The Amazon Kindle reader has been instrumental in the development of the e-book reader and e-book market. The original Kindle was released in November, 2007. The Kindle 2.0 was released in February of 2009 and the large format Kindle DX followed in the summer of the same year.

The Kindle readers dominated the market and took a 60% share of all e-book reader sales in the USA. Sony’s PRS reader, which was released in 2006 in advance of the Kindle reader, was in second place with a smaller, but still respectable, 35% share. Other companies saw the potential of the e-book reader market and launched or updated their own readers to get a slice of the pie.

Companies such as Plastic Logic, Sony, Barnes and Noble, Bookeen and iRex fought to secure their share of the new and fast developing e-book market, but the Kindle’s dominant market position seemed to be impregnable. It wasn’t until the launch of the Apple iPad that the Kindle had any credible competition – even although the two devices were very different and would appeal, you would imagine, to different audiences.

Since the unveiling of the iPad, e-book reader prices have dropped quite some way. The Kindle 2.0 is currently selling for just $ 189, a huge reduction over the $ 359 launch price of February 2009. The large format Kindle DX has been upgraded, being fitted with a new improved screen, and has had a price reduction from $ 489 to just $ 379. The price of Barnes and Noble’s Nook reader also fell from $ 259 to $ 199.

Although the iPad seems to have provoked a round of price cuts among the manufacturers of e-book readers, the same cannot be said about the price of the e-books to read on these devices. Prior to the launch of the iPad, Apple had negotiated a deal with the major publishing houses which let them set the price of their e-book editions at pretty much whatever they wanted – as long as they did not allow the same e-book to be offered at a lower price on any other platform. This was seen as good news by the publishers, who had been unhappy with Amazon’s policy of selling all e-books for $ 9.99 or less.

Although Amazon may have had to rethink their e-book pricing policy, it’s not a major setback for them. Amazon has always appeared to be more interested in selling books – and e-books – rather than hardware. It’s difficult to see any other explanation for the fact that they have made Kindle books available on such a wide variety of different devices. Currently, you can read Kindle books on the PC, the Mac, your Blackberry, the iPod Touch, the iPad and any mobile device which runs Android. So companies like Amazon, Barnes and Noble and now Apple, who have a stake in the future sale of e-books over the life of a reader, can take the opportunity to sell the hardware for less and still make their profit over the lifetime of the device.

It may be that the future pricing of e-book readers and e-books will tend to favour such companies over manufacturers who are involved only in hardware production. Looking at the number of different devices which Kindle books can be read on, you would have to suspect that, whether or not the iPad becomes the reader of choice for many users, Amazon will continue to have a huge say in the future of books and e-books for the foreseeable future.

 

iPad

The new creation by Apple has finally been officially announced. The Apple iPad is the new mobile device that will soon be making it’s way into the hands of Mac-hungry boys and girls everywhere. Expect to see many trendy youngsters lounging in coffee shops sporting one of these new devices.

The Apple iPad has been designed to do much more than the iPhone or iPod Touch and one of these functions is to cover the areas currently held by netbooks.

Apple has consolidated your Netbook, e-reader, gaming device, photo frame, and iPod into an elegant, affordable supergadget. The Apple iPad is a Web browser for your living room, an e-book reader for the den, a movie player for the kids, a photo album, a jukebox, a gamer’s best friend, a word processor, an e-mail machine, and a YouTube junkie’s dream come true.

The iPad Tablet is 0.5 inches thin, weighs 1.5 pounds and sports a 9.7 inch IPS display with Full capacitive multi-touch. The device is powered by the 1GHz Apple A4 chip. It’s available in 16GB, 32GB and 64GB capacities. Some other specs include WiFi 802.11, Bluetooth 2.1 +EDR, accelerometer and compass, speaker, microphone, 30 pin connector and they have achieved 10 hours of battery life, with over a month of standby time.

The device is available in six versions that start at $499 and run as high as $829.The models vary based on storage capacity – just like iPods – and on type of Internet connectivity: Wi-Fi only, or Wi-Fi plus 3G mobile broadband for connectivity anywhere, just like a smartphone. At the cash register, support for 3G mobile broadband carries a $130 premium over Wi-Fi-only. If you purchase a middle-of-the-road 32 gigabyte iPad with Wi-Fi and 3G data connectivity, that’s $729, plus sales tax.

And the 3G designation comes with another cost: a recurring monthly data plan, sold separately through AT&T. So let’s tack on that data plan – after all, one of the cool things about this gizmo is its portability, so you’ll want to be able to go online whenever you feel like it. It comes in two varieties: a $14.99-per-month limited version and a $29.99-per-month unlimited option.

The iPad has been designed and built by a bunch of perfectionists. If you like the concept, you’ll love the machine. Apple is all about convenience and style. If you are willing to pay for style and convenience then that’s what you are willing to pay.

To read more reviews, visit iPad Touch.

Design-wise, there really isn’t much to comment on iPad. There’s just the 9.7 in., 1024 x 768 multi-touch LED backlit display that takes much of the bulk of the iPad’s surface. But quite frankly, that is what most people love about Apple’s products. Minimalist, graceful, yet terribly functional. But we’ll go to that later on. Let’s first take a look at the iPad, from its exterior.

It’s a beauty to behold, doubtlessly. Although un-boxing the device is the least marvelous thing about the beast, few people can say that much thought was not given to how the device is packaged. Since it is an Apple product, you cannot doubt the proven fact that countless hours were spent over how the device would look when packed. And people are not disappointed for Apple’s thoughtfulness.

The packaging is superb. It matches the general appeal of the gadget. For starters, the box of the iPad has a touch of MacBook Air in it. If you loved MacBook Air or other MacBook products, you may certainly fall for the box of the iPad. It’s so nice, you can hang it on a frame and display it in your living room.

Moving on, within the box is the iPad itself, a thin info packet, which you would doubtless not use at all because even 2-year-old children can understand the simpleness of the gizmo a wall power charger, and the famous USB 30-pin dock connector. If you have opened any Apple devices before, you are at home with these things.

The closest comparison you can get is Amazon’s Kindle DX. Not identical, but nearly there. iPad measures 9.56 inches in height, 7.47 inches in width and .05 in. thick. It weighs 1.5 pounds for the WiFi model, 1.6 for the WiFi and 3G model. In comparison, Kindle DX stands at 10.4 inches, is 7.2 inches wide, .38 inch thick, and weighs at 1.2 pounds.

For a device that does more than the Kindle DX does – if it alone is the point of comparison, the thickness of the iPad is excusable, satisfactory in truth. If the size and function of the iPad were to be used as parameters for judging whether iPad is better than Kindle DX, it isn’t a stretch to assert that it’s a killer. With its considerate e-book reading applications and the various selection of eBooks available to be used with iPad, many say Kindle will soon be replaced with iPad.

Despite its revolutionary thickness, many people still seem to complain about the .5 inch thickness of iPad. Sure, it may feel awkward and may prove more difficult to handle in one hand for a few hours than Kindle DX, but considering how and what the device does, this is nothing less than nitpicking.

Well, it’s obvious. There’s no other device in the market which has what iPad has. That does what iPad does. The glossy glass face alone is a winner. And we haven’t even talked about the functions of the device.

So then, the Apple iPad, the long-anticipated Apple tablet, has been unveiled. My first reaction, being the Apple fanatic that i am , was ‘I want one right away!’ as the smoke cleared and I started thinking about the good points and bad points of the machine I suspect I’ll have to give it rather more consideration before I purchase one. That’s not to suggest that I will not do so, but i want to be sure. There are a great number of elements both in support of and in opposition to the Apple iPad gadget and offered are some thoughts to mull over, in no special rank :

Pro : The Apple iPad is a marvel of dreativity, graceful and not very heavy and simple to hold. It looks great.

Con : It offers no way of defending the display other than a pocket/covering that’s unconnected to the machine itself.

Pro : It has the identical great touch screen capabilities of the iPhone and iPod Touch device and looks to be an excellent thing to use.

Con : It runs the telephone OS rather than a full OS, which limits what you can do with it.

Pro : The Apple iPad is great for viewing films, television episodes and podcasts and playing games titles along with surfing the web.

Con : it does not support flash, which will limit the amount of employment it is for browsing.

Pro : The Apple iPad is a superb way to stay on the internet when on the go, straightforward to set up and terribly speedy, plus the diversity of drive sizes means there’s one for everyone.

Con : while it’s fast, there are no USB ports along with there is no way of expanding the capacity. And, the bigger sized drives are extremely expensive.

Pro : The Apple ipad is fantastic for travelling and being on the internet while relaxing thanks to the superb UI and the fabulous display.

Con : it does not appear to be much good for carrying out any work on, which is what many people would want out of it if taking it whilst travelling.

Pro : It presents an amazing new e-reader experience for books, mags and websites to be enjoyed upon.

Con : True, but you can say the same thing regarding the iPod Touch, the iPhone, the Kindle as well as the Sony e-reader, all of which are cheaper by an exceedingly long way.

Despite its drawbacks, I still desire one as they appear to be fun and very cool for normal browsing and entertainment. The absence of capabilities for using it as a work contraption is the point that’s turning me off the device at the moment, but like plenty of other people, I’m intrigued by this rather great up-to-the-minute device, and am excited to have a play and look into exactly what the Apple ipad tablet can offer me as a consumer.

Presenting a side-by-side Kindle vs iPad review, which gadget will likely win hands down? No doubt about it, the Apple iPad, with its recent much talked about launch, is the “in” thing today. Hardcore Apple patrons can hardly wait to get their hands on one as the WiFi versions are expected to ship in late March, while the 3G units are to be delivered starting April. When that time comes, we will expect to see long lines in front of every Apple store just like what happened with the sale of the iPhone.

But what of the ereaders like the Amazon Kindle and the Sony Reader?  The ereader is fast becoming a mainstream consumer device, with the Kindle getting the lion’s share of the market. Seeing the promise of such a device however, many such ebook readers have also cropped up, with most of them having practically the same features as that of the Kindle. Now with the entry of tablet PCs like the iPad which can also ably perform as an ebook reader, the gadget demand may perhaps shift  to multi-functional devices. Can the iPad really make a significant dent on the ebook reader industry? Let’s weigh the significant factors.

First off, the negatives. The iPad will only be connected to Apple’s own ebook store. While this makes is sensible for those who are still thinking of buying an ebook reading gadget, if you already own a lot of digital books, you won’t be able to dump them in the iPad. Actual ebook prices are still to be confirmed, but there’s talk that purchasing iBooks in the Apple ebook store is going to cost you around 12.99 dollars and 14.99 dollars. This can be slightly steep if you have to start from scratch. Plus, Amazon’s ebooks continue to retail at 9.99 dollars apiece.

Nonetheless, buying an iPad has its own set of advantages, being a device that can perform many functions. You will be able to use this oversized iPhone lookalike, sans the “phone”, to view high-def movies, watch your favorite TV shows, browse the web, and play games on a 9.7 inch IPS touch screen. Sticking with Apple standards, the clarity and color is amazing, and it comes with your choice of 16-GB, 32-GB or 64-GB internal memory. With such storage capability, the Library can hold tons of books, which are ingeniously displayed on a “book shelf” design. With one simple tap, you may pick out your ebook, and read it on the high-resolution, LED back-lit screen. Depending on your memory and connectivity preferences, prices start out at 499 dollars and end at 829 dollars. It does have special apps developed specifically for the iPad, and you’ll have access to many of the 140,000 other apps at the App Store.

On the other hand, the Amazon Kindle is a device designed for the user’s most comfortable and convenient reading experience in mind. Unlike the LCD monitor of the iPad, the Kindle, like the current batch of ebook readers, utilizes e-ink display, which many say, is unarguably best for reading for longer periods of time. The Kindle’s battery can last as long as two weeks without recharging, so it could also make the ideal traveling companion. The 6-inch model is priced at 259 dollars, while the 9.7-inch Kindle DX costs 489 dollars.

So which gadget gets our nod in this Kindle vs iPad matchup? Certainly for the gadget geek, the iPad will fit perfectly alongside his MacBook Pro, AirPort Express, Magic Mouse and its smaller counterpart in looks, the iPhone. Jobs and his staff have created yet another brilliant product for the dedicated Apple user. But for the booklover just aiming to read in the most conjucive “environment” and have little need for all of the other extra features, the Kindle ebook reader is still your best option on the market today.

Are ebook readers about to be discarded in favor of the iPad? After the big launch of the Apple iPad, tech geeks are frantically pacing the floor, anxiously looking to the day when they can finally get their hands on this device. The iPad versions built with WiFi are expected to be shipped by late March and the 3G models are to be shipped starting April. It's no shocker actually; a person who uses Apple products are a different kind, loyal and have stayed devout to Apple.

It seems like Steve Jobs still got his touch, creating a product which will be flying off the shelves, no doubt. Perhaps hordes of Apple followers will meander in long lines at the nearby Apple Store, standing by for when the iPad will finally go on sale, harking back to the iPhone launch. But with all of the buildup surrounding the iPad, will it overshadow the popularity of other ereaders like the Kindle and Sony Readers? So we can come to a verdict, let's take a look at the iPad closely.

It's not cheap with prices starting at 499 dollars and topping out at 829 dollars, and why wouldn't it be more than a bit pricey? True, the iPad is an ebook reader but it does a lot more than that It looks like a huge version of the iPhone, minus the call capabilities. You'll be able to view high-def movies, stream TV shows, browse the web, and play games on it. The large 9.7-inch IPS touch screen is up to Apple's high resolution standards. It comes with a storage capacity of 16 GB, 32 GB or 64 GB flash drive.

With such storage capability, this gadget will obviously hold a library much larger than your typical ereader. Books are coolly arranged on a “book shelf”. You can just tap the book you would like, and enjoy reading it on a high-resolution, LED backlit screen. While most existing iPhone and iPod Touch apps will also run on the iPad, special apps purposely created for the iPad are expected to come out too.

Here's a problem, however. The iPad will only be associated to Apple's own ebook store, and these books are not compatible with the Kindle and other ebook reader market dominators. If you've got a wide collection of ebooks already on another ereader, you'll have trouble reading them on the iPad. While it is still not confirmed as yet, word has it that iBooks will sell for 12.99 dollars and 14.99 dollars.

The Apple iPad is portable, lightweight, and most likely really fun to tinker around with. But if you don't need all of the “other stuff”, the ereaders available now will suit you just as well. But if you are a hardcore Apple fanatic, then Jobs and his team have manufactured yet another brilliant product for consumers. With fantastic clarity and capabilities, you're going to “iLove” this multi-tasking gadget. The Apple iPad will match perfectly with your MacBook Pro, AirPort Express, Magic Mouse and iPhone.

So then, the Apple iPad, the long anticipated Apple tablet device, has been exposed. My first reaction, being the Apple fan that I am was ‘I want one now!’ as the mist faded and I began thinking about the arguments of the gadget I believe I should have to give it rather more contemplation before I buy one of them. That is not to say that I will not do so, but i want to be certain. One can find a number of factors both for and opposed to the Apple iPad device , and offered are a few feelings to mull over, in no special order :

Pro : The Apple iPad is awonder of design, sleek and not very heavy and simple to hold. It looks great.

Con : It offers no method of defending the screen apart from a pocket/covering that’s unconnected to the gadget itself.

Pro : It has the identical great touchscreen capabilities of the iPhone and iPod Touch device and appears to be an excellent gadget to use.

Con : It operates the phone OS rather than a full OS, which limits what exactly you can do with the device.

Pro : The Apple iPad is perfect for watching videos, TV shows and podcasts and playing games titles togetherwith browsing the web.

Con : it does not support flash, which will reduce the amount of use it is for browsing.

Pro : The Apple iPad is a superb way to remain online when on the go, straightforward to line up and very speedy, and the variety of capacities means there’s one for everyone.

Con : although it’s fast, there are no USB ports along with thereisn’t any way of expanding the capacity. And, the larger sized drives are extremely dear.

Pro : The Apple ipad is amazing for travelling and being online while relaxing thanks to the glorious UI and the marvellous display.

Con : it does not seem to be much good for doing any work on, which is what many of us would need out of it if taking it when travelling.

Pro : It offers asuperb new e-reader experience for books, magazines and internet sites to be enjoyed on.

Con : True, but you can say the same regarding the iPod Touch, the iPhone, the Kindle in addition to the Sony e-reader, all of which are less expensive by a verylong way.

In spite of its negative aspects, I desire one as they give the impression of being fun and extremely cool for normal browsing and entertainment. The lack of capabilities for utilizing it as a work machine is the issue that’s turning me off the device now, but just like plenty of other people, Iam fascinated by this rather awesome up-to-the-minute device, and am excited to have a mess about and find out exactly what the Apple ipad tablet device is able to offer me as a user.