ways to know about Books On Disability and Patents.

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Right now, Amazon is having a busy time of it. They have just announced the upgrade of their massively successful Kindle 2.0 and Kindle DX readers and pre-order rates are very high at the moment. Stock levels of the third generation 6″ Kindle are depleted and consumers are now pre-ordering to get their Kindle shipped, on a first-come-first-served basis, within four to five weeks.

This latest upgrade includes a higher contrast display, more memory, quicker page turns and color choice of graphite or white . The 6″ display version has had its overall dimensions reduced by 21% and is 15% lighter, at 8.7 oz. Amazon has also released an entry level Wi-Fi only model of the 6″ display Kindle for customers who do not foresee the need for a 3G connection.

All of this is accompanied by a price drop. The 6″ Kindle version Wi-Fi only model retails at $ 139, with the 3G plus Wi-Fi model on sale for $ 189. The large format Kindle DX model is now available for $ 379. These represent significant price reductions over the Kindle 2.0 launch $ 359 price and the recent DX model price of $ 489.

A great deal has been made of the impact of the Apple iPad on Kindle reader sales. It seems likely that the launch of the Apple iPad has prompted, or at least hastened, the latest round of e-book reader price reductions. However, the above prices are considerably lower than the entry level iPad price and, for a lot of customers, the fact that 3G is available with no monthly fee will be seen as a very positive aspect of the Kindle price plan.

As well as the upgrades to the hardware and the price reductions, a dedicated UK Kindle store will be launched for the first time. Consumers in the UK will no longer require to have their Kindles shipped across the Atlantic. The UK Kindle store launches in August 2010 and will, in the first instance, have around 400,000 Kindle books available. It seems probable that other Amazon websites could have their own Kindle stores soon and that customers will be able to purchase their Kindles locally.

The recent price drop in the e-book reader market may be an indication that the market, although still relatively young, is maturing. Lower hardware prices will shift the emphasis from hardware sales towards the sale of the e-books themselves. Amazon, who have an interest in the sales of both hardware and books may be better placed than companies who are primarily concerned with hardware manufacture and sales. Whatever the future brings, and it seems likely that the future of reading will have a strong digital element, Amazon seem likely to remain a very influential player in the development of the market.

Check out the Amazon Kindle for yourself and view the wide range of Kindle accessories available to help you personalise your reader.

Related Amazon Kindle 3 article

• Interesting Kindle 3, eReader updates and news (ireaderreview.com)

by Andrew Mason

eBook Reader Review

Reading has totally transformed from what it was like back in the old days. This time, the norm is no longer to have those traditional books that are out of papers, but it has moved a little higher with what Amazon has offered, the Electronic Book Reader. Now, with Amazon’s first and second Kindle 2, every reader is already able to have a taste of that kind of reading that is more desirable and full of excitement.

The market now houses a lot of various brands for these eBook readers. However, out of those brands, Kindle is the most popular one basically because of its state-of-the-art features and functionalities. Its popularity is then followed by another reputable brand, the Sony PRS. For those who wanted to be sure that they will have that book that is worth the money that they’ve paid for it, this device is favorable because it allows anyone to get samples of their desired books for free before making the decision to either buy it or not.

What’s immensely lovable about this unit is the fact that it’s convenient, portable, and easy to deal with. No wonder many individuals can’t truly get over it. Because of that, it’s also inevitable that the marketplace will be loaded with stocks for these various types of eBook readers. Since choosing the best device of its kind now solely lies in your hands, it is necessary that prior to making up your mind, you look for the right eBook Reader Review that you can rely on. It should be one that will give you all the relevant information about the device such as its features, functionalities, price, and others.

There are a lot of things that you must take into account in choosing the best eBook reader to buy. One of those things is the type of formats that it supports. When you go through a certain review, take a closer look at this area because different brands of eBook readers do not have the same supported file format. That is why you have to check if the type of format that you wanted to read is supported by a particular brand before you pay for it so that you’re money won’t go wasted. Likewise, it is important to make some comparisons of those devices too.

Reading books without the books is now made possible with the availability of the Amazon Kindle Portable Reader. The experience has even become more advanced with the improvised version of this Kindle by Amazon, the Kindle 2, which is fully loaded with additional features and functionalities. Its wireless technology through Whispernet, the text-to-speech feature, free samples of e-Books, and supreme stylish design are some of the many adorable things that are included in its package.

Electronic book readers are not only pro-human; it’s also pro-environment. The best evidence to prove that is that it helps minimize cutting down of trees. That is because the production of this electronic-base book does not necessitate the use of trees for making papers anymore. Hence, you’re able to spare the lives of those numerous trees when you opt to go for those eBook readers instead of making more paper-filled books. In the end, its ultimate effect still goes back to you and the rest all living creatures.

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• Could a new eReader take on Kindle 3, Nook 2? (ireaderreview.com)

Will Portable Ebook Readers Explode In Popularity Like The Ipod?

It seems that MP3 players like the iPod have always been popular. Walk around any town and you’re likely to see people, young and old, with the familiar white earbuds in their ears. Since our society is moving to such a digital and downloadable format, can we expect the same thing to happen with books?

If you have a look at Amazon’s Kindle web page or Sony’s Sony Reader web page, the answer is quite clear. There are some companies that are pulling hard for wider usage of digital books. If you look at the sales numbers, however, the answers aren’t so clear. Physical book sales make up the vast majority of book sales in total.

It seems that the majority of those who read books aren’t quite ready to totally make the switch. This might be because they prefer the feel of having a book in their hands, they aren’t ready to fork over the money for some of the higher priced machines, or they are just wary of investing in technology when what they are using now is ‘working fine.’

Still, it did take a while for MP3’s to take off as well. Once they did, they REALLY did. If those past trends are any indication, it’s what we can expect this time around as well. Part of the reason for that is because there are so many great features that come along with reading via ebook.

For one thing, you can store an awful lot of books on those devices. The space-saving feature alone is worth it for many people. You can also factor in the cost savings. Once you’ve purchased the device you can save a lot of money by buying digital versions of books rather than physical versions. It’s also great because instead of waiting until you can find the time to go to the store, you can have what you want in just a few clicks.

Using an ebook reader stocked with ebooks is also easier to travel with. They are far more useful for business meetings, quick reference in class, and for pulling out when you find that spare minute to read. Every book you need is literally right there at your fingertips instead of back on a bookshelf somewhere where you can’t access them all the time.

Is this enough for most people to make the switch? It probably will be in the future. As more books become available and more advanced (and less expensive) devices make their way onto store shelves you can expect it to become more mainstream. Thought, it’s not exactly like the industry is hurting now! The costs of selling ebooks is insanely low, which benefits companies and consumers.

Some people will want to buck the trend for sure. There is something nostalgic about the smell of old library books. Still, convenience, cost, and the ‘cool’ factor usually trump things like nostalgia. As our world becomes more and more digital, book lovers will likely make the leap as well.

Are you ready to take the leap into the digital book world? Get reviews of the hottest portable ebook readers here to see which device is best for you. Be sure to take a look at the kindle vs sony ebook reader comparison as these are the two most popular devices currently available.

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If you think there’s no way you could ever get used to curling up with an portable ebook reader, you haven’t given the Kindle digital ebook reader a chance. Load up a good book and you’ll soon forget you’re reading plastic rather than paper. You’ll also wonder how you ever did without it. The Kindle portable ebook reader makes buying, storing, and organizing your favorite books and magazines effortless. You can take your entire library with you wherever you go and switch from reading the latest New Yorker to the latest best-seller without rolling out of bed. In my few days using it, I was won over: The Kindle reader is the future of publishing. The best ebook reader device.

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Amazon has revolutionized reading by introducing the first ebook reader called the Kindle. Since its introduction Amazon has gone to release more kindle models in different sizes and every one of them has been a HUGE Success!

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Just in Time for Holiday Shopping, Wize Names the Best E-Book Readers, iPods, Netbooks, Digital Picture Frames and Digital Cameras

San Francisco (PRWEB) November 5, 2009 — Whether it is a Kindle e-book reader or a Flip camera, gadget fans know there is nothing more exciting than getting a new “toy” for the holidays. Product recommendation engine Wize.com is making it easy for consumers across the Web to choose great gadgets with the 2009 Wize Choice Awards for Gadgets. The gadgets given Wize Choice Awards are those rated the best in thousands of reviews from enthusiasts across the Web. The new honorees include the Amazon Kindle DX, Flip Pure Digital Video Ultra, Apple iPod Nano 16 GB, Samsung NC10-14ROBL 10.2″ Netbook, Kodak EasyShare P720 Digital Picture Frame with Home Décor Kit and Canon PowerShot SD1200 IS / IXUS 95 IS.

Wize Logo

The Wize Choice Awards are selected using the patent-pending Wize Product Research Engine, which analyzes millions of online product reviews. It allows consumers to search for products using natural, everyday language – “I want the best digital picture frame” – and bases its findings on what consumers have said is important.

2009 Wize Choice Awards: Best Gadgets

Best E-Book Readers (E-Readers): Amazon Kindle DX
“I have now had my Kindle DX for the last 2 days and have truly enjoyed every minute. This was a gift from my husband and one of his best ideas for a gift yet, in the time we have been married.”

Best Digital Camcorders: Flip Pure Digital Video Ultra (60 Minutes)
“I’m a mom of a 2.5 year-old and I carry this ipod-sized camcorder with me EVERYWHERE I go. It’s so easy to pull out of my pocket and record anything and everything QUICKLY and EASILY”

Best MP3 Players: Apple iPod Nano 16 GB
“This product is absolutely amazing. I love everything about it!!! Easy to transfer music and easy to use. Love it”

Best Netbooks: Samsung NC10-14ROBL 10.2″ Netbook (NP-NC10-KA03US)
It starts up very fast, looks great and professional enough for a business meeting, is small and light, has long battery life, and the keyboard is excellent.”

Best Digital Picture Frames: Kodak EasyShare P720 Digital Picture Frame with Home Décor Kit
“This frame was purchased for my mom for Christmas. She loves it! It is easy to navigate around with the simple touch border controls and the picture quality is great.”

Best Digital Cameras: Canon PowerShot SD1200 IS / IXUS 95 IS
“This camera is extremely light and portable, perfect for throwing in the purse or pocket. Great megapixel size, good quality pictures.”

For more information or to start your own product search please visit Wize.com.

Additional Links:
Find us on Facebook: facebook.com/wizechoice
Find us on Twitter: twitter.com/wizedotcom
URL: Wize.com

About Wize.com
Wize (Wize.com) simplifies product research by helping consumers find products based on their needs instead of technical product features. Users simply tell Wize what product they are looking for and how they want to use it. The patent-pending Wize Product Research Engine then reads data from thousands of sources across the Web, analyzes some 26 million recommendations for more than 1 million products, and provides a personalized list of the top products for a users needs. Wize, headquartered in Burlingame, Calif., is privately held and funded by Mayfield Fund and Bessemer Venture Partners. For more information, visit Wize.com.

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Which is the best ebook reader on the market at the moment? http://snipr.com/z65rs – by ymvparadise (Yvette Maitland-Varg)

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I just wanna know if it’s any good or not. I read a lot, and my parents are tired of going out to buy books. So they wanna get an ebook reader thingy instead. How good is the Amazon Kindle too, if you can tell me? Or, does anyone know any better ones? Please give reasons why whichever is better or not. Thanks ^-^