Amazon Kindle Slugs It Out with the Barnes and Noble Nook
Today Amazon slashed the price of their excellent Kindle wireless ebook reader by $70 (from $259 to $189), as they play for keeps in a price war with the Barnes and Noble Nook, just reduced from $259 to $199 (3G version). (They’re both probably feeling some heat from the Apple iPad, too.)
I still highly recommend the Kindle, even compared to an iPad. The comparison isn’t really apt, to begin with, because the iPad is a fantastic gadget that does much more than read ebooks. But if you’re interested in a dedicated reading device the Kindle has some real advantages. It’s much lighter than an iPad and more comfortable to hold for longer reading sessions, the e-ink display is easier on the eyes, and the ergonomically placed buttons and real (if tiny) keyboard make it much easier to page through books and search for stuff.
The Kindle is nicely optimized for doing one thing: reading comfortably. With the included 3G wireless connection (no contracts) and global coverage, the very large catalog of ebooks at Amazon, and the cross-platform apps that let you read Kindle books on many different devices (including the iPad!), the new price makes it even more attractive.
Previously at LGF:
Review: Amazon Kindle
The Kindle 2 Review
Barnes and Noble Announces the Nook