The introduction to Apple’s much hyped tablet project, now officially known as the Apple iPad has so far managed to garner a lot of attention and with the specifications of the device, it has in the first few hours managed to maintain an equilibrium between its admirers and critics alike. The question now arises is whether or not the iPad will be able to hit the competition in the e-readers market, that has seen an explosion of new and improved e-book readers since the Consumer Electronics Show 2010 (CES).
Many believe that even though the iPad is one hell of a tablet and could easily be one of the best so far, yet it would not be enough to kill the competition of e-readers, especially with the likes of Amazon Kindles, Barnes & Noble Nook, Sony e-readers etc. currently dominating the markets. In the case of Kindle, the mere fact that the device is made especially for reading purposes and the height of its popularity should be enough to ensure the stay of Kindle in markets. On the other hand, even though the Apple iPad is a multi-purpose and device with incredible online potential, yet it due to its poor battery life and a much bigger price tag, the Kindle could remain to be the preferred choice of users for e-reading.
Furthermore, Amazon is already working on new Kindles that would be far more improved and would surely entice those who haven’t yet tried the Kindle. Also, Amazon did a very smart move by collaborating with Apple Inc. instead of trying to compete a tablet PC with an e-reader or just simply roll over and die. Amazon has now expanded the Kindle Store to the iPhone, PC, Mac and BlackBerry along with the removal of the Digital Rights Management (DRM) from e-books, thus making the accessible even on an iPad.
According to Drew Herdene (Spokesman, Amazon Inc.),
“Customers can read and sync their Kindle books on the iPhone, iPod Touch, PCs, and soon BlackBerry, Mac and iPad. Kindle is purpose-built for reading. Weighing in at less than 0.64 pounds, Kindle fits comfortably in one hand for hours, has an E Ink display that is easy on the eyes even in bright daylight, two weeks of battery life, and 3G wireless with no monthly fees — all at a $259 price. Kindle editions of New York Times best sellers and most new releases are only $9.99.”
Via New York Times
