They didn’t speculate for long before the general consensus was agreed though! That nothing other than a new tablet Kindle could be the reason for the event.

The thing is Amazon don’t go around holding press conferences very often. So whatever is planned for Sept 28th has to be big, really big. In fact the only similar events held previously have generally introduced us to new Kindle hardware, so it would make sense that something similar is coming this time too.

Kindle Tablet Success?

Whilst we do not doubt that any new Kindle product is likely to do well, will it really do as well as it needs too? Whilst it might not be what everyone wants, there does seem to be a huge interest in an affordable multi-function device that is truly portable. Whilst a seven inch tablet might not fit in everyone’s pocket it will certainly be easier to carry around than Apple’s current offering.

The new 7″ tablet will face some stiff competition. After all everyone and his mother seem to be attempting to jump on the tablet band-wagon. However, so far, few are really managing to produce what customers actually want. The biggest stumbling block for all (including Amazon’s tablet) is that they aren’t iPads, and that is something there is simply no getting away from. However, whereas other manufacturers are selling simply a device, at least Amazon have a whole host of content provision sorted out. You won’t be buying just one gadget, but a portal to the Amazon store with its wealth of music, film, applications, books and more.

Amazon will be stretched even further because 7″ just doesn’t deliver what 9 or 10″ will! However, with a loyal band of millions of Kindle reader owners that are happy with a measly 6″ there should be a fair few interested parties turning up to buy into a new tablet that is priced low.

There is a lot to suggest that a new Kindle tablet from Amazon will indeed be a success. And announcing its release date late in September will initiate a holiday shopping scramble no doubt!

Historically new Kindle releases are brought to us by the end of the summer.  And, since Jeff Bezos has been suggesting we stay tuned to find out more about Amazon’s move into the mobile computing world, it would make sense that something similar will happen for their master-stroke device.  A 10″ quad-core tablet using the Android Honeycomb operating system could access Amazon’s cloud computing system, as well as be the perfect platform for their video streaming service released earlier this year.

A Kindle Movie Tablet release date of August or September 2011, with a free trial period (at least) of video streaming is definitely on the cards according to Detwiler Fenton.

What is most exciting is news that this high end device will come with a $399 price tag.  This gives it a marked definition compared to the iPad which starts at $499.  A key to the success of an potential tablet PC entering the market today, is that it stands out as something different, rather than simply an Apple copy.

Whilst their expected color Kindle tablet will be an entry level device, focusing more on ebooks and less on multi-media, this 10″ tablet will be the hot contender against the iPad.

With Amazon gradually creating a mobile computing hub with android applications, cloud storage, video and music on demand, they could tempt wary consumers into the tablet market for the first time.

It now seems more likely that the 10″ Hollywood tablet won’t hit the stores until spring 2011. But that isn’t to say we won’t be seeing something new and exciting from Amazon before hand. A seven inch Kindle tablet release is due to be announced on Sept 28th. If sales of that new device do as well as expected, expect a larger model in a few months time.

If anything it has been a real surprise just how long Amazon have waited to introduce such a device.

But, it seems like the wait maybe nearly over, since a color Kindle release date looks imminent.  If the history of Kindles is anything to go by we should hear some definite news by the middle of July, with release expected by the end of the summer 2011.  The Kindle 3 was announced mid July, and started shipping on 27th August so something similar would be sensible.

After all a late summer / early fall release date would put the color Kindle firmly onto just about everyone’s holiday shopping lists, which obviously would be something Jeff Bezos would be pretty keen on!

We will of course keep you posted, but expect the small Kindle tablet (codenamed the Amazon Coyote) to give you a lot more bang for your buck than the color Nook reader though.  We expect the new tablet to have far more functionality, and to really perform as a compact tablet PC, rather than merely a back-lit ebook reader.

Update - On 28th Sept Amazon are holding a rare press conference in New York. This is something previously only done to announce big new changes, such as the release of new ebook reader hardware. So could this be the day we finally find out the Amazon tablet release date.

With a full touch-screen display, and the latest Pearl e-ink technology this is the latest, and the best ebook reader from Barnes & Noble so far.

Click for Pricing & Customer Reviews

The All New Nook is being marketed as the Simple Touch Reader.  But it is not to be confused with cheaper, inferior reading devices.

Our guess is that people with either love or loath the curvy wi-fi reader when it starts shipping on 10th June 2011.

The upgrade to Pearl e-ink will give the newer device much improved clarity, contrast and definition when compared to the Nook Classic eBook Reader.

Of course adding a touch screen to the entire display means that the new reader loses the cute colorful touch-screen panel that the old one had.  This means they have been able to condense the entire thing into a much smaller package (it now weighs only 8 ounces).  But of course some folks would have liked the touch of color that the older version had – it was particularly good when browsing your library.  And, though the new model is more portable and comfortable to hold, it seems to have a rather large frame.  But, on the plus side that plastic body has been given a rubberised feeling paint so it is super comfortable to hold in your hand.

Only available as a wi-fi device, the new Nook goes on sale on 10th June priced at $139 making it a hot competitor against Amazon’s wi-fi Kindle 3.

The big selling point for this is that touch navigation.  And, don’t worry they haven’t put a touch-screen film over the all important e-ink either, so there is no distortion of the display quality.  Instead the Sony Readers touch technology has been utilised.  This is based on infra-red sensors placed around the edge of the display that can see where you are touching the screen.  In fact you don’t have to touch it at all.  Hold your finger a hair’s breadth away from the display and you will get an instant reaction.  You can find out more detail about this amazing touch screen technology here.

Barnes & Noble are touting this as having a two month battery life.  Don’t be fooled though, it has the same battery life as the Kindle 3, its just that B&N are calculating theirs on users reading for only 30 minutes a day, whereas Amazon used to allow us an hour’s reading to estimate a battery life of one month!

But with ePub support, an expandable memory and new social applications to make lending and updating your friends about what you’re enjoying at the moment, the latest Nook Touch will attract a lot of interest, from those wanting to avoid the Amazon monopoly on Kindle formatted text.

New Nook Touch – The Simple Touch Reader

The latest Nook is smaller, brighter, faster and much neater than ever.   A squat body and a black rubberised body give a new feel to the device.

Using infra-red touch screen technology lets you navigate more easily without compromising the display (which is new and improved Pearl e-ink).

Only available as a wi-fi reader this is running on Android but can not run any apps and is definitely a dedicated ebook reader for those on a budget.  If you want to read, and read only, it is just the ticket.  But we do wish it was a little more competitively priced!

Classic Nook Ebook Readers

Updated – please note since the introduction of the new touch-screen Nook the Nook Classic have been reduced in price and will be slowly phased out.

This is the big competitor to Amazon’s Kindle 3 reader.  Using the an e-ink Vizplex display the reading experience is very similar to the current Pearl e-ink used by Amazon.  It allows for low power and high definition, making it great for reading.

Where the device differs significantly is by adding a color touch-screen for navigation.  This does away with the need for a keypad and makes navigating menus and your libraries far more intuitive, as well as simply giving the device a sexier look.

There are two to choose from.  One offers both 3G and wi-fi whilst the cheaper versions has only wi-fi.

As with Amazon’s reader you have a basic web browser so can use the wi-fi connection to access your email and browse online.  Of course, this is a simple monochromatic display so you won’t find web browsing quite as enjoyable as from a tablet or computer, but for basic access it more than manages.

The Barnes & Noble store offer around 2 million ebooks for sale, and because this ebook reader supports ePub format you are free to buy books elsewhere relatively easily.

You get a library online so any B&N purchases (along with your notes) will be backed up for you to transfer to other devices in the future.  Of course there are Nook apps available for all the leading handheld gadgets too so that you can read on smart phones and tablets as well as the Nook reader itself.

Key benefits (for some at least), of the Nook over Amazon’s Kindle are:

• An SD slot so you can expand the memory as needed (around 1500 books can be stored on the internal memory alone).
• The color touch-screen panel for easier navigation.
• Ability to upload photos to the reader for use as personalised screen savers.
• The original book lending facility, which has since been adopted by Amazon too.
• The support of ePub so that downloading books from other sites is more easy.  However, you can convert ePub to Amazon’s .azw Kindle format with a little help from Calibre software.
• Ability to borrow ebooks from libraries (though Amazon are introducing this facility too in 2011).

The drawbacks are:

• Only a 10 day battery life (rather than up to 4 weeks.
• Note taking and annotations can be a little difficult to get used to on the Nook.
• The B&B ebook store is not as large as Amazon’s
• The price is $10 more for each than the equivalent Kindle.
• The older e-ink displays used on the Nook aren’t as high quality as the newer Pearl ones used by Amazon.

As far as we can see the classic Nook ebook reader is dieing a rather slow death at the expense of the Kindle, and its bigger brother the Nook Color Reader:

Nook Color Ebook Reader / Tablet

Whilst the original classic Nook is starting to look a little tired, B&N hit upon a rather impressive idea with the Nook Color, released in 2010.  Rather than using e-ink, this is a back-lit LCD touch-screen just like those used in modern tablet PCs.

In fact a tablet is what this really is, albeit a tablet designed with reading in mind as its primary function.

Of course, web browsing is a whole lot more enjoyable when you have the speedy refresh rates, and high definition color of an LCD screen.  But, you are unlikely to be using this at the beach since LCD also means lots of glare.

With its built in wi-fi you can surf and download new titles just about everywhere at no cost.

And, if you are simply itching to buy a tablet but don’t want to pay the hefty price tag associated with most apparently these can be hacked to make them run more like the Android tablet device it is.

Current views are describing the Kindle 3 as the best e-ink based ebook reader, and the Nook Color as the best LCD based one, and we think they are probably right.  Which also begs the question, when will Amazon release a Kindle tablet to compete?

There are currently several different Kindle eBook Readers available to buy new:

• The Kindle 4 with wi-fi (with or without sponsored ads and special offers)
• The Kindle keyboard 3G and wi-fi (with or without sponsored ads and special offers)
• The Kindle Touch with wi-fi or 3G and wi-fi (with or without sponsored ads and special offers)
• The Kindle Fire Tablet wi-fi
• The Kindle DX with 3G

Click to View All Kindles & Customer Reviews

 6″ Kindle Readers

Now the first three are all extremely similar.  With their six inch Pearl e-ink displays they all offer exactly the same reading experience.  Where they differ is how you can access the internet and the Kindle ebook store on them.  You can choose either wi-fi, or the flexibility of wi-fi and 3G, so you switch depending on where you are.

You can also choose whether or not to have a “real” keyboard, or to use a touch-screen virtual one. Finally you can save your money and go for the simpler Kindle 4 which is not touch-screen and relies on a virtual on-screen keyboard.

7″ Kindle Fire Tablet

This is unique amongst the Kindle range. It is not a true ebook reader, but instead a multi-functional tablet computer, using a back-lit LCD display to make books, games and movies come alive.

9.7″ Kindle Reader

The last model, is the much larger DX with the 9.7″ Pearl e-ink display.  It has only 3G capability so you will need to check the coverage in your area before choosing this model.

Of course you can still always get hold of older models, either second hand or factory refurbished.  Until the factory refurbished models come down in price considerably I don’t really see the point in buying them, since the latest models have so much more improved displays and firmware.

The 3rd Generation Kindle Book Reader

By far the most popular Kindle reader to date, the 3rd generation model from Amazon uses the most advanced e-ink screen technology to date, and has the best internet browsing capabilities.

Kindle With Wi-Fi, or Wi-Fi & 3G?

Whether you go for the 3G + wi-fi, or simply the wi-fi only version will really depend on just how flexible you need the internet access to be.  For all your daily browsing needs (checking web based email, and facebook for example), you will rely on the wi-fi access.  For browsing the Kindle ebook store, viewing Wikipedia and other selected sites the 3G access will give you a faster connection, but only if you have a strong 3G signal.

Most of the time you will simply be reading, and for that no wireless access is needed, so switch it off and double the battery life, to around a month!

Cheaper Kindle With Ads

The latest addition, is a $25 reduced Kindle 3 with sponsored ads and special offers.  After the success of the introduction of the $114 wi-fi version, Amazon have now also released their 3G model with a discount offset by sponsored ads and discounts.

These ads will only appear as screen-savers and on the home-screen so they shouldn’t interfere with your enjoyment, and might be a worthwhile way to get hold of a cheaper ebook reader.

Kindle DX Reader

If you want (or need) a larger screen, you might wish to consider the DX model which has a significant 9.7 inch display.  Of course the size makes it a lot less portable and also far heavier than its little brothers.  But for those viewing PDF, work or newspaper files it might be worth the pay off.  Personally I would opt instead for the Sony PRS950 Daily Edition Reader.  With its touch-screen, wi-fi and 3G it is more flexible and not quite so hefty either!

Next Generation Kindle Ebook Reader

Amazon have tended to be pretty secretive when it comes to possible advances and developments within their Kindle department.  But bearing in mind that the company own a touch-screen business, are developing Android applications, and looking into color displays it seems likely that the next generation Kindle will offer something significantly different to the current batch.  A color Kindle option might be on the cards, thanks to e-ink Triton and Mirasol color, low energy displays, or perhaps even a totally new Android Kindle Tablet to join the ranks of the Amazon ebook reader family.

It now looks pretty likely that we will see two new Amazon tablet devices, a 7″ color tablet to perform as a more versatile Kindle, as well as a completely new 10″ Amazon tablet with a focus on video streaming and cloud computing via Amazon’s own mobile computing services.

Whatever the future Kindle looks like, you can be sure we will be excited to check it out as soon as possible!

Sony PRS-350 Pocket Edition Ebook Reader

Perhaps the most popular of the Sony range of eReaders is their Pocket Edition pictured.  With a 5″ display and a tiny weight just under 5.5 ounces this is the perfect eReader to put, quite literally in your pocket.

Sony are using the latest Pearl e-ink display so the clarity and contrast is excellent.  This is what the hugely popular current Kindle is using too.  But what you don’t get is something many of us have come to expect; wireless capability.   Though this is perhaps the most portable of today’s reading devices, it is one of very few left that you will have to stock up on content at home.  To be honest it hardly takes any time, transferring files from your computer, via the high speed USB cable, to the reader.  But it of course means that you do need to be a little more organised when it comes to leaving the house and having lots of good books to read.

With an ample 2GB of onboard memory you should be able to store around 1200 titles on this nifty little gizmo.  The memory is not expandable though so you’ll be glad of the computer back up.

What sets this (and the other Sony readers) apart is that you can download books from just about everywhere, since multiple formats are supported.  This is a great choice for those wanting to borrow ebooks from their library.  But for one click ordering you might be a little disappointed by the Sony book stores choice (and prices).  But since you don’t have to buy from them, you are free to bag yourself free content (and cheaper titles) elsewhere.

This is a great entry level ebook reader, but you might be surprised to find that it is not actually that cheap.  At around the same price as a Kindle or Nook you have a smaller device, that at times may be more convenient.  It is easy to use, and providing you aren’t expecting wi-fi or 3G you should be pretty happy with its simplicity and functionality.

Sony PRS650 Touch Reader

The mid-range Sony Ebook Reader is the PRS650 Touch Edition, available in black or red (pictured).  This offers a perhaps more obvious ebook reader, with its larger 6″ Pearl e-ink display.

Again touch-screen navigation is really intuitive and allows you to turn the page with a swipe of the finger (a novelty that never really wears off).

However, again this does not have wireless.  Yes it is more flexible than the Kindle, since you can view more file types.  But at significantly more cost than Amazon’s reader, we really cannot see this one being a huge competitor.  The smaller Pocket Edition seems to have a purpose, portability.  But the Touch, is just a larger Pocket edition really.

For something really worth looking at, we prefer the next offering from Sony:

Sony PRS950 Daily Edition Ebook Reader

Sony’s biggest ebook reader gives it an edge.  With its 7″ Pearl e-ink display this is by far the best way to view PDFs and newspaper files, within the field of portable e-reading devices.

If these two file types are something you wish to view often, we recommend the Sony Daily Edition.  It’s still light and compact, but the displays size brings these larger formats to life like no other hand-held reader as far as we can see.

Also, at last this reader comes with 3G and wi-fi capability so that you can download content directly to the device rather than having to pop home to your computer whenever you want something new!

You do pay more (obviously) for the larger screen size, but when compared with the Amazon DX (probably the most popular larger ebook reader in competition with this), the Daily Edition wins hands down.  Yes it is larger, but not so large that you feel you may as well have brought a netbook with you.  Plus of course the touch-screen frees up space since no keypad is needed.

Of all the Sony eBook Readers available today, the PRS950 is by far the best, but only if you need that larger display.  If PDFs are not your thing the Nook or Kindle both offer a much cheaper (if less pretty) alternative.

Sony Ebook Readers

Sony have come a long way indeed since the first e-ink ebook reader was released in 2004.  But, whether they can compete with those brands offering wi-fi as standard, and huge online content stores remains to be seen; at least in the US market where book-stores such as Amazon and Barnes & Noble remain king.

The First Ebooks

First ebook was the Declaration of Independence which came in 1971 when Michael Hart inadvertantly launched Poject Gutenberg.  The site aims to bring over a million books to consumers world-wide for free.  Due to a lengthening of the period of copyright to 50 years after the death of the author, works are entering the public domain at a far slower rate than first envisaged.  Still, today there are over 33,000 free ebooks available for download in a variety of formats.

By the 1990′s new books were being published electronically, and the growth of the internet made distribution of electronic titles far more practical.  New authors unable to get their work accepted by publishers found a new outlet for cheap and easy self publishing.

The initial idea was that ebooks would be used on computers, or small netbook style devices that didn’t really take off.  To that end, for years only very niche titles were widely published electronically.  In the 90′s US libraries began “stocking” electronic books for free lending, focusing on technical and scientific titles with a relatively small audience.  By 2003 the genre was beginning to take off and libraries began lending popular fiction and non-fiction electronically.

In 2010 Amazon announced that sales of electronic books were higher than those for hard-backs, and by Feb 2011 even paper-back sales could not compete with the growth in ebook sales.  Add thousands of free ebooks that aren’t even included in the figures, and 2011 looks like the year the ebook domination really takes off.

The First Ebook Readers

The abundance of books in electronic form, rather unsurprisingly, eventually sparked a new handheld gadget; the ebook reading device.  Initially, basic and based on a small computer the readers were expensive, had short battery lives, and could not store much content.  1998 saw the first dedicated ebook reading devices launched; the Rocket eBook and SoftBook.

The SoftBook incorporated a leather front cover so you had the feel of a real book, and the ability to make notes and annotations.  All with wireless capability that meant you didn’t need a computer to get titles onto it – sounds pretty familiar nowadays, but this was a real innovation.

Of course, features such as note taking and highlighting spawned a whole host of now forgotten ebook readers.  But until e-ink, short battery lives and basic computer style displays did nothing to make us feel they could really be a valid alternative to the portable, nature of books themselves.

The Importance of E-Ink for the Modern E-Reader

The only way electronic reading could really take off, was if viewing mimicked reading a real book.   Many of us use computers and LCD displays all day, but few of us find them relaxing to view large amounts of text on.  Eye strain, and of course the glare associated with these displays when used outdoors, all make them less acceptable when hoping to enjoy a few hours curled up with a good book.

Reading for pleasure needed an electronic display that looked like paper, and so e-ink was born.  Applying a tiny charge to ink suspended in a liquid makes light or dark particles rise to the surface, so that letters and images can be formed.   The result is something that looks spookily like ink on paper, and requires very little power to operate.  Once the image is set no power is needed, so power consumption is calculated in terms of page turns, rather than time spent using the device.

Without a back light the displays work just as well out-doors even in bright sun-shine, and put far less strain on the eyes.  The portable reading device that you could comfortably enjoy at the beach was born, as Sony released the first e-ink based ebook reading device in 2004; the Sony LIBRIé.

E-ink has come a long way since those early days.  Improved contrast, more shades of gray and even better battery life, have resulted in the introduction of Pearl e-ink in 2010 prompting a massive uptake in ebook readers such as the Kindle 3.

Even color is now possible with Triton e-ink.  It is a very different experience to the vivid technicolor of LCD displays, but it could see a real change in the future of electronic readers.  Color might not be important to most of us, when reading, but for non-fiction and children’s stories it can be a must.

Hanvon unveiled their first color e-ink reader at CES 2011. Initially sales are to be only in China.  But if uptake is good, the future of ebook readers might well be a little more colorful.

Of course Triton e-ink is not the only option for those wanting to create color display ebook readers.  Mirasol displays offer a lower power option, with the advantage of much faster refresh enabling video to be viewed.  Plus of course there are tried and tested LCD options, such as that utilised by the Nook Color reader (or should we just call it a tablet?).

Thanks to the success of e-ink there are now a plethora of ebook readers available, from the Kindle and Nook to Sony, Cybook and many more.  Though the first three take a significant majority share of the electronic reading device market, Amazon are proving by far the strongest brand in the field.

Dedicated eReaders v Multi-Function Devices

2010 brought us the iconic Apple iPad.  A revolution in mobile computing seems to have arrived, and of course ever since manufacturers have been keen to rush into the tablet market.  All the big ebook readers now have apps that can turn your iPad or Galaxy tab into a dedicated reader.

But these tablets (and smart phones) may be great for having flexibility and multi-functions in one neat package, but they do not outperform dedicated reading devices when it comes to sitting back and enjoying a good book.  The tech press initially expected the birth of iPad to mean the end of readers such as the Nook and Kindle.  But they were very wrong.

With prices dropping, displays improving, and battery life simply wiping the floor with tablets the dedicated eReader looks set to stay for a good while yet.

If you can only afford one personal gadget, you will probably want to make it one that does a lot.  But if reading is your passion, you will want a product designed to give you the very best reading experience possible, and that will be (for now at least) and e-ink based ebook reading device.

The Future of Ebook Readers

Whilst more and more of us will use our phones, lap-tops and tablet PCs as mobile ebook readers, the dedicated eReader has a whole host of advantages when you have the space for two gadgets, and a desire to read.

Color eBook Readers

For the future, it looks certain that color will become more popular.  The Nook Color brought us an LCD based ebook reader, that functions more as a basic tablet.  It is gloriously colorful but it hasn’t got the comfortable view of e-ink based products.

Jeff Bezos at Amazon has been saying for years that color, low energy displays simply weren’t up to the job and that a color Kindle was a way off into the future.  But with Triton e-ink, and Mirasol color displays that look like ink, and don’t drain your battery, we expect to see even Kindle move towards color screens in the near future.

Touch-Screen eReaders

Touch is something that has already been incorporated into several big name ebook readers.  In 2010 Sony relaunched their entire range with touch-screens included.  Barnes & Noble have always offered a partial touch-screen for easier navigation of their Nook reader.

We expect Amazon to do something more “touchy feely” with the next generation of Kindle reader soon.

Wireless Ebook Readers

Since the Nook and Kindle allowed users to download new books wirelessly directly to the devices, without needing to bother switching on your PC, wireless connectivity has become increasingly the “norm”.  Sure there are a still few ebook readers out there that won’t connect wirelessly to your preferred ebook store, but they are becoming rare indeed.  Pretty soon we expect all dedicated ebook readers will offer you stand alone book shopping with no need to ever switch your computer on at home again.

The Ebook Reading Tablet

So what about the big one, for the future.  Rumours abound that Amazon will bring us an Android Kindle Tablet sometime in 2011, whilst Apple have already patented screen technology that incorporates touch-screen with the ability to switch between back-lit LCD and low energy e-ink, which sounds like it really could be the best of all worlds.  We only hope someone else brings us something similar since Apple’s gadgets may be the most beautiful, but they are often also the most expensive.

The cheap ebook reader has got to be the big move for manufacturers.  Rumours are even making the rounds that Kindle’s could become free.  In the UK already some mobile network providers are offering a free ebook reader when you sign up for a lengthy mobile contract.  With thousands of Prime Customers in the fold, perhaps offering a free Kindle could be Amazon’s way of keeping content sales high.

At any rate, prices are dropping.  We already have a $25 discounted Amazon reader, offset with ads rather than ordinary screen-savers, and their DX model has been given a one day $80 special deal.

The future will certainly looks exciting as far as technological advances appear, but what we really want to see is the $99 ebook reader!