Amazon have just announced a major new development in the ebook market. Called Kindle, it is pretty much a complete service package - from the hand-held hardware technology to the ability to browse, download or retrieve content. View the demo video for further details.
Why should we care? Well, I can see a number of potential uses in education. As more and more content becomes fully digital - by which I mean described in XML format - students can have direct access to reading lists and text-based course materials. In addition, because of its in-built dictionary and links to wikipedia, students can investigate words and phrases of which they are unsure. From the video, bookmarking and annotation look straight forward too.
Generally, its advantages include a hosted back-up service for all your purchased content, fast wifi connectivity using mobile phone network technologies (but no additional charges other than the download fee - currently $9.99 per book), a good screen and no syncing requirements with your pc.
I won’t be buying one yet though. At US$399 a pop, it’s not cheap. Furthermore, it’s another hand-held device to lug around - and therein lies the rub. My phone is pretty much becoming the ubiquitous computing device I need. Why should I invest in another piece of chunky technology that only delivers books, doesn’t play music and video, or allow me to read my emails, etc, etc, and, worse still, ties me into one provider?
The ultimate let-down for me, though, is the fact that Kindle charges for newspaper and blog content. How retro a step is that? I think Bezos was dancing with the fairies at the bottom of his garden when he came up with that particular business model.
Nevertheless, I have always had a soft spot for Amazon, ever since living overseas in the late 90s and it being the only effective means I had to get hold of books for my students. I shall therefore watch developments with interest and not dismiss the venture too hastily.
