Sony PRS-700 Case
Amazon’s Kindle eBook reader is now on sale in the UK and Europe, shipped with a US power adaptor supporting voltages of between 100V and 240V so that it can be used anywhere in Europe. Amazon began offering the Kindle to Europe in late October 2009, thus breaking down the one barrier to its potential domination of the e-reader market.
It is not, however, sold from local Amazon sites such as Amazon.co.uk, but only from the American main website Amazon.com. It is sold in American dollars, and shipped from the US, although it is ordered by Europeans using their regular accounts. So what benefits does the Kindle offer over the other e-readers that have been available in Europe for some time and that most people interested in eBook readers now own. Examples include the Sony PRS, Cool-er and iRex, though there are several others against which the Kindle now has to prove itself.
It is being offered globally on the 3G network with no charges for the wireless connectivity that is used to download eBooks directly to the Kindle. However, blogs and the web browser they are experimenting with will not be available.
Is it too late for Amazon to enter the European market? Initial signs are no. Sales have been strong, particularly in the UK and Western Europe, where it appears that intelligent consumers are going for the Kindle’s range of features rather than looks. However, the strength of the iPhone in Europe could be serious competition once this has been modified to a fully featured e-reader. Apple is not known for being left behind in any technology. Furthermore, as it was noted in the article “Is the Future of Books in Mobile EBook Reading?“, the future likely lies in a portable digital reader that downloads and plays music, offers internet access, incorporates a digital camera and can be used as a mobile phone (Digital Book Readers).
The electronic libraries available to Kindle users are vast, with Amazon offering over 200,000 titles in the English language, and publishers such as Penguin, HarperCollins and Faber and Faber signing up to offer Kindle-compatible titles. To date only US newspapers and magazines are available, but it should not be long before the top UK and European newspapers are added to the list.
As stated, prices are in US dollars, and a Kindle currently sells to the UK from Amazon.com for $259 plus local customs, taxes and other charges, although accessories such as a charger, leather case cover and users guide are available from local Amazon sites in local currencies. In the UK that price equates to £157 UK – compared to the Sony PRS-505 at £225, the BeBook at £240 and the Cool-er at £190 (all to the nearest pound), then the Kindle appears to be the best deal.
You can get the Sony e-book Pocket for under £160 if you know where to look, and all of these products can be purchased at lower prices elsewhere using internet price comparison websites, but these are the basic prices on Amazon and a brief survey has indicated that they differentials are generally maintained elsewhere.
However, buying from the US site, it is not possible to find the actual price including duty and delivery until you actually provide your payment details. On doing that the price is £202.63: It still beats the Sony PRS and BeBook price, and given the limitations of the Cool-er and the size of the Sony Pocket that is cheaper still, there appears to be no reason why the Kindle should not be as successful in Europe as it is in the USA.
So what benefits does the Kindle offer over these competitors? Probably the backing of Amazon, the largest eBook distributor on the planet, is sufficient reason in itself. Add to that the amazingly clear screen with its e-ink technology, and everything that anybody could want in an e-reader, and then you have your answer. Add to that the 3G, that means you don’t have to dock your reader to anything, and it doesn’t even have to come within a 100 miles of a computer to work, then its competitors are dead in the water.
The battery has the longest life ever, and everything about it is about ease of use, ease and speed of download and storage capacity for 200 books, this has everything. Add to that the MP3 player that plays through built-in speakers or headphones that it shares with iRex (the Sony needs headphones), then you have a machine that is top of the class, and for which only the price was not right.
Now that the price is right in Europe compared to that of the competition then there should be no holding the Kindle back. At least not until Apple find a competitor to 3G to enable rapid downloading of eBooks, and then the world of e-readers will come alight again with a battle royal that Amazon might not relish – but knowing Apple, they will love!
About the Author:
Marco Gustafsson is author of articles on eBook Readers, e-inc technology and electronic books. Discover new dimension of reading here on Digital Book Readers
Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – Amazon Offer Kindle for Sale in Europe – Will they Succeed?
|
|
Body Glove Protective E-Reader Sleeve (9206301) $9.99 Body Glove Padded Neoprene Sleeve for Tablets & e-Readers provides padded protection for your tablet or e-reader. Zipper sleeve fully encases your tablet or e-reader while the padded interior provides added shock absorption.Fits:Amazon Kindle 2Amazon Kindle 3 (Keyboard)Amazon Kindle 4Amazon Kindle FireAmazon KindleTouchHTC EVO View 4G / HTC FlyerNookSamsung Galaxy Tab 7.0Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.0 Plu… |
|
|
BookArmor ™ BookCover Edition Travel Case for Sony PRS 700 PRS 505 Ships Free from Amazon! $22.95 The BookArmor ™ case is the ultimate travel companion for your Sony Digital Reader. The Reader fits perfectly inside with the SONY LEATHER SOFTCOVER on. Just slip the edges of the COVER (NOT THE READER) beneath the clear straps, and you’re ready to go. It is compact, zips securely, and protects both the screen and the controls, so that you are ready to read – anytime, anywhere. As Mr. Villa fro… |
|
|
BookArmor ™ BookCover Edition High Impact Travel Case for Sony PRS-505 PRS-700 $24.95 The BookArmor ™ BookCover Edition case is the ultimate travel companion for your Sony Digital Reader. The Reader fits perfectly inside with the soft-cover on. Just slip the edges of the cover beneath the clear straps, and you’re ready to go. It is compact, zips securely, and protects both the screen and the controls, so that you are ready to read – anytime, anywhere. As Mr. Villa from LA, USA s… |
|
|
iKross Car Windshield Mount Holder for Cell Phone, MP3, Windows, Android, Mobile Phone, Smartphone, Blackberry, Apple iPhone 4s $12.99 iKross Car Windshield Mount HolderBrand new iKross Car Windshield Mount Holder.Easily attach & secure suction cup on windshield without tools.Adjust flexible arm in multiple angles for easy viewing.Extra-firm arm absorbs vibration and provide stable viewing platform.Holder has 4 adjustable arms to hold your device firmly.Suitable for all vehicles windshield.Mount Dimension: 170 x 77 x 77 mm.Holder… |
|
|
EZOPower 2 USB Port 5000mAh Universal External Rechargeable Backup Battery+USB Charging Cable for CellPhone, PDA Mobile Phone, Ebook, MP3 Player, Portable Video Games Players and More!! $24.99 EZOPower External Backup Battery is the perfect solution for emergency power and power on the go. It includes a built-in battery that can be recharged by provided USB cable. 2 USB output could charge 2 devices (Cellphone, iPhone, iPod, MP3, Kindle, NDS, GPS, etc) at the same time. This is the perfect unit for campers, travelers, gadget enthusiasts, hikers, and power hungry consumers. Brand new E… |
|
|
iKross Car Dashboard Mount Holder for HTC MyTouch 4G Slide, Droid Incredible 2, Sensation, Inspire 4G, EVO 3D, Thunderbolt; Samsung Galaxy S2 I9100/I777, Epic Touch 4G D710, Hercules T989 ; iPhone 4, 4S, TomTom 2405 TM, 2405 TM, 2505 TM, 535T; Magellan Maestro 4220, Maestro 4210 and more Other GPS $24.99 iKross Car Dashboard Mount HolderBrand new iKross packaging.Easily attach & secure bean bag mount on dashboard without tools.Adjust the flexible arm any way you would like to suit your needs.Extra-firm arm absorbs vibration and provide stable viewing platform.Holder has 2 extended arms for wider depth and longer length.Angle can be adjustable for easy viewing.Suitable for all vehicles dashboard.Be… |
|
|
Non-OEM Sony Electronic Reading Device PRS-700 Dual Pocket Sleeve Case $14.95 PCMS Branded Non-OEM Case. 1 Year Unconditional Warranty if purchased through PCMicroStore. Bonus Young Micro TM Live Green Wristband!!… |
|
|
Assorted Color Neoprene Polychloroprene Carrying Case for Sony Prs-700bc Reader Digital Book (Sony PRS 700 eReader not included) … |
|
|
Sony Reader Digital Book with touch screen Glove Sleeve bag Cover carrying Case with Accessories Pocket — PINK + White Double Bright Sony reader 2 – LED Book Light + Vangoddy tm, Live*Laugh*Love wrist band!!! If you dont plan on carrying a back pack with you everywhere you’ll Take your Ereader than this sleeve is perfect! It Comes with a extra pocket for your charger and accessories!!! Great for both Convenience and protection!!! Vangoddy TM(Trademarked) WristBand states Live*Laugh*Love on the front with Vangoddytm inside!!! ***Sony Ereader NOT Included***… |
