10th
Amazon’s Kindle 2 could be savior of textbook industry
© Michelle Bollman
Published 2009, Lee Clarion
Editorial can be read online, here.
Imagine carrying a textbook that is only 10.2 ounces.
At a size smaller than a typical paperback book and thinner than a pen, Amazon.com’s new Kindle 2 could hold up to 1,500 textbooks and still weigh less than a pound.
Details of the new Apple-esque reading device were released on Feb. 9.
With advanced new features such as free built-in 3G wireless Internet and a text-to-speech feature, the new version is aimed at beating competitors. But what if it wasn’t?
With advancing technology used in all facets of the classroom, the Kindle 2 could have a perfect shot at the educational market.
After all, the innovative device has come a long way since it first debuted a year ago.
The accessibility of the book-like device makes it easy to incorporate into everyday use, however with a little more development, the Kindle could replicate the capabilities of a computer or an iPhone.The original Kindle wasn’t very obtainable, however. Hopefully with heavier production, Kindle 2 will be in more widely available, and (hopefully) even receive price cuts.
At $359, the price of the Kindle 2 could easily make up for the hundreds of dollars spent every semester on textbooks. The drawback, however, is that the average downloadable book costs $9.99. Multiply that figure by six books and students would still face an average semester book cost of $59.94.
The demands of college students and professionals alike should be reason enough for greedy textbook manufacturers to strike a deal with Amazon.com in order to facilitate a package that includes both the Kindle 2 and required textbooks.
The Kindle 2 allows for the download of not only books, but of blogs, magazines and newspapers as well. The device features 2GB of built-in storage and does not require a computer to use.
The text-to-speech feature allows readers to listen to their books. In addition, the device automatically bookmarks any reader’s last stopping point.
In the digital information age the Kindle 2 allows for highlighting and commenting in the margins of any purchased book. In fact, the device has a complete keyboard to make quick notes and adjust size easily.
Marketed to both college students and professionals, the Kindle 2 includes a built in dictionary, wireless access to Wikipedia (students across the globe cheer) and an option to search through any text.
Though the device may seem designed to reinvent the textbook market, college students may not be willing to shell out the money for a Kindle 2 all at once.
Downfalls include not having a hard copy of the textbook, not being able to see color pictures and, most importantly, not being able to sell a copy back to the bookstore at the end of the semester.
Are the benefits worth the downfalls? We’ll leave it up to the readers to decide.
