It looks like there may be some changes ahead in the ebook reader market. Amazon’s Kindle reader has been out in front for a long time now. However, Barnes and Noble recently released an updated Nook reader with a touch screen. The Nook has been in a distant second place to the Kindle for some time now – but the new upgrade could help Barnes and Noble to close the gap and may even things up somewhat in the Kindle vs Nook contest.
Whether a touch screen is a huge advantage for ebook readers or not is open to debate – but it is certainly what people are used to seeing on their personal electronic devices these days. The use of touch screen controls means that the QWERTY style keypad is redundant, which allows the reader to be made physically smaller and lighter. That is clearly a feature which a lot of potential customers will be greatly appreciative of.
The other breaking news in the ebook reader market must surely be the launch of the iRiver Story HD reader. Somewhat surprisingly, it also has a QWERTY keypad rather than a touch screen control e-ink display. Perhaps it’s related to the fact that it features the first XGA e-ink display on the market.
The resolution of 1024 x 768, compared to the 800 x 600 resolution of the Nook and the Kindle. That could mean a better reading experience for users as it means that there are 63% more pixels. Additional formatting options may also become available for ebook publishers. It remains to be seen whether or not a higher screen resolution will prove to be a big selling point.
However, the fact that the Story HD is the result of a collaboration between Google and iRiver will almost certainly be seen as a selling point by many. It’s the first ebook reader to be integrated with Google’s eBookstore. Users will be able to choose their ebooks from Google and then download them straight to their reader by Wi-Fi.
Based upon the success of both the Kindle and Nook readers, it does look as if people prefer to buy their readers from companies which have a strong association with books. With the tie-up between the Story HD and Google’s eBookstore, that link is very much in place. The partnership could boost reader sales and raise awareness of Google’s eBookstore into the bargain.
The release of the Kindle 4, probably before the end of the year, will shake things up again no doubt. For the moment however, both Barnes and Noble and iRiver will make hay while the sun shines. It looks as if the ebook reader market isn’t completely ready to stabilize yet.