Reading More Gs On The Kindle

The arrival of the Kindle at AT&T stores represents more progress in the creeping distribution of Amazon’s popular e-reader. Originally, the Kindle was a 3G-only device powered by Sprint. However, the arrival of Wi-Fi-only competition from Barnes & Noble caused Amazon to respond with its own Wi-Fi-bound Kindle. Since then, far fewer consumers have opted to pay the 3G premium for either device, and Barnes & Noble decided to completely forego a cellular version of its Nook Color “reader’s tablet.” In contrast, category pioneer Sony has fallen behind as its entry-level e-reader, the Pocket Edition, lacks Wi-Fi and relies on PC sideloading.
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Despite CinemaNow, Best Buy Won’t Pooh-Pooh Vudu

As I’ve noted when discussing the e-reader market, Amazon and Barnes & Noble have an inherent advantage in garnering overall revenue given that they can call upon databases of millions of active book-buyers. When I wrote about the in-store Nook angle that Barnes & Noble was taking, I mentioned how electronics retailers could benefit from this level of integration. Last week, prior to the Google TV announcement, Best Buy announced it will offer its version of Sonic Solutions’ RoxioNow video program under its original CinemaNow brand, which Best Buy has acquired.

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