Just months ago, the e-book reader market seemed like a
footrace between
Amazon.com (Nasdaq: AMZN) and
Sony (NYSE: SNE). Now it's quickly becoming a
crowded marathon.
California-based Spring Design introduced the world to
Alex yesterday. The dual-screen reader is billed as the first
e-book device based on
Google 's (Nasdaq: GOOG) Android mobile OS,
allowing full Internet browsing over Wi-Fi or mobile
networks.
The design resembles the snapshots
leaked last weekof
Barnes & Noble 's (NYSE: BKS) upcoming
reader, with a smaller LED color touchscreen on the bottom to
enhance the E-ink text reader on top. No price has been
revealed, but Spring Design expects Alex to be out in the
wild by the end of the year. It's currently in talks with
content partners, and the device's mobile networking aspect
may pave the way for a subsidized reader through wireless
carriers.
Don't forget Barnes & Noble, either. It officially
introduces its e-book device this morning, but
The Wall Street Journalhas already revealed that the
massive bookstore chain's reader will be called Nook, priced
aggressively at $259.
The price is bold, because it matches Amazon's Kindle. I
figured the Nook's multitouch color screen would drive its
price into the $300 to $400 range. At $259 -- and promoted in
the world's largest bricks-and-mortar bookstore chain as the
holidays approach -- you have to like the Nook's chances.
If claustrophobia is starting to kick in, consider that
Apple (Nasdaq: AAPL) hasn't made an entrance
to the market, beyond App Store readers for the petite iPhone
and iPod touch. The real game-changer would be a tablet Mac.
But now, one has to wonder whether Apple may price itself out
of this market, given Alex's surfing skills and the Nook's
cutthroat price point.
With more and more big companies sporting even bigger
plans to legitimize the digital book revolution, this will be
a huge holiday season for e-book readers.
This article was originally published as
Step Aside, Kindleon
Fool.com
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