Amazon's Kindle to Face Verizon Supported Competition in '09
If you have scrolled down the Amazon.com homepage with any frequency over say, the last year or so, you are probably aware that Amazon's electronic reading device, the KIndle, has been receiving major airtime. The truth is, the device has occupied this prime above-the-fold online real estate pretty much since it launched in November '07, and for good reason. With stand alone wireless capabilities supported by Sprint, over 200,000 available books, magazines, newspapers, blogs, etc., and weighing in at just over 10 ounces, it is everything the modern avid reader wants. Unfortunately, beyond the Kindle's prominence in the market, the other thing it is known for is its scarcity. It's not unusual for customers to have to wait up to two months for a Kindle. That's a lot of patience, especially more than a year after launch. Yet due to the quality of the device, this hasn't been a problem for Amazon thus far, but that may be changing with yesterday's announcement by Verizon that in 2009 it will open up its network to independent devices, including multiple electronic readers.
So, what are the devices that will gain access to the long wireless reach of Verizon? That of course is the question, and one that may be addressed, at least in part, at CES this week. The Amazon Kindle team will definitely be watching for information on this as the week wears on. But since content is king, whoever the competition ends up being, they had better ensure that they come to the table with publisher relationships that stack up to those Amazon enjoys. And as for Amazon, it might be a good idea to speed up the Kindle conveyor belts and build up its install base, because it looks like the honeymoon might be over.
--Tom Milnes
Patrick Crothers on January 08, 2009 at 12:55 AM
This is a paradigm shift and I am all in on this. As a cultural anthropologist this is huge. As a person, I want to be involved as I can be.
I will cook chocolate to anyone who puts me on their email list.
patrick.crothers@sbcglobal.net
This is great
Patrick