Amazon’s Kindle e-reader is all set to compete against Apple iPad by focusing on the e-reader experience. Although the Kindle remains a strong seller, it faces increased competition from Apple’s tablet device as well as from rival e-readers such as Barnes & Noble’s Nook.
Amazon.com CEO Jeff Bezos says during an annual shareholders’ meeting that the Kindle e-reader will compete against the iPad by remaining dedicated to the e-reader experience, which seems in keeping with the mobile device’s Version 2.5 software update, which will include social networking features, but only in an ebook context. By contrast, Barnes & Noble seems to be attempting to offer more PC-like functionality in its Nook e-reader with a beta Web browser and Android-based games.
“The Kindle will compete with these LCD devices like the iPad by being a much focused product,” Bezos told the audience on May 25, according to The Wall Street Journal. “Serious readers are going to want a purpose-built device, because it’s an important activity for them.”
Even though Bezos stressed the Kindle device at the meeting, recent steps by Amazon.com advise a bigger focus on e-reader software. On May 19, the company announced updates to its free Kindle for PC application, a day after revealing that the e-reader software would be available soon on Android-based devices. Building out the software franchise could also be a sign that Amazon.com distinguishes the multiple-front competition it faces in the e-reader space. Bezos’ statement also seems in keeping with the Kindle device’s latest software update, Version 2.5, which adds social networking functionality, kept strictly within the context of ebooks. The update, which has reportedly begun rolling out to some users, will allow readers to share passages via Facebook and Twitter and display parts of a reader’s current book that the Kindle community finds most interesting.
New features of Kindle for PC include a full-screen reading mode and the ability to edit notes and marks, change background colour and adjust screen brightness. Kindle for PC uses Amazon’s Whispersync technology to harmonize notes, bookmarks and last page read between a user’s PC, smartphone and Kindle device.
In addition to dealing with competition from other e-readers and the iPad, Amazon.com will also have to compete against Google, which could begin selling ebooks online as early as June through its Google Editions service. By contrast, other e-reader manufacturers seem to be edging their devices slowly into the realm of tablet PCs. Barnes & Noble’s recent unveiled software update for the Nook includes Android-based games such as Sudoku and chess, as well as a beta Web browser.
Tags: amazon kindle, Apple iPad, e reader, iPad, latest software, lcd devices, mobile device, networking features, pc application, reader space, screen reading, software update, wall street journal