CEOs Sacked, Cloudy Forecast. Consolidation Coming?

Here are the new kids on the block: Samsung, Motorola, HTC. Maybe LG.

Here are the guys who don't get it. Let's call them the "old guys": Asus, Acer, Lenovo, Dell, HP...though HP gets a pass because its Palm acquisition has yet to play out. RIM probably belongs here too given the limitations they've put on Playbook and the weird marketing.

Wild Cards: Amazon And Barnes and Noble. Sony And Nintendo Should be with the Old Guys but I'm gonna give them the benefit of the doubt.

So far, the new kids are doing well. Dazzling the market with new Windows Phone 7 and Android gears. And just completed 3 months of 2011, we'll see more Android 3, Honeycomb, tablets hit the market and continue what the iPad did last year: putting a hurt on the laptop market and possibly finishing off the netbooks.

The old guys spew a lot of double talk about how their experience in enterprise will ultimately demonstrate that they new guys's tablets, including the iPad, will not have a chance. They came out with fuzzy math to show how the tablet is more expensive.

And yet, so far, vaporware.

Because it's a Friday afternoon, let me put this out there. Dell is going to fail. The rest of the old guys probably will struggle bit time as well as the mobile market shifts in terms of needs and what the new type of computing the tablets represent.

And like HP having to go out and buy Palm for the Web OS, I wonder if others will need to do the same to stay viable over the next decade.

Dell has to make an acquisition or two. As an old guy, Dell is still making loads of cash. And the PC market isn't just going to disappear overnight. And of the new guys, Motorola Mobile (MMI) is the weakest and smallest.

Can Dell come in and scoop them up and instantly gain strong street cred with Xoom and Droid? It has done that in the past with the gaming laptop maker, Alienware. On top of that, there's talk that Motorola is making their own OS to distance themselves from Android and Windows Phone 7.

Dell will probably see what their lineup will do against others. It will gain no traction and the blogs and investors will demand action. They'll probably have to go out buy what they need. All that matters is when Michael Dell pulls the trigger. I'm predicting it'll be Motorola because RIM will be too expensive. Plus, RIM's got a couple of erratic co-CEOs that might clash with Dell.

For the other old guys, 2011 will be exciting not because of their new products which are largely based on old thinking but what they will do once they fail. Aside of HP's Touchpad, the rest of the Android tablets will be hard to differentiate. And though some might hope that a Windows tablet OS might save them, that is probably a 2012 thing, more likely 2013 given Micrsoft's track record to promise but under deliver.

The ebook sellers and the gaming guys, Wildcard guys, present a very interest dynamics going forward. And they have an opportunity to play big roles or completely disappear into nothingness. I'm looking foward to speculate what could come of them.

Right now, the situations for the old guys are more dire. HP has to succeed with the Touchpad and the next Web OS smartphones. Dell will fail miserably and look for an answer through a buyout.

The same is probably true for the rest of the old guys. Their only opening is in Asia where many of these old guys can still count as their stronghold. However, that window will close quickly once Apple has its iPad 2 supply issues figured out (Steve Jobs has $60+ billion in the bank to do just that) and more Apple stores start opening up.

Harper Collins To Charge Libraries For Being A Library That Lends eBooks

I want to reserve judgment on this until we see where this goes. HarperCollins is gong to start charging libraries for licensing fees. That means they want taxpayers like you and I to pay for a service that some folks use on a regular basis.

As a taxpayer, I think libraries are great but I'm not sure I like companies to make money off of public institutions like this. And perhaps, HarperCollins is simply using this as a negotiation ploy or they're just afraid like every other old media about the new media future.

More at Greenjava.

Cheaper Readers Coming. Maybe Even Free And New Store Models

I've got three different Audible.com accounts. Essentially, if I sign up with Audible for a year, I got a $100 credit towards any MP3 player I wanted from Amazon. So can Amazon or Barnes and Noble essentially do the same thing with ebooks?

Subscriptions. If publishers can be persuaded to offer books at a lower price in exchange for volume or a promise of minimum cut, it is possible for ebookstores to offer subscriptions to books much like Audible is doing and give users a discount on compatible readers.

And with pricing dropping due to competing readers and stores, i wouldn't be surprised that prices may drop to $99 for the WiFi-only Kindle or Nook in 2011.

Bundles. An alternative for attracting readers may be to bundle books based on authors or series.

For instance, buy the whole Ender series, the buyer can knock off $25 of the Nook. Will this work? If SciFi doesn't fancy the reader, maybe the whole Jack Ryan series will get you $50 off a Kindle.

For years, game console makers, Microsoft, Nintendo, and Sony, have bundled hardware with selected accessories and games or services. Therefore, publishers of literatures like their video game counterparts would, should, be open to such an arrangement.

As booksellers, Amazon, Borders, and BN should do whatever is necessary to embrace the new ebook market. There is still a lot of growing to do. That means mistakes but it also would mean opportunities to experiment with new business models.

If you are offered a discounted or free reader from ebook sellers but in exchange, you have to buy books you're going to buy anyway, why not take it?


-- Post From My iPad

Bezos on Charlie Rose: Buy Kindle 3

Jeff Bezos appeared on Charlie Rose to pitch the Kindle 3 and appeared to try too hard to say he's not interested in the tablet market other than to use tablets and hope that tablets will bring in business for Amazon.

Is the Kindle a companion to the tablet as he suggests or it's a smoke screen until he can bring out an Amazon branded tablet? I think it's the latter. I've said this in the past, outside of iTunes and the iOS ecosystem, Amazon has the pieces to compete with Apple. Amazon has video, music, books, and the millions of credit cards of shoppers worldwide.

This is getting exciting in the tablet market, despite what Jeff is saying.

Kindle Sold Out - What Now?

Kindle is no longer for sale on Amazon or anywhere else for that matter. So, What's next?

I'm sure the question will be answered in due course. Probably in the next few days or in the next few weeks. It is after all back-to-school season.

I'm sure the natural progression for Amazon is to release Kindle 3. Do you think it's possible that Amazon may pull a surprise and come out with a tablet?

Barnes And Noble To Power Textbooks?

When the iPad came out, I had hoped that it would truly revolutionize the textbook market. Granted that it has been a mere 2 or 3 months since the iPad has been on the market and granted that Apple has sold a gazillion of them (okay, more like 3+ million), there is almost nothing I've heard about the textbooks.

Maybe Barnes And Noble's upcoming Nookstudy can do something about that. It'll be released in August and though I'm not longer a professional student, I intent to download it as I am a curious creature, interested in all things.

But will this do what the iPad hasn't been able to do so far? Oh, and Kindle tried but failed big time so far. I hope so.  Is Nookstudy going to make a difference?

Despite iPad Success, eReaders Might Be Harder To Kill Off Than Expected

Maybe Amazon and Barnes And Noble are going about this the wrong way. Maybe Kobo Reader has it right after all. How so?

Maybe digital book readers should be a combination of the follow two factors that Kobo reader has:  simplicity and a relatively low price (though recently, the Kindle and Nook both had about $50 chopped off their retail price).  

Kindle/Nook Versus "Just Readers. Until the Kindle came on the scene, readers were fairly expensive and it was not easy to upload books into these readers.  Kindle made that iPod-like simple and has since been joined by Sony Reader and the Nook.  However, despite Amazon's claims of success, there is still no figure provided by Amazon about how many Kindles were actually sold and how may ebooks have been bought by Kindle owners since its debut.

But Kobo with its simple read-only device isn't shy about saying how well it's done in New Zealand.  According to Stuff, the first two batches of thousands of Kobo readers have sold out and a third batch is on the way in July.  And with books costing $10-15 (7.15-10.75 USD), this is cheaper than even what Amazon, BN, and Apple sells.

Kobo - Cinderella Reader? So what has made the Kobo such a large success?  It is more simple than the Kindle to install books?  First, the Kobo reader has no 3G or wireless access so the reader would need to buy books form a computer and then install it on the reader.  That might be cumbersome but it isn't any different from what many users do to sync media with Apple's mobile iOS devices for nearly a decade now.

What likely makes Kobo a success is that it just lets the user reader books.  It does not nothing else.  Just read.  And quite frankly, I, and likely many readers, find that refreshing.  I was not always impressed with the Kindle because it has a lot of features and yet it does none of them well.  Then along came the Nook and it was great to see the Kindle with a competitor and while it was based on Google's Android OS, my complaints against it was the same as that of the Kindle. It has features other than being a reader but none of them are easy to use.

Then the iPad came along but let's be honest. It's a great tablet and Apple has been hugely successful by selling three million iPads in just 80 days.  The complaints I had against the Nook and Kindle were solved with the iPad but the iPad isn't a great reader.  I've read only two books on it since I got it and I've got five others to read and I've been putting it off.  Plus, the iPad with its plethora of features, apps, and multimedia functions are a distraction.

And that's where readers like Kobo are different and might find success.  The Kobo reader just let users read books.  And just like a book, it offers no distraction.  When BN released a 3G-less Nook last week at $150, I nearly pulled the trigger (I've already bought two Nooks for family members) on it.  But then the old complaints about it still exist.  Honestly, trying to browse the Web or play games on the Kindle and Nook is very maddening and suffocating.

Borders is currently offering the Kobo reader for pre-order in the US.  So for anyone looking for a dedicated reader that is free from half-baked features like the Kindle or the Nook or isn't in the market for a full-featured tablet like the iPad, I definitely encourage anyone in the market for a good digital book reader to take a look at Kobo reader.  

So I think Kobo and other readers should do well in the market long-term.  I also foresee a significant price drop in the next year or so.  At $150 (Borders price), the Kobo is a still mildly expensive so it isn't out of the realm of possibility to see a $25-$50 decrease in the retail price.  Heck, just wait until a Chinese company come out with a $50-$75 reader in the next year or two.  

Conclusion.  The iPad is a success and its the standard bearer for tablets.  The Kindle and Nook will try to add features because the companies that produced them will try to match them with the tablets feature for feature.  But at the end of the day, book lovers just want to read.  And that where Kobo and others will dominate.

More at Teleread, Stuff, Kobo, And Borders (Kobo's Page)

Note: I've included a link for Borders' Kobo reader page but I don't have any interest (ie. associate link) from any sale of the reader.

Nook: BN Puts Pressure On Amazon with Less Expensive Nook

I am now considering getting a Nook for myself.  I have already bought two for members of my family and I do have an iPad but the Nook as a dedicated reader is an entirely different beast.  I also want to disclose that in addition to buying ebooks from Barnes and Noble and Apple, I've also bought books in the past from Amazon.
 

But with this move by BN and as a support of Apple, I'm likely to leave Amazon's Kindle behind.  The giant bookstore has updated the Nook by lowering its price from $259 to $199 and released a newer Wi-Fi only version for $159.  This is a similar move like Apple's iPad line - Wi-Fi only and another version with 3G wireless connection (BN's Nook can only use the 3G to download books, no true 3G Internet access).

We'll likely see Amazon make a similar move in the months if not weeks ahead.  As a matter of fact, I fully anticipate Bezos and company to update the Kindle.  In recent weeks, Amazon's digital book plans has faced revolt from publishers to shift to the agency model as well as competition from the iPad.

Isn't competition grand?  How will this impact users?  A first-rate ereader at $159.  First, we have Amazon to thank for this.  With the Kindle, and Steve Jobs has said as much, Amazon has done a great job in bringing ereading to the forefront of the general public.  And while the original price of $400 of the first Kindle was steep, there were adopters.

Competition with the entry of BN and, more recently, Apple has heated up the ebook market.  As a result, we are seeing great readers for affordable prices.  There is simply no way anyone could have anticipated readers at $159 in 2010 before the Kindle was released.  Then the Sony Reader was over $500 and ebooks were more expensive than their print counterpart.

I've been an ebook reader since the Palm V and Zire days with the eReader.com app.  I've read dozens of books, paying a premium at times, and I cannot be happier than what BN is doing today.  Now, we await Amazon's response.  Many bloggers as well as analysts think Amazon will respond with an updated Kindle.  Furthermore, Amazon is likely developing fully mobile computing solution for the Kindle.  Yes, a Kindle that is more likely a tablet than just a reader.

But today, it's all about the Nook.  Here is a comparison chart of the two Nook models.  After reading this, head over to BN if the Nook has been the reader at the right price for you.

More at BN's Nook page and Amazon's Kindle page (amazon offers two models of the Kindle based on screen size).

Note:  The link for BN.com is just that a link.  I am merely a mobile fan in this matter.  The Kindle link does have an association link where if you click on it and buy something from Amazon, I will make a couple of bucks.  I just want to let you know that.  You know, full disclosure and all.

eBooks And Possibly Paying Taxes On Devices To Read Them

We believe that Amazon is doing quite a number on the number of eBooks since the Kindle came out. It's not sure just how the shift away traditional to digital copies has resulted with the number of ebook readers on the market. After stating they've sold 2 million iPads, Apple said 5 million books have been downloaded.

It's not known how many of those are free and what the percentage of the iPad owners have downloaded iBooks, Apple's dedicated ebook app reader. Still, it's quite impressive. Personally, I can't wait to see how much more growth Apple, Amazon, and Barnes and Noble can generate through 2010.

Barnes And Noble's Nook is a popular device and I imagine the bookseller, which based it on Android OS, will expand its usability and entice more people to its popular platform for reading. Recently, BN updated the Nook for Web browsing and added games as well.

Of course, it'll be a while before the Kindle and Nook matches the iPad in its multi-use and ecosystem. Therefore, I'm looking for near-term growth in ebook consumption from additional iPad sales and sales of other tablets running on Android and Windows through 2011. As of now, I'm not seeing the love from Amazon and Barnes and Noble on my G1. Plus, we'll see Google get into the game soon.

Taxing your iPad and Droid. During a brainstorming session, one of the "brilliant" (lots and lots of sarcasm here) idea is to tax mobile devices to save the print industry. Absolutely brilliant. Of course, some EU nations tax music players to save the music industry there.

Furthermore, Rassmussen Reports released some polling results showing very little support for this concept. So, tax devices that people when they exercise but, wow, don't tax our sugared and other high-calorie snacks. Brilliant guys.

More at Teleread.

Tablet Success Depends On Complete Ecosystems

Duh, right? Just look at the success of the iPod and now the iPhone. Apple has created a complete ecosystem of connection, content, and services. In-Stat's latest report on this segment suggests that this is also going to be key to determine the success of tablets.

This is why Apple has been furiously trying to get the studios to lower prices, be open to new revenue models, and opening up content on the iTunes store. This is why Nokia and Google are trying to add their own services to compete effectively.

In-Stat, really pointed out two factors but I combined both into one. They pointed out that Kindle has a wireless connection, making it a complete system, more so than the iPhone. The Kindle has wireless connectivity while the iPhone requires a paid service. That is true but once Kindle emerges from the depth of Amazon's own R&D labs, it will be more hungry for content, which means a more robust wireless service. And that would make the Kindle less appealing in this regard.

The second matter In-Stat reported on is the ecosystem. Of course, they don't say it like that.

They did make one interesting point that Steve Jobs brought up during the iPad event. The tablets sits snuggly between the smartphone and the laptop, making it potentially very attractive to consumers because of portability, and, in my opinion, cost of entry.

It also examines the following points:

• Examining the evolution of the mobile electronics market
• Comparing tablets to other mobile devices
• Evaluating the keys to success in terms of technology, content/applications, wireless services, and business models
• Providing an outlook for both consumer and commercial segments of the market
• Analyzing the bill-of-materials of a tablet and forecasting the future trends
• Examining the initial products and strategies of some of the initial market entrants, such as Apple.

I do believe this isn't just my inner-"geek-wannbeness" talking but I am very excited about the tablet segment of the mobile market.  Since seeing its descendants on television and movies, and my re-imagining of how tablets can play a viable part on Stargate Atlantis, I've been waiting for the days for powerful tablets with useful applications, wireless Internet access, and long battery life (longer the better).

There is a lot of pinned up demand for just such a device.  With Apple's own silicon, Nividia, and Qualcomm's chips, it looks like it'll be for real this time around.  Microsoft and Intel made a valiant attempt with the UMPC a few years back.  I think this time, it ought to work.

More at In-Stat.

Kindle PLus Windows Mobile: Amazon and Microsoft In Tech Deal

Kindle will soon sport technologies using Windows Mobile from Microsoft.  That's what I see when I had a couple of minutes to digest the news that Amazon and Microsoft signed a cross-licensing deal.

Talk about taking a shortcut.  For all parties involved, it makes good sense.  With Apple's iPad weeks away and Android tablets not far behind, Amazon's Kindle would have looked very dated up against these new mobile devices.  Heck, the Kindle even looked aged against Apple tablet rumors.

By gaining access to Microsoft technology, Amazon can shave months if not years off the next gen Kindle development.  We might even see something from Amazon in 2010 after all.  There was no guarantee that Amazon would be able to garner the kind of developer enthusiasm Apple and Google has been able to generate with its own developer program.

In essence, Kindle now looks more relevant as a tablet.

What about Microsoft? Market-share for Windows Mobile and its other technologies. Not to mention the fact that it gained a valuable distribution partner. Both companies, now interlocked in the mobile space, will play of each other.

Oh, and both companies are headquartered in Seattle. I'm sure we'll learn more in days if not hours what this deal means.

More at Electronista.

State of eBooks

Pretty much everyone is chiming on the ebooks situation.  Right now, you can buy an ebook from Amazon for $9.99 for most bestsellers.  This is also true if you were to buy them from BN to use with the Nook.

But with the introduction of a certain hardware from a fruit-oriented computer company whose CEo appears to have some sort of spell over the masses when he speaks, things have changed in the digital book market.  And it's made things very very interesting.

In the past, by that I mean last week, Amazon paid publishers $15 per book and sell it at a loss at $10 to it’s Kindle and Kindle app users like those on the iPhone.  The idea is to drum up awareness and bring folks over to the Amazon website where you can buy other things, including ebooks, that Amazon isn’t selling at a loss.

Now because Apple is offering publishers the freedom to set their own market price, some are calling this the agency model, the publishers felt like they’re in a better position.  With Apple taking 30% and the publishers taking 70% but with them calling the shots, the publishers feel now there is value in the books.

Having said all that, the publishers will be making less money with Apple’s model than with Amazon’s.  Apple is looking at $13-$15 a book. After Apple’s cut, the publishers will rake in $9.10 to $10.50 a book, less than the $15 that Amazon currently pays the publishers.

How does that make any sense?

See, with Amazon setting the price at $10 a book for the market but at a loss of $5, the publishers were afraid Amazon will come back one day and ask for a lower wholesale price.  As in lower than $10.  And if they don’t capitulate?  Well, Amazon can pull their books as they did last week with one publisher who didn’t agree with Amazon’s model during negations (Amazon eventually back off).   

But now, that’s all changed.  That threat has been removed.  On the iTunes app store or any app store, publishers can price their books at market price rather than one set price. 

On the short run, it definitely means the next Tom Clancy or Dan Brown book will cost $15 instead of $10.  But the hope is that over time, that price will come down as sales drop.  That’s what we hope will happen.

There's still a  lot of sorting going on.  We'll know more after the iPad goes on sale.

Note:  Tom Clancy?  Sorry, my bad. 

Kindle 3.0: Apple iTablet Killer

That's right. Forget the Kindle killer from Apple. Obviously, Apple's forthcoming iTablet can kill the Kindle with ease. No doubt about it. The Kindle 2 and the DX are mere ebook readers. And not even out (nor is there concrete evidence that it exists), the iTablet is already being dubbed to be the ereader that any serious book reader will need and then some.

You know, the Kindle killer. Well, I submit the following: Kindle 3, an iTablet killer.

Alright, it's not likely but it's not out of the realm of possibility. First, Kindle has a wide following if you believe Amazon that it is the most gifted item ever in its store. Second, it's got a wide lead on anything else on the market.

The original Kindle was lame but Kindle 2 did get enough folks onboard. With Kindle 3, with more features, than the original Kindle and Kindle 2, it ought to get even more folks interested in digital reading and the thousands of Kindle owners to upgrade.

So what features will Kindle 3 need in order to stop the iTablet in its tracks:

• Color - the iTablet will have color and the Kindle needs it as well
• Touch - needs touch.  The iTablet will support Apple's famed multi-touch features
• App store - will need to support apps.  also, allow users to order Amazon items directly.
• ePub support.  Get rid of DRM
• Long Battery life - needs to exceed iTablet's own battery life rumored to be in the mid-teens of hours.
• Something to match the iPod Touch models.  Maybe 3-4 inches.  Call it "Kindle Mini"
• Needs better wireless support - bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and better data plans.
• Needs a full browser
• Needs to have Google apps or something along that line to match MobileMe
• Launch its own cloud services for the Kindle.  

You're going to say "a lot of these features are things that the iTablet will have and Amazon is simply playing catch up". Well, you would be correct in a manner of speaking. However, I think that simply by keeping apace with iTablet, Amazon should manage to shift some of the craziness to the Kindle and establish it as an alternative to the iTablet.

Look at RIM. Even with the iPhone craze, Blackberries as a whole still outsell the iPhone, albeit with some clever "buy one get one free" deals.  I am betting if Amazon creates a viable counterattack to the iTablet, it can use the momentum Apple's tablet creates for its own use.

And Perhaps with Kindle 4, Amazon will really be able to establish the Kindle brand as a tablet that also reads books.

Reading On A Smartphone Is Good Enough?

A friend sent me a great article from the NY Times about ereading and whether people will be reading with their iPhones or Kindles.

I had some time to think about that since I ordered my first reader, Barnes and Noble's Nook.  I won't get it until early December.  I eagerly anticipate it's arrival and I can see myself get a lot of mileage out of it.

Nevertheless, the mobile device I carry with me, whether it is my G1 or iPhone, will almost certainly be with me 24/7.

The NYT article doesn't take sides but I decided to provide a little more meat on the subject.  It's an interesting one.  It's also quite important because our reading behaviors can ultimately decide what publishers and tech companies do.

Lots more at Onxo Mobile Society.

More at NY Times.

BN's Nook - Worth Reader But Not For Everyone

I ordered the Nook today because I do a lot of reading on my iPhone and having a dedicated reader will let me save battery power on the iPhone.

Still, why did I not get the Kindle 2? Well, for a number of reasons one of which being that I did not like the design and feel of the Kindle 2 even if it was a great improvement over the original Kindle. I'm not saying the Kindle 2 isn't a good reader. It's just not one for me.

The Nook, while not perfect, is closer to what I want. And the Nook running Android help as I have experience with the OS, owning a G1 and all.

Still, I want to be honest with the mobile warriors who read this journal. The Nook has some severe limitations. One that quickly comes to mind is the limitation BN puts on wirless access (no browsing) despite running on Android. As such, it is a feature the Kindle 2 users can brag about.

I've left the meat of the matter about the Nook, Kindle, and ereading at Mobile goodness. BN brought a lot to the ebook market with Nook. I only hope that BN will unleash the Android power within and let Nook serve as a part-time tablet.

More at Mobile Goodness. Perhaps, we'll see another Android reader in the near future without BN's artifical limitation. Even better is if Apple give us the iTablet already.

Waiting Is Hard: This Time, It's eBook Reader

We had our first book club meeting about a month ago. I've mentioned this before. I finished the book finally and I went to start looking for the next book to suggest for the club at Borders.

When I walked in, there was a while table displaying Sony's Reader. A whole table. Previously, the reader is tucked in the corner of the store where it's hardly seen and if you happen to come across it, it's by chance and for the most part, it's a dummy model.

Now, the table full of eReader boxes and accessories (the boxes are empty) demonstrates how serious bookstores like Borders and Barnes and Noble are getting into electronic reading. As I've previously mentioned, I've been reading books on a Palm for years and more recently on my iPhone and iPod Touch. But upon see the display, it got me thinking about getting a reader again.

For a full looking at ereaders, factors to consider in deciding which is best for you, and what the future may hold in the market at Onxo Mobile Goodness.

Amazon Sued For Stealing Books, And High School Kid's Homework

A couple of weeks ago, we reported how Amazon stole from Kindle owners books they lawfully bought from Amazon.  You say that Amazon didn't steal anything because they reimbursed the owners.  It was at worst a breach of privacy.  And I consider what they did theft.

Now, Justin Gawronski, a high school student, is suing Amazon after they deleted his copy of 1984 by George Orwell.  When they did that, notes he took were also erased.  Gone.  Nada.

For all the apology, I don't think Bezos can explain this away with an apology.  I hope more folks go after Amazon for this infraction.  It's is just wholly unacceptable.

The suit is asking for damages and to prevent Amazon from ever doing something like this ever again.

I honestly believed situations can be handled correctly but with Apple screw over developers, Amazon stealing and breaching privacies, there really is no recourse for the average consumer.  Had Amazon explained what happened, I'm sure Kindle owners will understand.

Source:  Onxo, Engadget

BN Gets Back Into eBook Market; Kindle Can't Catch Break

Last week, we reported how Amazon stole back some books it sold to Kindle owners. It will come back to haunt them. Believe me. It's not the kind of news that you want if you're trying to promote your ereader to the masses.

Well, that just got more difficult as Barnes and Noble just announced their intentions to get back into the eBook market that it had started but abandoned because of demand and, though they will never admit it, higher ebooks prices than what users pay for traditional books.

And prices will be what count for most folks I know and especially in a recession. Even the rich and super rich as affected so it says a lot for poor folks like us. So, Kindle's recent price drop is a good start (now starting at $299), it'll need to go lower when Barnes and Noble along with ereader partner,

Right now, go to BN's eBook site and it'll tell you to come back Summer 2009. Well, the press release helps explain why it's summer and we've seen nothing yet. So, what are to expect? Keep in mind that BN bought Fictionwise who bought eReader.com earlier. So, there's been a lot of activities in the eBook market.

• 700,000 books - world's largest ebook store - to reach 1MM shortly
• 700,000 public domain books from Google.
• Works on Macs, PCs, the iPhone platform, Windows Mobile, RIM smartphones
• Upgraded version of ereader software coming. Free books as well.
• BN app for the iPhone includes ability to buy products directly from BN.com
• Support for ePub e-book standard. This is most excellent.

Great. What does that mean for mobile readers? Competition to start. Not just on book prices but also hardware. BN entered into a deal with Plastic Logic to use its reader.

Kindle and Sony eReader has had the market all to itself and while it's good to see the Kindle's price drop, it is still much considering it main function to to serve as a digital book reader. The DX is nice but at $489, only the select few can afford something like that.

ZDNet article writer said it best. He had been planning on getting an iPod Touch until this announcement. He was not thinking about getting a Kindle. Why? Because an iPod Touch can do more than let the user read books. More than that, he neglected to say it has something to do with the price of Kindle.

But we're all assuming that BN's reader will be priced competitively. If not, who cares? We've got mobile devices and smartphones to use. As long as BN and Amazon start hammering each other on ebook prices, I'm cool with just that.

Note: I had also been planning on upgrading my iPod Touch later this year when the new model comes out with the iPhone 3GS' internals. What I'm waiting for is the fabled Apple tablet. Absent that, BN's reader jumps ahead of Kindle given the prank that Amazon pulled last week.

Reading PDF On A Mobile Device - Kindle, Crunchpad, iTablet, or Another eReader

Here is an IM conversation I had with Dave the Mobile Warrior (yes, there really is a Dave the Mobile Warrior) about reading PDF on a mobile device.  Going over it, I am excited about what's coming in the 2nd half of 2009 and early 2010 as far as mobile devices are concerned.  

11:15:22 PM Dave The Mobile Warrior: i think i want a dx

11:15:44 PM Me: dx?

11:15:48 PM Dave The Mobile Warrior: kindle dx

11:15:57 PM Me: haha...what happened?

11:16:07 PM Dave The Mobile Warrior: i have so many pdf that i don't read

11:16:29 PM Dave The Mobile Warrior: but i should really wait for the plastic logic reader to come out first

11:17:28 PM Me: yes...how much is that?

11:17:34 PM Me: just wait and see.

11:17:56 PM Dave The Mobile Warrior: i don't think they announced it

11:18:33 PM Me: oh, I see.  just wait...

11:18:52 PM Me: kindle you can do more though.  I really want to see how it works first.

11:20:51 PM Me: i like the unlimited Internet access.

11:21:19 PM Me: it has a browser, right?  so I don't understand why people need to subscribe to newspapers when you can use the browser.

11:21:22 PM Dave The Mobile Warrior: it would be even cooler if you can tether it

11:21:38 PM Me: i'm not greedy 

11:21:59 PM Dave The Mobile Warrior: the kindle formatted ones are probably nicer

11:22:08 PM Me: but you can still read it for free, right?

11:22:15 PM Dave The Mobile Warrior: i presume so

11:22:55 PM Me: wait for the iTablet too.  I don't want to go through the frustration of pinching and spreading like I did with my G1.

11:23:10 PM Dave The Mobile Warrior: oh, i already forgot about it

11:23:14 PM Me: yeah.

11:23:16 PM Dave The Mobile Warrior: and the crunchpad 

11:23:26 PM Me: haha...I forgot about that.  

11:23:36 PM Dave The Mobile Warrior: but the dx is the only "real" product 

11:23:40 PM Me: so, dx, plastic, itablet, and cp.

11:23:43 PM Me: right.

11:24:04 PM Me: CP, if the battery life is good, is a must buy at $300

11:24:13 PM Dave The Mobile Warrior: define good

11:24:17 PM Dave The Mobile Warrior: 5 hrs?

11:24:21 PM Dave The Mobile Warrior: 10 hrs?

11:24:45 PM Me: 6-7...again, I'm realstic.

11:24:50 PM Me: 10 would be preferable.

11:24:59 PM Dave The Mobile Warrior: they will publish 6-7 and you'll get 3-4

11:26:10 PM Me: eah...min of 5 with regular use...real use...not with the screen dimmed or something like that.

Amazon Unveils "KINDLE DX" - So, What's In It For You?

Here we have it.  Meet “Kindle DX ” (DX stands for deluxe).  What do you think?  I lifted the following information and pictures from Amazon’s website.  Where else to get the source than the original source, right? 

I’m sitting at my desk now holding up a letter-sized paper.  8.5x11.  Yeah, I can dig it.  I love to have one of these bad boys!  Amazon pointed out all the right reasons to go out, save the economy, and spend $500 on the new Kindle DX .

• Slim: Just over 1/3 of an inch, as thin as most magazines
  
• Carry Your Library: Holds up to 3,500 books, periodicals, and documents
  
• Beautiful Large Display: 9.7" diagonal e-ink screen reads like real paper; boasts 16 shades of gray for clear text and sharp images
  
• Auto-Rotating Screen: Display auto-rotates from portrait to landscape as you turn the device so you can view full-width maps, graphs, tables, and Web pages
  
• Built-In PDF Reader: Native PDF support allows you to carry and read all of your personal and professional documents on the go
  
• Wireless: 3G wireless lets you download books right from your Kindle DX, anytime, anywhere; no monthly fees, no annual contracts, and no hunting for Wi-Fi hotspots
  
• Books In Under 60 Seconds: You get free wireless delivery of books in less than 60 seconds; no PC required
  
• Long Battery Life: Read for days without recharging
  
• Read-to-Me: With the text-to-speech feature, Kindle DX can read newspapers, magazines, blogs, and books out loud to you, unless the book's rights holder made the feature unavailable
  
• Big Selection, Low Prices: Over 275,000 books; New York Times Best Sellers and New Releases are only $9.99, unless marked otherwise
  
• More Than Books: U.S. and international newspapers including the New York Times and Wall Street Journal, magazines including The New Yorker and Time, plus popular blogs, all auto-delivered wirelessly
  

Oh, hey, down here.  Stop looking at the price tag.  Alright, I couldn’t get past the price tag.  Okay, I couldn’t either.  $489, the real price, just to read books.  Seriously, I think ebooks are the future but I’m not certain dedicated ereaders are. 

 

Anyway, here are the obligatory technical details:

• Display: 9.7" diagonal E-Ink® electronic paper display, 1200 x 824 pixel resolution at 150 ppi, 16-level gray scale.
  
• Size (in inches): 10.4" x 7.2" x 0.38".
  
• Weight: 18.9 ounces.
  
• System requirements: None, because it doesn't require a computer.
  
• Storage: 4GB internal (approximately 3.3GB available for user content).
  
• Battery Life: Read on a single charge for up to 4 days with wireless on. Turn wireless off and read for up to two weeks. Battery life will vary based on wireless usage, such as shopping the Kindle Store and downloading content. In low coverage areas or in 1xRTT only coverage, wireless usage will consume battery power more quickly.
  
• Charge Time: Fully charges in approximately 4 hours and supports charging from your computer via the included USB 2.0 cable.
  
• Connectivity: EVDO modem with fallback to 1xRTT; utilizes Amazon Whispernet to provide U.S wireless coverage via Sprint's 3G high-speed data network.
  
• USB Port: USB 2.0 (micro-USB connector) for connection to the Kindle DX power adapter or optionally to connect to a PC or Macintosh computer.
  
• Audio: 3.5mm stereo audio jack, built-in stereo speakers.
  
• Content Formats Supported: Kindle (AZW), PDF, TXT, Audible (formats 4, Audible Enhanced (AAX)), MP3, unprotected MOBI, PRC natively; HTML, DOC, RTF, JPEG, GIF, PNG, BMP through conversion.
  
• Included Accessories: Power adapter, USB 2.0 cable, battery. 
  

 There were times in the past few months when I felt the urge to get the Kindle.  But having spent more and more time on the iPod Touch reading books, I felt it to be adequate for leisure reading.  I’m glad Amazon is taking the bold steps in expanding the Kindle line.  You can see where they’ll want to take this eventually.  Just as Apple did with the iPod, Amazon will move beyond Kindle’s main function of reading books and newspapers. 

Do I see Kindle succeed in the long run?  Well, depends on your definition of success.  The market will move very quickly and in the next few quarter, we may see some amazing products from traditional computer makers that may blur the line between tablets and ebook readers. 

Back the the pricing for a moment.  $489 for the Kindle DX and $369 for the original Kindle.  For casual readers like myself, no way.  But for folks who do a lot of reading, forget about the math that tech pundits and bloggers will through at you in the next couple of weeks.  Forget how many books you’ll have to buy and read before you break even on the price of the Kindles.  It’s what Kindle can do besides letting you read books.  It’s also going on that long trip and not having to choose between taking your Ender, Harry Potter, whatever bestsellers happen to be on the NY Times list. 

Check it out yourself to see if this is for you:

• Kindle DX - $489 (considering it's only $80 more than the original Kindle, this is a good deal)
• Kindle (Latest 6" model) - $369

Note:  Nothing will ever take the place of a real book.  The feel and the smell of the ink and paper.  For that matter, I’ll truly miss the day when newspapers literally stopped the presses.