Sunday, August 23, 2009
Business of Digital Book
Kindle, a handheld book reader is new innovation which might help usher books into the digital age. On Nov. 19 last year, Amazon unveiled the long-awaited device. Kindle, available on Amazon for $399, holds about 200 books in a paperback-sized package and displays pages on a screen that appears more akin to paper than a backlit LCD screen.
Part portable library, part bookstore, Kindle is wirelessly hooked up to the Internet via high-speed cellular network; letting users download books at a moment's notice. Users can purchase books—some 90,000 titles are currently available—for about $10 apiece, and there are no connection-subscription fees.
Starting August, Sony Corp started selling its version of digital reader to compete with Amazon priced at $199. This news is the latest salvo in a battle between digital readers where Sony, Amazon and other companies are vying to establish themselves in a market that they expect to become a profit driver.
Whether the Kindle can finally ignite the digital book market remains to be seen. No doubt it is a true innovation and is convenient for avid book readers on the go and those who travel frequently, their high price might be an initial barrier.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment