Today Amazon introduced a newer 'jumbo' sized Kindle, something that some are hoping will be an alternative to buying regular physical newspapers and magazines, which, sadly as most already know, haven't been doing too well of late. Whether or not it helps salvage the traditional hard-copy press yet remains to be seen however.
Engadget, as you can see in the photo above, just posted some pics of the new larger Kindle just moments ago. As you can see, it looks pretty much the same as the current model, but should have, in addition to it's larger size, a built-in PDF reader as well.
Many other companies, such as Sony, among others, are also expected to be readying their own competing E-Readers as well, so it will be interesting to see how they fair with Amazon's ground-breaking device.
However, what is really interesting is that in addition to the iPhone and iPod/Touch already being touted as an E-Reader, albeit in miniature, Apple is also expected to be about to introduce it's own 'jumbo' iPod Touch on steroids, and possibly as early as next month. How it could effect the Kindle and other E-Readers, I believe, is going to be very interesting.
Even though Apple's new device is expected to be similar in size to the new 'jumbo' sized Kindle, around 9.7 to 10 inch's in diameter, it will feature something that the Kindle lacks - a vivid color screen! The new 'jumbo' Kindle is still built around a B&W screen which is adequate for displaying most newspaper content, but still leaves a lot to be desired when displaying magazine like content. As an E-Reader, Apple's new device should trounce the Kindle for it's color capabilities alone.
Then again, not only will Apple's expected new device offer color, but in addition - rich multi-touch capabilities as well. Unlike the Kindle with it's physical keyboard, Apple's new baby will probably only come with a touch-keyboard, but for those people who now find typing on the iPhone's small touch-screen rather difficult,well, they may be pleasantly surprised with the larger sized touch keys that could be available on the new device.
Also, besides being able to double as a color E-Reader, Apple's new device will also be a fully dedicated music and video player, a hand-held gaming unit and a fantastic internet surfing device rolled-up into one! Not only that, but it's expected that it could also feature rich photo and video recording capabilities as well - two features that could put it miles ahead of not only dedicated E-Readers, but as well, for other devices such as netbooks and tablet PCs? When you add in the advantage of being able to access Apple's ground-breaking AppStore and it's over 35,000 apps, then you may just have a device that will put all other digital devices, the Kindle included, to shame!
In other words: who needs a Kindle, be it the regular sized version or the jumbo one? No one, that's who? Personally, I can't see any justification in spending hundreds dollars for a B&W E-Reader when for a few extra bucks you can have an all-in-one, multi-touch iPod Touch on steroids! Such a super 'jumbo' sized iPod Touch, in fact, could be Apple's answer to the netbook craze, and as well to those people who championed the PC tablet, a device that has never quite taken off the way that it's promoters, including Bill Gates, predicted that it would.
I welcome the new 'jumbo' sized Kindle, as I do those devices from Sony and others. I think that the Kindle, netbooks and, as well, tablet PCs are very interesting devices indeed. However, what I find even more interesting and intriguing is the possible impact, if any, that Apple's expected new 'jumbo' size iPod Touch will have on E-Readers such as the Kindle, netbooks and tablet PCs in general.
Could it be possible that Apple's upcoming 'jumbo' iPod Touch, on steroids, could actually out Kindle the 'jumbo' Kindle?
I don't know about that, but I do know that we are about to find out - and soon!
And that's my 2 cents 4 this Wednesday, May 06, 2009
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