Sunday
10Aug2008
Will Amazon's Kindle 2.0 Ignite the Fire?
Sunday, August 10, 2008 at 03:12PM 
Last November, Amazon launched the Kindle, an e-book reader. Reviewers, such as David Pogue gave it a lukewarm review. Notwithstanding, how many has is it sold? TechCrunch reported last week that 240,000 units have shipped.
Clearly, the Amazon Kindle needs re-work for mass appeal.
At the current price of $359 for the Kindle and $9.99 per book for New York Times Bestsellers and New Releases, it's not an impulse purchase like a book. The current selection has 150,000 books, newspaper, magazines, and blogs. For comparison, Audible.com has a catalog of 50,000 audio books. Amazon's e-book selection should satisfy most readers- yet the price for admission is scary.
The Amazon Kindle is compact and convenient with storage for up to 200 titles. They're targeting the voracious reader, like Josh Quittner, who's willing to invest (it is an investment) in a dedicated e-reader. Unlike portable music players that can store thousands of songs, the casual reader doesn't read dozens of books at a time.
The Amazon Kindle is compact and convenient with storage for up to 200 titles. They're targeting the voracious reader, like Josh Quittner, who's willing to invest (it is an investment) in a dedicated e-reader. Unlike portable music players that can store thousands of songs, the casual reader doesn't read dozens of books at a time.
So, what would appeal to the casual reader?
Offer an "entry-level" Kindle. Eliminate the keypad. Get rid of 3G. Lower the price. Bundle the Kindle with a monthly subscription plan, like Netflix or Audible.com. Then add on a Zappos-like return policy to eliminate the risk of being an earlier adopter.
Offer an "entry-level" Kindle. Eliminate the keypad. Get rid of 3G. Lower the price. Bundle the Kindle with a monthly subscription plan, like Netflix or Audible.com. Then add on a Zappos-like return policy to eliminate the risk of being an earlier adopter.
Don't bet against Amazon. They've transformed from Internet retailer to commerce platform and then extended from commerce platform to Platform as a Service. Amazon innovates to stay relevant.
To Amazon Kindle's product manager: We're eagerly awaiting the Kindle 2.0 to dominate the e-reader market.
Own an Amazon Kindle? Share your thoughts.
Reader Comments (6)
I've owned a Kindle since December, and what I notice is how it's changed my reading habits. I'm reading and buying more books than before. This could be the hidden game changer of the device; it's convenience and the aesthetics of the reading experience make my reading more attentive and enjoyable. I'm not sure why. Perhaps because I am looking at only one page at a time, and there is less peripheral distraction.
I created a weekly podcast, http://TheKindleChronicles.com" rel="nofollow">The Kindle Chronicles, available for free download at the <a href="http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=286625140"<iTunes Store with news, tech tips and the "What's on Your Kindle?" interview. Part of the fun of the Kindle is the wildly enthusiastic users. I have yet to find someone who has actually read seriously with the device say, "this sucks and will never succeed."
Great article Ricky.
Also look out for:
* eBooks being packed with “extras.” For example, Penguin UK offer “ePenguin exclusives,” such as an authorial afterword to Toby Litt’s eBook deadkidsongs.
* eBooks being bundled with readers. For example, in May 2008 the UK’s Borders is selling the iLiad eReader with 50 pre-loaded classics titles. Another example: six James Patterson novels are bundled into Sony Reader.
* eChapters. Example 1: Lonely Planet offers individual chapters of its travel guides. Fees ranged from $2-$5 per chapter to download, depending on chapter length. Example 2: Random House US is currently offering individual chapters of Chip and Dan Heath's Made to Stick.
Lee Bob-
Thanks for pointing out the various ways companies are encouraging the adoption of e-book readers. I can related to the Lonely Planet example because I've found myself purchasing travel guides for an entire country even though I'm visiting only a city there.
BusinessWeek reports that the next gen Kindle has been given a facelift by the famed frogdesign. If this is true.... i'm totally buying one
http://gizmodo.com/5041990/kindle-rumors-say-next-version-coming-fall-will-be-thinner-cheaper-much-more-stylish
Got to play with a colleague's kindle. It's a nice device, but downright clunky (not to mention ugly) on the user interaction.
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