Updates on the rumored new Amazon Kindle textbook reader.

There have been a number of developments on the rumored new textbook version of the Amazon Kindle reader. The Wall Street Journal reported last week that Amazon would definitely not be releasing a new version of the Kindle this year, but rather next year at the earliest. The article went on to say that no textbook publishers are currently negotiating arrangements with Amazon to put their textbooks on the rumored newest version of the Kindle. There was even a suggestion in the article by Amazon that the Kindle is still not an appropriate device for reading textbooks. I thought this was interesting for several reasons.

First, it was evident that Amazon was talking about its current Kindle reader in the article. This is important to point out. Amazon has been very careful not to market the current reader as a device that is appropriate for textbooks. As a Kindle owner I would agree with this assessment in general (although I do believe that there are some college “textbooks” that would work well on the current Kindle, such as many of the novels required for English classes). It is too small, there are no page numbers, and it is in black and white format. I think that Amazon’s claim is interesting because it sets up a nice “straw-man” argument for a newer version of the Kindle that would address many if not all of those deficiencies. In other words, the current Kindle (as well as other current e-book readers like the Sony reader) is inferior for textbooks but our new device is made specifically for this task!

Secondly, it lowers the bar for their entry into the textbook market. If none of the publishers are talking with them now, making a revelation one year from now that all of the major publishers are on board looks even more stellar. It is really savvy marketing on their part. Something must be afoot because they have really closed down the information channels about upcoming events. I do trust the techcrunch posting, however, and I firmly believe that the new Kindle is coming. I also believe that with the new e-ink technology, wireless delivery to devices, etc. that if Amazon doesn’t break into this market, someone else will. There is pent-up demand from too many quarters ranging from congress to parents for this not to be the case. Stay tuned….

jblake

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