E-Book Readers Will Go Mainstream In 2010

In February 2009, when Amazon updated their Kindle e-book reader with the release of the improved and enhanced Kindle 2 reader, it was the only reader offering the facility of wireless connection. It took until June of this year for another reader to offer a similar wireless connection service. Even then, that competing reader was Amazon's large format Kindle DX, which was specifically aimed at the newspaper, magazin and academic textbook audience.

It was starting to look as if Amazon was in competition with itself. Which was just as well as there were no other serious competitors in evidence.

Even in late November 2009, there are still no e-book readers apart from the Kindle 2 and DX which have wireless functionality. Amazon have enjoyed the leading position for quite a long time now.

But that is about to change. Sony will be launching their new Daily Edition reader around about the middle of December and Barnes and Noble's Nook is planned to hit the stores at approximately the same time.

Both of these readers have wireless functionality and some additional features, such as touch screen controls which will, in many people's eyes, put them ahead of the current Kindles. The Daily Edition reader even allows users to borrow e-books from participating public libraries.

Users of the Nook will be able to download e-books from a selection of over 1,000,000 titles at the Barnes and Noble website. They will even be able to give e-books to friends and family on loan - exactly as they could do with a "real" book.

Whether you consider the situation from the viewpoint of technical specification or from the user features and usability angle, the Kindle may find itself in the unaccustomed role of the second, or even third place option.

In 2010 there will be even greater competition as other manufacturers begin to release large format e-book readers to compete directly with the DX. One thing is guaranteed - users will profit from the higher competition levels which will produce a downward pressure on e-book reader prices. Remembering that the Kindle is now Amazon's number one selling product, it also seems likely that Amazon will fight back with new, updated devices and new services. Next year will likely see the emergence of a standard e-book format - possibly ePub - and this, along with lower prices and enhanced functionality, will probably be sufficient to take e-book readers into the mainstream consumer marketplace.

Find out more about the Amazon Kindle ebook reader and view the full range of Amazon Kindle accessories.