Report: Sprint working with Barnes & Noble on Kindle competitor

DaleDe · 04-09-2009, 05:18 PM

Computer World posted the following article: http://www.computerworld.com/action/...&source=NLT_PM

Quote:

According to TheStreet.com, one unnamed wireless industry insider said that Barnes & Noble was working with Sprint after discussions for a similar deal ended with Verizon Wireless. The article also indicates that AT&T could be interested in working with the bookseller. ...

TheStreet.com noted that Barnes & Noble ended a three-year e-book partnership with Microsoft Corp. and Adobe Systems Inc. in 2003 because of disappointing demand for a tablet device they produced.

But the segment seems to have been reinvigorated, several analysts said. Amazon expects to net $63 million in profit from the Kindle, with more than $280 million in sales in 2009, according to Sandeep Aggarwal, an analyst at Collins Stewart.

The Kindle numbers seem interesting even tho it was not the focus of the article.

Dale

Elsi · 04-10-2009, 12:08 AM

This could be interesting. Will definitely watch to see what develops here.

daffy4u · 04-10-2009, 12:13 AM

Sprint is offering it's services all over the place. I came across this article, also from Computer World a couple of weeks ago.

Quote:

According to an unnamed source cited in The Wall Street Journal, Sprint is talking to GPS device maker Garmin Ltd., camera maker Eastman Kodak Co. and storage device maker SanDisk Corp. about providing wireless Internet access to their products. Sprint did not respond to a request to confirm that information.

Its strategy of striking deals with other companies to connect their products via Sprint wireless networks was demonstrated with Amazon's Kindle, where Kindle users can download books wirelessly using Sprint's high-speed data network.

In another example, Sprint said today it is the wireless network provider for Ford vehicles equipped with in-dash PCs.

SaraD · 04-10-2009, 12:37 AM

Oh well. I was really hoping for AT&T or Verizon. Sprint and T-Mobile simply don't offer coverage where I need it and roaming so far into rural areas Idaho, Montana, Washinton and Oregon just does not do the job, which is why I had to switch carriers for my cell phone. If the wireless aspect would actually work in more places I visit, I might be more interested in it for my e-book reader or other electronics toy. Until then it just is something I don't want to pay for or carry around as dead weight.

On a more cheerful note, maybe if Sprint does well enough at this type of sale they might increase the coverage area and that would be a happy thing.

rcuadro · 04-10-2009, 04:57 AM

Competition is great... an universal format would be even better

HarryT · 04-10-2009, 06:09 AM

Quote:

In another example, Sprint said today it is the wireless network provider for Ford vehicles equipped with in-dash PCs.

That sounds a little short-sighted. Does Ford imagine that nobody ever drives their car in a country other than the US? What happens if someone goes to Canada, or Mexico? No wireless coverage?

daffy4u · 04-10-2009, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

That sounds a little short-sighted. Does Ford imagine that nobody ever drives their car in a country other than the US? What happens if someone goes to Canada, or Mexico? No wireless coverage?

There probably is some of that (mostly those who live close to the borders) and I'm sure the vehicle owners will deal with it. The majority will likely never drive their cars out of the country (I never have with any of my cars).

rhadin · 04-10-2009, 03:45 PM

Daffy,

I think Harry means "Doesn't Ford think that people in countries other than the U.S. by Ford automobiles?" Of course, I may be wrong about that (so what's new?).

As for driving in another country, I have driven my car in Canada but there isn't a prayer of my driving my car in Mexico. OTOH, it doesn't matter to me what Ford does; we stopped buying anything but Subaru automobiles about 15 years ago.

But it does matter to me what B&N does. Why would anyone choose Sprint? It has the worst ratings of any major U.S. cell phone company by far and there has even been some question about whether it will survive.

daffy4u · 04-10-2009, 03:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rhadin

Daffy,

I think Harry means "Doesn't Ford think that people in countries other than the U.S. by Ford automobiles?" Of course, I may be wrong about that (so what's new?).

After re-reading his post, I see you're right. I would guess Ford would/could use another carrier for vehicles sold in other countries. Unfortunately, some things may not be available in very country (or region).

HarryT · 04-11-2009, 07:59 AM

No, I did actually mean "don't Ford think that people who buy cars in the US ever drive them to Canada and Mexico?"

. Obviously cars built for overseas markets wouldn't use a US-only provider.

I must confess, though, that I've never heard of an "in-car PC". How does it operate?

daffy4u · 04-11-2009, 10:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

No, I did actually mean "don't Ford think that people who buy cars in the US ever drive them to Canada and Mexico?"

. Obviously cars built for overseas markets wouldn't use a US-only provider.

I must confess, though, that I've never heard of an "in-car PC". How does it operate?

I don't believe it's on the market yet. I've not seen any advertising for it.

pilotbob · 04-11-2009, 07:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

I must confess, though, that I've never heard of an "in-car PC". How does it operate?

Most "in the car" PC's are aftermarket or DIY devices. Some people consider the Navigation/Audio system combo as a car computer too. Also, car "computers" can be very simple. We had a 90 something Dodge Caravan which has a "computer" that calculated miles to go on tank of gas, gas milage and other simple basic stuff like that.

BOb

HarryT · 04-12-2009, 03:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pilotbob

Most "in the car" PC's are aftermarket or DIY devices. Some people consider the Navigation/Audio system combo as a car computer too. Also, car "computers" can be very simple. We had a 90 something Dodge Caravan which has a "computer" that calculated miles to go on tank of gas, gas milage and other simple basic stuff like that.

BOb

Of sure, most modern cars have an "on-board computer" of that type, but this made it sounds like a standard PC!

rhadin · 04-12-2009, 09:34 AM

Harry, they are referring to connecting your PC to the Internet via the car, not the onboard diagnostic computer.

HarryT · 04-12-2009, 09:36 AM

Yes, that's what I thought it meant. I've never come across that in the UK - is it common now in the US?

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04-10-2009, 12:08 AM	#2
Elsi Wizard Posts: 2,366 Karma: 12000 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Texas, USA Device: Kindle; Sony PRS 505; Blackberry 8700C	This could be interesting. Will definitely watch to see what develops here.

04-10-2009, 12:37 AM	#4
SaraD Groupie Posts: 161 Karma: 2670 Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Mead, WA, USA Device: Sony 650, Basic Kindle 7th generation	Oh well. I was really hoping for AT&T or Verizon. Sprint and T-Mobile simply don't offer coverage where I need it and roaming so far into rural areas Idaho, Montana, Washinton and Oregon just does not do the job, which is why I had to switch carriers for my cell phone. If the wireless aspect would actually work in more places I visit, I might be more interested in it for my e-book reader or other electronics toy. Until then it just is something I don't want to pay for or carry around as dead weight. On a more cheerful note, maybe if Sprint does well enough at this type of sale they might increase the coverage area and that would be a happy thing.

04-10-2009, 04:57 AM	#5
rcuadro Wizard Posts: 1,686 Karma: 874275 Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Virginia Beach, VA Device: Kindle DX	Competition is great... an universal format would be even better

04-10-2009, 03:45 PM	#8
rhadin Literacy = Understanding Posts: 4,833 Karma: 59674358 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: The World of Books Device: Nook, Nook Tablet	Daffy, I think Harry means "Doesn't Ford think that people in countries other than the U.S. by Ford automobiles?" Of course, I may be wrong about that (so what's new?). As for driving in another country, I have driven my car in Canada but there isn't a prayer of my driving my car in Mexico. OTOH, it doesn't matter to me what Ford does; we stopped buying anything but Subaru automobiles about 15 years ago. But it does matter to me what B&N does. Why would anyone choose Sprint? It has the worst ratings of any major U.S. cell phone company by far and there has even been some question about whether it will survive.

04-11-2009, 07:59 AM	#10
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383043 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	No, I did actually mean "don't Ford think that people who buy cars in the US ever drive them to Canada and Mexico?" . Obviously cars built for overseas markets wouldn't use a US-only provider. I must confess, though, that I've never heard of an "in-car PC". How does it operate?

04-12-2009, 09:34 AM	#14
rhadin Literacy = Understanding Posts: 4,833 Karma: 59674358 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: The World of Books Device: Nook, Nook Tablet	Harry, they are referring to connecting your PC to the Internet via the car, not the onboard diagnostic computer.

04-12-2009, 09:36 AM	#15
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383043 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	Yes, that's what I thought it meant. I've never come across that in the UK - is it common now in the US?

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