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Bezos’ Kindle From A School Teacher’s Perspective

Posted on December 16th, 2007 by AG

Amazon just launched it’s e-book KINDLE. So here come the debates about whether electronic devices can replace books. Well, no, they can’t but they can provide an alternative that, perhaps, helps us eliminate clutter, protect kids from inappropriate content and help prevent back strain (in the long run).

Sony’s Reader failed to sell like hotcakes. Is the Kindle destined for the same fate? Upon learning a bit about it, I think there’s a chance for marginal success even though the Reader is sexier:

  • The Kindle requires no cables, no computer and no syncing. Why this has appeal: No Time Wasted.
  • Revolutionary electronic-paper display provides a sharp, high-resolution screen that looks and reads like real paper.
  • Uses a high speed data network to retrieve books (think cell phones)….no need to hunt for a Wi-Fi hotspot.
  • Top U.S. newspapers including The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and Washington Post; top magazines including TIME, Atlantic Monthly, and Forbes—all auto-delivered wirelessly.
  • More than 88,000 books available, including 100 of 112 current New York Times® Best Sellers.
  • Buy a book and it is auto-delivered wirelessly in less than one minute. (Books will cost$9.99)

On the downside, Kindle does not support open standards (pdf, rtf).

Personally, I’ll hold out on both the Reader and Kindle but my Teacher Mind has me thinking, “Hmm, instant distribution of information (textbooks) without the distractions of advertising and no textbooks to break the back of students?”. Could be that schools might be the biggest buyers if Jeff Bezos would direct market this thing to Educational Leaders. Then again, he didn’t listen to Seth Godin. You be the judge…go see the KINDLE.

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Filed under: Kindle, Sony Reader, american culture, e-books, education, education change, education technology, marketing

One Response to “Bezos’ Kindle From A School Teacher’s Perspective”

  1. Kindle 2 Features, on March 8th, 2009 at 12:19 am Said:

    There is obviously a lot to know about this. I think you made some good points here. Thanks!

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