Amazon Ups the Ante
Sliding in a week before Apple’s iPhone event (tomorrow), Amazon announced their revamped Kindle lineup, which includes the new Kindle Fire. This 7″ multi-touch tablet goes well beyond the current Kindles since they include the ability to browse websites, watch movies, download apps, and, of course, read ebooks. Customers with an Amazon Prime membership will have access to thousands of movies and TV shows from the Kindle Fire. Furthermore, the relatively low price at $199 will offer consumers a much cheaper option than Apple’s iPad, which starts at $499. I recommend reading more about Amazon’s press conference and the other Kindles announced at ALA TechSource, but here’s quick video demonstrating the device.
So, how does this impact the library and the college? It’s not difficult to imagine a wider adoption of tablet devices, e-readers, and e-books among students and faculty. What types of new services can the library offer and what steps do you think we should take to be ready?
Posted on October 3, 2011, in e-Readers, ebooks, iPads, tablets. Bookmark the permalink. 2 Comments.
I heard that Amazon will lose money on this device because it costs more to manufacture then they will be selling it for.
So exciting! Looks like they’re trying to make a cheaper version of the iPad. Nice.