Amazing indeed it is the recent announcement by Amazon about its decision to develop a Kindle e-reader app for the iPad. The latest e-reader news has it that the Kindle app is going to be compatible to every other slate PC due to hit stores including the iPad, the current rage. This is an interesting development in that it points to the fact that maybe Amazon has laid down its gauntlet to accept the iPad playing the dominant role.
It also is a wise move on part of Amazon – to wake up to the clear and present threat posed by the iPad. Amazon perhaps has finally realized that its Kindles won’t kindle the type of response that can translate to actual sales. With its proprietary hardware, medieval design, slow refresh rates and only web browsing as added feature Kindle has little to attract customers. Amazon’s announcement of giving the best reading experience through its software rather than hardware is therefore welcome news. It has also released a Kindle app for the mac, thereby conceding that Apple is finally a big player in the consumer PC segment.
As for the software, it itself is very powerful. It retains the Whispersync feature that’s akin to book marking. Notes and text markup feature is also available and most important the feature transcends irrespective of the device being used upon to read the e-books. Then there’s also the feature to change display settings including color and font sizes for the best reading experience. This also is Amazon’s way of reminding, albeit in a subtle manner that the display on the iPad or any other tablet PC is not going to be as eye friendly as it is on their Kindle range of e-readers.
For sure the Kindle has stepped aside and given way to its conquering adversary, the iPad and similar tablet PCs which also double up as an e-reader. That it simply doesn’t have what it takes to take on the likes of the iPad. That its Kindle 2 or the Kindle DX can’t stand up to the color display, excellent imagery, much improved graphics, along with other goodies like web surfing, playing rich interactive games, making Skype calls, as well as watching a movie that the iPad allows one to do.
Of course Amazon is not going to take it lying down but that’s how things stand as of now. Kindle 4 which is yet a distant dream will perhaps be able to make a dent in the Apple fiefdom, but as on date it’s Apple all the way that is keeping the Kindle at bay.
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With a keen interest in tech, I make it a point to keep myself updated on the latest developments in technology and gadgets. That includes smartphones or tablet devices but stretches to even AI and self-driven automobiles, the latter being my latest fad. Besides writing, I like watching videos, reading, listening to music, or experimenting with different recipes. The motion picture is another aspect that interests me a lot, and I'll likely make a film sometime in the future.
