Amazon's latest version of the Kindle ebook reader has
sparked sales and a new generation of readers.
This year's International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas is the first time that the convention has been dedicated to the ebook.
This year's convention is not only highlighting the Kindle but is serving as a showcase for other electronic companies to debut their own readers. Barnes & Noble introduced their read, the Nook, last year and have begun selling the item through their website and bookstores. Interead Ltd introduced their reader which has been available in the UK and Australia/New Zealand. Electronics giants, Samsung and EnTourage Systems Inc, normally famous for sales of televisions, cell phones, and other items announced that they too would be releasing their own versions.
Amazon announced that it had doubled its sales of it's reader, the Kindle, with 2.2 million readers shipped to customers in 2009. They anticipate to sell at least 5 million, more than doubling that amount, in 2010. Amazon also announced that ebook sales outstripped sales for other book formats for Christmas and they anticipate sales to quadruple this year, thanks to an average of $10.00 cost per ebook. While the Kindle has has come down from its original $399 to now retail at $259, the technology is improving and the competition will further lower costs. Booksellers are also in talks with major publishers to have exclusive sales of their books to their devices.
Comments