Why The Amazon Kindle Will Survive

Since its original release back in 2007, Amazon’s Kindle reader has consistently been the best e-book reader available on the market. That’s why it has enjoyed such a high level of success to date. Back in the third quarter of 2009, when every electronics manufacturer was trying to get a piece of the emerging e-book reader market, any new reader was instantly hailed as the Kindle killer. This is due to the fact that the Kindle was, and still is, the industry benchmark.

The recent release of the upgraded third generation Kindle reader has widened the gap between Amazon’s reader and the trailing pack even further. It’s probably worth pointing out that the most credible Kindle killer to date is not another e-book reader but the Apple iPad. This is a very different device with a much higher price tag and, when looked at as an e-book reader, one which suffers in a number of areas in comparison with the Kindle.

The latest improvements include a doubling of memory from 2 to 4 GB, a higher contrast display, 20% faster page turns and an extended battery life. The device retains the same 6″ display, but in a smaller, lighter case – which now comes in either white or graphite. Amazon has also launched an entry level reader with Wi-Fi only for those who don’t envisage the need for a 3G connection. This is on sale at just $ 139 – very close to the $ 99 value commonly held to be impulse buy territory for personal electronics. The Wi-Fi plus 3G model is available for $ 189.

As well as these various technical improvements, and almost unnoticed by many, Amazon opened a separate Kindle store for the UK market. UK residents will now be able to purchase their readers locally instead of having an international version shipped from the States. This only took a few days to do – but some customers may have been put off by exchange rates and having to use a credit card (debit cards are more common in the UK). Amazon has just launched a major TV advertising campaign in the United Kingdom and it could be that this, together with the “local” UK Kindle store could generate a lot of sales for them. In the event that this proves to be a success, we might see additional local Kindle stores being opened for Germany, France and the other countries with their own Amazon websites.

Following the release of the Kindle 3, Amazon has sold out of Kindles yet again. Customers are pre-ordering Kindles for delivery in three to four weeks time, with the readers being shipped on a first come first served basis. All things considered, there’s absolutely no sign that demand for the Kindle is falling off – which is hardly surprising given the quality of the product.

In the past, reports of the Kindles death were always premature, and that still seems to be the case today. The Kindle and the iPad are completely different devices and there’s very little point in trying to compare them with each other. The Kindle is, by a long way, the best e-book reader available on the market. That’s why it will continue to thrive – and why Amazon’s influence in the future of digital publishing will continue to grow. Some people will continue to read traditional books, both hardbacks and paperbacks. Others will switch to an e-book reader, in which case the Amazon Kindle will be the most popular choice (as will Kindle books). Yet others will be chiefly concerned with surfing the net and watching videos when they’re on the move, reading an e-book from time to time – and they will probably find the iPad to be the best solution for their needs. Whatever your own personal preference is, Amazon will be more than happy to supply your needs.