I don’t know about you but I still remember the day I ordered Amazon Kindle 1. I was one of many people who ordered the device as soon as it came out. It’s true that it took Amazon weeks to ship out the device and many of us did not know what exactly we were getting with Amazon Kindle. But the chance to play with a decent e-book reader was too much to resist. Fast forward a couple of years, and we are at the same point again, this time with Apple iPad. Apple iPad is not a pure e-book reader. It does not take advantage of E-ink technology and is certainly not as energy efficient as a Sony Reader or Kindle. Nevertheless, it is expected to outsell Amazon Kindle in a fairly short period of time thanks to the power of Apple’s marketing machine.

With Kindle, we knew we were getting an e-book reader. It was a fairly one-dimensional device designed for those who wanted to move away from paper books to e-books. The iPad is a whole other animal. It’s a multi-purpose device that can be used as an e-book reader, a gaming gadget, or a business management tool. While many are expected to pre-0rder the device today, that seems a bit risky to me. For starters, we don’t really know what we are getting with the iPad. Apple has been secretive about the capabilities and restrictions of the device. The fact that you can only order the WiFi model today is not good news either.

The iPad is expected to provide publishers with a whole new platform for dynamic content and multi-media books. The device is certainly shiny and has the looks. Unfortunately, it seems many early iPad adopters are picking up the device for that reason alone. Quite frankly, pre-ordering a device that we just don’t know too much about this early on is not a smart move. The demand for the device could be so high that some of us may have to wait a few additional weeks to get our hands on it. If you are looking for an e-book reader, chances are you can wait a bit longer just to make sure the iPad is what you are looking for.

Let’s not forget Apple’s track-record either. The iPhone 1.0 was not what I’d call a perfect device. Many glitches were found in the device and some popular features were missing as well. The same can be said about the iPad. We are still not sure whether Apple is going to add a web-cam to the iPad. There are many unanswered questions about Apple’s content partnerships as well. Some of these questions may be answered in the next few weeks, so it may be smart to wait a bit longer to know more about the iPad. If the device is as good as Apple claims it to be, it’ll be worth the wait.

Will you be pre-ordering the iPad? Why or why not?

Credit: PC World

As Apple gears up towards releasing the iPad next month, its competitors are scrambling to come up with their own solutions to keep up with the company. We already know that Amazon is working on Kindle Touch (though no release date has been announced). The company is not stopping there. Amazon has no intention of going head to head against Apple alone. That’s why its forming partnership with other Apple competitors to mount a more serious challenge against Apple’s new creation. It seems Dell and Amazon have joined hands to bring Amazon Kindle to Dell Mini 5 (an Android tablet that aims to take on the iPad). Dell’s tablet is expected to have access to Amazon books, mp3 content, and videos.

This move shows that Amazon may be ready to finally bring its Kindle program to Android platform. The fact that Dell tablet owners can use their Kindle’s 3G connection to connect to Amazon store without any fees is a big plus as well. Dell’s best bet is to position itself as a more affordable solution than iPad for those interested in tablets. But no-one expects Dell to stop Apple in its tracks. The move does show Amazon is willing to compromise and join hands with other Apple rivals to bring its Kindle platform to as many devices as possible.

Amazon Kindle for Android may not be out yet, but that seems to be the next logical move by Amazon. Will Amazon bring its Kindle app to iPad? Now that’s something we have to wait to find out.

Every Kindle fan has been wondering how Amazon is going to respond to Apple iPad. The iPad is not an e-book reader and does not take advantage of E-Ink screen technology. But the device has the marketing power of Apple behind it. The fact that there will be thousands of apps available for the device in iTunes does not hurt either. We already know that Amazon intends to release Kindle Touch in the near future but is it all a little too late?

Amazon has real reasons to be nervous about Apple iPad. Apple intends to manufacture 5 million units in the first half of 2010, and it could pass Kindle’s sales mark in just 3 months. While it may take Apple more than 3 months to beat Kindle numbers (3 million), the iPad is widely expected to become the next king of the hill in the e-reader market. The iPad may not be the best e-book reader on the market, but that won’t matter as Apple has positioned the device as “cool” and “revolutionary.” The curiosity factor is certainly there for many consumers.

Amazon is going to feel the heat from Apple iBooks as well. Apple has been working with content publishers to bring exclusive content and low e-book prices to iPad customers. e-books are expected to generate a significant amount of revenue for Apple, so it’s no wonder analysts are so upbeat about the company’s future.

Apple iPad is not going to be the best pure e-book reader on the market. It will be in the mix though. It may not take advantage of E-ink technology, but it has the potential to provide more value to its owners than Kindle or Nook. Let’s hope Amazon does its homework and develops a Kindle 3 that can hold its own against the iPad. It’d be truly a shame for Amazon to let this market slip through its fingers. The good news is whatever happens, e-book fans win in the end.

Your turn: will you be picking up an iPad when it’s released to the market? Why or why not?

iZel: the most innovative stand for iPhone, Kindle, and most other portable gadgets that you may have. It’s very well designed and makes it so easy to multi-task.

M-Edge FlexStand Kindle Bookstand: a super flexible stand for Kindle 2 by M-edge, which happens to manufacture some of the best cases for Kindle. It’s light-weight and portable too.

Mivizu Hard Candy Kindle 2 Case and Stand: a thin case and a Kindle stand fit all into one accessory. It’s quite portable and provides protection against scratches as well.

Tuff-Luv Napa Leather case cover: a case/stand hybrid that is not only very attractive but makes it so easy to read your Kindle on your desk. It keeps your gadget vertically stand still and is a super case as well.

M-edge Platform Jacket for Kindle 2: another decent case for Kindle that acts as a vertical stand for your Kindle as well. So you hit multiple targets with one stone.

Insight Adjustable Book & Copy Holder: a cool stand that can not only hold your Kindle but your regular books as well. It’s very affordable and solid. Supports both landscape and portrait viewing modes.

OCTO Metal Stand for Amazon Kindle 2: a very solid metal stand for Kindle 2. You can use it to charge your Kindle while you are reading your newspaper or doing other things on your Kindle.

Cyncronix Adjustable Kindle Stand: one of the most flexible Kindle stands on the market. It’s super thin (1 mm), and its angle can be adjusted easily.

The above stands are handy accessories to use your Kindle at your office or home more conveniently. They hold your Kindle still and safe, allowing you to get more reading done.

Your turn: what’s your favorite Kindle stand?

As the above Engadget video indicates, Microsoft Courier is a dual screen tablet that is designed for e-book junkies, designers, and everybody in between. The device will have two 7 inch screens and will be multi-touch capable as well. It’s expected to run Microsoft’s latest mobile OS and could weigh as low as 1 lb.

The device does look too good to be true at this point. Such a device can’t cost nowhere near what most e-book reader fans are willing to pay. Besides, it’s not known who Microsoft is planning to partner with to provide Courier owners access to exclusive content. The concept is certainly a killer, but it is highly doubtful that the final product will have all the features as the device in the above video.

Your thoughts: does Microsoft Courier have a chance?

Credit: Investors.com

Perhaps it’s more alarming for Amazon to see that 27% of people who own an e-reader currently would have gone with Apple iPad had it been available for sale. This isn’t good news for B&N and other e-book readers (e.g. Plastic Logic’s Que Reader) either. I firmly believe that we have the next leader of e-reader market in Apple iPad. Not because it’s better equipped for reading e-books on the go, but the fact that Apple’s marketing machine can top anything Amazon can put up. Besides, Apple has been smart about iPad’s release. The company hasn’t rushed the device to the market and is slowly gaining support for the device among publishers. That’s something other Kindle competitors never accomplished.

Will Apple dominate the e-book reader market for long? It’s tough to say. The market is still growing, and there will be better devices and more exciting content partnerships in the future. But you can be sure that Apple will be around if iPad 1.0 is a success by any means.

Your take: if you were to pick up an e-book reader and the iPad was available for sale, which e-reader would you go with?

Penguin Books is one of many publishers that are expected to bring their dynamic content to the iPad. The company is expected to increase its sales from 4% to 10% thanks to the market that is being created by Apple. The publisher is pretty ambitious with its plan. As John Makinson, the company’s chief, put it, Penguin Books’ focus will be on dynamic content and innovation:

We will be embedding and streaming audio, video and gaming into everything we do. This will present us and the platform owners with technology challenges…. The definition of the book itself is up for grabs.

Those are exactly my thoughts. What we have come to accept as a “book” may not be the best way to consume content and pick up new information. Some people, including myself, will still prefer regular books to dynamic books. But these companies can’t know what consumers are willing to pay for unless they try different things. This dynamic platform that Apple is working on and will soon be replicated or adopted by other retailers will allow for more innovation and better quality content quality to make way to the market. Besides, consumers could have more ways to communicate with publishers and make themselves heard. Book 2.0 is not going to work for everyone. Nevertheless, it’s the future, so we may as well give it a chance.

OCTO Quilted Kindle 2 Leather Cover with Hinge: a great looking case for home and travel use. It gives you access to all of your Kindle’s functions and make it easy to use it when it’s inside the case.

M-Edge Kindle Trilogy: if you don’t want to spend too much time searching for Kindle accessories and just want to get a complete package fast, this is the one to try.

OCTO Weave Kindle 2 Leather Cover: a weave style leather cover that certainly has the looks and is convenient to use. It folds back to give you a more real reading experience.

Piel Frama Case for Amazon Kindle 2: a very stylish case for Kindle 2.0 that not only protects your Kindle but doesn’t add too much bulk.

OCTO Leather Slip Cover: one of the most stylish Kindle cases around. It’s not cheap by any means. It’s made out of Italian Embossed Leather with soft microfiber interior. It’s compact and very light.

Cole Haan Woven Cover Case for Kindle 2: super premium Kindle 2.0 protection cover. Almost as expensive as the device itself but worth the money if you are into fashion and can afford it.

Cole Haan Smooth Cover Case for Kindle 2: premium (and pricey) Kindle 2.0 cover for the rich among us.

Cole Haan Grain Cover Case for Kindle 2: now this is a cool looking cover for Kindle. Comes in two colors.

Cole Haan Patent Cover Case for Kindle 2: Cole Haan covers for Kindle 2.0 are designed for the fashion savvy nation.

M-Edge Flip Kindle Jacket: it’s a cool, light-weight jacket that keeps your Kindle safe and supports M-edge’s book-light as well.

M-Edge Icon Patent Leather Kindle Jacket: is not only very stylish and easy to carry around, but it keeps your Kindle secure as well. It’s solid enough to prevent your Kindle from getting damaged in minor accidents.

JAVOedge Lumberjack Flip Case: it is a very attractive case/stand hybrid for Amazon Kindle 2.0. It’s made out of animal friendly material.

Eco-nique natural Hemp Brown case cover: quite a unique case for Kindle. It’s an attractive hemp case for Kindle that protects your device and is eco-friendly.

M-Edge Trip Kindle Jacket: another light-weight and attractive case by M-edge that keeps your Kindle safe and allows you to use your M-edge booklight more conveniently with the case.

Noreve Case for Kindle 2.0: it’s made out of high quality leather. Comes with two interior slip pockets, holds your cash, passport or travel tickets. Great for travel.

Kerouac Case for Kindle 2: made out of leather, it comes with a thicker and sturdier design to help protect your Kindle against accidents.

OCTO Faux Leather Kindle Sleeve: a very compact case for Kindle 2.0 that provides protection against the elements, scratches and pressure.

OCTO Splash Proof Case: a very compact case for Kindle 2.0 that keeps your gadget secure against moisture and the elements. Works great on the beach.

TrendyDigital EasyRead Platform or Flip Style Kindle Cover: a case and a reading platform for Kindle 2.0. Keeps your gadget safe and lets you read more conveniently at home or on the go.

TrendyDigital WaterGuard Waterproof Case: another reliable case to take with you to the beach if you intend to take your Kindle with you.

Speck Products DustJacket Protective Cover: not only a case for your Kindle but also a vertical stand that lets you read more conveniently at your desk or on the go.

Halsea for M-Edge Kindle Jacket: is constructed of a laminated canvas with leather on the exterior and compatible with top book-lights as well. It’s stylish and comes in multiple styles and color schemes.

Mee Best-value Cover for Kindle 2: comes with multiple designs and is hard enough to protect your Kindle against minor accidents.

Austen Cover for Kindle 2: it’s a stain resistant, solid all around Kindle case that is strong enough to protect your Kindle against accidents while keeping it safe when you are on the move.

MaxGuard Plus Kindle Leather Cover: provides maximum surface protection for your Kindle while allowing you to access all the ports and buttons while your Kindle is inside.

Tuff-Luv Napa Leather case cover (Book Style): black beauty. It’s very soft but strong enough to keep your gadget safe. It’s a stand as well.

Tuff-Luv Napa Leather case cover (Flip case): the same as the above case, but it’s a different style of case. Some find flip cases more convenient, so it comes down to your taste.

TrendyDigital MaxGuard Leather Cover: stylish and great for those who are looking for a compact Kindle case. Has a place where you can store your notes as well.

OCTO Kindle 2 Leather Travel Pouch: designed for those who want to take their Kindle with them during their trips. It’s made from Black flawless Italian leather.

Amazon Kindle 2 Leather Cover: the official Kindle 2.0 cover. Not always the best but a sure bet.

Patagonia Book Case for Kindle 2: water resistant cover for Kindle 2.0.

Belkin Neoprene Sleeve Case for Amazon Kindle 2: high-grade leather cover for Kindle 2.0.

Mivizu Leather Book Cover: attractive, stylish, and very compact. Doesn’t add any bulk to your Kindle so you can take it on the road more conveniently.

M-Edge GO! Genuine Leather Kindle Jacket: an affordable Kindle jacket by M-Edge that is low profile yet keeps your Kindle safe on the go. It’s hinge system keeps your Kindle from dropping.

M-Edge Page Genuine Leather Kindle Sleeve: 100% genuine leather case that protects your Kindle’s screen and body. It’s very affordable too.

M-edge Executive Jacket for Kindle 2: another cool gadget for Kindle 2.0 from M-edge.

M-edge Prodigy Jacket for Kindle 2: yet another M-edge case for Kindle 2.0. Many colors to choose from.

Nero Leather Elite Kindle Case: gives you a lot of bang for your buck. It’s affordable, attractive, and gets the job done.

Sienna Leather Elite Kindle Case: affordable, stylish, and cheap case for Kindle 2.0. Certainly gets the job done.

Mod Flip Genuine Leather Amazon Kindle 2 Organizer Case: keeps your Kindle safe on the go and comes with a clasp closure to give you peace of mind. It also can hold your credit cards as well.

Hard BRIEF Carrying  Pouch case Cover Sleeve: Protects your gadget from bumps, shock, and scratches. It’s affordable too.

USA Gear Premium Kindle 2 Case: an affordable case for Kindle that does have the looks and protects it from drops, scratches, liquid and dust.

OCTOVO sleeve for the Amazon Kindle 2: a slide-in protective case for Kindle 2.0.

Case Crown Double Memory Foam Pouch Case: an affordable case that lets you take your Kindle and a few accessories with you.

CaseCrown Double Memory Foam Pouch Case With Pocket: if you like the above case but want additional room for more accessories, this case has an additional pocket for you.

M-Edge Leisure Kindle Jacket: a compact case that is made of durable ripstop nylon and includes a large zipper pocket for storage of chargers and other accessories.

M-Edge Touring Kindle Sleeve: lightweight, simple, yet convenient. An affordable way to take your Kindle 2.0 on the go.

M-edge Platform Jacket for Kindle 2: M-edge jacket for Kindle 2G comes in 17 flavors. It’s solid, durable, and protects your Kindle as well.

Timbuk2 Nylon Kindle Sleeve: very affordable sleeve for Kindle 2.0. High-density foam provides maximum Kindle protection.

M-Edge Latitude Kindle Jacket: a double zippered jacket that is made of ripstop nylon with grey polar fleece interior.

Amazon Kindle Stealth Fiber Elite Case: slim, durable, and affordable case for Amazon Kindle 2. Gives you access to all your gadget’s important functions when it’s inside.

Sport Zip Case/Travel Pack for Kindle: it’s designed for those who want to take their Kindle, its chargers, and cables with them without having to deal with too much bulk.

WaterField Designs Kindle Case: yet another cool case for your Kindle 2.0. It protects yourself against drops and accidents.

Neoprene Sleeve with front accessory pouch: a pretty affordable and functional pouch for e-book readers such as Kindle, Sony reader, and more.

GelaSkins Protective Skin for Amazon Kindle 2: protects your Kindle against scratches!

Note Pad Design Protective Decal Skin Sticker: another protective skin for your Kindle 2 that makes it look like a notebook.

Bags

Timbuk2 Kindle Messenger Bag: if you want to take your Kindle on the go and protect it at all times, this bag is a nice one to own. It also has space for your accessories and other items.

Messenger Bag for Amazon Kindle 2: Messenger bag made of Italian leather and canvas made exclusively for your Kindle 2.0.

Geno Kindle 2 Multi-Pocket Messenger Bag: it works great with Kindle 2 and 1. It’ very portable and great for taking your accessories with you.

Nomadic Multi-Pocket Messenger Bag: a very stylish messenger bag for Kindle 2.0. Lets you take all your accessories and add ons with you. Great for travel.

Other

2-Year Extended Warranty for Kindle 2.0: protect your Kindle against accidental drops. Read all about it here.

Essential Kit for the Amazon Kindle 2: DC Car Charger Adapter cable and a AC Wall Charger Adapter cable for your Kindle, allowing you to charge your device rapidly (rapid charger).

Amazon Kindle 2 Replacement Power Adapter: it’s not possible to lose your Kindle charger before even you have the device itself, right? Well, if you feel as if you are going to lose your charger sometime in the future, Amazon will have plenty of replacement power adapters in stock.

Gadgetguard’s Full Device Protector: unlike CP, this protector keeps your whole Kindle self against scratches and accidents. A bit more expensive but gives you piece of mind.

Kandle LED Book Light: a unique, super portable book light that is compatible with top e-book readers. It’s very adjustable and doesn’t put any scratches on your Kindle either. Great for travel.

M-Edge e-Luminator2 Kindle Booklight: a cool light for Kindle 2.0 that lets you enjoy a better reading experience on your device. It’s very flexible and portable as well.

Kindle 2 USB Laptop Light: a cool light for Kindle that makes it easier to read books without hurting your eyes.

Great Point Light Flex Neck Clip-On Reading Light: another portable light for Kindle, though I would have preferred it if this light worked with AA or AAA batteries. The neck is pretty flexible and the LEDs are pretty bright.

Mighty Bright XtraFlex2 Clip-On Light: a pretty flexible and affordable light for Kindle. You can move the neck around to find the best angle for you. You can also clip it on the top of your Kindle.

Universal Wall/Auto Charger for Kindle 2.0: charges your Kindle wherever your are. Automatically regulates voltage, so you won’t have trouble charging your Kindle regardless of your voltage input.

Stay tuned as we add more Kindle 2.0 accessories to this list in the near future.

Credit: AsusTek

AsusTek is one of the most electronics manufacturers in the world. The company is responsible for lots of innovative products, including CULVs, netbooks, and all in one PCs in the past few years. But it is not stopping there. It’s going after the e-book reader market as well. The ASUS DR-900 is the company’s latest effort to get its challenge in this market off the ground. The device is shiny, super thin, and support WiFi and 3G connections.

The videos of the device from CeBIT 2010 have already surfaced on the internet though it’s tough to figure out all the device’s features from these videos:

ASUS DR-900 reader is expected to support PDF, ePub, and other popular document formats. Many expect it to come with text to speech functionality as well. The battery life seems to be decent as well if the device does live up to its promise of 10,000 page turns per charge.

The downside is that ASUS doesn’t have content partnerships, so it’s going to be at a disadvantage against Amazon or B&N. It’d be interesting to see how the company gets around this issue. ASUS DR-900 does look promising, though it’s not a Kindle or Nook killer. But it’s always nice for consumers to have options.

Your thoughts: does DR-900 have a chance in the crowded e-reader market?

Amazon has made a practice of cutting Kindle prices to generate more interest in the device. No matter how much discount consumers get from Amazon, many still complain about Kindle being too expensive. That’s going to be a harder case to argue if Amazon does manage to lower Kindle’s price to $150. Freescale Semiconductor, whose products power the majority of e-readers on the market, has claimed that e-reader prices could drop to below $150 with the new processors that the company has developed specifically for e-book readers.

With the ARM core running at 800 MHz, the i.MX508 provides twice the rendering performance of Freescale’s previous eReader processors, resulting in faster page turns and snappy responsiveness for consumers. The increased processing capability also gives manufacturers the additional performance to add features like advanced touch solutions and the ability to run other value-added applications.

That’s quite interesting as Amazon Kindle 3 is expected to feature touch capability and Kindle apps. So the new processor does seem to be a good step forward for Amazon.

By integrating the E Ink display controller, the i.MX508 reduces part counts and lowers costs associated with electronic paper display control functionality by as much as 50 percent compared to systems without an integrated controller. Freescale’s i.MX508 processor also helps OEMs lower costs by integrating dual USB/PHY and cost-effective raw NAND memory.

It seems the costs of manufacture ring e-readers are going to come down dramatically. That means e-reader makers are going to have the chance to pass their savings to customers. But will they? We all know that e-reader makers are struggling to keep publishers under control. Some of these companies may have to reduce their cuts to increase publishers to stay on board. So don’t expect Amazon to suddenly announce a $100 discount on its new Kindles. Kindle 3 is expected to be a whole different animal in comparison to Kindle 2. It’s tough to see Amazon introducing such a device for $150. ebook-reader prices will drop in the future. But let’s not forget that e-book readers are just tools. Unit price is not everything.

Your take: how low would you want Amazon and other e-reader makers to go with their e-book reader prices? What’s the magic number for you?