The Wall Street Journal reports that Amazon is developing Kindle 3, a larger (A4) screen version of the popular Kindle reader. This would appeal to newspaper publishers looking for ways to move beyond paper as a platform. The talk is that the Kindle 3 will be released before the end of the year.
Newspapers like the Wall Street Journal are available for the current Kindle readers. The cost is $9.99 a month. You start with a free 14 day subscription during which time you can cancel at any time.
The Kindle uses wireless technology to facilitate delivery of content anywhere in the US. Wireless coverage is one reason put up for the Kindle not reaching Australia yet.
The low cost service provided by newsagents is one reason newspapers are not under the same pressure as their US counterparts to find alternative distribution channels.
The model of the future. I can’t wait. After years of wasting much of the paper because I don’t read stock reports or motor racing news or gossip columns etc., I say, let’s keep scarce resources for more important needs. I also look forward to no more complaints from my life partner about black finger marks on the furniture from printer’s ink. Kindle, with a nice black on white background, shows the way forward. And it will be even better for magazines than newspapers.
Sorry, delivery newsagents, but this is an idea whose time is fast approaching.