What Sony’s Adoption Of ePub Format Means For The Amazon Kindle!

By Frestech on August 15, 2009 in Tech News

Recently Sony unveiled two digital ebook readers, announced the adoption of Adobe Content server to copy-protect downloadable e-books, and announced that all Sony-store ebooks will be converted to the ePub format…the common format among most if not all ebook readers, except the Amazon Kindle.

…and they are planning to unveil a third device with wireless capability in the not too distant future.

Many believe that if industry leader, theAmazon Kindle. don’t fall in-line, It run the risk of losing its leadership status and fade into oblivion. Let’s see!

If Amazon don’t adopt the ePub format, the Kindle store could suffer…unless of course, it offers in-demand content that’s not available kindle 2 elsewhere. Otherwise, it may have to lower prices to attract customers.

On the other hand, If it adopt the ePub format, this could level the book-content playing field and allow other ebook readers to stake a bigger claim in on the action.

So now, customers would just need to choose from among a slew of ereader devices and get their books from wherever they choose. No more propriety book-content and no more market dominance by Amazon. But is it that simple?

Well let’s not forget that books are not the only content that readers want and that ereaders is not restricted to delivering only that.

In fact, there is evidence that readers may be interested in other more useful applications on their ereader devices in addition to books…which may be one of the reasons why many opt for the Amazon Kindle over other ereaders.

Presently, the Amazon Kindle delivers magazines, blogs, newspaper, experimental internet access, music, photo gallery, textbooks (in the works), some games, and so on….content that other similar devices don’t offer.

…and if this is any indication of why customers choose the device, then they may be sending a message that they need a device that delivers more…an “iphone-like” device with other useful applications that just happens to deliver books.

…which take us the up and coming Apple tablet. If this tablet can do to the ereader market what the iPhone did to the cellphone market, then we are in for another shocker!

So, it is not just about access to books, it is about access to all kind of content, books and much more, and the device that can deliver it to the public with the least amount of restrictions will lead.

The war is on and the battle is far from over. There is a lot more punches to be thrown…and I really don’t think the Amazon Kindle is going to roll over and die.

…which means that there will be a lot to write about in the upcoming months…and I will be right there with pen in hand. Let us know your thoughts.