Amazon has sold millions of Kindle units in just 73 days? What's with the demand despite iPad's popularity?
Kindle still attracting millions of consumers despite iPad popularity, and new competition like Android tablets.
According to DaringFireball.com, Amazon has managed to sell millions of Kindle units in just 73 days. Although the exact figure was not announced, a report says the “millions” is about 2 million minimum, based on a mathematical deduction since the Kindle DX is still on sale.
Surprisingly, that’s still an enormous amount despite number of claim that iPad’s eReader market share is “unstoppable” in eating Kindle’s pie share. But is it really possible for Amazon to sell millions of Kindle units even on increased competition with Apple?
The answer is a big yes, but will soon be replaced by a big no once Amazon will still stick to its Kindle-old style. Here are the three reasons why Amazon is still enjoying millions of Kindle sales:
1. Amazon’s Kindle products are easy to purchase. almost all are available worldwide via Amazon’s official web store, and other partner non-US websites, compared to other devices like Nook Color and iPad that are still not available in some countries. The coverage is Amazon’s retail is quite bigger.
2. Cheap, super cheap. Compared to other devices like Galaxy Tab and iPad, Kindle still stays at the bottom of the expensive devices list. But the con, Kindle is colorless. PC World’s May 2010 post revealed that Amazon is still not into producing Kindle with color. But is Kindle’s color-less world a disadvantage? Based on reviews of bunch of blogs on the internet, not so. Some of eReader users still love e-ink compared to colored eReader. Here’s one good discussion about Kindle’s e-ink display [here].
3. Not all novel lovers love multi-function devices. Kindle’s color-less display is perfect for eReading, and the later models are just add-ons. I spoke to one Kindle (with WiFi) user and she said the WiFi serves as her second dictionary, and source of additional information when encountering interesting words and events in a novel or memoir.
BUT, as eReaders are becoming aware of the other possibilities and potential of eBooks combined with entertainment, looks like Amazon needs to launch its own colored eReader next year. Based on the devices’ recent decline due to iPad’s popularity, it’s so obvious that eBook lovers want more functionalities.
And mommies want to play and see colorful pictures too.
Most of eReader users in the USA also love to read magazines. According to an MRI data published in April 2010, 91% of e-reader owners read print or digital magazines. And most of these digital magazines are now available in iPad, as well as Barnes and Noble’s Nook Color.
But I can still see acceptable Kindle sales figure for this month after Amazon announced that their free shipping promo is extended.
