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eBooks

With the announcement of the Kindle DX, Amazon has raised the bar for the transition to a paperless media. Coordinating with major publishers, including the New York Times, Washington Post and Pearson, the transition to electronic distribution of content is all but inevitable.

What Amazon revealed in the press event includes a larger 9.7” improved resolution screen (relative to the previous 6” screen on the Kindle 2), over 3 GB of storage space (opening up doors for enhanced media) and a thinner profile (it’s now less than an inch wide). Additionally, the new model features improved connectivity (full 3G Sprint wireless connections, along with real-time sync capability with Kindle applications), storage for up to 3,500 books, full PDF compatibility (allowing traditional e-Books to display on the device) and an auto-rotation feature (similar to the Apple iPhone.)

At $489, the new model is a bit pricey and the company has competition from all corners, ranging from startups to major media groups. Before handing over the market to Amazon, it’s important to look at the potential competitors who are angling for space in the market:

Sony Reader
As the largest competitor to the Kindle, Sony’s Reader features a touch-screen eInk platform complete with a virtual keyboard. Featuring a 6″ screen at 800×600 resolution, the model has similar specifications to the Kindle 2, but also features an integrated LED light and supports a wide range of DRM-Free Formats, including ePub, Rich Text and PDF, along with MP3, JPEG and various media formats. Sony introduced a partnership with Google, allowing it to publish nearly 1/2 million public domain books for the reader, giving owners free access to a large library of classics.

iRex Digital Reader
While the Digital Reader had a comparative advantage over the Kindle 2, with its 10.2″ 1024×1280 16-scale screen, the new Kindle DX nearly matches these specs at a lower price point (the iRex is priced at $749.) The model supports a 1GB SD card, along with HTML, PDF and text formats, along with images (but no sound.) Look for iRex to raise the ante with a new model that restores its technical advantages over the current generation Kindle.

Plastic Logic Reader
A well-backed Cambridge-based startup, Plastic Logic is coordinating its launch with a variety of major publishers. The paper-sized reader includes support for Microsoft Office documents, giving it more versatility for business users. Partnerships with major publishers such as the Detroit Free Press give the company a fighting chance at succeeding in an increasingly crowded market.

Apple
While Apple hasn’t formally announced an electronic reader, there are strong indications the company is working on a new flexible netbook that will include rich media capability. Reports suggest the company is working on a device that extends the capability of the iPhone, enabling gaming, reading and higher-end applications on the same platform based on OSX.