You might be wondering about the characteristics of the Amazon Kindle Fire. In fact, you might be wanting to get the Amazon Kindle Fire for yourself or a loved one as a special gift.

A lоt hаs bеen madе аbоut thе Kіndlе Fіre bу Amаzоn and sоmе реoрlе hаvе ѕuggeѕtеd thаt іt wіll tаke markеt ѕharе frоm thе іPаd 2. Whilе I knоw thаt thеrе аre mаny реoрle whо wоuld lіkе nоthing mоrе thаn tо hаve aрplе dethronеd (I wіll аdmіt thаt I аm оnе tо sоme dеgreе), I wіll bе thе fіrst tо аdmit thаt thе Kindlе Fіrе wіll nоt bе dоing thiѕ. I hoре thе followіng reviеw оf thе fеаtureѕ оf thе Kindlе fіrе wіll helр dеbunk sоmе оf thosе myths.

 

Thе Kindlе Fіre iѕ оnlу 7″ ѕо іf іt iѕ tаkіng markеt ѕhаre frоm аnуоne іt wіll thе ѕmаller tablеtѕ lіke thе Nokiа оr Sаmsung. (It іs lіstеd аt 7.5″ x 4.7″ x 0.45″)

 

At 8GB thе Kіndle Firе іs onlу caрablе оf ѕtоring limitеd dаta. (It dоеѕ howеvеr соmе wіth frеe сloud ѕtorage fоr аll Amаzon cоntent sо thаt helрѕ.)

 

Battery lifе іѕ nоt аѕ rоbuѕt wіth а maxіmum оf 8 hоurs оf соntinuouѕ reаding оr 7.5 hourѕ оf videо рlaуbасk (wіthout wіrеleѕs turnеd оn)

 

It dоes nоt hаvе cellulаr cараbilіties ѕo іt cаnnоt bе соnnесtеd tо а сеllular nеtwork. It сan hоwеver cоnnесt tо wirеlesѕ nеtwоrkѕ.

 

Somе reрortѕ аre thаt іt dоеs nоt hаvе аny USB саpabіlіtіеѕ аlthоugh I fоund thе fоllоwing cаptіоn оn thе Amаzоn wеbsitе ” USB 2.0 (mіcro-B сonnector)” whiсh I аѕѕume mеаnѕ thаt іt hаs ѕоmе cараbilіtieѕ.

 

A majоr shortcоmіng оf thе Kіndle Firе іѕ thаt іt hаs nо cаmera.

The Kіndlе Firе іѕ slоttеd tо bе releаsed оn Nоvember 15 2011 аnd рrelimіnаrу rероrtѕ havе prе-ordеrѕ аt 5 millіon, whiсh іs dеfіnіtely а bооst fоr Amazоn. Thе mаjor sеllіng pоints othеr thаn thе рrісе arе the сaраbilіtieѕ thаt cоme frоm аmazоn ѕоme оf whіch іnсludе:

 

100,000 Movieѕ аnd TV Shоws

 

Your Fаvоritе Aрps аnd Gamеs

 

Amаzоn Sіlk сapаbilіtіes, thіs iѕ а clоud bаѕed

 

Amazon Whіѕperѕync technоlоgy: Thіs allоwѕ thе uѕеr tо аutоmatically ѕynсhronizе notes,hіghlights,bookmarks аnd lаѕt раgе reаd асrоѕѕ sevеral dеviсes.( sо уоu сould bе watсhing а moviе оn thе Kindlе аnd cоntіnue іt оn уоur T.V frоm thе ѕаmе sрot).

 

Aссеsѕ millіоns оf bоoks frоm the amazоn lіbrаry аnd Kіndle ѕtorе.The aforеmentіоned сlоud ѕtorage frоm Amаzоn аllоwѕ уоu tо ѕtоrе movіеs, bооkѕ,musіс аnd аppѕ аnd аcсeѕѕ thеm аt anу time.

 

Thе Amаzоn MP3 ѕtоre hаs оver 17 millіon sоngѕ tо сhoose frоm аnd theѕе wіll bе aсcеssiblе frоm thе Kindlе Fіre.

 

PDF аnd dосument reаding сaраbilitіеs. Thіs maу seеm lіkе а ѕmаll fасtоr but іt beаrѕ mentіonіng thаt Aррlе doеѕ nоt havе thе cараbility tо oреn Adоbе fіlеѕ аnd thіs maу beсomе а bіg dеаl іf Amаzon deсіdes tо brіng а lаrger tаblet tо thе market.

 

Yоu аlѕо gеt 1 mоnth оf Amаzоn Prіme freе whіch givеѕ fеaturе likе freе 2 dаy amazоn ѕhiрріng аnd immedіаte acceѕs tо 10000 movіeѕ аnd TV ѕhowѕ.

Aѕ сan bе ѕеen frоm thе аbove, thіѕ devicе іѕ іn nо waу аn іPad killеr but іt doeѕ оffer sоme coоl fеаturеs. Hоwеvеr I bеlіеve thаt fоr $199 thе Kіndlе Fіrе deservеѕ а loоk аnd thеre iѕ а bіg роssіbilіty thаt Amazоn wіll соme оut wіth a bіggеr tаblеt wіth mоrе cараbilitіеѕ.

You can’t go wrong getting an Amazon Kindle Fire, so go ahead and grab one today.

 

Kindle Touch 3G is among the 4 new {versions} of Kindles released on September 28 2011. Kindle Touch 3G offers Free 3G for lifetime, works with Wi-Fi, includes a 6″ E Ink screen as well as works globally wherever 3G is there (100 countries). Since it is to be released on November 21st, Kindle Touch 3G is available to be pre-ordered at Amazon. This particular Kindle Touch 3G review provides you with a good sense of whats inside.

 

Kindle Touch 3G picked up where Kindle version 3 left, and does best what Kindle has been  recognized for – Preferred for Reading. The top design objective has been to build Kindle Touch 3G more reader friendly, just like a real book, so that you will get lost in reading through and never in the~ technology.

 

Kindle Touch 3G is simple to hold, read as well as use. Kindle Touch 3G has a new ergonomic style therefore it can be held comfortably however you choose to read. Unlike the new edition of and prior variations of Kindle, Kindle Touch 3G features a complete touch screen display which puts page turns, navigation and note-writing very easy. You can tap unfamiliar phrases to call up meanings within the dictionary, highlight parts of content to send to a buddy, or search, shop and type with a virtual keyboard that appears up on display exactly when you need it.

 

While carrying out this Kindle 3G review I have focused on the device’s display and physical design. The dimensions of the screen is actually 6. 8×4. 7×0. 4 inches and the Kindle Touch screen actually gives a paper-like feel. It’s a good ounce lighter compared to recently-renamed Kindle Keyboard (i.e. the original Kindle 3) however a good thing we are able to say is that you briefly lose sight of the device itself and focus on the display.

 

Amazon.com created a brand new kind of touch experience that removes the weariness brought on by continuously swiping to turn the page, and that enables readers hang on to Kindle with either hands while still turning pages easily. With EasyReach technology, Kindle Touch 3G customers can very easily page forward inside a ebook or a magazine whilst holding the device with any hand.

 

Unlike a laptop, Kindle Touch 3G never gets warm so you can read comfortably as long as you want. Amazon Kindle 3G is available at 149$ with ads and 189$ without ads.

 

You might think that it’s listed close to Amazon Kindle Fire, therefore, why not consider that instead. Okay, the answer lies in what Kindle does best, it is undoubtedly the best e-reader. Keeps your love for reading unspoiled and leads to no eye pain. Along with 3G, option, it’s not necessary to search for Wi-Fi connections and can transfer books via 3G.

 

All in all, it’s what I love about Kindle – the actual focus on enjoying reading with less of the surrounding clutter.

 

Before you buy your Kindle checkout this Kindle Touch 3G review that will tell you everything you need to know about Kindle Touch 3G and the best safe place to order your Kindle.

Amazon Kindle

In case you are looking for a PDF reading device, you should definitely look at the Amazon Kindle DX. Not only can it read all of your PDF files, but it is probably the greatest portable ebook readers that you can buy. The larger design makes reading a cinch and also the auto-rotating screen provides you with many different options for viewing documents. It’s large screen means you can easily read work or personal documents. You can send documents straight away to your Kindle and read them anywhere.

The E-ink display is easy on the eyes and you won’t have to worry about any glare. Unlike a laptop screen, the Kindle DX reads much like paper. And it will make it incredibly easy have fun with your favorite books, magazines and newspapers.

 

Best places to Purchase a Wireless Reading Device

Amazon Kindle DX has made it so easy to obtain a wireless reading device. And whether or not you can utilize it as being a pdf reading device or if you wish to merely employ it to learn to read books, Amazon’s FREE SHIPPING will allow you to decide on the one you want and will have it in your hands right away.

Enjoy sixty minute downloading, inexpensive books and your favorite newspapers out and about or in your own home. Need to travel for pleasure or business? No problem! The Amazon Kindle can be just about anyplace and with Global Wireless capabilities you’ll be able to always obtain the information and books you need when you want them.

 

Electronic Reading Devices – Why you need to Consider One

Amazon Kindle DX Being able to access books, magazines, newspapers or other information you need anytime, anywhere is just about the coolest thing there is. Traveling at home or abroad and having information at your fingertips couldn’t be any easier by having an electronic reading device. Downloads are fast and happen within A minute, and you could send any file you have to view in your Kindle as simple as 1, 2, 3.

While using the lightweight design and easy paper like display, the Amazon Kindle DX just can’t be beat. Paying some extra for a bigger auto-rotating screen will be definitely worth it and you will soon be able to read anything you want. Not to mention the truth that the DX can hold two times as many books!

 

PDF Reading Devices – Flexible and Helpful

If you want a PDF reading device, find the Amazon Kindle DX. You can actually get everything required from using it whilst getting to enjoy its other capabilities. An auto-rotating screen is very handy and also the storage is unusual, hold 3500 books at once, as compared to the Sony Reader which could only hold 350. An extended life of the battery, holding electric power charge for up to 7 days, will help you to access any important information anytime without worries.

Free 3G wireless and quick downloads make Amazon Kindle DX an excellent choice!

Early in 2010, Amazon revealed that sales of Kindle books were greater than sales of hardback books.Now it seems that Kindle book sales have overtaken paperback sales as well. It can only be a matter of time before Kindle book sales are higher than both hardbacks and paperbacks combined.

It’s almost inevitable in a way.After all, people who are prepared to shell out $ 139 for a Kindle reader are going to be the ones who read a lot of books aren’t they? Of course, there will always be some book lovers who prefer the feel of a traditional printed book – but, over the piece, we do seem to be heading towards a situation where e-books assume ever greater importance in the literary world.

There’s certainly no shortage of Kindle books for prospective customers to choose from.At the moment there are over 800,000 Kindle books to choose from on the Amazon website. That number is growing by the day – and there are another 1.8 million out of copyright books which can be downloaded for free. These include some classic works by the likes of Jules Verne, Emily Bronte, Charles Dickens, Shakespeare among others.

Amazon has also made a whole host of free apps available which allow Kindle books to be read without the use of a Kindle reader. Apps exist for the Mac, the PC, the iPad, the iPhone, the Blackberry and any device running the Android operating system. An app for the new HP tablet computer is said to be in the pipeline. What this means is that users needn’t worry about their Kindle becoming obsolete. Each app also serves as an additional sales outlet for Amazon.

Amazon are estimated to enjoy around about a 90% share of the current e-book market. Clearly that cannot continue in the long term, industry watchers are predicting a roughly equal three way split between Amazon, Apple and Google by 2015. However, those are the same analysts who forecast that the launch of the Apple iPad would be the death of the Kindle, and they didn’t exactly get that right did they?

In point of fact, the new third generation Kindle reader is selling more quickly than ever. It was Amazon’s best selling product (again) over the 2010 Christmas sales period, and the Kindle has now been Amazon’s number one selling item for eighteen months. On the basis of recent sales trends, the forecast Kindle sales for 2011 has been raised from 5 million to 8 million. Whilst some rationalisation of the market seems certain in future, there is little sign of the dominance of Amazon’s Kindle reader diminishing significantly in the short to medium term.

Have you got a mate or loved one who you have trouble shopping for a gift for every single year? Is there someone that you know who has everything and you simply can’t establish what to possibly get her or him? Well then, the Kindle must really be on your Christmas Present Ideas list.

The Kindle 3 is out just in time for the season and it is a good improvement over its forerunner. The Kindle isn’t the only e-book reader available in the market, nonetheless it has spent the past 36 months expanding and evolving into what it is today. What was once already an awesome device has now been improved upon and if you are looking out for Christmas Present Ideas any edition of the Kindle will be the ideal choice.

Having a 6-inch screen, viewing the Kindle is like viewing an authentic book. They’ve also taken pains to generate a screen by having a better contrast for your own eyes’ sake.

The wonderful thing with regards to the dimensions of the Kindle would be that it doesn’t weigh quite as much as a book. Coming in at 8.7 ounces, this Kindle is 15% lighter than its predecessor and simple to fit into most laptop bags at the side of your laptop, small purses, or jacket pockets.

The Kindle is among the most perfect Christmas Present Ideas to buy a father. It is a no-nonsense e-book reader, unlike many of its competitors. Whereas some of the younger crowd might find the iPad more pleasing mainly because it offers apps and games, the Kindle stays clean and clear for those of you whose goal can be to relax and read using their device.

It will offer Internet browsing and PDF reading for those who would like to use it. And for everyone who hate having to take with you three different devices if they’re getting on the train, the Kindle also plays MP3 and ACC Audio tracks.

The Kindle does incorporate a choice of only Wi-Fi or Wi-Fi and 3G Wireless. The price cost is a $50 difference, but both are still $10 under one of the Kindle’s main competitors, the Nook.

Kindle in addition has taken care to make sure page turning is not an incredible time consumer. It’s nearly twice the speed of Nook and Amazon claims 20% faster than its forerunner.

The Kindle is perfect for storing 3,500 electronic books downloadable from the familiar online shop. Not only does it have an extremely good capacity for books, but also for battery life. The Amazon Kindle will remain powered upwards of four weeks if the Wi-Fi is switched off, perfect for all those who always wanted to disappear with the few hundred of their own favorite books to an uninhabited  island for a  month or so.

If nothing else, buying an acquaintance or relation a Kindle is actually an investment for you. Next time you’ve got no idea what to get them, you can simply see the things they’ve been reading and buy them another book for their Kindle, or purchase them a handy Amazon gift card. They’ll never need you to cope with shipping books directly to them or getting your hands on magazines. Renew their issues of Time, send them the new Stephen King novel. It’s an investment for your future Christmas Present Ideas!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amazon.com’s new Kindle is outselling previous versions in the best month of its launch, the corporation said Wednesday. But Amazon kindle still won’t reveal sales figures because of its trendy e-book reader.

The long-awaited Kindle three statement arrived June 29. The smaller, lighter new version costs $139, versus the $399 price tag of the initial Kindle released in November 2007. Which means  the Kindle 3, which started shipping Wednesday, is 65% cheaper than the first — so it’s not surprising it’s the fastest-selling iteration.
Wednesday’s declaration is just a new in an extended line of vague press releases concerning the Kindle, in which Amazon (AMZN, Fortune 500) consistently has refused to say how many e-readers it has sold.

The industry only believed the new Kindle reading device will be the “fastest-selling ever.” Calls to Amazon for further clarification about Kindle sales were not without delay returned.

The verbal gymnastics reached a top in July, when Amazon said inside a press release that the Kindle’s “sales growth rate” had tripled while a price cut — a confusing phrase that led some news outlets to report incorrectly that total Kindle sales had tripled.

The Kindle seems to be doing well despite competition from e-readers including the Barnes & Noble (BKS, Fortune 500) Nook, the Sony (SNE) Reader and Kobo from Borders (BGP), as well as Apple’s (AAPL, Fortune 500) multipurpose iPad.
‘They compare apples to Apple Jacks’: It’s in Amazon’s best interest to keep Kindle sales details under wraps, said Michael Norris of Simba Information, a research firm that covers the media and publishing industries.

“They can keep this perception of being the market leader without releasing the details,” Norris said. “It’s interesting to sit through Amazon earnings calls and nobody pushes for Kindle details. It’s as if people are trained not to ask.”

In general, e-books net Amazon more profit versus physical books, Norris said. He points to an “amusing” July press release that said the corporation sold 143 Kindle books for every 100 hardcover books.

“They’re comparing apples to Apple Jacks,” he added. ” letter management is further than standard corporate public relations. And now I’ve gotten so used to it that I’m becoming suspicious of any stats they release.”

Kindle books sales in the millions? Amazon Kindle sales account for about 3-5% of Amazon’s total revenue, according to Internet stock analyst Frederick Moran of The Benchmark Company.

Analysts are currently forecasting that Amazon’s total revenue this year will be $33.2 billion. So with Moran’s estimates, Amazon may generate as much seeing that $1.7 billion in sales from the Kindle this year. Moran added that he thinks the corporation has probably sold millions of the devices over the last few years.

E-book readers, and the e-books to read on them, are a very recent phenomenon. However, the book buying public seems to have grown accustomed to e-books very quickly. A good deal of the credit for that must surely go to the Amazon Kindle reader – in particular the Kindle 2.0 which first appeared on the market in February of 2009. Amazon’s upgraded third generation Kindle was unveiled in August of 2010 and, despite doom laden predictions for the Kindle following the launch of Apple’s iPad, is selling more quickly than ever. There’s little doubt that it was the Kindle 2.0 that really raised the public profile of e-books.

Another key factor was the large number of Kindle books available. Amazon has always been well in front of the following pack when it comes to the number of titles available. Today they have over 750,000 Kindle books available on their Kindle store – and that’s just the paid titles. There are over 1.8 million books which are now out of copyright and con be downloaded for free direct from Amazon’s Kindle store.

However, whilst the public may have taken to e-books, the same cannot necessarily be said for the major publishing houses. E-books have completely revised the long established publishing cycle. Not only are e-books cheaper than printed books – due to the fact that they require no paper, ink or bindings – but there’s no reason why they shouldn’t be made available at the same time as the hardback. No need to wait months for the paperback, the e-book version is available from day one.

Obviously, having a cheaper version available at the same time as the hardback is something which could impact upon the sales of hardback books. According to Amazon, they are currently selling 180 Kindle books for every 100 hardbacks. This seems to have created a bit of a stir for many of the big publishing houses. They have already had several run ins with Amazon over the pricing of e-books.

Publishers like Harper Collins, Penguin and Hachette recently moved to the “agency model” for their e-books. In layman’s terms, the price is set by the publisher as opposed to the retailer (Amazon). This has seen e-book prices rise – in some cases to the point where they cost more than the hardback version.

Kindle owners quickly retaliated by awarding “one star” reviews to books where they felt that the Kindle book price was too high. Some fairly critical comments were left on the Amazon website – aimed at the publishers by and large – and it was suggested that potential customers boycott both the Kindle and the hardback versions until prices are set at more reasonable levels. Some prices have now been reduced.

The protectionist tactics of the publishers seems to be short sighted at best, and possibly verging on antagonistic. After all, it seems reasonable to assume that e-book readers owners read a good number of books. If you only read a book a month then you would hardly invest in an e-book reader would you? In other words, e-book reader users are the major publisher’s target audience.

It also seems apparent that e-books should sell for less than standard printed books. In addition to the lack of paper, ink and bindings, they have virtually no delivery fees associated with them. They are also more environmentally friendly – even allowing for the materials used in the e-book readers themselves. It seems likely that the owners of e-book readers could work this out and that they would, quite reasonably, expect prices to be set accordingly.

It could be that the publisher’s tactics will prove successful in the short term – however, they need to take care not to antagonise some of their best customers. Unjustified price levels seem likely to annoy the buying public and, after a few one star reviews and public calls for buying boycotts, authors would presumably also be somewhat disenchanted. The e-book revolution has just as much to offer publishers as it does the public. Publishers will also have reduced expenses when producing and selling e-book versions – and customers will expect the selling price of e-books to reflect these lower costs. If publishers can adapt to e-books, in the same way that readers have, they may continue to thrive. On the other hand, if their greed for short term profits blinds them to the possible opportunities afforded by this new medium, they will be rejected by both their readers and their authors.

E-book readers, and the e-books to read on them, are a very recent phenomenon. All the same, they seem to have been adopted very rapidly by the public. Much of the credit for that must surely be given to the Amazon Kindle reader – in particular the Kindle 2.0 which hit the market in February of 2009. Amazon’s upgraded third generation Kindle was unveiled in August of 2010 and, despite doom laden predictions for the Kindle following the launch of Apple’s iPad, is selling more quickly than ever. However, it was the Kindle 2.0 that helped e-books to really take off.

Equally important was the large selection of Kindle books available. Amazon has always had a lot more titles on offer than the chasing pack. Today they have over 750,000 Kindle books available on their Kindle store – and that’s just the paid titles. There are over 1.8 million out of copyright titles which can be downloaded free of charge.

However, whilst the public may have adapted to e-books very quickly, it remains to be seen if the main publishing companies have got their corporate heads around the concept yet. The traditional publishing cycle has been totally modified by the introduction of e-books. E-books are not only cheaper than traditional printed books – there’s no reason why they wouldn’t be released alongside the conventional printed hardback version. No need to wait months for the paperback, the e-book version is available from day one.

It seems obvious that hardback sales could be impacted by the fact that a cheaper version is available simultaneously with the hardback edition. According to Amazon, they are currently selling 180 Kindle books for every 100 hardbacks. This seems to have given many of the big publishers cause for concern. They have already had several run ins with Amazon over the pricing of e-books.

Publishers like Penguin, Hachette and Harper Collins recently switched to the “agency model” for their e-books. In layman’s terms, the price is set by the publisher as opposed to the retailer (Amazon). This has led to an increase in the price of some e-books – to the point where they are more expensive than the hardback edition in some cases.

Kindle owners quickly retaliated by awarding “one star” reviews to books where they felt that the Kindle book price was too high. Some fairly critical comments were left on the Amazon website – aimed at the publishers by and large – and it was suggested that potential customers boycott both the Kindle and the hardback versions until prices are set at more reasonable levels. Some prices have already come down.

The protectionist tactics of the publishers seems to be short sighted at best, and possibly verging on antagonistic. It doesn’t seem unreasonable to suppose that e-book readers owners read a good number of books. If you only read a book a month then you would hardly invest in an e-book reader would you? In other words, e-book reader owners are the target market for the major publishing houses.

It also seems apparent that e-books should sell for less than standard printed books. Apart from their lack of paper, ink and bindings, they have no delivery fee to speak of. They are also – even making allowances for the materials used in the e-book readers themselves – more environmentally friendly. It seems likely that the owners of e-book readers could work this out and that they would, quite reasonably, expect prices to be set accordingly.

It could be that the publisher’s tactics will prove successful in the short term – however, they need to take care not to antagonise some of their best customers. Unjustified price levels seem likely to annoy the buying public and, after a few one star reviews and public calls for buying boycotts, authors would presumably also be somewhat disenchanted. The e-book revolution has just as much to offer publishers as it does the public. There are savings to be had by all – publisher’s costs will also be reduced and customers will expect prices to reflect this fact. If publishers can modify their business model to accommodate e-books, then they will continue to enjoy success. On the other hand, if their desire for short term profits inures them to the possible opportunities offered by this new medium, they will be rejected by both their authors and their readers.

Ebooks have undoubtedly taken the place of many hard bound books nowadays, and people are finding more room on their bookshelves. Pdf ebook readers are getting more popular every minute for book storage and reading publications on your very own. Book lovers everywhere are finding themselves wanting an ebook these days ~due to their convenience and easy to carry around. A portable ebook reader is very handy and can serve as your mini digital library without taking up much space. The best ebook reader is the ones which suit your needs and at the same time matches your distinct style. Here are a few “must know’s” if you are planning on buying an ebook reader.

• Your portable ebook reader should contain plenty of user friendly features for you to enjoy.

• The best ebook reader should be compatible with a variety of file formats.

• Check out the ebook’s connectivity properties. Some ebooks feature wireless connectivity and others require you to connect to a computer in order to download files. Choose an ebook that fits your desires.

• As a bookworm, you know you can’t resist the temptation to by a publication that interests you. Make sure that you will be able to purchase books from a variety of stores and sites.  Some brands are limited to only certain publications.  The Amazon Kindle DX is one of the most versitile. It will read many file formates.

• Don’t forget to research the display screen. Size is the first thing to consider. The smallest dedicated ebook reader is the Sony Reader PRS 350 that features a 5-inch touch screen and weighs only 5.5 ounces. However, if you want a wider screen, then go for an Amazon Kindle DX or Apple iPad.

  Also, do you want a screen that is Backlit LCD or e-ink. Kindle, Nook and Sony ebook readers use the e-ink screen with black & white pages only. The new Amazon Kindle DX boast about being able to read even in the brightest light…even in sun light.  On the other hand, iPad features a backlit full colored LCD display that allows you to read even in the dark, but the price tag definately reflects this feature.

Buying the best ebook reader can be as easy as 1-2-3! Make sure you get a deal that allows you to spend less and have more!

This time last year, the new market for e-book readers was really taking off – gold rush style. Following the stunning success which Amazon had achieved with its Kindle reader – firstly with the Kindle 2.0 in February of 2009 and then with the large format DX edition in the summer of the same year – a veritable host of personal electronics manufacturers were either developing, releasing or updating their own e-book readers so as to get their share of the nascent market.

Sony and Barnes and Noble were working feverishly to get their new readers to market in advance of the 2009 festive season and Plastic Logic, Asus and a number of others were rushing to get their readers released as quickly as they could manage. The Computer Electronics Show (CES), held in Las Vegas in early 2010, had a dedicated e-book reader section for the first time ever. E-book readers were a hot developing market.

Right now however, no more than a few months later, it’s an entirely different scenario. The price of e-book reader hardware has been in free fall. Amazon have now introduced an entry level, Wi-Fi only, Kindle priced at $ 139 – not much more than a third of the $ 359 price which the Kindle 2.0 launched. Barnes and Noble have also dropped the price of the Nook reader to S 149 – and this will probably be cut again before the festive season.

A number of e-book readers which were in development – including the Que from Plastic Logic – have been abandoned. The market seems to be entering a new stage in its development – and whether there is any place in it for pure electronics manufacturers or not is highly debatable. Amazon’s business model is very well suited to selling lower priced reader hardware and making a profit on the through life sales of Kindle books. A similar strategy would be available to Barnes and Noble of course, but it’s debatable as to whether or not they can benefit from the same types of economies of scale as Amazon.

Of course, it would be lunacy to suggest that the launch of the Apple iPad had not played a major part in this. It’s certain that the price of e-book readers would have trended downwards anyway – but the iPad’s launch certainly speeded things up a bit. However, based on the fact that the third generation Kindles sold out shortly after launch – even today customers are facing a three to four week wait before their Kindles will ship – it doesn’t look as if the iPad is the long awaited Kindle Killer that it was widely predicted to be.

Even disregarding the debate about e-ink displays being better for reading on than backlit screens, there is – currently at any rate – more than enough daylight between the Kindle price and the price of even the entry model of iPad to make the Kindle a very attractive option for prospective customers whose chief interest is reading books. The monthly connection fees for the iPad will also not be to everyone’s taste.

It does appear that there is ample room in the market for both the Amazon Kindle and the iPad to co-exist – for the short term future at least. Other manufacturers of e-book readers, including big players such as Barnes and Noble and Sony, may well find things tough as hardware prices keep dropping.