Too Early to Comment on the Success of Amazon’s Kindle?
Silicon Alley Insider reported on Friday (2/8/2008) that Amazon’s Kindle (eBook reader similar to Sony’s eReader) has not ignited the sales of ebooks. The headline is meant to be nothing more than eye-catching because there is no substance in the story itself. SAI admits that it’s too early to say whether the Kindle is a success but they did manage to get this empty statement from Arthur Klebanoff, CEO of e-book publisher RosettaBooks:
“…so far he’s seen “no evidence” that e-books formatted for the Kindle will generate more revenue for him than Sony Reader-compatible formats in 2008.”
Okay, so it’s too early to determine whether the Kindle
The Kindle isn’t doing any better than Sony’s eReader but both devices have incredible potential, and I believe their greatest potential is one that remains untapped — education.
Why the Kindle and eReader are ideal for education
Two of my oldest kids are in middle school and high school. They schlep around more than 20 pounds of books on their back every day. Carrying around that much weight on their backs can cause serious illnesses, like scoliosis. Other than a backpack on wheels, the ideal solution is an electronic book reader like the Kindle
Image kids holding all of their school books in one of these slim light weight devices. These devices have incredible battery life so lasting for an entire day of use is easy. The Kindle’s
Lofty goals but opportunity is real
I admit, some of these benefits are lofty but the basic benefit is undeniable –reduction in backpack weight. I would love to see Amazon or Sony make an effort to tap into this market. Between the two companies, I think Amazon is best suited to make a move. They have the device and they have the connection with publishers.
Do you think there is a need for electronic book reading device in education? Leave a comment and let me know.
Share, Bookmark, or Email this post
If you liked this post, subscribe to TechTraction's RSS feed or TechTraction's email feed
Filed under: Tech Commentary
You are absolutely right re ebooks instead of heavy text books. But surely you know there is colusion of the grossest kind between teacher-authors and textbook publishers who try to sell new versions of their books each year, consigning all prior books to the elephant graveyard. Often the changes are truly trivial, but the income these sales produce to both the teachers and the publoishers is truly not trivial, even though for grades 12 and below these are paid for by the taxpayers, who don’t have a clue as to what is happening.
Yes — we should digitize all text books, outlawing all changes other than free corrections made digitally when an error is discovered — and a newly bought book is not necessary if the book is already in digital form. But to do this, these publishers will fight with their well funded lobbists to pay our legislators to never allow it.
But what about you? Will you fully expose this fraud perpatrated on all of us to the point that a legislator will not dare oppose it?
Charles Wilkes, San Jose, Calif.
Thanks for the comment Charles. You make some excellent, and unfortunately all too true, points. I believe, however, that the same way file sharing turned the recording industry on its head, so too will e-books and these e-reading devices. It won’t happen overnight, but the technology does make it possible to solve a serious problem. It’s just a matter of time and the right combination of device and available content to shake long standing “traditions.”
Thanks again for taking the time to comment. Your participation is greatly appreciated.
I think the Kindle will be a great success. Amazon isn’t a dumb company. If they bother to invest money in something, it is generally a worthy cause.
Based on what Amazon is telling everyone, the Kindle is doing well. Looks like you’re correct Kindle.