Are Dedicated E-Readers Becoming Obsolete?

An article in technologyreview.com states that tablet sales are now surpassing e-readers and that Kindle sales are falling to Kindle Fire. A research firm anticipates that 15 million Kindles will be shipped this year, which is down by 40% from the previous year. As the article indicates, consumers apparently want more from their devices than the ability to read.

Amazon seems to be undermining itself by offering a tablet version of its product. The article suggests there isn’t room for both devices, and that tablets will apparently win the battle. You can find more in the article at http://www.technologyreview.com/news/508711/amazon-is-undermining-the-e-reader-market-it-created/

Speaking of battles, it appears that Wal-Mart and Amazon are in a battle for sales. Wal-Mart has stopped carrying Kindle products, and has stepped up its efforts to sell Apple tablets. They’re offering iPads at discounted prices and offering a $30 iTunes gift card in the bargain. According to a piece in The Motley Fool, Wal-Mart and Amazon have been on a collision course for some time, as Wal-Mart believes Amazon has encroached on its territory. It’s estimated that Amazon sales will reach $22 billion this season. Online sales growth has exceeded that of physical stores, and with the development of tablets, Amazon seems intent on grabbing an even larger share of the pie. It’s a strategy Wal-Mart doesn’t want to support. Neither does Target as they too pulled Kindle devices from their stores back in May. The tablet war is on! To read more, go to http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2012/12/17/retailers-put-amazons-kindle-in-the-crosshairs.aspx

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!