[Mickey330]

I've read through all this thread ... and all the ones talking about the new Kindle. And, I have to admit, the new K3 sounds pretty tempting! Especially now that Amazon has moved from its "You can have any color you want, so long at it's white" stance, the device has become almost attractive (I say almost because I still like bare-bones readers - and that keyboard is still just, well, there).

Speaking from a USA-centric standpoint - 'cause that's where I live and all I can really see/speak about - I think Amazon's Kindle is going to kick some serious e-reader butt, at least here in the USA.

In this "instant gratification" world, a $139 (US) reader that can access a bookstore with 10s of 1000s of books, access other web sites to get/download free books, all from the comfort of your couch, on a train, on a bus, etc. ... I can see the attraction. Heck, I have a great e-reader and I am seriously tempted!

It's because of advertising. Amazon has done a masterful job at getting brand recognition in front of the masses. The first e-reader I heard about was the Kindle, right from its inception. Of course, I already used Amazon as one of my online retailers of choice, but still - where were Sony's advertisements? The only thing that stopped me from buying a Kindle was the sure and certain knowledge that I'd spend a fortune on e-books, which was something I was trying to cut back on.

My first e-reader was the Sony PRS-600 and it was an impulse buy. Impulse because it was in the store at Borders when I was there. I was already prepped for an e-reader after hearing about the Kindle. So, I bought the Sony. Then I did my research and found out about DRM, MobileRead, ePub, accessing the public library, etc.

And that’s my point (you were hoping I’d get there, yeah?). It’s advertising, marketing and presence! For the non-Kindle (and probably, maybe, the non-Nook) e-readers, they’ve got to get into the public’s mind. And that, in my opinion, is a physical presence.

I have a Pocketbook 360° and I love it to bits. But, when I’m out in public, the first question I am usually asked is “That’s neat! Is that a Kindle?” Sigh. I blame Pocketbook Global for this. In my opinion, if they are going to seriously compete with the instant gratification of Kindle (and cheap gratification at that!) here in the USA, they are going to have to move the Pocketbook line off the Internet and into a store. Heck, get the thing into Wal-Mart (with good displays - Sony’s aren’t that great). Yeah, roll your eyes at the mention of Wal-Mart - but there is a heck of a market there.

Finally, I like fjtorres’ [off-the cuff, semi-serious] remark - maybe Pocketbook should look into ways of working with Amazon to get whispernet/Topaz/azw format authorized for the Pocketbook line of readers. If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em! Plus, I don’t think Amazon will mind losing some market share in e-readers. Mainly because I firmly believe Amazon’s main goal is to be THE e-book merchant. If they can put a Kindle app on almost every other device out there - why not the Pocketbook line?

IMHO, it comes down to presence for all the non-Kindle makers. I don’t want to see the domination of Amazon’s Kindle to the exclusion of all others. I like choice, both in e-readers and format (and notice I’ve not gotten into DRM - that’s a whole ‘nother topic!). I like the simplicity of the PB360 and I don’t want to see it disappear. When I need a new e-reader, I sure hope Pocketbook is there. But, IMNSHO, the other e-reader companies are going to have to chase Amazon via brick and mortar stores. And, they’d better hurry before Amazon gets there...

Marilyn