Apple iPad vs. Amazon Kindle

It’s a showdown that people have anticipated for a couple of years now. With the dawn of the Amazon Kindle, consumers began asking when Apple would join the fray and develop an e-reader of its own. Apple kept us all on edge, waiting, perhaps rightly so.

Just as people become accustomed to the notion of reading e-books, and publishers learn how to negotiate e-book prices with distributors, Apple unveils their version of the e-reader, which is that, but so much more. Furthermore, people have had a chance to get used to using the Apple format—the touch screen interface, the applications—and have come to love it. Apple waited until the market was good and ready for the iPad, and I believe they will reap the benefit of that in sales.

As there are sure to be strong advocates for each platform, I thought I would take this opportunity to explore the features, strengths, and pitfalls of each. I will no doubt be asked about this at some point (because I am getting a master’s degree in book publishing people seem to think I have something to say about such things as e-readers…) and I would like to sound educated on what each has to offer.

Apple iPad:
The iPad is an e-reader, but it is so much more. The diversity of the devise, the reasonable price, the advanced touch screen technology, and the sexy Apple brand will make the iPad a hit with a wide range of consumers. It’s for surfing the web, it’s for email, it’s for reading, it’s for listening to music, it’s for watching movies, it’s for keeping photos. There seems to be something for everyone here.

For all its flash, however, there are already a number of complaints coming from bloggers internet-wide regarding what the iPad lacks. For example, the iPad has no ability to multitask (forget listening to Pandora while surfing the web); there is no support for Adobe Flash (forget watching anything on Hulu); there is no access to magazines or periodicals through the iBooks store (sorry print journalism, looks like you’re going to die out after all); there is no camera or video chat (sorry to those hoping to use this sleek little devise to Skype with friends).

The list goes on regarding the iPads shortcomings. But truth be told, it’s still pretty cool. And Apple enthusiasts will likely overlook the cons in exchange for the hot new Apple product.

Amazon Kindle:
The Kindle is an e-reader—just an e-reader. But Amazon was the first runaway success in this market, and there is something to be said for the first out of the gate in this brave new world. Apparently millions of people already own this devise; the prices (at least for the time being) are rock bottom; the paper-like display makes for a comfortable, book-like reading experience; the 3G wireless coverage allows for access to reading materials from anywhere—no hunting for hunting for WiFi, no monthly contracts, no annual fees.
Amazon has sold the Kindle well. But it is still just an e-reader. It has no ability to surf the web; no color display; it’s expensive for its limited functions; there is no touch screen interface. There is nothing sexy about it. I suspect that those people who are most likely to read e-books are those who are most interested in having the newest, hottest technology on which to do so. Not good news for the Kindle.

It’s still early in the game for the Apple iPad and the Amazon Kindle. The conversation has just begun. The iPad hasn’t even hit shelves yet. In the coming months and years, each devise will see changes, and loyalties will settle among consumers. One company may come out on top. But I think each can maintain a viable share of the market in years to come, it’s just a question of niche.

Apple and Amazon are now in direct competition in the e-reader market, but the consumers in this market are diverse. Discovering their appropriate segment of the market and reaching that audience will allow both companies to find success.